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Rose grew up in a ghetto neighborhood in Chicago, dropped out of high school in 1964, and had three children (Yvonne, Anthony, and Veronica) by the time she was 18. She started work as a file clerk, but went back to school (while working full time). Ten years later she had earned an MBA with honors from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She had many different jobs, but each one was a step forward. In 1975 she became a systems analyst. In 1980 she joined Illinois Bell, and in 1985 was relocated by AT&T to New Jersey as an office automation project manager.
In November 2001, after 22 years with the "Bell System," Rose was retired by AT&T—but they provided a decent severance package. She began looking for another corporate position. Then a friend told her about Curves. Rose has long felt that there was a need for this type of women's fitness center. So she talked it over with her husband Howard (whom she met in NJ), and decided to take the risk and use the severance money to purchase a franchise.
The Somerset club has been open since May 6, 2002, and the Franklin club since April 5, 2005. Rose's mission is to be of service to the women in this community. Women of all ages, shapes, and sizes will find that her clubs are places where they can improve their health and fitness, lose weight and inches, and feel welcome, safe, and comfortable..
Rose and Howard also live in Somerset, with their beautiful cat Merlin. Rose has many interests, including reading (mysteries, science fiction, science fact, metaphysics, noetics, etc.), writing poetry, and singing. She and Howard (as Geode) have performed all over the tri-state area and have been on local TV and radio shows, doing folk, bluegrass, soft rock, show tunes, etc.
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