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

In her 13 years as a Certified Public Accountant, Kenya M. Sykes noticed small businesses owned by African-Americans, women and gays didn’t always have their unique needs met by large firms. In 2008, she set out to redress this discrepancy by founding her own boutique tax and accounting firm, K. M. Sykes, CPA P.C., to focus on serving minority-owned businesses. “[Coming out] gave me the confidence and fortitude I needed to do anything,” Sykes explains. “After coming out, I went on a job interview wearing a man’s suit and button-up shirt. I let my experience and education speak for me–and not my attire—and I got the job.” She adds, “I felt invincible and from that moment on, I have never apologized for who I am and I never will.” Not one to back down from a challenge outside the office, either, Sykes recently launched The New York Women’s Athletic League, Inc., an organization for women’s team sports.