Pivot! A Vegan Business Interview Series

Desiree Dupuis is the visionary behind Voes & Co, a pioneering vegan lifestyle brand redefining the fashion industry. In this episode of Pivot! Desiree shares a journey fueled by her passion for ethical living and sustainable fashion that culminated in the creation of Voes & Co.We dive into the whole origin story –from Desiree's frustration with the lack of vegan footwear options to the realization of her dream of Voes & Co. Discover how she navigated the challenges of the pandemic with resilience and determination, forging ahead to create a brand synonymous with integrity and innovation.Plus, learn about Voes & Co's commitment to ethically sourced materials and sustainable practices, and their mission to lead the way toward a plastic-free future. Desiree's entrepreneurial mindset, her dedication to her values, and the profound impact of her work on the global fashion landscape offer valuable insights that you can take back to your business. Get to know Desiree and Voes & Co better here: https://voesandcompany.comQuote:What I like to tell people and inspire people is that “We may not have the perfect solution right now, and we are not 100% plastic-free, but when you invest in brands and products that are as far along on the path as possible, you are part of helping us pioneer the way.” We can continue to push the foreground of what we can do.—-Desiree DupuisShow notes timestamps:

Aimee Kilmer, Founding Partner & Creative Director of Good Stuff Partners, has spent more than 20 years in the creative industry advocating for brands that prioritize the well-being of people, animals, and the planet. From designing for VegNews and V-Dog to working with Habitat for Humanity, Aimee's passion for purpose-driven work has always been at the forefront of her career.In this episode, Aimee shares how her dissatisfaction with traditional creative agency work led her to co-found Good Stuff Partners whose mission is to work with clients that align with her values. She discusses how staying authentic to her principles drives the work she does and helps her deliver the most meaningful results for her clients.Beyond her professional achievements, Aimee talks about her commitment to the vegan lifestyle, her volunteer work with the Marin Humane Society, and the importance of standing up for animal rights in her community. Tune in to hear her inspiring journey and how she embodies the values she promotes through her agency.Get to know Aimee and Good Stuff Partners better here: https://www.goodstuffpartners.com/Quote:Just listen to your gut. If you have a bad feeling about something, run for the hills. Find a different client, because it never really works out. And I think that's just something as women we need to do – trust our gut more. It's something I wish I'd done early on. And it also goes the other way; when you have a great feeling about someone, you can really start to build great relationships. – Aimee KilmerShow notes timestamps:▶️ [01:12] Seeing your long-term impact: creating "Good Stuff Partners" and helping both non-profit and profit organizations.

In this episode, we sit down with the co-founder of MARPHYL Marine Phytoplankton to explore the journey of this pioneering vegan business. Harvesting wild and multi-species marine phytoplankton, MARPHYL offers a range of organic products designed to enhance soil health and promote sustainable agriculture.Founded in 2017, MARPHYL has quickly established itself as a leader in the vegan and sustainable farming space. With a focus on environmental responsibility and ethical sourcing, the company has garnered a loyal following of environmentally-conscious consumers.Join us as we discuss the secrets to MARPHYL's success, from their innovative product offerings to their strategic approach to business growth. Learn how MARPHYL navigated the challenges of launching a vegan business and discover valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in the plant-based industry.Get to know Benjamin and MARPHYL Marine Phytoplankton's mission better here: MARPHYLQuote:When you have a bad day, week, month of sales, or problem with production – just come back to your product and why you're there in the first place. Get that energy back. You're going to have bad days, you might even fail, but there is no problem in failing. It's all about trying again. If you have that drive of entrepreneurship, you will rise again and continue. So believe in yourself, believe in yourself, believe in your product. At the end of the day, it will work if you have a great product and you're driven. You'll have great days ahead, so don't lose hope.–Benjamin AchacheShow notes:

In this episode of Pivot! we sit down with Kim Giovacco, the visionary behind Veg Jaunts and Journeys, to uncover the remarkable story of her company's rapid expansion. Despite the setbacks of the pandemic, Kim's resilience and strategic vision helped take Veg Jaunts and Journeys to new heights.We dive into Kim's journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, and how her background in the travel industry paved the way for her success. Plus, you'll hear how Kim transformed adversity into opportunity during difficult times, building a thriving business that offers unique vegan travel experiences worldwide.This conversation is a raw look at the challenges and triumphs of growing a business during uncertain times. It's full of Kim's valuable tips and strategies for sustainable growth and innovation.Tune in to learn from the inspiring journey of Veg Jaunts and Journeys.https://www.vegjauntsandjourneys.comJoin us as we delve into the story of Veg Jaunts and Journeys with Kim Giovacco, the driving force behind this innovative vegan travel company. With a background in the travel industry and a passion for veganism, Kim has transformed her vision into a thriving business that offers unique travel experiences for the vegan community.In this episode, Kim shares how Veg Jaunts and Journeys has evolved from a small startup to a global leader in vegan travel, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. She shares her journey of resilience and adaptation and what it's like navigating the complexities of running a travel company in a rapidly changing world.We explore the company's expansion into new geographic regions, including Africa and Asia, the innovative tours the company offers, from European adventures to whole food plant-based experiences near national parks, and how Veg Jaunts and Journeys is shaping the future of vegan tourism worldwide.If you're looking for valuable insights into Kim's strategies for business growth and sustainability, don't miss this episode.  Get to know Kim Giovacco and Veg Jaunts and Journeys better here: https://www.vegjauntsandjourneys.comShow notes:

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Olivier Mankondo, the visionary behind Mankondo Global Ltd. Discover how Olivier lost 77 pounds in just 9 months, reversed high blood pressure, and embarked on a mission to share the life-changing benefits of a plant-based diet. Dive into his captivating story, unveiling the secrets to achieving vibrant health and vitality.https://oliviermankondo.comIn this episode of Pivot! Olivier Mankondo, the driving force behind Mankondo Global Ltd, joins us to offer a beacon of hope for those seeking holistic wellness solutions. Olivier's journey from battling chronic health issues to reclaiming his vitality through a plant-based lifestyle is nothing short of extraordinary.Olivier's dedication to optimal health led him to shed an impressive 77 pounds in a mere 9 months, while also reversing high blood pressure and a myriad of other health ailments. As a certified weight loss and wellness coach, Olivier is on a mission to empower individuals to take charge of their health and transform their lives.Throughout our conversation, Olivier shares intimate details of his personal health struggles and the pivotal moment that sparked his journey towards plant-based living. His journey serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of lifestyle choices and the profound impact they can have on our well-being.Show Notes:

Episode Summary:In this episode of Pivot! we delve into Carolyn Scott's multifaceted career as The Healthy Voyager. From her pioneering vegan travel show to her latest cookbook, Carolyn has been at the forefront of the global vegan movement. Discover how she's transforming mainstream dining, consulting with major hotel chains, and inspiring millions to embrace a plant-based lifestyle.https://www.healthyvoyager.com/Full Description / Episode Show Notes:Join us for an incredibly interesting conversation with Carolyn Scott, aka The Healthy Voyager, as we explore her remarkable journey in promoting veganism globally. As a chef, nutritionist, and media personality, Carolyn has led initiatives that have reshaped the culinary landscape.From her groundbreaking vegan travel show to her bestselling cookbooks, Carolyn's influence transcends borders. Tune in to discover how she's partnering with major brands and institutions to revolutionize plant-based cuisine.We also explore Carolyn's latest projects, including her consultancy work with theme parks, air force bases, and even entire towns.Plus, Carolyn shares how she's leveraging her expertise to create sustainable, delicious vegan options for diverse audiences.Check out this episode to learn the secrets to Carolyn's success and walk away with valuable insights into entrepreneurship, flexibility, and the power of positivity.Get to know Carolyn Scott and the Healthy Voyager better here: https://www.healthyvoyager.com/Show Notes:

Full Description:Prepare to be inspired by the incredible journey of Nancy Leeds Gribble, the driving force behind NourishLiftGrow. Her story embodies the power of resilience and transformation. Nancy's life took an unexpected turn when she faced the profound loss of her husband to terminal cancer, leaving her a widowed single parent while navigating a turbulent real estate market. Later, she experienced the pain of losing a new love to cancer, prompting her to redefine her path and refuse to let adversity define her.As someone who had been a vegetarian since her early twenties and a vegan for the past 17 years, Nancy's dietary choices were based on ethics rather than health. However, witnessing the devastating effects of disease and becoming the sole parent to her young son propelled her to seek the healthiest lifestyle possible. This awakening sparked a profound transformation journey encompassing health, fitness, self-development, and career.Nancy Leeds Gribble is now the founder of NourishLiftGrow and a Plant-based Vegan Culinary Nutrition Expert specializing in empowering women in midlife. She helps them achieve weight loss, body confidence, optimal health, and vitality, making their second season of life their best season.This episode offers a deeply moving and inspirational story of turning tragedy into triumph, embracing a vegan lifestyle, and empowering others to thrive. Get to know Nancy Leeds Gribble and NourishLiftGrow better here: https://www.nancyleedsgribble.comQuote:I think when you start your business if you don't take the time to really figure out why you're starting it. If it was ‘This sounds like it will be fun” and then you find out it's not so fun all the time, you won't sustain it. So you really want to sit down and figure out why are you starting this business? Like, what is your driving force, aside from, we need to make money, we have to make money. But what are the other deeper reasons that this is so important to you? And that's going to help you when you hit that wall, and you will hit a wall and think it's very few people that they just start a business and off they go, and they're coasting and everything is great. You're going to hit the wall, whether it's because something didn't work, whether it's life, like God the world like COVID when it hit everybody, and you're going to have to either say, at that moment, I'm out, or no, this was important. And I'm going to figure this out, and I'm going to pivot And I'm going to adjust and, and you keep doing that you keep doing that until you hit the spot. –Nancy Leeds Gribble Show notes timestamps:

Full Description:Mind Blown founders, mother-and-daughter team Shelly Van Cleve and daughter Monica Talbert, originally found success making gourmet seafood delicacies along the Chesapeake Bay. They started with a crab shack, Capt. Jack's, which was wildly popular, leading them to create The Van Cleve Seafood Co.The two began to see deep-seated issues with the global fishing industry right outside their front door, particularly with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices from non-domestic mega-ships. As the plant-based industry began to boom, they founded Mind Blown. Rather than alienating the seafood industry with unsustainable market solutions, Mind Blown works alongside the industry.Together, they create solutions that help to take pressure off of edge-of-extinction fish stocks, and regenerate abundant oceans, such as their future partnership with Atlantic Sea Farms, using their kelp. Today, their lineup includes Mind Blown Coconut Shrimp, Dusted Scallops, Crab Cakes and more. The company is backed by notable investors including eight-time James Beard recipient and host of Bravo TV's Top Chef Tom Colicchio, as well as D.C. restaurateur, founder of PLNT Burger and Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn.Get to know Monica and Mind Blown and The Plant Based Seafood Co. better here: https://plantbasedseafoodco.com/Quote:If you're going through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, make sure that you let the downs go every day. Let that shit go at the end of every day and start every day new and fresh. Sounds simple, but it's very, very, very important.–Monica TalbertShow notes:

Full Description:Get ready to dive into the inspiring story of Kate Galli, the unstoppable force behind a mission to create a healthier, happier, and more compassionate vegan world. Kate's journey began in the fitness world, where she sought to transform not only her body but also her confidence. Over the years, she has helped thousands of individuals sculpt their bodies and lives in a way they love. For the past seven years, she has been dedicated to Vegan Health Coaching, using it as a powerful tool to advocate for animal welfare while promoting fitness, strength, and overall well-being.During the episode, Kate opens up about the tensions and challenges faced by ethical vegans in their relationships. She candidly discusses the feelings of anger, frustration, and sadness that can arise when trying to navigate a compassionate lifestyle in a non-vegan world. However, Kate shares her personal story of how the toughest year of her life helped her transcend the negative emotions, while maintaining her passion for creating a compassionate vegan world.As a Vegan Health Coach, author of "The Plant Positive Journal," and host of The Healthification Podcast, Kate is full of practical advice. She shares valuable tools, such as her 8 Step S.E.L.F. C.A.R.E. Acronym, the "Stop, Start, Continue" time magic'ing technique, and strategies to regain your exercising mojo. Additionally, she provides 10 Tips to Make Adopting a Plant-Based Lifestyle Easy, drawing from her own experiences and mistakes when she first transitioned to vegetarianism 30 years ago.Don't miss this episode if you're looking for empowering insights, actionable tips, and a powerful story of love prevailing over hate on the journey to a compassionate vegan lifestyle.Get to know Kate Galli and her mission better here: http://www.strongbodygreenplanet.comQuote:I bought into the ‘business from hell', as I like to call it, and I learned so many lessons during that journey. The number one of which has really been so valuable is to back yourself 100%. You can't rely on circumstances or what's turning up today, tomorrow, or next year, but you can rely on yourself. And you can rely on yourself to turn up and to continually get better and to back yourself to come up with the goods. – Kate GalliShow Notes:

In this episode, we sit down with Rey Ortega, a true pioneer in the vegan food industry. Rey's health struggles led him on a path of discovery, from battling chronic illness to becoming a successful vegan entrepreneur.Rey's journey began with health issues that left him feeling unwell and desperate for answers. After identifying an egg allergy, he transitioned to a vegetarian diet, which significantly improved his health and led to a remarkable 95-pound weight loss. Inspired by dairy-free, eggless cookies at the Sacramento Natural Foods Coop, Rey decided to start his own vegan baking venture, the Alternative Baking Company.Despite initial challenges and setbacks, Rey's business flourished, reaching nearly $1 million in sales. However, a difficult partnership forced him to start over. With a loan from a trusted friend, he founded Sun Flour Baking Company and continued to expand his presence in the vegan food market.Rey's expertise spans all aspects of the business, offering invaluable insights for aspiring vegan entrepreneurs. Join us to learn from Rey's experiences, avoid common pitfalls, and embark on your own journey to a profitable and successful venture in the world of plant-based living.Get to know Rey Ortega and Sun Flour Baking Company better here: https://www.sunflourbaking.comQuote: When I first started an alternative baking company, I got so much slack for people not wanting me to put the word ‘vegan' on my package. I had so many people say, “That's going to kill your sales”. I didn't care! I was an angry vegan at the time. In fact, when I became vegan, I became vegan for health reasons.– Rey OrtegaShow notes with timestamps: 

Karen Ranzi is a pioneer in the vegan and raw food movement, vegan since 1989 and raw vegan since 1994, guiding thousands of individuals and families to excellent health and wellbeing through a vegan and raw food lifestyle.In 2020, when the COVID pandemic rocked the world, Karen Ramzi had a thriving live raw vegan coaching and classes business called Feel Fabulous With Food that she had built over decades. Karen was no longer able to host live classes for students and couldn't offer her in-person coaching appointments. Instead of panicking, Karen quickly started exploring ways she could continue to share her passion for teaching the vegan and raw lifestyle. By leveraging her newsletter and social media platforms in a whole new way, Karen was able to bring in more new students and clients for online classes and sessions than ever before. In this episode, Karen shares how she did it. From creating interesting content and leveraging various tools for communication to restructuring her offers to appeal to new students and clients with varied interests, Karen shows us what a truly successful pivot can look like. Karen Ranzi, M.A. is an Award-Winning Author, Vegan Health Coach, Autism Expert, Internationally Acclaimed Speaker, Director of the Vegan Coach Certification Course, Raw Food Health Retreat Leader of retreats in Costa Rica and the Women's Health Retreat, and Speech/Language/Feeding Therapist. Karen has been a featured speaker worldwide for over twenty years, presenting at events such as the London VegFest and the annual Woodstock Fruit Festival. Get to know Karen and Feel Fabulous With Food better here: https://feelfabulouswithfood.com/QuoteGo with your passion, get strong, realize that your mindset is going to establish your business going forward. If you're fearful of getting on camera, just look at your underlying cause. Why are you passionate about spreading the information of a vegan business? Why do you want to get your message out there? I hope today's show will give you that solid grounding that you need to spread your own message. –Karen RanziShow notes:

Get ready to be inspired by the remarkable journey of Crystal Bonnet, the mastermind behind Crystal Dawn Culinary. As a raw food chef, instructor, and cookbook author, Crystal embraces her culinary artistry as a potent form of activism, changing skeptics' minds about vegan food. Join us as we explore her captivating foray into entrepreneurship and how she leverages her passion for plant-based cuisine to make a positive impact on the world.Having honed her culinary skills at Matthew Kenney Culinary Academy and Pure Joy Academy, Crystal's deep knowledge of raw foods led her to establish Crystal Dawn Culinary. Here, she shares her insights with students eager to discover the health benefits of plant-based living.Beyond creating delectable plant-based menus for new restaurants and catering health retreats across Canada and Europe, Crystal is passionate about using her culinary skills as a form of activism to influence change. She shares her experiences of how she effortlessly showcases the ease and deliciousness of raw desserts, proving that choosing plant-based options doesn't mean compromising on taste or satisfaction.Moreover, we delve into Crystal's inspiring journey as an entrepreneur. Armed with determination and a vision for a more compassionate world, she ventured into the world of business, founding Crystal Dawn Culinary almost four years ago. Throughout her entrepreneurial voyage, she has encountered failures and mistakes, but she embraces them as invaluable lessons that have contributed to her growth and success.Join us as Crystal shares her insights on transforming failures into stepping stones and the resilience required to navigate the world of entrepreneurship. Her passion for culinary activism and unwavering dedication to her mission will leave you inspired to make positive changes in your own life and the world around you.Don't miss this empowering episode, where we celebrate the fusion of culinary artistry, activism, and entrepreneurship with the incredible Crystal Bonnet.Get to know Crystal Bonnet and Crystal Dawn Culinary more here: https://crystaldawnculinary.com/ Quote:If you are feeling you're feeling stuck, and you're feeling overwhelmed and stressed – it will pass. Just know that this means that you're on the right path, you're growing, you are doing something important. And just keep going – they say that only 4% of business owners don't quit and keep going. So be that 4%. Be that 4% because those 4% are the ones that succeed. So just keep going and don't quit, and it will all work out.–Crystal BonnetNotes:

Get ready to be inspired by Benjamin Hagerty, co-founder of It's Bree and Ben, as he takes us on a journey through his experiences as a vegan traveler and researcher. Benjamin and his wife, Brianne Nemiroff, embarked on a remarkable two-year-long trip across Canada and the U.S., uncovering and showcasing vegan businesses in their travel guides.Driven by the desire to highlight the stories of vegan entrepreneurs and their contributions to society, Benjamin entered grad school and embarked on a research project exploring the operationalization of the vegan philosophy in businesses. His findings, published in the academic blog series, "Ben's Vegan Vancouver," offer unique perspectives on business, inclusivity and other topics not typically found in mainstream literature.During the episode, Benjamin discusses the challenges faced by vegan entrepreneurs in Vancouver. Despite the city's reputation for being vegan-friendly, he reveals how businesses often encounter discrimination, leading some to hide their certifications, even after going through rigorous processes like PETA certification. These insights expose the struggle that vegan communities face to gain acceptance in mainstream culture, despite the growing popularity of veganism.Join us as we explore the intriguing intersection between veganism, entrepreneurship, and societal norms, and how certifications become vital indicators of safety and inclusivity for consumers.Don't miss this enlightening conversation that will broaden your perspective on vegan entrepreneurship and the transformative power of the vegan philosophy in the business world.Get to know Benjamin Hagerty and his valuable research at It's Bree and Ben here: https://itsbreeandben.com/Quote:The best lesson I've learned is, if you encounter any difficulty, don't hate yourself, take a breath, and then see, ‘What is it that I really need to learn? What is it that I'm expecting of myself? Is it practical?'. If it is, and if it fits with your mission, look for resources and people who can help you get there. And if you are just honest and kind to yourself, then awesome. The kindness will gravitate to others who want to help you in your mission.– Benjamin Hagerty Show Notes:▶️ [02:01]  How ‘It's Bree and Ben' was created: from becoming vegans, through the transcontinental journey to a website for shopping, traveling and learning kindly.

 Jay Barrett is a globally experienced human resources professional and an empathetic and passionate advocate of veganism. With a commitment to fostering a more compassionate and sustainable world, he strives to reduce society's reliance on animals for food, materials, testing, and entertainment. After dedicating 12 years to the fashion industry, Jay embarked on a new path as a consultant, merging his passion for veganism with his expertise in human resources.Jay is currently on an entrepreneurial journey, establishing a business and brand that creates opportunities for others. As the visionary behind Culture Canopy, a human resources consultancy, he focuses on collaborating with purpose-driven clients who aspire to make a positive impact on the world, particularly within the realms of social impact, veganism, sustainability, and animal advocacy.Culture Canopy is at the forefront of developing people-centric, sustainable, and holistic human resources initiatives and services. Their approach is tailored to each organization's unique ambitions and goals, ensuring a perfect fit. Jay and his accomplished team design compassionate and effective people strategies, providing transformational human resources solutions to enhance employee performance and elevate their overall experience.In this episode, we delve into the fascinating concept of fractional HR and how it empowers organizations with invaluable access to expert guidance and services. Jay also shares profound insights on strategic planning for future growth, encouraging organizations to embrace scalability and evolution over time. Don't miss this opportunity to gain unparalleled wisdom and learn how to shape a brighter future for your organization. Tune in and be inspired by Jay's extraordinary journey, brimming with passion, purpose, and meaningful impact. Get to know Jay and Culture Canopy better here: https://www.culturecanopy.com/  QuoteWhen you're leading people, your role is to determine what your team needs, because everyone is different. Some people need more structure, some are good with ambiguity and the freedom to go and figure it out. And some people want to know, ‘This is exactly what I need to do. These are the kinds of boundaries that I work with.' It's finding that happy medium that works with everyone. – Jay BarrettShow Notes

Maria Cebrian is a three-time entrepreneur and with 14 years of experience in the digital and wellness industries. After selling her second company, she set out to build the most sustainable supplements on earth after learning about the impact of this industry on animals and the environment. Every year, the US supplement industry kills 24 billion animals and creates 1.8 billion plastic pill bottles. In 2016 Maria and her co-founder Hava Horowitz wanted to simplify and complete vegans' nutritional needs with sustainable and ethical supplements that have no impact on the planet. In this episode of Pivot, we speak to Maria, the co-founder and CEO of Terraseed, about her entrepreneurship journey and how the business became what it is today.Terraseed has partnered with the non-profit Animal Save Movement to make a petition to the FDA to implement more transparent regulations for supplement companies, which would mandate companies to disclose if their supplements contain animal byproducts. Terraseed has secured almost 5,000 signatures and is on a mission to gather 25,000 signatures to pass them along to the FDA.Maria shares what it takes to revolutionize an entire industry by transforming the way things are done to truly make an impact on the world.Get to know Maria and Terraseed better here: https://terraseed.com/ Quote I truly believe that a company or a startup is an extension of who we are…we are absolutely connected. I'm very spiritual in that way. My recommendation is that you build something that is 100% aligned with who you are, as a human being. Because if there's no alignment, when you start bumping into all these challenges and all issues, it's really hard. This is brutal, especially when you have a physical product. So if your business is not 100% aligned with you, and without a very clear mission that you can hold on to, is going to be very difficult.—Maria CebrianShow notes timestamps

 Brett Christoffel is the Founder and CEO of All Y'alls Foods. All Y'alls Foods was born from Brett's love of cows. After spending over 40 years consuming them, it hit Brett that he loved all animals as much as he loved a dog or cat, so he stopped eating meat and became a vegan.As a native Texan, Brett takes pride in his state. When he learned that one of Texas' most substantial contributions to the world is beef, he decided to support changing that by launching All Y'alls' first product: It's Jerky Y'all, in May of 2018.In this episode of Pivot, Brett describes his journey from avid carnivore to becoming vegan and founding his plant-based snack company in Texas, USA.Brett shares his story of vegan entrepreneurship and what it was like launching a plant-based food brand in Texas, a state whose second-largest export is beef. Get to know Brett and All Y'alls Foods better here: http://www.allyallsfoods.com  Quote Things have changed and people are seeing it. 90% of all plant-based foods are eaten by people who still eat meat - so it's happening, people are trying it, people are sampling things. Whether it's from a health perspective, Planet perspective, or compassion for the animal perspective, more and more people just keep coming to it. And what's great is no matter why they come to it, at least it impacts all three areas every time.—Brett ChristoffeShownotes timestamps⭐ [01:45] All Y'alls Foods is a mission-driven plant-based proteins company that is based in Texas. ⏪ [04:24] Two books that changed Brett's life: meatless Monday was fun for him until he realized that diet and diseases are related.☎️ [09:05] It all started at Grapevine Main Street Festival: calling vegan grocery stores to move forward and scale.

Full Description / Episode Show NotesNot long after becoming vegan for health reasons, Keith Lesser became just as passionate about the ethics of veganism–preventing animal cruelty, promoting sustainability and acting against climate change. Keith decided to combine his career in accountancy and veganism to serve the vegan business community with quality accounting services. He acquired the Vegan Accountants brand, built a vegan team and re-vamped, re-launched and later re-branded the business with significant growth of 500% in the first 24 months.In this episode of Pivot, the Managing Director of Vegan Accountants, Keith Lesser, joins us to share how his business helps vegan and ethical businesses with their accounts and tax compliance.  Keith's story is a fantastic account of how you don't necessarily need to change professions to become a vegan entrepreneur. Get to know Keith and Vegan Accountants better here: https://veganaccountants.co.uk/Quote:If you have anxiety about taxes, it is a good thing to delegate and just focus on what you're good at. It all comes back to having an abundance and growth mindset, don't try and do everything yourself and think, “Oh, I save, save a little bit on this.”—Keith LesserShow notes timestamps:

Stephanie Downs has more than 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and spent over a decade advising fashion and automotive brands on animal alternatives. She also founded the largest plant-based meat company in India. In this episode of Pivot, Stephanie Co-Founder and CEO of Uncaged joins us to share her story of founding a sustainability brand during the pandemic. Uncaged is a biomaterials company combining the power of nature and technology to reimagine leather.Stephanie Stephanie and co-founder and CTO Dr. Xiaokun Wang spent two years in the lab working to find a way to replicate the characteristics of leather. After testing thousands of combinations, they developed Uncaged's proprietary bio-leather materials and launched a business in the midst of a pandemic.Tune in to hear Stephanie and Dr. Wang's journey into vegan entrepreneurship and what it takes to get a sustainable brand off the ground.Get to know Stephanie and Uncaged better here: https://www.uncagedinnovations.com/Quote There's never any harm in planning out the big picture and then breaking it down into chunks. I personally do it to make the big goal less overwhelming. So we take a big, one-year goal, and then break it down into quarters, and then break it up down into months.— Stephanie DownsShownotes timestamps

Clarissa Gannon owns the online coaching company, Vegan Fit For Life (formerly Elite Fit For Life). She is also a multiple-times certified fitness and nutrition coach.Clarissa founded Vegan Fit For Life as a result of her expansive experience in the fitness industry and after observing just how broken it is. After making the decision to incorporate a vegan lifestyle to help some health and digestive issues, Clarissa realized how desperate the vegan community was with needing real information and real nutritional strategies. As a result, Vegan Fit For Life has become a main source of nutritional information for the general population and the vegan competitive athlete. Clarissa holds several specialist certifications and implements full integration of health in all nutritional protocols.Clarissa launched her company 8 years ago and has since grown it to 6 figures. She joins us for this episode to share her entrepreneurship journey. Clarissa opens up about what it's like being a mom to 4 children while running a busy business and competing as a vegan bodybuilder. She also shares what it took to get to where she is today–running a successful six-figure business and offering the only truly complete vegan coaching service.Get to know Clarissa and Vegan Fit For Life better here: https://www.veganfitforlife.com/Quote If you own a business, there's always tons of doubt. If your intent is pure, that you're helping people, then I think that, as long as you don't give up on yourself that at some point, you will reach that goal. The instant overnight success stories can get in the way and give you a lot of that impostor syndrome, but I really believe if you narrow down on that on the niche where you want to work, really identify who your ICA is, and then listen to them, they'll give you the feedback on what they want, and what they need.—Clarissa GannonShownotes timestamps:

VEG3 is an AI-powered marketing assistant that helps vegan businesses and animal rights charities create impactful marketing campaigns that increase revenue while saving animals.After spending more than a decade laser-focused on making data-driven decisions to maximize the impact of work done by vegan businesses, VEG3 founder, Sam Tucker, realized there was a technological revolution happening that could scale the vegan movement and its economic impact to a previously unprecedented level. https://veg3.ai/Quote Scalability of your impact, especially as a vegan business, is driven by more than just the desire for profit - we have this deeper purpose of trying to change the world. And to change the world, it requires a lot more work than any one human can do on their own. So you have to be able to let go and to delegate in order to grow.—Sam Tucker⚙️ [00:40] How AI can be a tool in your toolkit and help you grow business. ▶️ [02:23] Animal activist since his teenage years: the idea of working in digital space was born out of limited scalability issues for nonprofits. 

Full Description Jane Velez-Mitchell started her non-profit network, UnchainedTV, with a single Go Pro camera, videotaping the stories she felt needed to be on network television, but weren't. UnchainedTV quickly evolved into a global social media network with dozens of citizen journalists going LIVE on Facebook and Instagram around the world, garnering millions of views.On a mission to share the truth about the horrific problems created by industrialized animal agriculture, UnchainedTV offers viewers delicious alternatives that are better for people, the environment and the animals.In this episode, Jane shares how she went from award-winning TV journalist, New York Times bestselling author and documentary filmmaker to running a free, vegan, CNN/Netflix-style streaming TV network.Get to know Jane Velez-Mitchell and UnchainedTV better here: https://unchainedtv.comQuote You have to always get through that period where it seems like, “Oh, no, this isn't working. Oh, my God, what did I do?” I've had those moments…there are those moments in every business. I just try to put those thoughts aside and do the next indicated thing and stay out of the results. Just prod forward – prod forward to get through a difficult point where it looks impossible.”— Jane Velez-MitchellShownotes timestamps⚠️ [02:46] The mission is to wake the world up to veganism: eating animals is causing most of our problems. 

PlantX started as a passion project at the beginning of a global pandemic. PlantX is not only an online store for plant-based products, but an all-encompassing online platform that makes living a plant-based lifestyle accessible to all. It's an online vegan community where users can order healthy vegan meals and learn about the vegan lifestyle through discussions and blogs.PlantX CEO Lorne Rapkin joins us to share how PlantX leveraged the open and inviting nature of the vegan industry to help fuel its incredible growth in a short period of time. We'll also discuss PlantX's visions for taking the company and the industry to the next level.Get to know Lorne and PlantX better here: https://plantx.com/Quote [Our community runs] definitely set us apart from other e-commerce platforms out there that are just sending your goods to your door. With us, whenever you place your next order, we want that conversation to continue and we want to engage you throughout that period of time, before your next order.—Lorne RapkinShownotes timestamps

Brighde spent her formative years in the UK and Australia before her desire to travel took over. She spent five years leading group tours for an Australian company. She met fellow tour guide Seb in Marrakech, fell madly in love, and a couple of years later they discovered veganism together. She became passionate about promoting the vegan message as an activist.Combining her passion for travel and veganism values, Brighde founded World Vegan Travel together with her Seb. World Vegan Travel offers luxury experiences that align with the values of vegans to destinations around the world.In this episode, we talk to Brighde about growing a hospitality business during a pandemic, selling in the luxury space–how to differentiate a business based on highest quality experience, not price and how you can incorporate activism into travel.https://www.worldvegantravel.com/Quote “We felt that if we were able to focus on a luxury product, we knew there wasn't anybody in that space and also realized that people who are, generally speaking, a little bit older, have a little bit more of disposable income, they're often more sort of in a professional arena, And they're at the point of their lives, where they really just want somebody else to do the work and do the efforts.”—Brighde ReedShownotes timestamps

Danny O'Malley knew there was a demand for new plant-based proteins – and that he could be the one to create them. Following a brief stint at Beyond Foods, Danny started Before the Butcher, a plant-based meat brand that has become a category leader in flavor, variety and texture.In this episode, learn how Danny O'Malley built the successful and profitable plant-based meat brand, Before the Butcher, by creating business relationships overlooked by his competitors. Danny shares how thinking creatively and outside of the box helped his brand compete with industry giants and come out on top.Tune in for unique ways to break through the noise of a busy industry and find success for your vegan brand. You'll definitely be inspired by Danny's story and feel motivated to take action!Get to know Danny O'Malley and Before the Butcher better here: https://www.btbfoods.com/ Quote Be realistic about what you're doing, be conservative about what you're projecting, and how you think you're going to get there. Because it's always great to exceed your projections. But it's hard, very hard, very difficult and sometimes very damaging, to not to get to where you expected to go. So be conservative, be excited, but be passionate and show how important it is to [the people] who may be interested in consuming your product, how important it is to you —and it should be to them— that they try whatever it is that you have.—Danny O'MalleyShownotes timestamps

In 2012, Andrew Laurent found himself near death and with limited mobility. He had just suffered a stroke and was beginning to understand the full impact of his diet and nutrition on his condition. As a newly disabled stay-at-home dad, Andrew knew he needed to make a change. He started his own plant-based and vegan journey and soon after launched his vegan business, Broth Bomb, to support his family and help others reduce their food waste and eat more plant-based meals.In this episode, Andrew shares how he pivoted his restaurant delivery business after his stroke to begin building Broth Bomb. The idea for Broth Bomb came while Andrew was looking for a fun way to share his favorite easy wholesome one-pot recipes with friends and family. Including the seasonings led to the idea. Using advanced sales directly through Broth Bomb's website, Andrew generated the cash flow required to manufacture their products and launch the business without financing. The business has already sold over 150,000 units!Listen to this episode to hear all about how Andrew used the changes he was making in his personal life to overcome a physical disability as a catalyst for this new vegan venture.Get to know Andrew Laurent and Broth Bomb better here: https://brothbomb.storeQuote If you're going to go do a crowdfunding, I would say put in the marketing ahead of time, raise a little money ahead of time to invest in rather than just put it up there and hope. That would be my advice…Or even just do the crowdfunding yourself - set up your own website and do your own crowdfunding.—Andrew LaurentShownotes timestamps▶️ [00:44] Sometimes our businesses can be an answer to the big change we've experienced.

Even though Tal Garden's family couldn't afford culinary luxuries when she was growing up, their dinner table was always fresh, colorful, and tasty. One of the few staples on the table was tahini. Whether they spread it in pita bread, dressed it on shakshuka, or used it as a dip for veggies, tahini made it taste better. Tal created FUN Sesame because she wanted to share her love of tahini with the world. She believes that even the simplest of food can be enhanced with the right thing–tahini!In this episode, we'll learn about Tal's journey to starting her business and some of the challenges she faced along the way. Tal opens up about how she's needed to approach certain business challenges differently because she is a female founder. We'll also learn all about FUN Sesame's motto (and where its name comes from): "Have fun, it is simple!"Get to know Tal Garden and FUN Sesames Tahini better here: www.funsesames.comQuote “If you have an idea, and you don't know how to start, just start…Don't be afraid of sharing your idea because someone might steal it. It takes a lot from taking an idea to the next level and really doing something about it. So just start. If you see yourself putting a lot of time towards your idea during the night, because it really drives you and it really gives you joy, even though you slept for two hours–that's your calling.”—Tal GardenShownotes timestamps▶️ [00:44] What inspires people to create businesses: FUN Sesame.

Jun Fuchs is a Certified Life Coach, on a quest to teach vegans & activists worldwide how to use mindfulness as a vehicle to level up their positive impact in this world. Jun is working to help awaken more vegans into their "zone of brilliance" and with that, level up their impact in the world.Jun joins us to share the story of how he burned out as an activist, took a whole year to recenter himself and eventually discovered how to create impact through his own style of vegan advocacy. Tune in to be inspired by Jun's incredible story.Get to know Jun Fuchs and his work better here: https://junfuchs.podia.com/Quote When we're not maintaining our mental health, we can't sustainably function as a changemaker in the world.My way of advocating and being an activist is to amplify other people's impact. And it doesn't matter if they're activists yet or if they don't consider themselves activists. If you're vegan, you're an activist at heart, I know that somewhere your heart beats for that change. —Jun FuchsShownotes 

As the founder of Sexy Fit Vegan, and previous trainer to celebrity athletes like A-Rod, Ella has built an international audience to include 60k followers across her social platforms serving the world as a speaker, author, podcast host, and coach. She believes that our bodies and overall health deserve the same commitment, love, and dedication as all other aspects of life. While entrepreneurs have earned accolades, achieved massive success, seemingly conquering it all, many of us have neglected the one asset that can't be bought–our HEALTH. In this episode, Ella shares ways that we can stop playing small with our health and offers ways to embrace movement, design plan-based nutritional plans and return to our spiritual roots.Get to know Ella Magers and Sexy Fit Vegan better here: https://www.ellamagers.com/Quote “We get addicted to the doing and the doing and the productivity, and thinking that's the only way we're worthy of walking this planet. So coming back to that space of taking a breath–we don't have to be doing something every moment of every day. What can we do to start to make some time for ourselves to find that peace in just simply being.” – Ella MagersShownotes timestamps

As Chief Nerd at The Modern Health Nerd, Theresa “Sam” Houghton is helping plant-based, functional and better-for-you CPG and DTC brands understand their customers and create better content.Sam is a graduate of both the Bauman College Nutrition Consultant program and the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate program and uses this expertise to bring a unique perspective to content marketing.In this episode, Sam shares how a realization about what most brands are missing in their content marketing processes led her to pivot her business, becoming better at what she does in the process. Sam will share these insights to help you connect with more people and better serve the customers you already have.Sam will explain why you should stop chasing SEO terms for the sake of traffic and start creating content that will genuinely interest and serve your customers. You can stop trying to ride the wave of short-lived trends and create content that will benefit your business in the long term!Theresa “Sam” Houghton is helping plant-based, functional and better-for-you CPG and DTC brands understand their customers and create better content. Her writing appears regularly on NutritionStudies.org and the Upside by VitaCost and has been featured on Green Queen Media. She has been a guest on several podcasts and YouTube shows, including Vegan Visibility with Kathleen Gage, Behind Their Business, Chef AJ Live and Let's Eat with Mark Samuel.Get to know Sam Houghton and Modern Health Nerd better here: http://modernhealthnerd.comQuote "Do a review of your own values and your own purpose and your own goals–what you really want to accomplish with your business. And then if you have already looked at your audience and done the research, go back and review it. If you need to, update it and refresh it, because your audience might have changed. The audience you thought you were going to serve might not be the audience that you're serving." — Theresa “Sam” HoughtonShow notes timestamps:

Fit Vegan Coaching began when CEO Maxime Sigouin found himself looking for ways to raise funds to support his fiancée's cancer treatment. Fit Vegan Coaching has since helped over 500+ vegans completely transform their health and bodies.On a mission to help the world get lean, thrive and bulletproof their health, Fit Vegan Coaching (FVC) is fighting misconceptions about building muscle, improving body composition, and increasing performance as a vegan.Maxime truly believes in reaching out to people to help them achieve a healthier and better life and avoid suffering from diseases that could have been prevented. He is also an incredibly successful entrepreneur - FVC has grossed over 7 figures in its 2.5 years on the market.Maxime joins us to share his journey from looking for a way to support his fiancée to running a successful vegan business. He'll discuss the challenges and rewards and share why it has to be about more than the money.Get to know Maxime and Fit Vegan Coaching better here: http://www.fitvegancoaching.com/Quote “What is the thing that just burns inside of you–that if you don't do, you don't feel like it's worth living? That's how I feel about it. If I'm not doing this thing, why am I on Earth? There's no need for me to be here if I'm not pursuing this thing actively.”— Maxime SigouinShow notes timestamps

Innutri, a company founded by entrepreneur Adrian Krahn, has a mission to be an “ethical health improver” – to protect the lives of people, animals and the environment. Innutri's products aim to maintain and improve people's health and quality of life while taking an ethical, long-term approach–for the sake of this generation and those to come. Innutri's latest development, Innutri Soft Gums™, are an innovative new alternative to traditional nutritional supplements. Innutri Soft Gums™ are a healthy, ethical, vegan option for anyone who struggles to swallow pills or capsules – or who's looking for a more enjoyable way to get the extra nutrients they need.In this episode, Adrian shares his journey to veganism and the challenges of bringing an innovative new vegan product to market. Adrian also shares some of the key lessons he's learned along the way like always staying open to the views of others and remembering that there is no straight line in one's life. Get to know Adrian and Innutri better here: https://www.innutri.ch

Virchew is NA's first plant-based food brand for dogs, founded by veteran entrepreneur Laura Simonson. Virchew is supported by industry-first nutrition programs focusing on skin, digestive, and senior-related solutions. Companion animals in Canada and the United States number over 100M and Virchew has built an extraordinary foundation that will lead to new ways to feed, care for, and live with companion dogs. Its 100% plant-based, dehydrated, preservative-free, locally-produced dog meals and treats - the first of their kind in the industry – are distributed through Virchew HQ, a sustainably designed and healthy workplace, with a set of core values that challenge all to 'do the right thing.' In this episode, Laura shares with us the “a-ha” moment in a small town bookstore that inspired her to start on a vegan dog food journey. We'll discuss how Laura and her team stood strong and pushed forward with their vision even when the pre-pandemic world didn't seem ready for plant-based dog meals and treats and how awareness and demand are now growing through consumers who want to live better.  Get to know Laura and her business, Virchew: https://www.virchew.com/

Serial entrepreneur, Bobbi Giudicelli, founded Read The Ingredients with her eldest son with the mission to help people eat clean, find their energy and live their passion. Bobbi's journey from severe eating disorders to Whole-Food Plant-Based (WFPB) food choices brought her to co-found this latest venture. Read The ingredients offers the cleanest full-meal (breakfast/lunch), baked and packaged products on the market. Bobbi is also the author of "Freedom From A Toxic Relationship With Food" which shares her struggles with food issues and offers support to others who struggle with their relationship with food.Get to know Bobbi Giudicelli and Read The Ingredients: www.rtifoods.com“I can't stress that enough: if you're gonna go into different industries—it is all about the inner workings of the industry—It's all about who you know, it's all about aligning yourself with vendors and partners and employees. Who are the right people? Building relationships is the key to a successful business. I don't care what product you have, I don't care what you're doing. If you can't build successful relationships with vendors, with customers, with employees—don't even bother.”—Bobbi Giudicelli

Motion Manor is an animation studio that wears its values on its sleeve. They offer a completely transparent breakdown of what being ethical means for the studio, what that means for its clients and what its climate objectives are for the future. They only work with purpose-driven organizations, like B-Corps, social enterprises, non-profits and vegan brands and they reinvest a portion of their revenue into the creation of video content and strategy for causes supporting sustainability, the climate, and animal welfare.Anthony Green has found joy in his work again. He and the Motion Manor team are excited to change the world with video, one audience at a time.Get to know Anthony and Motion Manor better: ​​https://www.motion-manor.com“I just always have it ingrained that we can do more. It is possible, it should be possible to run a successful business that actually builds ethical values into it from the ground up. Not only who you work with, but how you generate the work, how you treat your clients, how you treat people, how you communicate, how you act as a business. That should be a value throughout everything that you do. So that's really what started the initial journey of saying, “No one wants to do this, but we're going to prove it can't be done.”— Anthony GreenSHOW NOTES:

The Luxury Vegan is the world's only concierge transition service for the vegan lifestyle. Dominique Side helps individuals live a more compassionate lifestyle by easing them into veganism in every aspect of their lives. Being vegan is so much more than food. Dominique also focuses on fashion, beauty, household items, interior design, eco-friendly travel, and so much more. It is Dom's mission to show her clients that you don't have to sacrifice your current lifestyle when transitioning to a more conscious one. As the co-founder of the 7-figure entrepreneurial multiplex Vgn Bae, her mission is to inspire and support other change-makers and influencers to transition to a compassionate-based vegan lifestyle, without compromise. Dominique is also a music artist, recording studio owner, vegan fashion showroom founder and creator of Houston's first vegan grocery store.Get to know Dominique and The Luxury Vegan: www.theluxuryvegan.com“The thing that separates the ones you admire from everyone else is THAT thing. And everyone asks, “What is that?” You listen to all the talks, you go to all the seminars, you take all the classes, you follow all the inspirational people, you read their books, you're like, “What is The Thing, the key, what is that secret?” And it's not a secret. They're just consistent. And they keep showing up and doing the thing - the uncomfortable thing over and over and over again. That's what makes them different.”—Dominique SideSHOW NOTES:

“I see being a rebel as a positive positive thing, that you aren't just taking things as they are. We grew up in this belief system where eating meat is natural and normal. I very much grew up with that. I had to rethink that. I had to challenge that, in a way, to rebel against it and look at other ways of doing it. And not just follow my heritage and the way things were. I really want to inspire everybody else to come on board and question all these things and be part of it—this idea of being rebellious and rethinking things, changing the world and making it a better place.” —Todd Sinclair▶️ [00:39] From growing up on a dairy farm to being a trilogy author. Uncertainty turned into an opportunity. 

After reading, “A Diet for A New America,” by John Robins, Anthony Cotter transformed his life of addiction and homelessness. He went back to school and committed himself to nutrition, mindfulness, health, and wellness. His organization, Whole Life Goals, helps connect individuals seeking guidance with certified professionals ready to support them in reaching their Movement, Meals, Mind & Money goals."I focus more on really finding the right Certified Professionals to join “Whole Life Goals”. I want to build a good family, good people that are ready to serve and want to serve and that's their passion. I want to help create a healthy workforce, because that's what we really need. We need healthy people, teaching other people to be healthy."

If I didn't care about animal testing, or plastic packaging, or what is that, what is my customer going to do with this box now that they're done with it and if I didn't care about ingredients, it'd be so much easier. I could just be whipping together some products, putting them in very traditional packaging, which are readily available, and putting them up on store shelves. But it's not what I want to do. I want to build something that is sustainable in the fact that it's also helping people. It's getting them away from inundating themselves with chemicals, that, a lot of it we don't even have control over, they just come into our environment naturally. So if we can take control over certain areas of our life, and eliminate that. That to me is a good choice that we can all make.Show Notes

We offer the vegan community a pathway for integrating all of the issues of social justice and environmentalism, with their passion for veganism and animal rights. And what we're offering the education community is the opportunity to bring these important ethical issues into their classroom in ways that don't have to be polarized, that don't have to be controversial, but can actually be oriented toward how we solve these underlying problems that we face in the world. Our goal is to educate people to be solutionary. That is people who can address unjust and unsustainable and inhumane systems and devise and implement solutions that are good for everybody, meaning all people, animals, and the environment. 

"Particularly in the line of work that I'm in, podcasting, I've discovered that it is almost a partnership between you and the customer. They are on the journey with you. They're part of your business, too. My early customers especially, and all the customers I've got now, actually shape what I do and how I do it - all the time."

Let's just do things better. And let's turn this around ourselves, rather than being kind of the martyrs of our own story. Let's fix the world instead of destroying it. Let's come together - our world is worth saving. But we're the ones that got to save it, it's down to us. So that is the message behind the Earthlings story.

Perhaps the most positive way to be a vegan advocate is just by being who you are.I think we're at a time now, where it's so important to look inward, think about and then act upon what is truly of greatest value to us.I invite everybody to learn as much as you can, and be inspired to go vegan or to speak up and advocate for veganism in your own unique way.SHOW NOTES

⏩ Fashion as the next vegan revolution. 00:43

Once you get to the point as a solopreneur or small business owner where you want to scale up, as soon as you want to hand something off, you need a system in place to do that. What we found was that we have lots of small clients come to us, and they want to hand things over to us, but they don't really know how to do it. Or they're quite scattered and their processes aren't efficient. And so we spend a lot of time with clients talking about how we can help them streamline things. This is kind of a sideline to what we do in supporting vegan businesses...we actually find and create systems and process documents for our clients in order for us to be able to work efficiently for them and with them. So, the efficiency side of things is definitely something that small businesses don't think about enough. Notes:

 “The idea of the VeganNation ecosystem is to have one app, one technological platform to connect consumers, businesses, organizations—anyone that has anything to do with plant based and sustainability—and bring them into one ecosystem. It starts with a directory to list all the businesses—not just the food-related ones, but also fashion, health, wellness, cosmetics, accessories—the entire lifestyle that it takes to sustain what we're doing. That will transition in the future into a full marketplace to buy and sell all those products. A digital wallet [is provided] to enable payments between businesses and consumers, empowered by our global loyalty program. That is the essence of Greencoin, the digital currency that we launched. That will be the economic engine of this global movement. People around the world, any conscious consumer...regardless of where they are [can be involved]. When they are part of this ecosystem, when they're participating, when they are actively helping to build this economy, and using all aspects of the ecosystem, from the directory to the marketplace to the wallet incentivized by the Greencoin, that is really the true building of a borderless vegan nation.”

“I've been told that if you have your own business, you're working with top big brands that everyone knows, and you're making great money, then you're successful. It was really interesting to get [to that place] as fast as I could, and then realize that I didn't feel successful because I didn't feel fulfilled. At the same time, I was on my personal spiritual journey of becoming fully vegan, of starting to meditate, reading spiritual books and really feeling that, actually, my work is not aligned with what I truly care about on the inside, and [thinking about] how I could find a way to bring those two things together?”

“My biggest ambition for this firm is to help people imagine themselves as part of something much bigger than they currently see.  I think the hypothetical vegan...who is buying stocks of Beyond Meat and praying, might think that there are one or two businesses out there that align with their values, when in reality, there are thousands.”“I hope [I can help] people look at the companies in their portfolio and go, “It never really occurred to me to think about cell phone towers as a vegan business opportunity”—[but they are!] Here are these companies doing amazing work, bringing connectivity to people, creating economic opportunity in rural spaces, all sorts of great stuff—[and they also happen to be vegan!]”

“Sometimes we forget and fall into our routines. And food is totally a habit. Food is a learned habit. Our diet is very much a learned skill that we build over time and we grow with. We change, and we may start cooking with new ingredients. Or maybe we have a food allergy that comes up from time to time, and then we have to start using different foods because we are consuming one thing for a long time and our body's resisting it.There's a saying that if you find one recipe in a cookbook that you use and love, then it has been worth the purchase. Because that can be something you return to weekly. Or [maybe it's because] you found one thing that inspired you to cook something in a new way.”

When people donate they want—and deserve—to know where their money is going. They need full transparency and they need to know the impact their money is making. As many of the young people we work with put it, “What's in this for me?” Aren't we all in this together, and shouldn't we all be able to win? I realized that the current charity model made it impossible to answer those questions. Charity has been around for 200 years and the way it is done hasn't been touched. So it's time for a change.

"I feel like every single decision I make is empowering me because I get to decide how I spend my money. I get to decide what businesses I'm going to support, I get to decide what kind of world I want to create. I get to do that not only with my food choices but with every single choice I make in my business. And if I don't like a company's practices, or how they're sourcing product, I can make a decision about [how—or whether—to work with them]. And through that decision, I can influence how companies are going to move forward. Because it's all about the bottom line for them—it's about keeping a viable business. And that means gearing the business toward consumer choices." ~ Risha Walden

Louisa Nicholson is the brain behind Every Vegan Recipe, and in this episode of PIVOT she shares tips and experiences that will be invaluable to other vegans looking to start up a new online business. https://www.everyveganrecipe.com