Queer Women We Love, Red Hot Entrepreneurs, Wonder Women

Workin’ It 2010

November 8, 2010 Cheryle Burke, Kat Long

Some chefs spend years in pricey culinary institutes trying to master natural foods. Deborah Gavito, proprietor of the snazzy NYC vegetarian restaurant Counter, learned the art of cooking with seasonal produce and edible weeds from her grandmothers. Gavito’s early fascination with natural cooking has grown into a long-time dedication to local and sustainable foods: her first venture, an all-natural baked goods business called Body & Soul, debuted in 1993. She sold her scrumptious treats at the Union Square Greenmarket, where she developed an appreciation for family farmers, and earned enough dough (pun intended) to open Counter in 2003. As Counter’s proprietor, Gavito designs fresh vegetarian fare, biodynamic wines and cleverly named organic vodka martinis (one is called “The Angry Lesbian”). “I waited on tables years and years ago, but other than that, I’ve only worked for myself,” Gavito says. “I don’t think I could take orders from any one else.”

45 of 2010’s Red Hot Entrepreneurs

With more than a decade spent in the beauty industry, Sterling Andrews has worked with household-name celesbians as the head makeup artist for Club Skirts-Dinah Shore Weekend; as Jackie Warner’s personal makeup artist on Season 3 of Workout; and on photo shoots for lesbian publications. This December she’ll launch Faux Lash (fauxlash.com), a company delivering top-shelf luxury eyelashes to beautiful women worldwide. “My ultimate dream is to stamp my name onto a truly beautiful product,” she explains. “In the last couple of years, false eyelashes have gained mass appeal. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce a new product and a new face behind the brand.” In addition to her “obsession and love of false eyelashes,” Andrews’ inspiration also comes from her peers. “Being a lesbian is actually a huge advantage” in her business, she says. “I have tapped talented friends for design, business, PR and distribution strategy. We are all here for one another and stick together. I think it’s like being in a mafia but without the hitmen.”