Eco-preneurs 2015
Co-Owners, Hip Chick Farms
Serafina Palandech and Jennifer Johnson are the hip chicks behind Hip Chick Farms, a company that produces all-natural, free-range, organic chicken meals sold at Whole Foods, Safeway and grocery stores across the country. The idea came about as a result of Johnson′s other job, working for a family in San Francisco as a private chef. (She has also cooked at Chez Panisse, the famed California restaurant founded by Alice Waters.) “Jen′s passion for food was combined with our belief in creating sustainable food systems,“ says Palandech. “The field chose us—natural foods are our way of life.“ The couple, who will be in Food & Wine this month, credit many mentors for their success, including folks at Amy′s Kitchen, Cowgirl Creamery and Three Twins Ice Cream. (“Everyone has been so generous with their time,“ notes Palandech.) But Palandech and Johnson are generous, too, giving back some of the money from their sales to non-profits and participating in their community whenever possible. And while they admit being a lesbian-owned business has exposed them to some discrimination, they don′t let it get in their way: “No matter what happens, we believe in our vision and our family and know that we will succeed.“ Their advice to others? “Always say yes, but never take no for an answer!“
These out entrepreneurs embrace a greener business model.
Jessica Gonzalez
Founder and CEO, InCharged
Jessica Gonzalez is the founder and CEO of InCharged, a business that manufactures and distributes branded cell phone charging stations. The products allow folks to charge 95 percent of all devices quickly, safely and in a way that doesn′t waste energy. At the same time, the stations let brands advertise without overwhelming the consumer. Currently, the company is expected to earn $2.8 million by 2016, the same year they plan to have a solar charging station to give to the Red Cross for use in areas affected by disaster. “I didn′t particularly choose my field,“ Gonzalez admits. “I fell into it when combining my advertising background and desire for business and inventing. … I was always self-motivated; I found a lot of inspiration from reading about entrepreneurs on the Internet. I would always read about how others failed and tried to avoid those mistakes.“ Gonzalez, who has a bachelor′s degree in advertising design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, formerly was the creative director for IBeverage Group, LLC, and the founder, art director and CEO of Adopt a Creative, an agency that assisted businesses with branding and creativity. Her biggest inspiration? “My dad. He was my number one fan and accepted me no matter what.“
