Grace Sibilia: A Hoboken Story of Heritage, Hustle, and Healing

For Grace Sibilia, Hoboken isn’t just where she grew up—it’s where her heart, hustle, and heritage were shaped. From playing in the streets with cousins to helping her parents run local businesses, Grace’s early life was steeped in the community, culture, and work ethic that would later inspire her path as an entrepreneur in the wellness industry.

A Childhood Rooted in Community

Photo: Family photo taken at her mom’s salon on Washington Street

“I can remember fun, happy times,” Grace recalled of her childhood. Some of her favorite memories were “playing in the street with all my cousins, walking up and down Washington Street several times a day, and getting candy and chocolate shakes from Schnackenberg’s while mom worked at the salon.”

Photo: Iris depicted on the far right with family and friends in the salon

The Puerto Rican community in Hoboken was larger then as it is today, and Grace always felt the warmth when they came together. “You always knew when you had found ‘your people’ because the “bochinche”—what we call in Spanish ‘spilling the tea’—was serious, and the laughter could be heard from a mile away!”

Lessons in Love and Labor from Mom and Pop

Photo: Grace getting her hair done by close family friend, Florence

Her mother, Iris, was a beloved hairdresser who ran a salon where Hair Cult now stands. Grace grew up watching her mother transform lives one hairstyle at a time. “She was just adored by all of her clients,” Grace said. “They would be waiting outside before she even opened. I remember them bringing me candy and letting me ‘paint’ their nails—I was only four or five!”

Photo: A young Grace, posing for photos

Photo: Iris and Grace putting rollers on Robert’s hair (her older brother)

That salon wasn’t just a workplace—it was a hub of love and laughter. “It was our home away from home,” she said. “Our family did everything there. I even had birthday parties there when it was closed. My mom would make piña coladas in the back all December for her clients to celebrate the holidays. She always had coffee and pastries. I remember devouring the apple turnovers from Giorgio’s all the time.”

Her father, Mencho, also had deep roots in Hoboken’s small business community. He owned a bodega at 205 Adams Street—and later drove a taxi in town for decades. “Pop worked three jobs growing up, mostly as a butcher, so we didn’t see him often. But when we did, he always made me feel like the most special person in the world,” Grace shared.

Eventually, Iris retired so Mencho could pursue his dream of opening his own store, and Grace and her brother Robert worked alongside him. “Even at ten years old, I would work after school and wake up at 5 am on weekends to help him open. He was such a softie—if people didn’t have enough for groceries, he’d write IOUs and never say a word if they couldn’t pay it back.”

Photo: Teenage Grace getting ready in the family bodega

Years later, when he retired from the store, Mencho began driving a taxi, something he genuinely loved. “He had a steady clientele who called on him at all hours, and he was always there, with a smile that lit up the room. He’d tell funny stories of 2 am pick-ups at the bars and laugh so hard he’d cry!”

Grace describes her mother as “a numbers cruncher” who would stay up until 2 am reconciling the books. “They knew how to stretch a dollar and be creative when times were tough. Their work ethic, ability to pivot, their honesty, their sacrifices—they influence every part of who I am.”

The example her parents set left a lasting imprint on Grace. “They worked really hard but always made time for my brother and me. People still come up to us today with stories about how Mom and Pop helped them. It makes me so proud to be their daughter.”

From Struggles to Skin Deep Strength

Photo: Grace with her coworkers at the OB-GYN office

Even with a strong foundation, life threw Grace curveballs. As an adult, she developed melasma, rosacea, and acne—skin conditions that completely shifted her self-image. “It was humbling,” she said. “I refused to be in pictures. When I did, all I could see were my flaws. But now, I wouldn’t change that experience. It gave me empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of what my clients go through.”

Before finding her calling in skincare, Grace spent over 15 years managing an OB-GYN office—a role she still speaks of with deep affection. “It was the best 15 years. We were a real family,” she said. “I learned how women’s health—whether it’s IVF, menopause, or cancer—affects how you feel and how it can show up in your skin. That knowledge is priceless in my work today.”

Around the same time, Grace’s mother Iris was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her parents moved in with her while Iris underwent treatment. “It was one of the hardest, most beautiful times in our lives,” Grace shared. “Watching my mom’s strength through chemo and surgery—it just reinforced everything I already knew about her. That woman is a warrior.”

A Leap of Faith into Skincare

The transition into skincare wasn’t easy. With her husband out of work, Grace needed a second income and a new sense of fulfillment. “A friend suggested becoming an esthetician. I enrolled in school while working full-time, picked up a part-time job as a spa receptionist, and just didn’t stop.” She graduated top of her class, worked nights, weekends, and holidays—all while taking care of her family and her ailing parents.

“To say it was tough is an understatement,” she said, “but I wouldn’t have done it any other way.”

Working in other spas taught Grace the highs and lows of the industry. “Anyone who thinks this business is all sunshine and roses is sadly mistaken,” she noted. “I challenged myself to be better, took every continuing education class I could find, and learned to handle difficult situations with grace and integrity.”

Photo: Jimmy, Grace, and their fur baby, Hershey

Photo: Grace and her son Robby

Eventually, it was time to bet on herself. “Honestly, it was a sink or swim moment—and I chose to swim like I was in the Olympics!” she said. “My family rallied around me. My husband Jimmy, my son Robby, my bonus-daughter Samantha, my brother Robert, my aunt Nelys Moyeno who was a pillar in the community —even the OB-GYN doctors I worked with—they all believed in me. Clients I hadn’t seen in years came back.”

Coming Home to Hoboken

Grace’s journey back to Hoboken as a business owner felt nothing short of divine. “I have to say, I did look in other towns because I thought Hoboken just may be unattainable for me, and it just didn’t pan out for one reason or another. I feel I had a calling to be here when I found this location, which I happened upon accidentally, thinking there was no way it would still be available—and could I really do this?” she remembered. 

Photo: The exterior of the spa on 100 Madison Street

“I came to see this location, and within 12 hours—crazy, right?—I got the call from my dear friend and amazing realtor, Hoboken royalty herself, Mary Knapp, yelling ‘the place is yours!’” Grace said she always adored Hoboken. “My favorite part about my every ride in for the past nine years has always been seeing all the moms and strollers walking around town, happy dogs being walked, and seeing all the cafés buzzing by 8 am!”

Welcome to Graceful Skin & Body Spa

Photo: Ribbon cutting with members of City Council and family

That leap led to the creation of Graceful Skin & Body Spa, nestled in the heart of Hoboken at 100 Madison Street. At the spa, Grace brings all her passion, experience, and empathy into each treatment, specializing in acne care, anti-aging, skin correction, and makeup artistry. 

Her team is committed to helping each client feel seen, heard, and confident in their skin. With carefully curated home care products, every service is designed not just to treat—but to transform.

As a woman of color and small business owner, Grace’s goals for Graceful Skin & Body go far beyond skincare. “If I had to say an ultimate goal of my business, it would be to show love to both women and men that are struggling with something in their daily lives,” she said.  

“I hope to provide them with peace, a safe space, a moment of serenity in their day they desperately need to disconnect, and just enjoy this little intentional oasis that provides the best results I hope to have created for them.” 

Photo: Grace and Karina, the spa’s in-house Makeup Artist

From facials and holistic body sculpting to bridal and event makeup, Graceful Skin & Body Spa is known across town for having the best facials and makeup services in Hoboken.

Skin Tips from Grace

When it comes to skincare, Grace is always happy to share her go-to advice: Wear your sunscreen daily—even in winter or on cloudy days. Invest in a good cleanser—especially one that doesn’t strip your skin. Less is more—overloading your skin with too many products can do more harm than good. Trust the process—real skin transformation takes time, patience, and consistency. 

And above all: drink water, rest, and try to manage your stress. “Stress will show up on your skin faster than anything you eat.”

A Vision of Community, Care, and Connection

Photo: Grace lending the spa for a women in business networking event

Grace is equally committed to being a champion for local businesses. “My impact on the community will be to show genuine, authentic support for as many local businesses this beautiful town has to offer, and that we are remembered for the impression we left on someone’s heart with our services, and how our business recommendations have opened their world to full mind, body, and soul community connections.”

A Legacy of Love and Light

Grace Sibilia’s journey is one of deep Hoboken roots, generational resilience, and a relentless pursuit of purpose. Her spa isn’t just a business—it’s a continuation of the legacy her parents began decades ago: serve your community with heart, treat everyone like family, and never forget where you came from.

 

Written By Victoria Marie Moyeno; Development Manager, Hoboken Historical Museum

Victoria Marie Moyeno, a fourth-generation Hoboken native, has long been dedicated to highlighting the beauty, culture, and history of her hometown. A storyteller at heart, she previously served as Associate Editor at The Hoboken Girl and The Montclair Girl, where she covered community stories, small businesses, and local events. Now, as the Development Manager for the Hoboken Historical Museum, she continues her mission of preserving and sharing the stories that make the Mile Square City unique.

Beyond her work with the Museum, Victoria uses her personal platform to spotlight small businesses, cultural events, and the people shaping Hoboken’s present and future. The Hoboken Journal is her latest passion project—a space dedicated to celebrating the heart and soul of the city. With deep roots in the community, her vision is to document the legacy of born-and-bred locals, influential figures, and changemakers.

Inspired by the Museum’s mission to honor and preserve Hoboken’s history, The Hoboken Journal aims to be a lasting record of the city’s rich past and evolving present. Through this platform, Victoria invites readers to explore, connect, and be inspired by the people and places that define Hoboken.