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
Alice Derock
Owner, Wet for Her
Based in Paris, Wet for Her (WFH) is the first company specifically committed to making sex toys marketed and devoted exclusively to lesbians with dedicated branding, images and packaging. WFH Owner Alice Derock says, “We thought about what a lesbian sex toy would look like and we came up with the symbolic image of fingers.” After only two months of product sales in Europe, WFH is the number one sex toy retailer in France. Derock’s success is rooted in keeping the natural gesture of two women making love with a toy design that suits the needs of women. WFH also keeps its commitment to partnering with companies that care about lesbian sexuality—from safe sex practices, to materials certified as non-toxic, and an interest in gay rights. By Valentine’s Day, Derock hopes to broaden WFH’s range of products and develop the business in the U.S.
