Workin’ It (Part 2) 2009
Chef/Owner, Bristen’s Eatery
Carleen Haughton, owner of Bristen’s Eatery in Crown Heights, Brooklyn was born in Kingston, Jamaica and migrated to the United States in 1984. She graduated from Hofstra University with a BS in Economics and Finance, and worked on Wall Street for 18 years. After 9/11, Haughton “decided it was important to do what I was passionate about.” In 2007, she graduated from The Institute of Culinary Education and opened Bristen’s Eatery. Haughton is committed to keeping prices affordable, while also using the best ingredients from local farmers and other local businesses. The menu includes hearty dishes such as omelettes, French toast, pancakes, generously stuffed paninis and burgers. Bristen’s is also dedicated to the community and working with youth. Her goal is to maintain a safe place for people to exchange information, have community meetings, play dates or just chat.
The Rest of the Best Of 2009’s Red Hot Entrepreneurs
Maggie Cassella
Owner, A Sweet Little Production Company
Combine producing, writing, and hosting with a large amount of creativity and you get Maggie Cassella’s A Sweet Little Production Company (ASLPC). After 20 years of cutting her stand-up comedic chops and producing live theater shows, Maggie decided to “take the industry by the horns” and start her own company. ASLPC offers à la carte production services like shooting, editing, writing, and delivery of full video projects. ASLPC also provides branding, campaigns, pitch kits, technical writing, and script editing services. Cassella’s goal is “to keep it affordable while staying creatively HOT and fun.” In just over a year, Cassella has completed three projects, the most recent titled The Vent!, a thirty-minute, fast-romping social commentary show for TV that discusses a different topic each week. She also founded and produces the We’re Funny That Way comedy festival and foundation, the world’s original queer comedy festival, with proceeds donated to queer charities in cities and towns across Canada.
