New Jersey Entrepreneurs Visit Washington During Small Business Month to Advocate for Access to AI and Digital Tools
Meta Leader Network Members Emphasize the Power of Targeted Ads and AI to Reach Customers, Streamline Operations, and Compete
New Jersey – During National Small Business Month, eight New Jersey entrepreneurs from the Meta Leaders Network traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers and share how digital tools like targeted advertising and AI are helping them grow.
The Meta Leaders Network is a community of small business owners from across the country who use Meta’s tools to build and grow their businesses. In New Jersey alone, nearly half a million businesses actively use Facebook to connect with customers, and more than 98% of them are small or medium-sized.
The group represented a mix of industries including beauty, food, consulting, retail, and digital media. Each relies on digital tools to scale their business and reach new customers. While in Washington, they met with the offices of U.S. Representative Frank Pallone and U.S. Senator Andy Kim, urging continued support for the technologies that help small businesses thrive.
“I use Facebook’s targeted ads to promote my dessert shoppe. It’s one of the most efficient ways to reach new customers,” said Melissa Jenkins, owner of BAM Desserts in Somerset. “AI also helps me do cost analysis in seconds, something that used to take hours. These tools save time and make a real difference.”
“Generative AI has become part of how my business functions. I’m not sure I could go back to how things were before,” said Monique Glover, founder of LaMonique Cosmetics in Hasbrouck Heights. “I create natural, mineral-based products with aromatherapy elements, something most people aren’t searching for by name. Targeted ads help me reach the exact customers looking for what I offer.”
“Teaching is my background, but building a business means constantly learning new things,” said Jennifer Graff, founder of Teaching21st LLC and Teacher & Family Deals Facebook Group in Mickleton. “I’ve used AI to draft terms of service and teach myself how to manage parts of the business I wasn’t trained for. At the same time, targeted ads have helped us grow by reaching people who appreciate the kinds of everyday savings and deals we post.”
“You can start a business with just a few dollars and a good targeted ad. I’ve done it, and I’ve helped clients do it too,” said Heather Marzigliano, owner of Grace on Broadway in Lake Hopatcong and a consultant to other small firms. “AI tools make hard jobs simpler. They’ve made my life easier and my work more efficient.”
"As a solo entrepreneur, I rely on digital tools to stay on top of content and planning,” said Martine Cadet, founder of Kaderique Consulting Group LLC. “AI functions like my staff. It supports my workflow so I can focus on delivering for my clients."
"Targeted ads help me connect with people who are already interested in natural beauty products and open to discovering new brands,” said Shavon Bullock, founder of Sheavon Beauty. “I also use AI for marketing support, like testing new ideas or staying consistent with my messaging."
"Not every family is looking for a highly personalized fine-art portrait experience,” said Holly Lund, owner of Holly Lund Imagery. “Using targeted ads helps me reach clients who appreciate that level of artistry. I also use AI for routine tasks like generating blog ideas, which gives me more time to focus on the creative side."
In total, the delegation included:
? Melissa Jenkins (BAM Desserts)
? Heather Marzigliano (Grace on Broadway)
? Judith Smith Parrott (Judith’s Dessert Boutique)
? Martine Cadet (Kaderique Consulting Group LLC)
? Monique Glover (LaMonique Cosmetics)
? Shavon Bullock (Sheavon Beauty)
? Jennifer Graff (Teaching21st LLC)
? Holly Lund (Holly Lund Imagery)
For many of these businesses, tools like AI and digital advertising have become part of how they operate day to day. They’re used to solve real problems, save time, and stay competitive.
Across New Jersey, Meta’s advertising tools are linked to over 100,000 jobs and $16 billion in annual economic activity. Roughly 73,000 small businesses in the state use AI tools regularly to streamline operations, and 80 percent of businesses that advertise say digital ads are the most effective way to reach their customers.
Their message to lawmakers was clear. For small businesses in New Jersey, tools like AI and targeted advertising are part of how they grow and stay in business.