Client Spotlights
Monica Sinforosa-Debbie
Bubbles and Barks Pet Spa
Phillipsburg, NJ
For Monica Sinforosa-Debbie, caring for others has always been second nature. She spent many enduring years in social work and has run an animal rescue nonprofit for 28 years, always putting the well-being of people and pets at the center of her life. When her husband was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, he asked her what she truly wanted to do. Her answer was immediate: attend grooming school and open the kind of pet spa she had always envisioned. With his encouragement, Monica took the leap.
In July 2025, she opened Bubbles and Barks Pet Spa in Phillipsburg. The salon is designed to be different: one dog at a time, quiet surroundings, spa music, and full-service care that includes everything from nail trims to blueberry facials. She also offers discounts to veterans, seniors, and families in need. “Each animal has its own personality and needs,” Monica said. “Here, they’re treated with the time and care they deserve.”
As she settled into business ownership, Monica began looking for resources to help strengthen her new venture. Through the Town of Phillipsburg, she was introduced to UCEDC Business Counselor Mary Adelman, who guided her through opportunities she hadn’t known were available. With Mary’s help, Monica was able to secure several grants from other agencies to assist with her rent and overhead, allowing her to focus fully on her clients. She is now applying for an overhead reimbursement grant as well.
“Working with Mary has made such a difference,” Monica shared. “I didn’t even know these programs existed. Now I feel like I have a team behind me, which makes me stronger as a business owner.”
The support gave her the confidence to grow. Just a few months in, Bubbles and Barks is already earning loyal customers, and Monica hopes to expand one day with another location built on the same one-on-one model.
Her advice for other entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: “Have faith, stay strong, believe in yourself. Even if you stumble, you can pick yourself up and start again.”
For Monica, opening Bubbles and Barks was more than starting a business. It was about honoring her passion, carrying forward her husband’s encouragement, and proving that with the right support, it’s never too late to follow a dream.