My name is Lynn Bello and I am the owner of The Mindful Cafe in Ramsey, NJ. I am a local resident and have three children, my youngest is a senior at Ramsey High School. I opened the Cafe out of my love for healthy organic and non-gmo food and my desire to show my customers that good clean food can not only be nutritious but also delicious. Our menu was created to be Mindful of quality ingredients and locally sourced products including organic coffee, espresso drinks, turmeric and chai teas as well as smoothies made with organic fruits and vegetables.
I wanted to create a community driven place where kids and adults in the community can come and eat wholesome and nutritious food and have a place where they can sit and study or get tutored etc. I am looking forward to incorporating more health coaching as part of the business model at the The Mindful Cafe. Right now with covid it would be in the form of a webinar, but ultimately can also be offered as an in person coaching program.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have 3 children 18, 23 & 25. My husband Rich (formerly from Blue Ridge Capital) also started a new business, called Arootah.com, which is a premier coaching and consulting business offered to those with a hunger to grow. Coaching for all areas of development, including health, wellness and career. The coaching webinars that are available at Arootah.com will soon be available through The Mindful Cafe.
Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
My favorite part of running the cafe is meeting customers and introducing people to new and healthier alternatives to what they already eat. There are so many people out there with so many dietary needs or restrictions, and I love having a place for everyone. Creating healthy and clean eating options for kids and adults that still tastes delicious. I want to be able to educate people on the food they are consuming, and where their food comes from. During covid, I’m offering curbside pick up and online ordering. We are also going to be offering a delivery service coming soon with chownow!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love Cafe Panache, I love the food and the owner, he is a wonderful part of the community and I have really enjoyed getting to know him. I also like Varka because it has a great social scene.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have been in Bergen County for ten years and started my business in Ramsey two years ago.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Samanta Moise from LaPare Wellness. A fellow women owned business, promoting healthy, beautifully scented candles, sprays and skin products that are made with quality, non-toxic ingredients. We carry her products at the cafe and share business ideas.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Amsterdam
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Mama mia
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Follow your passion and do what you love. The rest will come organically – no pun intended!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Travel through Europe
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Adele or Lady Gaga
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Cafe Panache – we’ve spent a lot of time there with our family
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I’d like to meet Danny Meyer at the egg chairs at The Mindful Cafe. I think he is such a cool guy with amazing ideas and I would love to pick his brain about the industry and his success.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that Ramsey High School has an open campus and the kids can walk into town for lunch.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I’d like to open additional cafe’s and offer more products and services.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I studied interior design in school and loved creating the warm and inviting space at the cafe. Designing the cafe for me was so much fun because I was able to incorporate my interior design background. Hospitality is important to me so I wanted to ensure the space I created in the cafe offered the relaxed ambiance and happy space for everyone.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
costa rica
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Favorite month is May, Favorite holiday is mother’s day and that is my favorite day on the calendar.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The Mindful Cafe vegan chocolate truffles. They are low in sugar, contain healthy fat and are creamy and delicious!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband, Rich. He is incredibly supportive but also challenges me to do better which I love. He pushes me to think out of the box and expand my thoughts so that I can be the best version of myself everyday.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Freshly baked brownies and onions and garlic
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Home is love, family, cats & dogs
Q: Finally, what is the best way for someone to contact you if they were interested in know more about your services?
Phone
201-649-3600
Email
lynn@themindfulcafe.org
Location
The Mindful Cafe
183 E Main St.
Ramsey, NJ 07446
