This month, Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors is happy to introduce you to The Colmenares Family: Jose, Stephanie, Leo, Nico and Aidan. The Colmenares are a family whose story proves that achieving your dreams is possible when you work hard, embrace opportunities and value your heritage.
Jose is from Caracas, Venezuela, where he grew up with his father, mother and sister. He attended grade school and high school in Caracas, where he played on the school’s basketball team. Jose moved to the United States in 2016 in search of more opportunities and a better future for his son, Leo. “I had a cousin who was living in Malvern, and my sister and her family moved here in 2015,” Jose explained. “I decided that Leo and I would join them the following year, and then my mother joined us in 2017.”
Jose began working at a car wash in Malvern when he arrived in the United States. “I worked in the car detailing department and really enjoyed my job,” he said. “I have always had a passion for cars, and I get such satisfaction every time I see the results of a fresh car detail.” His passion, determination, drive and love of learning led him to take a leap of faith and open his own car detailing company with his good friend and co-worker, Israel Dona.
Jose Colmenares take great pride in their work
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Colmenares
That was in 2020, and in the four years since, Jose and Israel have grown their business, Nice Cars Detail, to include on-site and mobile detailing services for individual customers, corporations and car dealerships. “Israel and I are life-long learners,” Jose explained. “We hold countless certifications and train twice a month with our mentor and friend, Bob Weiner, in New Jersey.” Jose said he loves that the industry constantly changes and develops new products, technology and applications. He hopes to open a brick-and-mortar detailing shop in Newtown Square in the future.
Stephanie grew up in Broomall with her parents, her sister, Angela, and lots of Aunts, Uncles and cousins. She attended St. Anastasia Grade School and Cardinal O’Hara High School, where she enjoyed being a member of the Peace Corps Club and working with individuals with intellectual challenges.
Stephanie said she has always been passionate about teaching and learning languages, so it was an easy decision to attend Neumann University to pursue a degree in education. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she enrolled at Grand Canyon University and obtained a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). “Currently, I am an English as a Second Language Teacher and Program Specialist in the Coatesville School District,” she explained. “I work with children grades Kindergarten through fifth who have come here from all parts of the world.”
This work is meaningful for Stephanie because she loves learning about different cultures and languages and enjoys helping children fall in love with language learning. “I recently started a YouTube channel to help kids learn English called ESL CLASS FOR YOU!” she said. Stephanie is also passionate about helping children living with Type 1 Diabetes. “I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for 24 years, and I know how hard it is to grow up with Type 1,” she explained. “That is why I have written a book called A Thriving Diabetic and a journal called My Diabetes Journal: 30 Days of Reflection for New Diabetics, which are available on Amazon.
Photo by Crissy Everhart Photography CrissyEverhart.com
Both Jose and Stephanie are driven, ambitious and hard-working. Perhaps that’s just one of the reasons they knew from their first date that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. “Jose and I met in 2021 after connecting online,” Stephanie explained. “I had two boys of my own, and Jose was a single dad to Leo, so meeting someone who was open to blending families was really special, too.”
Their first date was at an Italian restaurant, quickly followed by second, third and fourth dates. Jose said he and Stephanie instantly hit it off, and before he knew it, he found himself down on one knee to pop the question in one of their favorite spots, Okehocking Preserve. The happy couple married at St. Anastasia Church in 2023, followed by a fun night of dancing salsa and celebrating at The High Point in Malvern. They put their honeymoon on hold for now but hope to go on a cruise in the near future.
Married and family life for the Colmenares’ is busy with full-time jobs and three kids! Their oldest, Leo, is now 12 years old and attends Conrad Schools of Science in Delaware. “Leo is quiet, smart, caring and very funny,” Jose mentioned. “He loves computers and technology and also plays on his school’s soccer team.” Jose said that Leo would like to play professional soccer one day and is very excited about the 2026 World Cup games that will be held in Philadelphia.
Next is Nico, a very active, energetic eight-year-old who is in third grade at Culbertson Elementary. “Nico loves playing football, basketball, Fortnite and Pokemon,” Stephanie said. “He also enjoys cooking and making desserts.” Nico hopes to be a professional
video game player someday.
Their youngest is four-year-old Aidan, who attends Little Totz Academy in Broomall. “The name Aidan means fiery one, and he lives up to that for sure,” laughed Stephanie. “He loves trucks, cars, dinosaurs and any activity that requires him to assemble things.” Jose added that Aidan adores his big brothers and looks up to them.
The Colmenares love to call Newtown Square home and live on a quiet cul-de-sac street surrounded by wonderful families and kids for their boys to play with. “I have always loved Newtown Square and knew I wanted to raise a family here,” Stephanie explained. “Jose fell in love with the neighborhood, the wonderful people in our community and the close proximity to nature preserves, trails and parks.”
Jose said that although he has made his forever home here in Newtown Square, he has brought his culture, traditions and memories of Venezuela with him. “I still enjoy eating arepas, hallacas and tequeños and sharing these pieces of my heritage with my family and friends,” he explained. “I also love the connections I have made here. For example, there is a statue of Francisco De Miranda in Philadelphia. He was a Venezuelan military leader
who commanded Spanish forces in support of the American Revolution, led troops in the French Revolution and is especially famous for his efforts to free Latin America from Spain.” Having Jose’s mother, sister and cousin living nearby and connecting with other Venezuelan immigrants in our community has also been very special.
While time at home is precious, when Stephanie and Jose want to get away, they like to spend time in the sun and sand in Sea Isle City, NJ. It’s where they take their annual vacation and love to watch the sunsets at Sunset Pier on 86th Street. Last year, they switched it up and took a road trip to Batavia, Ohio, to visit family who lives on a farm. “The kids had so much fun,” Stephanie said. They are planning another road trip this year, but this time, they will head south to visit Stephanie’s mom, who lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
When asked about their family’s perspective on life, they said, “We have a quote in our home that says A house is built of walls and beams, a home is built of love and dreams.” Thank you, Colmenares family, for sharing your story of hopes, dreams and hard work. Your Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors wish you many more years of happiness right here in our neighborhood.
Do you know a Newtown Square family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for
upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.