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
Jody Cole
Owner, Wild Rainbow African Safaris
For Jody Cole, a difficult breakup led to her safari dream and ultimately her own company, Wild Rainbow African Safaris. Jody says, “I learned that dreams are for doing not just dreaming.” After her first visit to Tanzania in 1998, her Southern upbringing and passion for Africa kicked in and she took the entrepreneurial plunge. Ever since, Jody has been designing trips to Eastern and Southern Africa for LGBT travelers and their families. Wild Rainbow African Safaris is the only lesbian-owned, all LGBT safari travel company in the U.S., with official South African field guide certification. Jody keeps group sizes small, so that she can personally speak with each traveler to review trip details and make sure everyone is comfortable. She also guarantees that guests have a healthy dose of nature through lodging at “off the beaten path” luxury accommodations and custom expeditions.
