When Carol Roizen opened the first Parakeet Café in La Jolla in 2017, she was inspired by a deep-rooted desire to heal and grow after surviving one of the biggest challenges of her life.
Her daughter, Michelle, was born with a rare disease requiring chemotherapy at 4 months old. “We couldn’t simply sit still and wait for her healing,” Roizen explains. “Our quest for solutions led us to a remarkable discovery – food as medicine.”
The transformational power of healthy eating became the cornerstone of Michelle’s healing journey, mending her on a small scale and infusing Roizen with a profound desire to pass on the lessons she’d learned. She and her husband decided to open the first Parakeet Café as a way of giving back to the community that had supported them through those tough times.
Roizen’s vision was to create a vibrant and welcoming space where friends and neighbors of all backgrounds could come together to celebrate the simple joy of sharing a meal and a drink. All menu items contain only ethically sourced, organic, and whole-food ingredients, with no seed oils or added sugar. The coffee and beverage menu features ethically sourced beans, house-made syrups, and alternative kinds of milk. The bakery menu is equally curated with organic ingredients and vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free options.
With the growth of 12 Parakeet Cafes across San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles, the mission hasn’t changed, she says. “Our mission is to be the heart of our communities and embrace diversity in a vibrant and fun dining setting. We aim to be a catalyst for positive change, inspiring mindful eating and ethical sourcing while continuously innovating and expanding our reach.”
Roizen says she is still passionate about creating new dishes and sharing her endless love for food. “Most of all, “she says, “I am passionate about learning from other people and being the best version of myself while making a positive impact in the community.”
The biggest inspiration in Roizen’s life these days is her two daughters. Both are healthy and happy, and she calls them her sanctuary and her teachers. “Being their mom is my greatest gift, and all I want is for them to find their own way and pursue their dreams,” she says.
Roizen is an inspiring example for International Women’s Day on March 8, which celebrates the achievements of women across the globe. And she does have advice for other women who might be struggling to accomplish something in their lives.
“I hope my story ignites something in other women who think that it’s not possible to be all things at once because it most certainly is. You can be economically independent while being a wife, mother, friend, daughter, and boss. You just need to work hard, stay focused on your goals, and take small steps in the right direction,” she says.
And perhaps her best advice of all: Lead with your heart and you will get to wherever it is that you want to go.
