About Us

Our Story

Healthy living entrepreneur Sharon Bruckman established Natural Awakenings magazine in 1994 in Naples, Florida, in response to her local holistic health community's need for an effective way to share information and connect with people searching for alternative therapies. Success of the original Naples/Ft. Myers edition was immediate.

Two years later, an avid reader convinced her to launch a second edition in Sarasota, Florida. Its destiny was to become the prototype for an unprecedented franchise network of like-minded people who value what this magazine brings to their communities.

In 1999 Bruckman formed Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation to support the growing network of publishers. Today, franchise owners publish more than 50 local editions with new magazines being added each year. Currently, magazines are being published in cities and regions of the country as diverse as Miami, Atlanta, Phoenix, Portland and Sante Fe. There are fourteen in Florida alone. In each market, thousands of free copies are circulated at hundreds of public distribution points.

Mary Piirsalu and Stephanie Abrusia, both employed in the healthcare industry, without hesitation joined the Natural Awakenings family of publishers as they felt an immediate connection between their own vision of healthy living and the information shared in each monthly edition. "Our vision is to provide our local community with the “go to” guide for holistic living," said Ms. Piirsalu.

In September 2011, Alan D. Willsey, PhD, took the helm as CEO and publisher of the Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey edition, which serves Somerset-Middlesex-Hunterdon Counties. Joining Alan in this holistic adventure are Kathy Tarbell (managing editor/graphic design), Julie Peterson (senior editor), Joe Dunne (marketing director), Monica Maasin (technical director) and Jeff Hoenig of Sunshine Man Distribution.

"The wellness revolution I saw emerging years ago is now in full swing," says Bruckman. "It's propelled by the kind of people who read our magazines and website. Our job is to keep our finger on the pulse of cutting-edge advances and keep readers apprised of the best healthy-life choices available."

Natural Awakenings offers a synergy that other national publications just can't match, with both a national and local focus seamlessly integrated into each issue. It's a free monthly publication dedicated to providing insights and information to improve the quality of life physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We present special features, interviews with national figures, and guest columns right along with local news briefs, stories, resource directories and a community calendar. Each month brings fresh perspective around a timely theme sure to pique their interest.

You can find our magazine at health food stores, health and education centers, recreation centers, libraries, healing centers, practitioners' offices and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please contact us if you would like copies placed at your business. Natural Awakenings New Jersey is on a mission to expand our distribution and make our publication more readily available to our loyal readers.

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