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

“We were inspired by the Spanish architect Gaudi
to create art in our own community, while also working together,” say Auckland, New Zealand couple Verity George (left) and Lisa Prager. “We were fed up working for The Man when we stumbled upon an abandoned grocery shop that started our creative juices flowing.” The two women transformed the ramshackle house with an attached storefront into Garnet Station, a hip neighborhood espresso hangout, and opened for business in 2007. “The café came to life in our front lounge,” and the couple says their business continues to evolve. An actress, writer, stylist and civil union celebrant, George is the hostess with the mostess. Meanwhile, Prager is widely known as the “political activist in the cowboy hat,” as well as a filmmaker, event producer, graphic designer and home decorator. The two Kiwi lasses put their success down to hard work, attention to detail and most of all, love, advising aspiring entrepreneurs to “follow your dream.”