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

Native New Yorker Judy Kow has spearheaded several retail businesses in her 20 years as a self-made entrepreneur. She began as a partner in a chain of Times Square gift shops, selling theater-related merch; she later bought Tarzian West Housewares in Park Slope, Brooklyn, an emporium of upscale home décor, kitchen gadgets and stylish gifts that opened in 1977. “Being the boss helps to make this a non-issue,” Kow says of being an out lesbian entrepreneur. “Your customers won’t really care as long as you’re providing the goods and services they need.” She credits her flourishing business to stocking the latest in housewares—a must for attracting trend-savvy Slope shoppers. “Carrying quality products, [offering] friendly service and staying abreast of food trends, which help to determine the tools necessary to prepare them,” are Kow’s keys to success. “We also try to stock a variety of good, better and best products to serve everyone’s needs.”