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.
Lisa Graziano
Owner, Reinventing Indulgence; Certified Holistic Health Coach
Nutrition couldn′t be farther removed from nightlife, yet the two share at least one person in common: Lisa Graziano. In 2010, the former part owner and marketing manager of Henrietta Hudson began her studies in holistic health and herbalism at the American College of Healthcare Sciences. “I chose the holistic health field due to a complete lifestyle change which started one day at a time, one meal at a time,“ she says. “I loved the transformation so much that I wanted to help others.“ Today, she runs her own holistic health coaching practice, Reinventing Indulgence, and speaks publicly about veganism and “the dynamics and repercussions behind the modern-day food movement.“ She′s strongly inspired by the idea “that animals deserve basic rights, beginning with the simple one not to be tortured… I want to protect and speak up for them, since they obviously cannot do it for themselves.“ Graziano also blogs about her journey and shares recipes at EatingFromScratchNYC.com. “Helping people lead healthier lives helps them in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual ways, and, of course, helps society,“ she says. “It′s a ripple effect. More importantly, when people learn better eating habits, they become aware of food politics, the organic movement and factory farming. Knowledge is most definitely power.“
