Businesswoman Trio Bringing New Life to Rosebank
From left to right: Caileen Gonzalez, Larissa Schiano-Gonzalez, and Loren Zoe.
By Dom Provenzano, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Larissa Schiano-Gonzalez, 42, has been involved in movement since she was two years old. Today, Schiano-Gonzalez and her yoga studio, Be Yoga, are responsible for a tremendous amount of physical, spiritual, and mindful movement in Rosebank.
Larissa’s journey to opening her own yoga studio was a long time in the making. As a child, Schiano-Gonzalez was involved with dance and, in her 20’s, she discovered yoga. Then, her grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
“I am very deeply connected and inspired by my family,” said Larissa. “A lot of the work I do was inspired by my poppy, and that inspiration continues to this day.”
That inspiration led to a career in serving the Alzheimer’s community through movement, including at Clove Lakes Nursing Home, where she served seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia. She also funded Living Through Movement, a nonprofit that serves senior citizens with limited mobility and movement disorders, as well as low and moderate-income individuals, those dealing with trauma, and disenfranchised youth.
Larissa Schiano-Gonzalez, owner of Be Yoga.
By 2015, Larissa made a career in yoga, dance, and movement. But a drive to start something new began to swell. “I was the leader of teacher development [at another studio]. I was teaching at my girlfriend’s dance studio. And, I saw a different vision for what yoga could be on Staten Island. I got to the point where I was like, ‘you know what? Let’s just do it.’”
In January 2016, Larissa opened Be Yoga in Rosebank. “I was drawn to Rosebank. I love being close to the water, and it has this real ‘home-ish’ feeling to it. It’s a special little gem over here.”
The studio, which offers yoga workshops and events, teacher training, and mentorship programs, quickly became a neighborhood institution, with more than 45 attendees visiting its very first class. Among its early adopters were two budding businesswomen: Caileen Gonzalez and Loren Gregory. For the two of them, Larissa would serve as not only a yoga instructor, but as an inspiration and driving force to start their own ventures.
Caileen Gonzalez, 29, was unsure of what career path she should follow. “At first, I wanted to be a teacher and spent a lot of time in schools. I realized it wasn’t for me. I tried a lot of different things. Mental health was always the most important thing to me, and as I struggled with my own mental health issues, I realized I wanted to work to create a safe space for children.”
Caileen Gonzalez, owner of Tiny to Tall Tutoring & Test Prep.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, mental health was top-of-mind for many. “That's when I realized the demand was greater than what I can provide. And that's when I opened Tiny to Tall Tutoring.”
Tiny to Tall Tutoring Test Prep provides both in-person and virtual tutoring to students both locally and nationwide via a network of teachers. Kindness and compassion are at the root of the businesses’ mission.
“I work with nonprofits and find ways to bring affordable help through grants so that everybody gets a chance. All students should get a chance to have teachers who care, who listen, who love, who support, and who boost their confidence to help them reach their academic goals.”
Caileen credits her success to her time spent with Larissa at Be Yoga. “I would say the most rooted I felt in my community was when I joined Be Yoga,” said Gonzalez. “I always take the opportunity to emphasize that what I do is an exact mirror and reflection of Larissa and her love. I use what she taught me in my tutoring all the time. I bring all that mindfulness to the kids.”
Meanwhile, another Be Yoga customer, Loren Gregory, found herself in a rut. Loren worked in a Bay Ridge salon for two years and at the famous Saks of Manhattan Hair Salon for another eight, and was beginning to feel burnt out.
“I was managing everything. It was amazing because it was Saks. But it was superficial. I thought, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’”
Raised by four brothers above a hair salon, Loren, 33, would spend her time in the salon to escape. An idea began to spout: why not open her own salon, or an escape to call her own? Like Caileen, the COVID-19 pandemic served as the perfect opportunity.
“The pandemic was a wakeup call. Larissa was the one that pushed me. She said, ‘when are you going to open your own business?’ So I quit.”
Loren Gregory, Owner of Love is in the Hair
On the day she departed Saks, Loren spotted a vacant storefront directly across from Be Yoga. Loren – accompanied by Larissa – toured the space. “I was nervous, but Larissa reassured me, and she really opened the door for me. She said, ‘take the leap, the net will follow.’ So I took the leap.”
In 2021, Love is in the Hair was born. The Rosebank salon offers an extensive menu of services, including haircuts, blowouts, coloring, treatments, and bridal services. But of all the services that the salon offers, Loren is most proud of the atmosphere she has created. Loren proudly states that Love is in the Hair serves at a safe space for clients, where they can be heard and be themselves. Loren also uses her space to showcase local artists and vendors. A display of artwork, plants, clothing, and crafts is proudly displayed alongside her own wares.
Even the salon’s bathroom is a point of interest. The walls are covered with inspirational messages, all written by friends, family, and clients. Among the quotes include, “love is gangster,” “take the leap and don’t look back,” and “love begets love.”
“Life is hard right now for a lot of people. My clients know that this is a safe space, where all are welcome. We talk about everything – whether its drug use, money, or mental health.” It’s more than just hair. It’s a bond and relationship that I form with my clients.”
As a trio, Larissa, Caileen, and Loren are serving as a catalyst for change in Rosebank. The trio, in partnership with the SIEDC, organizes monthly community cleanups, with the goal of cleaning and beautifying the corridor. They also plan community events and maintain flower beds and trees.
Caileen and Loren are clear: their businesses, the neighborhood improvements, and the evolving community in Rosebank all go back to Larissa and Be Yoga.
From left to right: Caileen Gonzalez, Larissa Schiano-Gonzalez, and Loren Zoe.
“It’s all the potential and love that we found in our classes with Larissa that created the opportunities for me to be the best version of me, and this community that has been created and continues to grow,” said Caileen. “She’s had an incredible impact on us.”
“When I worked in Manhattan, I would tell everyone about Be Yoga,” said Loren. It all goes back there, to Larissa. I love that place. Now I get to see it every day.”
For Larissa, watching Tiny to Tall Tutoring and Love is in the Hair grow is the ultimate reward. “Creating a place for people where they could learn the tools of yoga, feel at home, find themselves, create themselves, and let their visions come to life was always the intention. When I see Cai and Loren follow their dreams, it’s truly a realization of that goal.”
