<h2><!--block-->From Finance to Manufacturing Leadership</h2><div><!--block-->Christine Brenner had a 20-year career in Real Estate Development Finance, but when her husband suddenly passed away in 2011, she found herself sitting at the helm of his company Brenner Metal Products.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Located in Passaic, Brenner Metal Products specializes in manufacturing field hospital equipment and emergency management products for the United States Department of Defense as well as state and local government agencies.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"Our products are 100 percent Made in America," said Christine proudly.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->As the new CEO and President of the company, she decided that she needed to understand every aspect of the business and turned to the foreman for help.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I asked him to put me on every single machine," said Christine. "I worked on every machine and memorized every part. I studied every drawing, I studied every material, every cut length, every piercing."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Christine said knowing every angle and aspect of the business is just "part of the fabric of her personality."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->She also knew she needed a smart and trustworthy person by her side. Christine invited her sister, June Abbott, to join her in the business as the Chief Operating Officer (COO).<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"My sister is my best friend and a smart businesswoman; I couldn't do what I do without her," said Christine.<br><br></div><h2><!--block-->Pandemic Success and Industry Recognition</h2><div><!--block-->A dedicated staff was an asset in 2020 when Brenner Metal Products was contracted to provide her sole source field hospital bed during the pandemic.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"We manufactured 2,000 beds for a field hospital for Cleveland Clinic," said Christine. "We had two shifts working seven days a week; and we did it 30 days."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Christine has been profiled as one of the few women in the manufacturing industry in a New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) publication.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->In April, Christine showcased two new products at the New Jersey Emergency Preparedness Association Conference in Atlantic City; <br>a Functional Needs Cot and a Patient Care Bed Kit.<br><span data-trix-cursor-target="left" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><figure contenteditable="false" data-trix-attachment="{"content":"<figure class=\"rte-inserted-image\" data-img-size=\"large\" data-img-align=\"center\" style=\"max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><img src=\"https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/3219ef5a-d6d0-4d66-a5c3-f096cfc3f4ef/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/\" alt=\"4 - 7659441 - Christine Brenner and bed.jpeg-3219ef5a-d6d0-4d66-a5c3-f096cfc3f4ef\" data-media-id=\"6a10808d87b02e14f872b0bd\" data-component-role=\"\"></figure>"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" data-trix-id="26051" class="attachment attachment--content"><figure class="rte-inserted-image" style="max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img src="https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/3219ef5a-d6d0-4d66-a5c3-f096cfc3f4ef/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/"></figure><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><span data-trix-cursor-target="right" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><br><br></div><h2><!--block-->An Entrepreneur at Heart</h2><div><!--block-->Being a woman business owner is something Christine first embraced when she was 18 years old.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->As a graduate of Rutherford High School, Christine attended college and bought during her first semester she bought her first business. "I bought a Tanning Salon in North Bergen, and I named it Christina's," said Christine.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I loved the challenge and day-to-day aspects of running my own business and being my own boss. My mistakes and lessons will be my own," said Christine.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Her keen sense of business opportunities led to her to owning a Moxie Salon & Beauty Bar in Ridgewood and a car wash in Garfield, while running Brenner Metal Products.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I owned Moxie for seven years and loved meeting all the women who came to the salon," said Christine. "There were lots of events that Moxie was a part of."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Today, Christine said the days of red-carpet social functions, glamorous clothing, and hair and makeup have been replaced by a casual lifestyle.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I barely wear makeup these days and go into the office in jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers," laughs Christine.<br><span data-trix-cursor-target="left" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><figure contenteditable="false" data-trix-attachment="{"content":"<figure class=\"rte-inserted-image\" data-img-size=\"large\" data-img-align=\"center\" style=\"max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><img src=\"https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/fe111143-33ab-42ec-a63d-c348b5db65e0/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/\" alt=\"2 - 7659443 - Brenner cover.jpg-fe111143-33ab-42ec-a63d-c348b5db65e0\" data-media-id=\"6a1080b15bdb8014bc950d2f\" data-component-role=\"\"></figure>"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" data-trix-id="26202" class="attachment attachment--content"><figure class="rte-inserted-image" style="max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img src="https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/fe111143-33ab-42ec-a63d-c348b5db65e0/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/"></figure><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><span data-trix-cursor-target="right" data-trix-serialize="false"></span></div><h2><!--block-->Life Beyond Business</h2><div><!--block-->When she returns home from work, she is greeted by her mini-poodles, Stella and Penny.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->After giving them her attention, Christine heads to the kitchen.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I have an adorable collection of aprons, and I put one on as soon as I get home from work," said Christine, "I just feel most comfortable that way."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Christine enjoys creating cooking and gardening content for social media platforms and has been teaching herself how to can food from her garden.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->One person who benefits from her culinary endeavors is her boyfriend, Gim Gallo. They love making homemade Italian pastas & pizza and his moms authentic Limoncello recipe.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"We have been together for ten years," said Christine. "Gim has three wonderful sons who I adore and his youngest is graduating from Ramapo High School this year."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->The couple lived in Parsippany before moving to Wyckoff in 2020.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"My sister lives in the area and I wanted to find a house close to her," said Christine.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->The move to Wyckoff also included Gim moving his business, NJ Cabinets Plus, to the township.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->When not working or hosting dinner parties, the couple enjoys visiting Gim's family in Italy.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"Gim was raised near Salerno, and we split time with his family and time exploring other parts of Italy," said Christine. "This summer we planned a month-long trip."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Christine has such "amore" for Italy that she dreams of owning a house in Tuscany.<br><span data-trix-cursor-target="left" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><figure contenteditable="false" data-trix-attachment="{"content":"<figure class=\"rte-inserted-image\" data-img-size=\"large\" data-img-align=\"center\" style=\"max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><img src=\"https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/47149f2e-a5a7-4885-8b6e-999b78e93280/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/\" alt=\"3 - 7659444 - Christine and Gim.jpg-47149f2e-a5a7-4885-8b6e-999b78e93280\" data-media-id=\"6a1080d64bf0543123b0a3b8\" data-component-role=\"\"></figure>"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" data-trix-id="26439" class="attachment attachment--content"><figure class="rte-inserted-image" style="max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img src="https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/47149f2e-a5a7-4885-8b6e-999b78e93280/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/"></figure><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><span data-trix-cursor-target="right" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I love the beauty, the culture and the simple life they live in Italy," said Christine.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I just got a new Nikon camera, and photographing the architecture, churches and sky are my passion," said Christine.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Christine has a son, Ryan, a wonderful daughter-in-law Alyssa and a new granddaughter named Sybil. "I just love being a grandmother, she's my newest obsession. I'm totally living in my "grandma" era", said Christine.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->The woman who thrives on successfully juggling many balls at once has added a new activity to her schedule… mahjong.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I took lessons from Erika Palmer and now play at the Tile Society, her mahjong studio in Wyckoff," said Christine. "I enjoy the laughs and slight competition with the girls and have made so many new friendships."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Christine also volunteers her time as a Commissioner on the Wyckoff Environmental Commission.<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"I really enjoy participating in the annual fishing derby and the Tidy-Up to Clean-Up event," said Christine. I learned a lot about recycling, composting and I Co-chair the Junior Commissioner Projects at the High School level."<br><span data-trix-cursor-target="left" data-trix-serialize="false"></span><figure contenteditable="false" data-trix-attachment="{"content":"<figure class=\"rte-inserted-image\" data-img-size=\"large\" data-img-align=\"center\" style=\"max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;\"><img src=\"https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/89c8ffa9-b608-4720-9966-af8518ce48ef/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/\" alt=\"1 - 7659442 - Limoncello.jpg-89c8ffa9-b608-4720-9966-af8518ce48ef\" data-media-id=\"6a1080f587b02e14f873030f\" data-component-role=\"\"></figure>"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" data-trix-id="27407" class="attachment attachment--content"><figure class="rte-inserted-image" style="max-width:75%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;"><img src="https://uyluucdnr2.ucarecd.net/89c8ffa9-b608-4720-9966-af8518ce48ef/-/resize/1400x/-/format/auto/-/quality/smart/"></figure><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure><span data-trix-cursor-target="right" data-trix-serialize="false"></span></div><h2><!--block-->Advice and Classic Limoncello Recipe</h2><div><!--block-->Christines advice to women wanting to start their own business?<br><br></div><div><!--block-->"Don't overcomplicate things and don't wait until things are perfect. Launch a "good enough" version, then improve as you go"."<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Classic Limoncello Recipe:<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Ingredients<br><br></div><div><!--block-->10-12 organic lemons (this matters – no wax or chemicals)<br><br></div><div><!--block-->750 ml high proof vodka (or Everclear)<br><br></div><div><!--block-->4 cups water<br><br></div><div><!--block-->2-1/2 cups sugar<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Step 1: Peel the lemons<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Step 2: Infuse<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Let it sit for 10-14 days (shake gently every couple days<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Step 3: Make a simple syrup<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Heat water + sugar until dissolved<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Let it cool completely<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Step 4: Strain & Mix<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Strain out the lemon peels<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Mix infused vodka with the cooled syrup<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Step 5: Bottle + chill<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Pour into bottles<br><br></div><div><!--block-->Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving & Enjoy!<br><br></div>
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