2 Sisters Celebrate 20 Years After Launching Clark Business

CLARK, NJ — It's been 20 years since Nicol Spigai-Klein of Scotch Plains and her sister Christine Spigai of Holmdel launched their marketing business from the basement of their home and the success continues to grow.

It was a big risk to start their own business but it was the best decision the sisters made. Both had been working for another company in 2000 but didn’t like the way things were run and decided to branch out and start their own company, On The Mark Communications (OTM).

"We rolled the dice and wanted to give this a try and set off and decided we would work in her basement and start a business," said Spigai-Klein. "Looking back at a more mature age, it was a crazy idea. We had never run a business, but we took a risk and fortunately it paid off."

In January 2000 the sisters worked out of the basement with one other employee.

"We just knocked on doors and pounded the pavement," said Spigai-Klein. "We certainty weren’t shy. We approached anyone and everyone we could to give us a chance."

Their first client was the Lawn Doctor franchise and from there through word of mouth their business spread. Businesses liked OTM’s boutique model, customer service, and ability to customize their services to each client.

Now 20 years later OTM continues its partnership with that original franchise and an additional 70 more franchises have come on board over the years.

The sisters moved out of the basement and eventually purchased a building in Clark where they have been for the past six years. They also expanded to include an additional division, a merchant services provider, On The Mark Payments (OTMP), which is managed by family members Chairman Dick Spigai and President R.J Spigai.

The drive to succeed was planted in the sisters at a young age as both their father and mother worked hard.

"I don't think we would expect failure. Both of our parents shared the value of hard work, honesty and loyalty," Spigai-Klein said.

Looking forward, Spigai-Klein is happy that she and her sister can serve as role models to their children and continue to work with family.

For more information about On The Mark visit onthemarkcommunications.com.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.