Meet Hudson County’s 2020 Tail of the Year Judges.  Congratulations if you are one of the 229 contestants that entered our Tail of the Year competition.  Thank you for making this competition an amazingly fun experience by entering your pets with their adorable photos.  As of Oct 11, the voting for the semi-finalists will close to the public. The hard work for the judges begins as they sift through all the entries, searching for the pets who will become the Tail of their city in Hudson County.

Trusty Tails proudly welcomes you to meet…

Michael Check, Realtor Coldwell Banker

Where are you from?

I was born in Chicago, IL and moved to NJ in 2004 and I have been here ever since.  I currently live in Union City.

Tell Us About Your Business

As an agent who’s an expert in the Hudson County area, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate here. It’s not the same everywhere, so you need someone you can trust for up-to-date information. I deliver unmatched customer service, and my genuine desire to see your property goals come true makes me the go-to resource for all your real estate needs.

How Do You Help Sell or Buy a Home?

Selling Your Home

For sellers, I take full advantage of Coldwell Banker’s® marketing tools to ensure that your property is broadly promoted on a variety of channels, including major real estate websites.  My negotiation skills are second to none.  When it’s time to move, you need someone who will advertise your home, show to prospective buyers, negotiate the purchase contract, arrange financing, oversee the inspections, handle all necessary paperwork and supervise the closing. I can take care of everything you need, from start to close.

Helping You Find Your Next Home

For buyers, I effectively analyze the local market and target trends to help you find the perfect home at the right price.  You need someone who knows this area inside and out! I can work with you to find the right home at the right price for you, including all the neighborhood amenities that matter – not to mention the essential criteria you have for your ideal home

Michael Check & Sid, Hoboken RealtorConsulting on Home Selling Tactics

Oftentimes buyers don’t visualize living in your home the way you do. I can make your home attractive to its ideal audience with things like staging the home, making repairs or minor improvements, or even simply painting the walls.  These things can be the difference between a home resting on the market and one that’s sold fast.

What Pets Do You Have?

I have a Rottweiler named Sid, who is the gentlest, coolest dog ever.  I have 5 cats–Practical Magic, Geronimo, Macs,  Fat Face and Cry Baby–that I have rescued from the streets of Jersey City and Union City.  Practical Magic, our black cat, doesn’t use a litter box.  He prefers to go outside in our backyard with Sid, our dog, to use the bathroom.

Kayt Hester, Masking Tape Artist

Kayt HesterWhere are you from?

I  was born in Jersey City and raised in Flemington, NJ.  I returned to Jersey City 20 years ago and have been a resident ever since.

Tell Us About Career in the Arts & Comedy

I have always been an artist.  I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology for photography which led to a career as a still-life photographer.  Shortly after 9/11, I left my photography career and began using black masking tape as my main medium to create intricate images with shreds of hand torn black masking tape.  You can view my Tape Artistry at Maskingtape.com.

Any Interesting Things to Know About You?

I have been featured in both Nylon and Bust Magazine. I have also been awarded solo art shows throughout Jersey City and New York City.

I am also a stand up comedian who just won “audience favorite” for the Jersey Strong showcase of The Jersey City Comedy Festival.  After advancing to the final rounds, I was named one of the judges top 3 Best of the Festival.

What Pets Do You Have?

I have a very wacky, maniac of a cat named Harold, who was featured on Animal Planet’s show “Bad Dog”, due to his love of stealing strange things and hiding them around the house.  I also have 6 feral cats that I ‘trapped-neutered-returned’ to my backyard and have cared for and tended to for a decade now. They are all fat, healthy, safe and happy cats.

I also love dogs very much.  However, Harold hates all other animals and insists on being the only king in the castle.   

I used to hold yearly art fund raisers for The Companion Animal Trust and Hudson County Animal League, and still do when I am able to. 

Michelle Berckes, Busy Bee Organics

Michelle BerckesTell Us About Yourself

I am a natural food chef and nutritionist.  I have a BS in Dietetic Nutrition and fully intended to become a RD.  However, I decided I wanted to work more on the preventative side of healthcare rather than in a clinical setting.   After college, I went to Culinary School at the Natural Gourmet Institute for health and culinary arts.   There, I became certified in cooking for people with specific ailments inclusive of cancer etc.   I also studied Ayurveda and Chinese medicine.  My cooking style is focused on health support as well as bold flavors!

Tell Us about Your Business

I am the owner of Busy Bee Organics.  We just recently celebrated 6 years in business in May and 1 year as a brick n’ mortar located in JC Heights in August.

Busy Bee Organics is a unique meal prep company that started at the Grove Street Farmers market in 2014.  Our meals are plant based, gluten-free and dairy-free to start with a choice to add on a responsibly raised meat or cheese to any dish.  We deliver pre-ordered meals every Tuesday to JC, Hoboken, Weehawken and Union City. 

What Is Your Best Selling Item?

Our best selling items at Busy Bee Organics’  include their high protein Buffins, black bean brownies, sweet potato pizza, lentil shepherd’s pie, buffalo cauliflower salad and their soups.

We are currently trying to bring more natural and wellness products into our space such as The Oil Well Co, Parabotanica, Wild Kombucha and many more. 

Busy Bee OrganicsWhat Types of Events Does Busy Bee Organics do?

We often host pop-up events at their brick n’ mortar with other small biz partners such as Tia Planta, Bloomful Floral Design (they have floral pop-ups every Sunday), Mayernik Kitchen and many more. 

What Pets Do You Have?

I am a very proud dog mom of a sweet mini schnauzer named Lucy!