Vegan Business Talk

VBT 176: How to Write, Publish & Leverage a Book to Boost Your Vegan Business with Mitali Deypurkaystha

Katrina Fox — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 06:08:40 +0000

Mitali Deypurkaystha is a former ghostwriter turned book consultant and publisher who is on a mission to turn vegan experts, business owners and C-suite executives into authors.

Her new book The Freedom Master Plan: Put Your Mission, Movement and Message on the Map is a practical guide on how to free yourself from ‘selling’, and chasing clients or investors by writing a high-value business book and – importantly – how to leverage it.

The book – which is an Amazon bestseller in several categories – sets out more than 20 proven strategies designed to dramatically increase referrals, boost your profits, and even build additional income streams.

As a ghostwriter Mitali wrote seven business books that generated more than $6.5 million in additional revenue for her clients.

Mitali has writing in her blood: Despite not speaking a word of English by the age of four, she taught herself to read in school libraries and co-wrote an episode of popular British soap opera Brookside when she was just 16.

She recently renamed her book consulting and publishing company to The Vegan Publisher and offers a training program for anyone who wants to self-publish as well as an application-only hybrid publishing model where she works with you step-by-step to help you write your book which is published under her Let’s Tell Your Story imprint.

In this episode Mitali discusses:

• How one of her ghostwriting clients landed high-end coaching packages and speaking gigs – by giving her books away

• Why the book itself is not the business

• The pros and cons of the different types of publishing: Traditional, self, and hybrid

• How much it costs to write and publish a high-quality book

• How you can write a book even if you’re adamant that you ‘can’t write’

• And much more

Get Mitali’s book The Freedom Master Plan: Put Your Mission, Movement and Message on the Map – For Vegan and Ethical Experts, Influencers and Entrepreneurs

Check out Mitali’s self-study training for experts who want to write a book

Grab Mitali’s book cover and typesetting templates for cash-strapped authors.

Apply for Mitali’s Authority Program where you get help to write your book and be published under her Let’s Tell Your Story Imprint

Find out more about Mitali’s Thought Leader Program for busy entrepreneurs and C-Suite executives (includes ghostwriting)

RESOURCES:

My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight

My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business

Follow Vegan Business Media on:

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Connect with me personally at:

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VBT 175: Jecks Stone, Vegan Interior Designer On Taking a Stand to Stand Out

Katrina Fox — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 04:56:32 +0000

In this episode, I interview Jecks Stone, interior designer and founder of Persona Abode in the UK.

Her background in recycling management and historic building conservation were the foundation of marrying interiors with environmental impact.

After wrestling with balancing her morals with the perceived frivolity of the interior design industry, Jecks became one of the first UK designers to be vegandesign.org certified.

Through Persona Abode, her vegan lifestyle and interest in mental health she advocates for healthy living environments, being mindful of designing for people, place and planet.

In this interview Jecks discusses:

• How she got her first interior design client

• The importance of your personal brand and sharing more of yourself, even if you’re an introvert

• How she’s funding her interior design business for now by continuing to work at her full-time job

• How Covid helped her business grow

• Why she doesn’t feature the word ‘vegan’ prominently in her branding and marketing

• How domestic violence, the importance of ‘home’, health and sustainability influences her work as an interior designer

• Her somewhat controversial view on ‘trends’

• And more

Visit the Persona Abode website
Find out more about vegandesign.org

RESOURCES:

My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight

My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business

Follow Vegan Business Media on:

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Connect with me personally at:

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VBT 174: Lena Ludwig of Vital Gains Mergers & Acquisitions Firm on How to Sell or Buy a Vegan or Alt Protein Business

Katrina Fox — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 02:13:41 +0000

In this episode I interview Lena Ludwig, founder and principal of Vital Gains mergers and acquisitions consultancy in Washington D.C.

A vegan of 26 years, Lena started working in mergers and acquisitions and finance over 20 years ago, and she’s helped hundreds of businesses with successful acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic growth planning.

For the past 10 years, she’s been a financial and administrative executive in the plant-based foods and animal rights movements.

Vital Gains is a woman-owned, women-operated mergers and acquisitions consultancy, focused on the alt-protein sector.

In this interview Lena discusses:

• Business valuations and the different ways they’re calculated

• How to determine if you’re ready to merge or be acquired

• What to look for if you want to buy or sell a business

• What steps are involved in a merger or acquisition

• Red flags to be aware of when considering a merger or acquisition

• The importance of ethical clauses to protect your brand during an acquisition

• The costs involved in a merger or acquisition

• And more

Visit the Vital Gains website

RESOURCES:

My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight

My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business

Follow Vegan Business Media on:

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Connect with me personally at:

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VBT 173: Natasha and Ed Tatton of BReD on Opening a Vegan Bakery in a Ski Resort in Canada

Katrina Fox — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 06:34:41 +0000

In this episode I interview Natasha and Ed Tatton, co-founders of BReD, a vegan, organic, sourdough bakery in the ski resort town of Whistler in Canada.

Both originally from the UK, Natasha is a former English teacher, and Ed is a professional fine-dining chef.

The couple moved to Canada, became vegan and passionate environmentalists and opened BReD three years ago.

Earlier this year, the husband and wife team recently won the Best Youth Entrepreneur Award at the Small Business British Colombia Awards.

In this interview Natasha and Ed discuss:

• Why they decided to sell their house in the UK and open a vegan bakery in a ski resort in Canada

• How they tested the market with little financial outlay before opening their store

• The impact of Covid on their fledgling business that was in two sectors hit the most hard and how a fast pivot and adding extra streams of income saved the day

• How they’ve grown BReD into a thriving business, despite locals telling them it wouldn’t work

• How they landed local and national media coverage, including in Forbes, by doing their own PR – and the positive impact on the business

• Why they started out using the term ‘plant-based’ but are now using ‘vegan’ a lot more

• How Natasha has used the challenges of growing up in foster care to help her become a more resilient entrepreneur

• And more

Visit the BReD website

RESOURCES:

My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight

My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business

Follow Vegan Business Media on:

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Connect with me personally at:

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LinkedIn

VBT 172: James McInnes of Odd Burger on How to Scale a Vegan Fast Food Restaurant Chain

Katrina Fox — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 05:08:18 +0000

In this episode I interview James McInnes, co-founder of Odd Burger vegan fast food chain in Ontario, Canada

James, who was a software executive, was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2014 and changed his lifestyle for the better by going vegan.

He and his wife Lia began developing their own plant-based meats and soon were selling vegan meal kits featuring local ingredients.

But they couldn’t shake the idea that what the world needed was vegan fast food, at a price that could compete with animal foods.

In 2016 they debuted a food truck with a chickpea burger they called the “Big McInnes,” earning them a cease-and-desist from McDonald’s – and they knew they were onto something.

Formerly called Globally Local, Odd Burger produces its own meat and dairy alternatives for use in its restaurants.

In April 2021, the company went public, and plans to have 20 locations by this time next year.

In this interview James discusses:

• How he turned getting a legal letter from McDonald’s into an advantage

• How he successfully scaled the business from a food truck to several restaurant chains

• How smart tech in the making of food as well as with self-serve options has helped the business remain sustainable and able to thrive during during Covid when other restaurants folded

• The benefits of having your own production facility instead of relying on third-party vendors

• Why, after spending years building a brand, he decided to change the company’s name, and the benefits and challenges that brought

• Why he took the company public and how to know when to do this

• And more

Visit the Odd Burger website

RESOURCES:

My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight

My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business

Follow Vegan Business Media on:

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Connect with me personally at:

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VBT 171: Tyler Mayoras of Cool Beans: From Investor to CEO of a Vegan Food Brand

Katrina Fox — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 06:36:26 +0000

In this episode I interview Tyler Mayoras, CEO and co-founder of Cool Beans, a plant-based food company in Chicago whose first products are globally-inspired, healthy frozen wraps.

After nearly two decades investing in agriculture and food brands, Tyler had seen the dark underside of the American food industry first hand.

After learning about the negative impact of animal agriculture on the environment, he began a journey into plant-based eating.

Tyler co-founded Cool Beans in 2018 with a few other like-minded investors and to date the product is in 1200 retail stores across the US.

In this interview, Tyler discusses:

• The ‘dark undersides’ of the American food industry that he’s witnessed

• How he helped Boca Burger (Kraft Heinz’s veggie burger) go from $7M to $50M in revenue over 3.5 years

• Why he segued from impact investor to starting his own company

• Why Cool Beans launched with frozen products – and the new technology of freezing that keeps products fresh

• What ‘digital demos’ are and why he prefers them to in-store demos

• Why the company is not creating its own online store

• His predictions for the future of the vegan and plant-based sector

• And more

Visit the Cool Beans website

RESOURCES:

My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight

My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business

Follow Vegan Business Media on:

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Connect with me personally at:

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VBT 170: Bailey Ruskus on What Happened When She Turned Her Private Chef Business Vegan

Katrina Fox — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 03:59:22 +0000

In this episode I interview Bailey Ruskus (aka Chef Bai).

Classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco, Bailey has been in business for herself for 10 years, but three years ago made the switch to become a completely vegan business.

Host of the Plant Remedy podcast, she’s been a long-time warrior of endometriosis and has discovered her own tools to heal her body through food and health.

Now based in San Diego, she cooks for top executives, professional athletes, and others, hosts virtual cooking classes in her online membership and hosts corporate wellness programs around the globe.

Her first book Cook. Heal. Go Vegan! has just been launched.

In this interview Bailey discusses:

• The moment she decided to turn her business vegan while gutting a fish as she remembered a talk by a well-known animal activist

• How she handled losing clients and dealing with a lot of online hate after announcing she was transitioning her business to be vegan

• The impact of endometriosis and chronic pain on her life and business

• How the Covid situation initially decimated her business (and marriage plans), until a pivot turned it around and landed her a book deal

• Knowing her worth and negotiating a higher advance with her publisher

• And more

Visit Bailey’s Chef Bai website

Check out Bailey’s podcast Plant Remedy

Find out more about Bailey’s book Cook. Heal. Go Vegan!

RESOURCES:

My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight

My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business

Follow Vegan Business Media on:

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Connect with me personally at:

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VBT 169: Mitchell Scott of The Very Good Butchers on Scaling from Farmers’ Markets to Going Public within 4 Years

Katrina Fox — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 07:03:24 +0000

In this episode I interview Mitchell Scott, co-founder and CEO of The Very Good Butchers, a Canadian plant-based meat company.

After selling out the farmers’ markets on Denman Island, British Columbia, Mitchell and his co-founder and fellow ‘bean butcher’ James Davison knew they were onto something.

They brought their beans to Victoria and opened the Canadian West Coast’s first plant-based butchery.

The pair are currently opening a new facility that will be able to produce up to $100 million more in product a year which is an increase of more than 2,500%.

Last year they became the second plant-based meat company to release an IPO.

In this interview Mitchell discusses:

• Why they use the terms ‘butcher’ and ‘butchery’

• How they raised $600k from 240 investors in an equity crowdfunding campaign in 2018

• The unexpected turn of events after they received several offers of a deal on Dragon’s Den (Canada)

• Why they went public last year and the benefits and challenges it’s brought

• How to go public and how much it costs

• And more

Visit The Very Good Butchers website

RESOURCES:

My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight

My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business

Follow Vegan Business Media on:

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Connect with me personally at:

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VBT 168: Johanna Sophia of Johanna’s Raw Foods on Closing Down & Preparing to Relaunch Her Business at Scale

Katrina Fox — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 05:49:59 +0000

In this episode I interview Professor Johanna Sophia, founder of Johanna’s Raw Foods in upstate New York.

After a music, film, and writing career that saw her travel the globe, Johanna – who was raised in Germany – settled down in the US and raised her children.

When her kids were barely in their teens and she was almost 50, Johanna found herself lying on the floor, paralyzed for what seemed an eternity experiencing a stroke.

She made the decision to change her life but the lack of available prepared vegan raw foods that fit her new strict but busy lifestyle forced her to make her own meals and in 2013 Johanna’s Raw Foods was born.

The company’s product line includes a range of organic, gluten-free grab and go, ready-to-eat, mix and match, raw, vegan snacks.

In this interview Johanna discusses:

• Why having a diverse career that included teaching stints at Yale and Columbia universities, rather than sticking to one professional area, has been an advantage to running her own business

• How she got her raw, vegan products into more than 200 health stores across the US

• Why, after this initial excitement of getting her products in stores, she made the decision to shut down her factory and focus on online, direct-to-consumer sales

• The relaunch of the company with a much bigger plan and why she believes every product business has to stop staying small and instead scale to succeed

• And more

Visit the Johanna’s Raw Foods website

RESOURCES:

My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight

My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business

Follow Vegan Business Media on:

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Connect with me personally at:

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VBT 167: Vikas Garg of abillion on Building & Growing a Tech Platform with Philanthropy & Support for Small Businesses at its Core

Katrina Fox — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 01:52:48 +0000

In this episode, I interview Vikas Garg, the founder and CEO of abillion, a sustainability platform for plant-based dishes and cruelty-free products.

Four years ago, Vikas left his high-flying career at one of the world’s largest hedge funds after he found a new mission — to help and inspire a billion people to go vegan in the next 10 years.

Based in Singapore, Vikas is dedicated to grassroots education and conservation initiatives around the world.

Abillion currently has more than 300,000 active users and the app has been downloaded nearly 1 million times. Through its giving program, the business has donated over $500,000 to impactful causes and is aiming to donate more than $1 million by the end of 2021.

In this interview, Vikas discusses:

• How he came up with the idea of abillion and its unique offering

• The challenges of creating an app based on user-generated content, with no tech experience in a new country where he knew no one and a precarious visa situation

• How he attracted millions of dollars in funding for a social impact business

• How he plans to monetize the platform while helping small business owners sell their products and gain valuable consumer insights

• Why he decided to use much of the investment money on donating to charitable causes, rather than on marketing

• The marketing strategies he used to build and grow the business

• Unexpected trends in the plant-based food market uncovered by abillion’s data

• And more

Download the abillion app on iTunes or Google Play

Visit the abillion website

RESOURCES:

My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight

My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business

Follow Vegan Business Media on:

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Connect with me personally at:

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LinkedIn

VBT 166: Jenny Goldfarb of Unreal Deli on Going from $10k to $100k Profits Shortly After Appearing on Shark Tank

Katrina Fox — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 02:44:28 +0000

In this episode I interview Jenny Goldfarb, founder of vegan meat company Mrs Goldfarb’s Unreal Deli in Los Angeles. After becoming vegan, Jenny craved the familiar flavors of her family's New York Jewish delis from her youth. The former tech entrepreneur began experimenting in her tiny kitchen, trying out the recipes on vegan and meat-eating family and friends. Encouragement from them quickly led to Jenny shopping around her first plant-based meat products and getting placed in all the major Los Angeles delis. The products – made in LA from whole ingredients from local farms – are now available in major grocery stores nationwide, Jenny landed a spot on Shark Tank in 2019 where she got an investment from Mark Cuban, who recently went vegetarian, for more than double what she asked for. The company took revenue from $10k in profits to $100k shortly afterwards and continues to expand. In this interview Jenny discusses: • How she got the attention of restaurant chains, grocers and one of the biggest food brokers in the US very early on • Why she decided to go on Shark Tank, even though she’d already had several plant-based investors offering her money • What’s involved in the application process and preparation period for the show • The benefits of media coverage on the company’s bottom line after her Shark Tank appearance • How Covid forced her to pivot the business from focusing on restaurant chains to getting products into retail outlets • Why she uses both ‘vegan’ and ‘plant-based’ in her branding and marketing • And more Visit the Mrs Goldfarb’s Unreal Deli website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 165: Anne McKevitt, Business Advisor to A-List Celebrities, Corporations and Entrepreneurs, on Building a Successful Brand

Katrina Fox — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 03:13:47 +0000

This episode is a recording of a live virtual event I hosted recently: Power Chat with Anne McKevitt. From property developer and interior designer (with a homewares product line of 1600 sku’s) to prime time TV star (dubbed ‘Britain’s Martha Stewart’ by the media) and bestselling author of millions of books, Anne McKevitt’s skills and expertise in brand-building are sought after by the world’s leading entrepreneurial companies and A-list celebrities. Her client list includes Beyonce and Jay Z, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mercedes, IKEA, and many, many more. Her business and philanthropic work has also seen her consult with several heads of state including President George Bush, President Bill Clinton and the Obama administration. Passionate about animal rights and protecting the planet, Anne – a vegan for 47 years – has been quietly influencing global corporations, political figures and high-profile entrepreneurs and personalities on the importance of compassion and sustainability. In this interview, Anne discusses: • The devastating accident that her bedridden for a year and how this was the impetus for her to start her first business at the age of 23 • The important strategy she learned early on in business that was key to her success • How she was able to sell one of her businesses with a retail value of just under $1 billion • The terrifying reason she left the UK nearly 20 years ago to move to Australia and out of the public eye • Key mistakes business owners and corporations make with their brands and what to do instead • How she helped global brands in genres including beauty, wellness, food, beverages, apparel, online services, aged care, utilities, TV, theatre and so many more to plan and grow their offerings and expand their customer footprint • Her new venture Plant Future and how you can benefit from it • And much more Plus she responds to audience questions on building their brands. Find out about Anne’s new venture for the vegan and plant-based business sector Plant Future RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 164: Rebecca Ettridge of Wombat Cafe & Store on Running a Suburban Vegan Business Remotely with No Online Sales

Katrina Fox — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 03:28:12 +0000

In this episode I interview Rebecca Ettridge, the owner of Wombat Café & Store, the Mornington Peninsula’s first 100% vegan café in Victoria, Australia, founded in 2016. Wombat regularly raises and donates substantial amounts of money to Australian animal sanctuaries along with ongoing monthly payments to #paytherent, a grassroots Indigenous organization. The café, which has expanded to a team of 16 employees, also funds the running costs of its own farm sanctuary, Plumfield Farm, which currently houses 92 residents. Rebecca has managed all this by running the café remotely (she lives 3 hours away) since the business was only 18 months old, despite being told this couldn’t be done – and without any online sales. In this interview Rebecca discusses: • Why she decided to open a vegan café in a non-metropolitan area • How she’s managed to retain staff in an industry that typically sees a high turnover • How she’s able to run the business remotely so she can focus on working in her animal sanctuary • The impact of Covid on the business • Why she decided not to offer online sales or even have a website for the business • Her use of the word ‘vegan’ in the café’s branding and marketing and how this changed over the years • And more Follow Wombat Café & Store on Instagram Follow Plumfield Farm on Instagram RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 163: Izzy Shu of JOI on Turning a Thesis Project into a Vegan Milk Business with a Difference

Katrina Fox — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 08:31:27 +0000

In this episode I interview Izzy Shu, one of four co-founders of JOI (Just One Ingredient), a plant-based milk company with a difference. When Izzy and her fellow co-founders met in grad school, they quickly realized their shared passion for healthier lifestyles and a quest to make the world more sustainable, and created a thesis project: An innovative solution to make plant-based milks cleaner, more accessible and more eco-friendly. In 2016, JOI was created. The company offers concentrates made from whole, natural, raw ingredients which, when blended with water, create customizable, instant clean and nutritious plant-based milks. Before founding JOI, Izzy worked in marketing and brand identity, as well as graphic and production design. In this interview Izzy discusses: • Why the company pivoted from hardware manufacturer to creating food products, despite investing time and money in the former • How JOI is different to other plant-based milks and also to standard ‘instant milk’ • The benefits of a subscription-based sales model and a customer rewards program • How Covid impacted the business – in a good way • And more Visit the JOI website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 162: Jena Bautmans of Jenah St. on Ditching Leather & Starting a Vegan Handbag Brand

Katrina Fox — Thu, 27 May 2021 07:50:33 +0000

In this episode I interview Jena Bautmans, the founder of Jenah St., a vegan handbag and accessories brand in Germany. Before founding Jenah St. in 2019, Jena was the co-founder of Buckle & Seam, a men’s accessories company that uses animal leather. While working in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan, she experienced an awakening of how the land and people are impacted by heavy industries like fashion, which changed the way she looks at the world. She decided to make a difference as a result of seeing how tanneries actually process animal leather and its impact on the environment, people and animals. In this interview Jena discusses: • Her diverse career journey from legal intern, marketing assistant and creative director to co-founder of a startup • Her experience of being a female serial entrepreneur in a male-dominated startup space • What she learned from founding Buckle & Seam that was useful in launching Jenah St. • How she avoids the issue of over-production that is prevalent in mainstream fashion • The company’s circular handbag program and how it benefits both the customer and the business • How Covid-19 impacted her young business and how she handled it • And more Visit the Jenah St. website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 161: Tev Finger of Luxury Brand Partners & R+Co Bleu on Creating Vegan , Sustainable, Clean Beauty & Haircare Products

Katrina Fox — Thu, 13 May 2021 02:46:11 +0000

In this episode, I interview beauty industry veteran Tev Finger. He started in the industry in 1990. Since 2006, Tev has helped to create, launch and grow beauty brands across the globe through his company Luxury Brand Partners (LBP). He does this by partnering with key talent while focusing on unique distribution models and collaborating on product innovation, while staying on top of the latest consumer trends. Based in Miami Florida, LBP products are currently sold in 23 countries across North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, and can be found in top salons and specialty retailers including Neiman Marcus and Net-A-Porter. Some of the brands he’s built have sold to large corporations including Estée Lauder for billions of dollars. Now a vegan himself, Tev is focusing his efforts on investing in cleaner brands and ideas to not only help the planet, but to help push the beauty industry as a whole to reach for higher, cleaner, more sustainable standards that haven’t been done before. In December 2020 he helped launch R+Co Bleu, a clean, sustainable, vegan, luxury haircare line which is believed to be the first to introduce 100% PCR packaging. In this interview, Tev discusses: • How he decides which brands to launch and partner with • How he decides which talent and influencers to work with • What independent hair and beauty brands can do that conglomerates can’t and how to use this to your advantage • The challenges he faced in creating R+Co Bleu, especially with sustainable packaging, and how he handled them • The different aspects of hair and beauty products that appeal to different customers, and why this is important for brands to know • Certifications including if and when to include them on your products • And more Visit the Luxury Brand Partners website Visit the R+Co website Visit the R+Co Bleu website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 160: Bonnie Brown & Paul Turcotte of Passion Placement on Launching a New Jobs Platform for Mission-Driven Employers & Candidates

Katrina Fox — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 05:52:02 +0000

In this episode, I interview Bonnie Brown and Paul Turcotte, co-founders of Passion Placement, a new employment platform focused on connecting people with mission-driven organizations doing work that matters to them. Bonnie is a CPA, senior level executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years hands-on experience in finance, management, information systems and business leadership. Paul is an entrepreneur and business executive who built, owned, operated, for 20 years, and sold a successful, high-volume, real estate brokerage of 70 sales associates with offices in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts. Passion Placement curates every job that the platform posts to make sure member companies are in support of sustainable living, animal advocacy or creating alternatives to animal-based products. In this interview Bonnie and Paul discuss: • How Passion Placement differs from other vegan job boards and platforms • How the platform works for both job seekers and employers • The kinds of jobs that are currently advertised on the platform including what’s in high demand right now • The types of positions they anticipate will become more in demand in the future • At what stage a business needs a Chief Financial Officer, whether fractional or full time • The extra support with HR and business development that they’re offering with the debut of their second platform New Earth Partners • And more Visit the Passion Placement website Visit the New Earth Partners website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 159: Kati Ohens of Plantcraft on Exiting Her Digital Agency Career to Create Vegan Deli Meats

Katrina Fox — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 03:10:11 +0000

In this episode I interview Kati Ohens, co-founder of vegan deli meats company Plantcraft in New Zealand. After a 20-year marketing, advertising, and software executive career, Kati exited her agency to start working in the mission-based space. While working as a vegan transition coach, she noticed the gap in the alternative meat market, and the need for deli slices. Kati met commercial banking executive Csaba Hetenyi, a fellow Hungarian, during a work project as they were looking at commercializing a new food tech IP. As she learned about the technology, Kati discovered that it could be used to make groundbreaking, sustainable, plant-based meat alternatives, and in 2018 the pair founded Plantcraft. The company is just about to launch its first products into the US market. In this interview Kati discusses: • The challenges of running a services-based business to a product-based business and she’s handled them • The different roles she and co-founder Csaba’s have and how they complement each other • The two most important criteria for business success • How Covid impacted the business • Marketing strategies that are working we, including where buyers are now looking to find new products • Why ‘plant-based’ is on the packaging for the US market but may be different when the company launches in other markets • How she got investors on board, including one that had never invested in a plant-based brand and was so keen that they returned for a second raise • And more Visit the Plantcraft website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 158: Stephanie Miklosvary of Lucky Chick on Relaunching a Vegan Cosmetics Brand After an 11-Year Break

Katrina Fox — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 02:25:47 +0000

In this episode, I interview Stephanie Miklosvary, founder of Lucky Chick, a vegan cosmetics brand in New York. Stephanie founded and created the company in 2000 as she was putting her art degree to work as a shoe designer in New York City. Nicknamed “Lucky Chick” by a friend for living in her LC (Lobby C) apartment, she decided to create a persona around her new name. Inspired by art and self-expression, Lucky Chick Cosmetics makes a vibrant range of color-intensive glosses, lipsticks, shimmers and shadows to encourage people to treat themselves as the masterpieces they are. In 2007, Stephanie put the business on hold for over a decade, and relaunched in 2018. In this interview Stephanie discusses: • Why she took a break from the company for over a decade and what motivated her to revive it • The challenges she faced with the relaunch compared with the challenges when she first started the brand nearly two decades earlier • How she landed a deal with luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus, only for it to be put on pause when Covid-19 hit • How she got Lucky Chick products to be used by make-up artists on Dancing with the Stars • The impact of Covid-19 on her business and relaunch, including some unexpected upsides • How she got her products added to a beauty subscription box and the benefits of this kind of collaboration • And more Visit the Lucky Chick website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 157: Don’t Do These Things When Pitching Yourself as a Guest on a Podcast or TV Show (And What to Do Instead)

Katrina Fox — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 03:03:09 +0000

In this episode I reveal a couple of situations I experienced recently when publicists pitched me their guests to be on this show, that I want you to avoid. Making journalists’ jobs easy is super important when you’re doing your own PR (or pitching a guest on their behalf). I include podcasters and bloggers in the journalist category too. I receive heaps of pitches from both PR agencies and vegan business owners and to be honest, most of them fall flat, because the person pitching hasn’t done their homework. Also, even when I am potentially interested in having a guest on, things don’t always go smoothly. So, in this episode, I share with you what doesn’t work, and then what does, so you can maximize your chances of landing yourself a guest interview on (the right) shows. RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 156: Che Green on Consumer Research Trends & What Data Vegan Brands Need to Succeed

Katrina Fox — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 02:39:40 +0000

In this episode I interview Che Green, co-founder of Moonshot Collaborative, a new consumer research firm offering affordable solutions for vegan and plant-based brands. Based in Washington State, Che is a 25-year market research veteran focused on sustainable and ethical consumerism, including plant-based foods. He has led research efforts for groups ranging from Fortune 50 companies to international nonprofits. Che co-founded Faunalytics more than 20 years ago, which provides data for animal activists to enable them to be more effective. His work has involved understanding consumers’ behavioral motivations and decision-making, and applying these insights to help companies expand their customer base and increase sales. His deep consumer research experience includes a range of quantitative (surveys, experiments), qualitative (focus groups, interviews), and mixed-method research. In 2021, along with investor and plant-based industry veteran David Benzaquen, Che co-founded Moonshot Collaborative, a research company that provides consumer insights into the vegan and plant-based sector, to help food innovators and disruptive brands grow. In this interview Che discusses: • Key consumer research trends that you need to know about if you have or plan to have a business in the vegan and plant-based sector • What kind of data should brands be looking to get and how this differs depending on what stage the company is at • What kind of sample size you need to get good results • The costs of consumer research and how Moonshot Collaborative is able to provide more affordable options • Concrete examples of how investing in consumer research benefited two plant-based brands • His predictions regarding the growth in uptake of vegan and plant-based products • And more Visit the Moonshot Collaborative website Visit the Faunalytics website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 155: Sara Polon of Soupergirl on Surviving ‘Shark Tank’, Raising $2M Investment & Becoming Plastic Neutral

Katrina Fox — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 11:12:02 +0000

In this episode I interview Sara Polon, co-founder of Soupergirl, a plant-based soup brand in Washington DC. Sara is a former standup comedian who founded Soupergirl in 2008 with her mother, Marilyn, aka Soupermom. Sara Polon (right) with her mother Marilyn. The pair have been featured regularly on national television, including Shark Tank and NBC’s Today Show. Last year Soupergirl received a $2 million dollar investment from Arborview Capital and Seth Goldman, Board Member of Beyond Meat. More recently, the company has become plastic-neutral through its partnership with rePurpose Global in a further step to fulfill Soupergirl’s goal of saving the planet - one bowl of soup at a time. In this interview Sara discusses: • Why she gave up stand-up comedy to make soup and the skills her former career has brought to Soupergirl • How she got Soupergirl’s products into WholeFoods, Costco and other retailers • How she handled the roasting she and Marilyn received on Shark Tank in 2018 and what they learned from the experience • The advantages of being on the show, despite not getting a deal • The benefits the company has gained from media coverage • How she secured a $2 million impact investment (including how long it took) • And more Visit the Soupergirl website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 154: Stephanie Downs of the Material Innovation Initiative on Accelerating the Growth of Animal-Free Materials & Opportunities for Vegan Entrepreneurs

Katrina Fox — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 01:17:16 +0000

In this episode I interview Stephanie Downs, the co-founder of the Material Innovation Initiative, a non-profit focused on accelerating the availability of sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives to leather, wool, fur, down, silk, and exotic skins. Stephanie is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience founding businesses and consulting on corporate social responsibility in vegan materials. She started her first company in 1999, an internet marketing firm which she sold in 2014. In 2016, she co-founded and was the CEO of Good Dot, which quickly grew to be the largest plant-based meat company in India. For almost 15 years, Stephanie has consulted for animal welfare groups on corporate outreach, working with companies such as Tesla, Duane Reade, Porsche, Ralph Lauren and others to decrease their impact on animals. In this interview, Stephanie talks about: • What the Material Innovation Initiative does and how it can benefit vegan entrepreneurs • Gaps in the market for materials/fashion innovation that are ripe for opportunity • The response from corporations and huge fashion brands to animal-free materials and products – and why this is a good thing for vegan brands • The benefits of having a business partner and tips on what to look for • Her predictions for the growth of vegan, sustainable, ethical materials • And more Visit the Material Innovation Initiative website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 153: Katrina Fox’s Top 5 Trends & Predictions for the Vegan & Plant-based Business Sector in 2021

Katrina Fox — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 12:16:33 +0000

In this episode I give you my top 5 trends and predictions in the vegan and plant-based business space for 2021. They are: 1. Continued growth of the plant-based meat sector, with more IPOs, and a newcomer that’s aiming to replace KFC 2. Creation of products using new biotechnology such as fermentation processes to create exact replicas of animal-based dairy and other items 3. Developments in the animal-free & sustainable materials space, including the launch of an organization dedicated to furthering this innovation 4. More multinational corporations getting in on the growing vegan and plant-based sector, through acquisitions, investment and accelerators (and why this is a good thing) 5. More investors coming into the sector, including new platforms being set up to connect vegan and plant-based business owners with investors RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 152: Doron Petersan of Sticky Fingers & Fare Well on pivoting her vegan eateries in 2020

Katrina Fox — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 06:06:40 +0000

In this episode I interview Doron Petersan, owner of Sticky Fingers and Fare Well vegan eateries in Washington, D.C. Doron opened Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats in 1999, drawing on her degree in dietetics from the University of Maryland and years of experience working in restaurants. In 2010 she grew Sticky Fingers to include wholesale distribution at grocers in Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. She also opened an online Sticky Fingers store that ships sweets and merchandise nationwide across the US. In 2016, Doron opened Fare Well, a plant-based diner, bakery and bar. She is a two-time Food Network Cupcake Wars winner and author of the Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats cookbook. In this episode Doron talks about: • How her businesses have evolved over the past few years • How perceptions towards plant-based eating have changed • How she’s managed to continue to attract customers to her all-vegan eateries, despite more mainstream restaurants adding plant-based options • The impact of COVID-19 on her businesses and how she’s handled it • Her predictions for the plant-based dining sector • And more Visit the Sticky Fingers website Visit the Fare Well website Check out Doron's cookbook Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 151: Food safety consultant Heather Landex on how vegan food service businesses may be missing opportunities

Katrina Fox — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 03:37:50 +0000

In this episode, I interview food safety consultant Heather Landex who’s originally from the UK and currently based in Denmark. Heather began working in the food service industry in 2000 and has worked in eight countries, in over 1000 food service businesses. Since training as an Environmental Health Practitioner she’s specialized in food safety, working with large food safety and safety compliance companies, The Olympic Games, and some of the largest chain restaurant brands and Michelin star restaurants. She’s developed and further specialized into allergy and dietary preferences beyond compliance and into customer service, marketing and branding in her aim to ensure that people feel included when they eat out and food service businesses are successful. Her upcoming book ‘Inclusive: The New Exclusive: How the Food Service Industry Can Stop Leaving Money on the Table’ is due out next year. In this episode Heather discusses: • Why food safety is important for a vegan food service business (and not just for obvious reasons) • What a vegan food service provider needs to take into account in regards to safety, and at what stages of the business • Why vegan and plant-based food businesses are leaving money on the table by excluding customers with certain dietary requirements. • What’s involved in ensuring your vegan café, restaurant or catering business can cater for other minority groups such as gluten-free, coealic or those with other allergies • The costs involved in both food safety and making your business more inclusive. • What street food vendors need to be aware of when it comes to food safety. • And more Visit Heather Landex’s website Pre-order Heather’s book ‘Inclusive: The New Exclusive: How the Food Service Industry Can Stop Leaving Money on the Table’ (for a limited time you can get a discount by using the coupon code VEGANSPECIAL) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 150: Toni Okamoto of Plant Based on a Budget on becoming a successful vegan food blogger

Katrina Fox — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 08:18:27 +0000

In this episode I interview Toni Okamoto, the founder of Plant-Based on a Budget, the popular website and meal plan that shows you how to save dough by eating veggies. California-based Toni is also the author of Plant-Based on a Budget and The Super Easy Vegan Slow Cooker Cookbook, as well as the co-host of the Plant-Powered People Podcast. Photo: Lauren Alisse Photography. Her work has been featured in the popular documentary What the Health, and she's a regular presence on local and national morning shows across the US, where she teaches viewers how to break their meat habit without breaking their budget. Toni’s latest book, co-authored with her business partner Michelle Cehn, is The Friendly Vegan Cookbook: 100 Essential Recipes to Share with Vegans and Omnivores Alike. In this interview Toni discusses: • How the vegan food blog space has evolved over the past decade • What to do if you want to start a food blog • The best ways to get traffic to a food blog at the moment • How to monetize a food blog • How she’s able to support herself as a content creator full time and her tips for those interested in this career path • Strategies for both brands and influencers on how to work together successfully • Her experience of publishing her books including how this can enhance your business • And more Visit the Plant Based on a Budget website Find out more about The Friendly Vegan Cookbook: 100 Essential Recipes to Share with Vegans and Omnivores Alike RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 149: Manufacturers & suppliers discussion panel at VegFestUK Summerfest Online Trade Day

Katrina Fox — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 06:32:00 +0000

This episode features a panel discussion I hosted a couple of months ago for the VegFestUK Summerfest Online event for the Trade Day’s manufacturers and suppliers section. It features several renowned entrepreneurs in the food, fashion and beauty sectors. Among the topics they discuss include: • How lockdown impacted them • What they had to do to survive • What’s selling and why • The impact of lockdown on the development of new products • How the COVID-19 situation impacted their relationships with wholesalers, distributors and retailers • What staff issues have come up and how they’re handling them • What they need – from governments, retailers and customers to survive or thrive, especially with so much uncertainty and the possibility of further lockdowns • And more Watch the video: Panelists: ADRIAN LING, managing director of Plamil, the UK’s oldest vegan company (Adrian’s father Arthur was vegan in 1927!) which makes chocolate and other dairy-free items (yes, Adrian is the vegan Willy Wonka!) TAMMY FRY of Fry’s Family Foods, international plant-based meat brand which has been operating more than 20 years. RIMI AND MANAV THAPAR of LoveRaw, a healthy vegan snack bar company. Rimi turned down a deal on Dragon’s Den (UK equivalent to Shark Tank) to wait for a more suitable investor JOE HILL of One Planet Pizza, a fast-growing frozen vegan pizza brand and the first of its kind in the UK. LAURA WAY, founder of vegan watch company Votch, which creates unisex styles popular with both men and women. SUE HARRISON of Mahi Naturals, which provides skincare, haircare and organic beauty products sourced from around the world. VegFestUK is the largest provider of vegan events in the UK. Visit the VegFestUK website for details of upcoming events. RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 148: Lawyer Carissa Kranz on creating global vegan certification program BeVeg

Katrina Fox — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 04:33:32 +0000

In this episode I interview Carissa Kranz, a former professional ballet dancer-turned Super Lawyer who is the founding attorney and CEO of BeVeg International, a vegan certification firm managed by the Law Offices of Carissa Kranz, an American law firm with offices in Florida, New York, Washington D.C, Georgia, and California. Carissa, who has been vegan since birth, is a regular legal expert for major media networks including Fox, CNN, NBC and CBS and is currently an anchor with vegan and animal advocacy media outlet Jane Unchained News Network where she has her own weekly show Laws that Matter: Veganism & Law. BeVeg focuses on global vegan certification for products and services, and vegan labeling law and is ISO accredited. The firm is focused on defining a legal vegan standard, that provides the consumer with true truth and transparency in labeling laws. In this episode Carissa discusses: • Her journey from ballet to law and how the creativity and skills of the former are valuable to her current profession • Why she’s making vegan certification and labeling laws her mission • The difference between BeVeg and other vegan certification programs • What’s involved in BeVeg certification, including robust auditing, and some of the costs involved • The benefits of certifying your products with BeVeg • How even just applying for certification, regardless of how big or small your business is, can help to create positive change in food safety and ethical consumerism • And more Visit the BeVeg website Read the BeVeg White Paper on vegan labeling laws Watch Carissa’s show Laws That Matter: Veganism & The Law Check out Carissa’s personal injury law firm Visit Carissa’s personal website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 147: Jane Velez-Mitchell on getting a vegan cooking show onto Amazon Prime

Katrina Fox — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 03:37:08 +0000

In this episode I interview Jane Velez-Mitchell of JaneUnchained animal advocacy and vegan media outlet. Jane is a renowned Emmy-award-winning TV journalist and New York Times bestselling author. Her decades-long career as a reporter for mainstream TV includes a six-year stint hosting her own show on CNN Headline News, where she ran a weekly segment on animal issues. Since 2014, Jane has headed up her own media site JaneUnchained.com. In February this year Jane launched New Day New Chef, a plant-based cooking show onto Amazon Prime. In this interview Jane discusses: • How she got New Day New Chef accepted onto Amazon Prime • What’s involved in the production of the show • How she managed to continue producing the show during the Covid-19 lockdown with the use of 6 robotic cameras in a contactless sound stage • How she funded the show’s production • Why it’s important to get your work out on other platforms before pitching to TV networks • And more Visit the JaneUnchained website Visit the New Day New Chef website Watch New Day New Chef on Amazon Prime in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 146: Hilary MacMillan on running a vegan, feminist, size-inclusive fashion brand

Katrina Fox — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 04:51:16 +0000

In this episode I interview Hilary MacMillan, founder of her eponymous women’s fashion brand in Canada. Founded in 2013, Hilary was one of the first Canadian designers to embody the plus-size market within her collections. Having becoming vegan and now sustainable, Hilary’s brand has been a voice of change. In 2017, she launched her Feminist Capsule collection of bomber jackets, which has been worn by fashion icon Victoria Beckham. Hilary donates 15% of all proceeds to Up With Women, an organization that supports at-risk women rebuild careers in their respective communities. She’s also committed to donate 100% of the proceeds of her ‘Equal Pay’ Varsity Jacket to the Black Women in Motion organization – in perpetuity. Hilary’s collections include sizing from 2 – 28, and the recent launch of her Signature Blouse, made from cupro – a 100% biodegradable waste product of cotton – marks the beginning of an important journey into the sustainable market for the brand. In this interview Hilary discusses: • Why including the plus-size market has been important for her from the beginning • The responses to her using the word ‘feminist’ in the name of one of her jackets • How fashion icon Victoria Beckham came to wear and post on social media about Hilary’s Feminist Capsule jacket and what impact this had on her business. • How she’s grown the brand over the years in a competitive industry that favors cheap, fast-fashion • The impact of COVID-19 on her business and how she’s handled it • And more Visit the Hilary MacMillan website Find out more about Black Women in Motion and Up With Women RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 145: Ran Nussbacher of Shouk on running a vegan Israeli-inspired eatery with no meat analogues

Katrina Fox — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 11:38:52 +0000

In this episode I interview Ran Nussbacher, co-founder and CEO of Shouk, a plant-based fast-casual restaurant in Washington D.C that features healthy, Israeli-inspired food. Prior to founding Shouk, Ran served as Vice President of Sales with Opower, a clean tech software company focused on eliminating energy waste and reducing CO2 emissions. In this interview Ran discusses: • Why he left a top position at a software company to start a restaurant • Why Shouk doesn’t use any meat analogues or the words ‘vegan’ or ‘plant-based’ in its menus, marketing or branding • How the company responded to COVID-19 via a ‘hood drops’ initiative that attracted more customers • The importance of a business owner to be ‘hands on’ especially in the beginning • How and why the company attracted investors right from the start • And more Visit the Shouk website. RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 144: Rachel Cook on brand strategy & consumer intelligence for vegan & plant-based brands

Katrina Fox — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 03:56:54 +0000

In this episode I interview Rachel Cook, founder of The Kinder Way in Boston. Rachel is a brand strategist, consumer intelligence expert, and data storyteller who brings decades of experience in the corporate sector to accelerate the growth of the vegan and plant-based industry. Rachel has held leadership roles at a well-established Fortune 100 retailer, a restaurant-focused market research supplier, a successful retail design firm and several high-profile advertising agencies. Her experience spans the food, fashion and beauty sectors. Her data-driven, forward-thinking strategies have delivered strong outcomes for the organizations she’s worked with, including growing the global sales of a multinational apparel and home fashions value retailer by $10 billion. Rachel has recently become a regular guest contributor on Vegconomist, the vegan business magazine, and is working on her first book. In this interview Rachel discusses: • What data storytelling is and why it’s important • The difference between ‘market research’, ‘consumer insights’ and ‘brand strategy’ and why are they important • Why vegan and plant-based brands need to go further than focusing on solely sales data, packaging or ingredients • What ‘favorability’ and ‘permissibility’ are, how Big Meat is taking advantage of them, and why vegan and plant-based brands must take them into account • How she grew the global sales of a multinational apparel and home fashions value retailer by $10 billion • How to create a sustainable brand and revive an existing one that may have plateaued • And more This episode is also available as a video: Find out more about The Kinder Way and Rachel Cook on LinkedIn The Meat Industry is Playing to Win. Here’s How Plant-Based Brands Can Steal Their Playbook! (Article by Rachel Cook on Vegconomist) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 143: Interview with Sonalie Figueiras, founder of Green Queen & Ekowarehouse

Katrina Fox — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 05:59:47 +0000

In this episode I interview serial social entrepreneur Sonalie Figueiras, the founder and editor-in-chief of Green Queen, an award-winning impact media platform advocating for social and environmental change in Hong Kong with a mission to shift consumer behaviour through inspiring and empowering original content. Green Queen began as a blog and is now currently Asia’s largest plant-based media platform. Sonalie is also the founder and CEO of Ekowarehouse, a global sourcing platform for certified organic products, with a mission to make safe, quality food accessible and affordable for the whole planet. With over a decade of experience in publishing, digital marketing, organic trade and health, and sustainability, Sonalie is an eco-wellness industry veteran with a keen eye for market trends. She’s also a sought-after international speaker and moderator, sharing her expertise on stages across Asia and beyond, including TEDx and Harvard Business School. In this interview Sonalie discusses: • How she grew the audience for her blog and turned it into an award-winning impact media platform • How she monetised Green Queen to make it sustainable • How Green Queen and Ekowarehouse have been funded to date • Why she’s not a fan of the gig economy and chose to employ her staff and provide benefits to them • Why she’s taken the approach of publishing mostly original, editorial content rather than advertorial or sponsored posts • What she looks for in a pitch that makes her say ‘yes’ to running a story • And much more Visit the Green Queen website Check out Ekowarehouse RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 142: Interview with award-winning vegan marketer and serial entrepreneur Loui Blake

Katrina Fox — Fri, 08 May 2020 04:35:45 +0000

In this episode I interview Loui Blake, an award-winning vegan marketer and serial entrepreneur in London, UK. Loui is the founder of the UK’s largest plant-based restaurant Erpingham House as well as the Vegan Dough Co, and brand partner for fast-casual plant-based eatery chain by CHLOE. Passionate about plant-based food and sustainable business, Loui is a recognised keynote speaker, having spoken at the London School of Economics, University College London and Goldsmiths University, as well as corporate engagements for Wagamama, Aviva, Innocent Drinks and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum. In 2019 he won the European Future Marketing Leader of the Year at the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards, topping the 30 under 30 list. In this episode Loui talks about: • How he’s handling having to temporarily close the newest branch of his vegan restaurant after having opened for just three days before the UK went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 crisis • Why he’s planning to open several vegan pizzerias in the midst of a global pandemic • Why creating a community around his brand has enabled his restaurant business to survive in the current crisis • How vegan entrepreneurs need to market in the midst of COVID-19 and beyond • How influencer marketing has changed over the years and what’s working right now • And much more Find out more about Loui Blake at his website Visit the Erpingham House plant-based restaurant website Check out the by CHLOE website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights: Yates Beet Bar Plant Powered Women’s Network RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 141: Interview with Grace Regan of vegan British curry house SpiceBox

Katrina Fox — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 06:09:33 +0000

In this episode I interview Grace Regan, founder of SpiceBox, a local curry house in London, UK, which is also vegan. Grace is a serial entrepreneur who cut her teeth in the tech world, with her first start-up Clippet News. In 2015, she won a place on a top Silicon Valley accelerator and moved to California, where she became vegan. Disillusioned by the tech world, Grace moved back to London and started SpiceBox from her home kitchen. She quickly fell into the world of street food, trading at markets and festivals across the UK and was named a Young British Foodie Street Food Finalist. With a mission to bring a fresh, modern spin on the Great British curry house, Grace opened the first SpiceBox curry house in Walthamstow in North East London in January 2019. Recently she completed a round of investment to scale the concept in commuter towns around London. SpiceBox raised over £850,000 which included a Seedrs equity crowdfunding campaign. The company – which also implements a number of sustainability initiatives including being powered 100% by renewable energy – reached profit within six weeks of opening. In this interview Grace discusses: • Why she left Silicon Valley, despite gaining success with her tech startup to move into plant-based hospitality in the UK • Why she chose Walthamstow, which is not known as a vegan-friendly area, to open her first curry house • How she raised £850,000 investment, despite getting a lot of ‘no’s’ and having no experience in the restaurant business • Why she doesn’t promote the business as being vegan • And much more Visit the SpiceBox website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights: The Collaborative Plant Based Business Summit Blog post: How to find an investor for your vegan business RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 140: Interview with Sam Dennigan, founder of Strong Roots vegan frozen food brand

Katrina Fox — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 06:32:00 +0000

In this episode I interview Sam Dennigan, the founder and CEO of Strong Roots, an Irish plant-based frozen food brand. Founded in 2015, Strong Roots has seen rapid growth in the UK, including being the first frozen food brand (apart from ice cream) to be stocked in Harrods (which is considered to be the UK’s most prestigious and upmarket store where the royals shop). The frozen food brand has also recently launched into the US market in Wegmans, Target and Whole Foods, and secured more than $18 million in funding from investors Goode Partners who’ve also backed cult clothing brand Supreme and high-street favorite All Saints. Sam has decades of experience in the food business, having grown up working for his family's fruit and vegetable distribution company, yet he failed at launching two other brands before founding Strong Roots. Sam is committed to building a sustainable brand and has implemented several environmentally-efficient practices into the business, including being on course for all packaging to be 100% recyclable this year (that’s 2020 if you’re listening in the future). In this interview, which was recorded before the current COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, Sam discusses: • The major mistakes he made and what he learned from his previous brand launch failures • How the Strong Roots products got into Harrods (without Sam even realizing it had happened!) • How he raised $18 million in investment to grow the brand • How he knew the company was ready to take on the US market • They key strategy that’s led to the brand being successful in competing against the big players in the frozen food category • And much more Visit the Strong Roots website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights Plant Powered Women’s Network Abillionveg (Referral code: KATRINAFOX) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 139: COVID-19 coronavirus: How to get through the crisis as a vegan business owner

Katrina Fox — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 02:33:55 +0000

This is a special episode of the show, with some tips to help you and your vegan business survive the current COVID-19 coronavirus crisis. I’m joined by three experts: Bob Ratnarajah, a strategic finance practitioner in Australia; Karen Knowler, a business and mindset coach in the UK; and Stephanie Redcross, a business coach and marketing consultant with Vegan Mainstream in the US. Bob provides you with some practical strategies to preserve cash and adapt your business. Karen gives you some great tips on how to manage yourself, including dealing with anxiety and fear. And Stephanie and I talk about why you need to continue marketing and promoting your business, and how to do it ethically and with integrity. We recorded this episode on 20 March, 2020 and obviously things can and will change, but the advice is relevant and of course it’s important that you keep up to date with announcements from the health authorities and governments so you can best protect your vegan business. Read Bob Ratnarajah’s blog post How to preserve your plant-based business and adapt to the COVID-19 storm Read Karen Knowler’s blog post The importance of focus Read Karen Knowler’s blog post Your own inner guidance Check out Stephanie Redcross’s services and courses at Vegan Mainstream RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 138: Interview with Michelle Courtright of vegan eco-restaurant Fig + Farro

Katrina Fox — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 02:52:43 +0000

In this episode, I interview Michelle Courtright, the owner of Fig + Farro, a mission-based restaurant in Minnesota that educates guests on the environmental benefits of plant-based food. Michelle was part of a business delegation to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Poland in 2018 and a consultant on the UN’s COP25 menu in Madrid in 2019. She’s been trained by Al Gore as part of the Climate Reality Leadership Corp and worked with the Mayor of Minneapolis to issue a Proclamation for citizens to each less meat, to align as a city with the Paris Climate Agreement. As part its sustainability initiatives, the restaurant plants a tree for every guest through Trees.org and has planted over 60,000 trees to date. Fig + Farro has also attracted the attention of celebrities, including being part of a vegan food tour with pop sensation Billie Eilish and UberEats. In this episode, Michelle discusses: • How she got endorsements from celebrities including Billie Eilish, Pink and the Smashing Pumpkins • How she got involved with the United Nations and the impact this has had on her business • Why she runs free events including a salon and book club at the restaurant • A new licensing collective she’s launched for the brand and why she chose this instead of franchising • And much more Visit the Fig + Farro website Find out more about how to join the Fig Collective RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Services: Work with me Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 137: The pros and cons of ‘vegan capitalism’

Katrina Fox — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 05:00:53 +0000

In this episode I’m sharing a talk I gave last year at the World Vegan Day festival in Melbourne, Australia, called ‘Will vegan capitalism save the world?’ It’s a bit of a controversial topic, but one worth exploring as multi-national corporations not known for their ethics in regards to animals, people or planet are jumping on the plant-based trend, bringing out their own animal-free versions of popular products, investing in vegan businesses or buying vegan companies. One of the issues that keeps coming up in discussion is the impact this will have on independent, ethical, vegan businesses. For example, renowned vegan bakery store Ms Cupcake in the UK has just announced it will be closing the doors to its Brixton location in London, saying that after 10 years it had achieved its goal of making vegan products mainstream and customers could now buy vegan treats at the supermarket nearby. In this 20-minute talk, I look at: • The pros and cons of large corporations getting in on the vegan and plant-based trend • What it means for independent, ethical, vegan businesses and what they need to do to stay ahead of the game • What we need to ultimately happen and how that’s starting • And more Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights: Global Alternative Food Awards New Day New Chef JaneUnchained RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 136: Interview with Emma Osborne, founder of vegan recruitment firm Citizen Kind

Katrina Fox — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 05:37:53 +0000

In this episode I interview Emma Osborne, founder of Citizen Kind, a vegan recruitment firm in the UK. After more than 12 years working for a recruitment firm in Asia, Emma decided to use her international knowledge and corporate experience to work with businesses looking to bring some good into the world. In 2018 she created Citizen Kind, a recruitment company that focuses on working with sustainable, ethical and vegan companies to connect them with the employees they need to help them grow into the companies of the future. A passionate vegan, her work is powered by a longing to see the world adopt a plant-based diet, a low waste, cruelty-free mentality, and live in harmony with nature. In this interview Emma discusses: • The key mistakes vegan business owners make with recruiting staff and what they should do instead • The costs involved in recruiting staff – including some hidden costs that employers may not consider • The benefits of using a recruitment agency • How the recruitment process works and what’s required from the business to ensure the best results are achieved • Tips for those looking to work for a vegan or plant-based company • Interview tips for both employers and job candidates • And much more Visit the Citizen Kind website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights: The Vegan Kind Veganuary RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 135: Interview with Melissa Murphy-Webster of vegan cheese company AVS Organic Foods

Katrina Fox — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 03:30:51 +0000

In this episode I interview Melissa Murphy-Webster from AVS Organic Foods vegan cheese company in Melbourne, Australia. The company – which was originally called A Vegan Smiles – was the first to produce non-dairy cheese in block form in Australia which Melissa distributed via markets and retail stores. Melissa has a strong business background, including holding an MBA which she completed in 2017. Prior to starting her own business in 2013 she worked for 17 years with The Chemist Warehouse Group and its subsidiaries in several roles, finishing up as Head of Security and Fraud Operations Manager. She’s recently built and opened a production facility in Epping in the state of Victoria to expand AVS Organic Foods while simultaneously partnering with vegan meat company UnrealCo to start a new business called Ethical Manufacturing which will contract-manufacture vegan products for existing and new plant-based businesses. In this episode Melissa discusses: • How she went from selling artisanal vegan cheeses at markets to being sold almost immediately nationwide in stores • A little-known strategy to get your products on shelves that doesn’t involve you cold calling retailers • Why she decided to shift from working directly with retailers to working with a distributor • The problems and resistance from local councils that forced her to move premises four times • Why she decided to open her own production facility • The benefits of contract-manufacturing other vegan business’s products • And much more Visit the AVS Organic Foods website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights: GUNAS Plant Based World Conference & Expo Plant Based World Europe RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 134: Interview with Rimi Dabhia of vegan snack company LoveRaw

Katrina Fox — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 04:18:06 +0000

In this episode I interview Rimi Dabhia, founder of vegan snack company LoveRaw in Cheshire, in the north of England. Rimi left behind her career in investment banking and founded LoveRaw, which makes vegan, organic, natural chocolate snacks, in 2013 from her in-law’s home kitchen in Manchester with a budget of just £600. In February 2018 she appeared on Dragon’s Den (the UK equivalent of Shark Tank). Despite receiving an offer of investment from renowned dragon Deborah Meaden, Rimi turned the deal down and launched a new category of Vegan Buttercup chocolate snacks. Since walking away from the Dragon’s Deal offer, LoveRaw’s average monthly sales have grown by over 200% with a year-on-year growth rate of 98%. Products are sold in major supermarkets and coffee shops across the UK, and are exported to more than 20 countries. Rimi has achieved all this with two young children aged four and nine months. In this interview Rimi discusses: • How she scaled up the business from a home kitchen • How and when she got into large retailers such as WholeFoods, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose • Why she went on Dragon’s Den and behind-the-scenes details of what the experience was like • Why she turned down a deal from her favorite dragon Deborah Meaden • The impact Brexit is already having on her business • The challenges of juggling being a mom and running a business, and how she’s managed to come up with a solution in the face of no work-life balance • And much more Visit the LoveRaw website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights AF&Co V2Food RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 133: Interview with Alicia Robb, vegan investor & founder of Next Wave Impact

Katrina Fox — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 06:17:36 +0000

In this episode I interview Alicia Robb, a vegan investor in Colorado in the US. With a strong background in economics, Alicia created Next Wave Impact to increase diversity, inclusion, and impact in early-stage investing. The company’s global fund has 99 female investors, 25 of them women of color, which is led by an experienced investment committee of 10 women. As well as investing in vegan-led companies, Alicia also recently founded Vegan Investors, an angel investor group focused on helping vegan companies scale to have massive impact. In this interview Alicia talks about: • Why there so few female angel investors – and what she’s doing to change this • Why supporting vegan companies that are led by women, people of color, and other diverse backgrounds is important and how she’s making this happen • What she looks for in a business before deciding whether to invest • How a vegan business owner can stand out when pitching her • The types of vegan businesses she invests in and why • The key mistakes entrepreneurs make, particularly when it comes to finances/capital raising, and what you should do instead • Details of the virtual online pitch meetings she runs • And much more You can also watch a video of this interview here: Visit the Next Wave Impact website Visit the Vegan Investors website Read my article about Vegan Investors’ virtual online pitch events Brands mentioned in Vegan Business News highlights: KD New York Cynthia King Vegan Ballet Slippers Gaynor Minden Oatly Article: Should you use 'vegan' in your marketing and branding or is 'plant-based' better? RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 132: Interview with Jeffrey Harris of vegan fast food chain Plant Power Fast Food

Katrina Fox — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 02:02:48 +0000

In this episode I interview Jeffrey Harris, co-founder of Plant Power Fast Food, a vegan fast food chain in San Diego, California. Jeffrey has spent the past 30 years working in the professional audio industry, mostly as a regional and national sales account manager for top brands. In 2004 he began to contemplate the idea of building a nationwide chain of 100% plant-based fast-food restaurants. After years of searching for partners who had the operational expertise he lacked, Jeffrey eventually found Mitch Wallis and Zach Vouga who had years of experience operating vegan restaurants and also shared Jeffrey’s vision for an entirely new, vegan version of traditional fast-food. The trio opened their first Plant Power Fast Food restaurant in San Diego in January 2016 and currently have five restaurants in operation in southern California, with more in the planning stages for what they hope will be a nationwide chain of restaurants capable of disrupting the traditional fast-food restaurant industry with healthier, sustainable and cruelty-free meals. In this interview, Jeffrey discusses: • The benefits of finding a team to work with to launch the business • Key mistakes the company made in the beginning with physical locations and how they created solutions • The move by big fast food chains to jump on the vegan bandwagon by adding plant-based options and how this may impact vegan fast food businesses • Why the company pivoted from owning its own restaurants to a franchise model • How he decides where to open the next restaurant and why this is important • How the path of the vegan entrepreneur is a spiritual journey for him • And much more Visit the Plant Power Fast Food website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights: Miyoko’s Tofurky RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 131: Interview with vegan nutritionist & health store owner Shawna Barker

Katrina Fox — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 02:48:10 +0000

In this episode I interview Shawna Barker, a plant-based nutritionist in Vancouver, Canada. Shawna is also the owner, manager and in-store nutritionist at Plant Life Nutrition, Vancouver's only fully vegan health food store. She began her journey towards health and nutrition over 25 years ago when she decided to change her diet at a very young age and was determined to learn everything she could about nutrition, food science, natural health, and how to thrive on a plant-based diet. Shawna graduated with honors from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Food, Nutrition and Health, as well as the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition with a Diploma in Holistic Nutrition. Between 2010 and 2013 she ran an organic farm and food truck, but then switched to focusing on her nutrition business, Synergy Nutrition, full time. Drawing from her background in both science and holistic health she supports her clients with a comprehensive program including individualized diet, supplements, and lifestyle recommendations. In this interview, Shawna discusses: • The challenges in making the switch to full-time nutritionist and why niching in plant-based nutrition was instrumental to her success • How she successfully transitioned the health store she owns and manages into an all-vegan one, including changing the name, and despite initially losing some customers • How she juggles running her nutrition business and managing the store • Why location has been crucial for the business’s success • Why she uses both ‘plant-based’ and ‘vegan’ in her marketing and branding materials • The number one marketing tool she uses that brings the best results (it’s not social media) and how she measures the success • And much more. Visit the Synergy Nutrition website Check out the Plant Life Nutrition health food store Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights Snacklins Geltor RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 130: Interview with vegan zero waste retailer Callee Ackland of Bestowed Essentials

Katrina Fox — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 04:25:19 +0000

In this episode I interview Callee Ackland, founder of Bestowed Essentials, a wholesale distributor, online marketplace, and zero waste retail store selling ethical, vegan and eco-friendly home goods in Rapid City, South Dakota. Callee founded the company three years ago at the age of 23 while still on active duty in the US Navy. A zero waste activist, Callee also hosts the popular Hippie Haven Podcast, a free weekly resource on sustainable living. She also travels the US in a self-converted campervan, hosting zero waste workshops, trash cleanups, and speaking at events such as the World Holistic Expo and Des Moines VeganFest. Callee is currently working on her first book ‘Starting A Zero Waste Business: Everything I Wish I’d Known’. In this episode Callee discusses: • How and why she transitioned from working as a translator in the military to starting a zero waste business • The pros and cons of running a business from a campervan • Why she chose South Dakota, which is not renowned for being vegan-friendly, to open her first retail store • How she keeps the manufacturing process for her products sustainable • What ‘zero waste’ really means and tips on how you can start to run your vegan business on these principles • And much more Visit the Bestowed Essentials website Check out the Hippie Haven podcast Find out more about Callee’s zero waste workshops and consulting Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights Omnipork V2Food RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 129: Interview with vegan finance professional Claire Smith of Beyond Investing

Katrina Fox — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 03:31:13 +0000

In this episode, I interview Claire Smith, co-founder of humane investment platform Beyond Investing, in Switzerland. Claire is a vegan and environmentalist with 34 years’ experience in finance and investment at top-tier banks and investment houses, including UBS and Albourne Partners. She’s carried out bespoke hedge fund research, as well as working as a derivatives broker, marketer and structurer, and credit analyst. Beyond Investing creates investment programs designed for animal advocates and climate-conscious investors in both public listed equity markets and venture capital. The company created the US Vegan Climate Index, a stock index which screens out all animal exploitation and fossil fuel use from a US market benchmark, and is the sponsor of the US Vegan Climate Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), which launched on the New York Stock Exchange recently. Claire is also an investor in vegan and plant-based businesses and the co-founder of the Beyond Animal integrated digital platform, which aims to accelerate the growth of the global vegan economy. In this episode Claire talks about: • How and why she and her team at Beyond Investing created the US Vegan Climate Index and ETF • How well ethical investments do, overall, compared to non-ethical ones, in terms of people getting a good return on their investment • The three criteria she looks for when considering whether to invest in a vegan brand • How the Beyond Animal platform will help to drive the vegan economy • How the finance industry perceives veganism and how this has changed over the years • And much more You can also watch a video of this interview here: Visit the Beyond Investing website Learn about the US Vegan Climate ETF Find out more about the Beyond Animal platform Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights The Vshops Myro RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 128: Interview with Dave Graham of Vegan Web Design

Katrina Fox — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 09:33:16 +0000

In this episode I interview Dave Graham, co-founder of Vegan Web Design in Queensland, Australia. Originally from Yorkshire in the UK, Dave spent his early career in software development working for large corporates including Walt Disney and BHP. Since going vegan six years ago he’s now committed to and passionate about using digital marketing to help those helping animals and the environment. Vegan Web Design – which is run by Dave and his wife Sian – works with small animal sanctuaries through to large international ethical non-profit organizations to help raise awareness and increase donations for their cause. The company also works with ethical businesses worldwide to promote and sell their products and services online, offering web design and development and digital marketing solutions. In this interview Dave discusses: • The key mistakes vegan business owners make with the design of their websites – and what to do instead • The key mistakes vegan business owners make at the back end of their websites – and what to do instead • The pros and cons of using themes to design your website • How to keep your website loading fast – and why this is important • The essential plugins all Wordpress websites need and how to choose the best plugins • What security measures you need on your site and why • What kinds of regular maintenance should ideally be done on a website each month and why? • And much more Visit the Vegan Web Design website RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 127: Interview with Christophe Caron, owner of vegan French restaurant Delice & Sarrasin

Katrina Fox — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 07:09:40 +0000

In this episode, I interview Christophe Caron, who, with his mother and father, own French vegan restaurant Delice & Sarrasin in New York. Christophe Caron (right) with mother & chef Yvette and father Patrick. Christophe moved from France to New York 10 years ago and spent the first few years as a fashion model, represented by top agencies Wilhemina Models and Ford Models. After becoming vegan he began craving animal-free versions of traditional French food. So he encouraged his mother Yvette – a renowned chef in France – and his father Patrick to join him in New York to open a French vegan eatery. Since opening six years ago on Christopher Street in the heart of the West Village, the small boutique restaurant – which serves vegan versions of beef bourguignon, steak tartare and many other delicious French dishes – has become a popular destination with locals and tourists alike. In this interview, Christophe discusses: • The leap of faith his parents, both about to enter their 60s, took by moving to a new country and starting a venture that hadn’t been done before • Why location is everything and how the restaurant landed this particular property which had been closed for 25 years • The challenges of replicating the complex flavors of traditional French dishes without animal ingredients and how they resolved them • The pros and cons of working together in a family business and the key thing that makes it work so successfully for them • How the business attracts and retains loyal, long-term employees – and the one requirement all staff need in order to keep their jobs • How long it took for the restaurant to turn a profit and how it’s been funded to date • And much more Visit the Delice & Sarrasin website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights New Look Vegan Society The Kind Bride (Luxe and Kind Bridal Boutique Fair) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 126: Interview with vegan social media marketing expert John Oberg

Katrina Fox — Sun, 28 Jul 2019 03:43:09 +0000

In this episode I interview John Oberg, a vegan social media marketing expert and influencer in Washington, DC. John is dedicated to making the world a kinder place for animals by utilizing the power of social media. He’s the former Director of New Media for the international animal protection organization, The Humane League. And prior to that, he served as Director of Communications for Vegan Outreach. In both these roles, John oversaw social media for the organizations which led to a tenfold increase in following for both of them, as well as over 1 billion impressions of content posted to these pages. John recently launched his own independent project for animals through Patreon and has provided social media consulting services to non-profit organizations including Veganuary and Million Dollar Vegan. And he now offers these services to vegan businesses and brands. In this episode, John discusses: • What vegan brands and businesses can do right now to organically increase followers and engagement – without spending a fortune on paid ads • Why scheduling tools are important and his recommendation for which one to use • When and how often you need to post on social media • How to use hashtags – the right way • How to work with influencers to ensure you get the best results for your vegan brand • Why you need to use ‘live’ video and what types of content to share live versus pre-recorded • What type of content works best on your Instagram and Facebook feeds, and what works best for ‘stories’ on these platforms • And much more Visit John Oberg’s website Check out John’s Patreon page Read John's blogs about social media on Plant Based News Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights Sheeps Tennis Vegan Fine Foods RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 125: Interview with Simon Newstead of vegan food product company Bite Society

Katrina Fox — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 06:09:34 +0000

In this episode I interview Simon Newstead, founder of Bite Society, a new vegan food product company in Melbourne, Australia. A vegan for more than 10 years, Simon’s background is in technology. He’s a co-founder of Frenzoo, a mobile games studio in Hong Kong that has been in operation since 2008. In addition, he’s an angel investor and supporter of other companies including Ocean Hugger Foods, Shiok Meats, Kinds of Grace and Hungry Planet. Bite Society, a zero-profit company, was started in 2018 and launched its first products, milky chocolate balls and a chocolate block earlier this year. Simon’s goal is to lower the price of vegan goods and he hopes to inspire other founders and projects through transparency and open sharing, including the company’s financials. To this end, he’s charting the journey of Bite Society via his Vegan Startup podcast. In this episode Simon discusses: • The key mistake many startups make and how to avoid it • The pros and cons of either you or others promoting your products as the vegan version of well-known non-vegan products • How to find a co-packer that helps you to keep costs down • How to calculate your margins and profit – and what costs to include that many vegan entrepreneurs don’t do which can result in a business failing • How to sell direct to retailers – without going door-to-door in person • The low-budget marketing strategy he used to gain traction for Bite Society and how to do this right • How the ‘zero profit’ company model works • And much more Visit the Bite Society website Check out Simon’s Vegan Startup podcast Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) Video of panel discussion Know Your Legal Rights & Responsibilities featuring Plant Based Foods Association’s executive director Michele Simon and other legal professionals, recorded at the Plant Based World Conference & Expo in New York, June 2019 New Culture RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 124: How to respond to journalists’ requests for expert comment and get free publicity for your vegan brand

Katrina Fox — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 07:03:26 +0000

In this episode, I give you some tips on how to respond to queries and callouts from journalists who are working on stories and need expert comment or case studies. It’s one of the easiest ways to get free publicity for your vegan brand. You don’t even have to pitch the journalist or producer a story from scratch – they’re already working on something and are looking for experts in their field to comment or to showcase products. In this episode, I cover: • Where you can find queries and callouts from journalists – for free • The differences between the different query/callout platforms • How to choose which queries to respond to • The key strategies you need to use to maximize your chances of being chosen and featured • What you must include in your responses to queries • And much more Read the blog post on this topic Enrol in Vegans in the Limelight Online PR Course & Group Coaching Program (payment plans with monthly instalments available) Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights JB SAA Daring Foods RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 123: Interview with Annie Ryu of vegan food business The Jackfruit Company

Katrina Fox — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 05:49:42 +0000

In this episode I interview Annie Ryu, founder of The Jackfruit Company in Boulder, Colorado in the US. Annie started the company in 2011 while traveling to India as a pre-med student and trying her first jackfruit. She discovered that this large fruit had many nutritional and ecological benefits, but also that the majority of jackfruit grown in India was going to waste. Passionate about global health, Annie saw this as an opportunity to improve lives so while she was still attending Harvard, she began building distribution systems, improving market opportunities for farmers, and creating a working international supply chain to make jackfruit more available around the world. The Jackfruit Company currently works with over 1,000 farming families to supply jackfruit to over 6,000 retailers in the US. The company makes a range of vegan products from jackfruit – which has been compared to pulled pork and other shredded meats – that are positioned as healthy, ethical and sustainable. In this interview, which was recorded live at the recent 2019 Plant Based World Conference & Expo in New York, Annie discusses: • The challenges involved in creating a company based on a product that few people know anything about • Why marketing a product solely as being ethical isn’t always enough for consumers and the changes she had to implement to make jackfruit more appealing • The importance of hiring local expertise to scale up the supply chain • The different stages and methods she’s used to raise capital and hire key strategic staff • Why she avoids using meat-based names for the company’s products • And much more Visit The Jackfruit Company website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights: Wild Earth Beyond Meat RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 122: Interview with Michael Schwarz of vegan cheesemaker Treeline Treenut Cheese

Katrina Fox — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 16:23:18 +0000

In this episode, which was recorded live in person in New York at the inaugural Plant Based World Conference and Expo, I interview Michael Schwarz, founder of Treeline Treenut Cheese in upstate New York. Michael’s discovery of the cruelty involved in dairy production and the harm animal agriculture causes to the environment were key drivers for his decision to give up not just milk, but his entire career as an intellectual property attorney, and focus on vegan cheese making. Raised in South Africa, Michael inherited his activism from his parents. His father, Harry Schwarz, was a key figure in the fight to end apartheid and a long-time friend and colleague of Nelson Mandela. Michael moved to the US in the 1980s at the height of apartheid’s power, went to law school and for over 25 years, practiced IP law in Dallas, London, New York and Washington. In 2012, he began to experiment with fermenting cashew nuts, culminating in the launch of Treeline, which is now a national brand, available in grocery and specialty stores across the US, including Whole Foods, Kroger, and many independent health food stores and small chains. In this interview Michael talks about: • How he got his first distributor and retailer (a process that involved losing a lot of money but was necessary) • Why learning to say no if you don’t have the capacity or finances to fulfil orders is better for your brand in the long term • How a negative experience at trial during his lawyer days is the reason why Treeline has never failed to fulfil an order to date • Why the company doesn’t use dairy cheese names such as ‘brie’ or ‘camembert’ for its products • And much more Visit the Treeline website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights Alternative Meat Co. Saorsa 1875 RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 121: Interview with Melissa Hobbs of The Vegan Company online fashion & beauty hub

Katrina Fox — Fri, 31 May 2019 04:58:38 +0000

In this episode I interview Melissa Hobbs, co-founder of The Vegan Company in New South Wales, Australia. Launched in 2018, although the business was registered in 2017, The Vegan Company is the go-to destination for vegan fashion and beauty in Australia. Its aim is to make vegan living stylish, desirable and accessible by connecting people with an ever-growing collection of sustainable, cruelty-free vegan fashion, beauty and feel-good news. The content hub shares inspiration, ideas and information while the online store sells a curated range of vegan fashion, beauty and home-wares. Melissa has enjoyed a successful career in magazine publishing, holding senior positions in advertising and strategy on leading mastheads, including Vogue Australia, GQ, Elle, Delicious and News Limited. Melissa is also a founding partner of efragrance, one of the first digital beauty retailers. Prior to launching The Vegan Company, Melissa co-founded Meat Free Week, an award-winning global campaign aimed at raising awareness of the impact excessive meat consumption and production has on animals, the environment and human health. In this interview Melissa discusses: • Why she left the world of mainstream media publishing to start a vegan fashion website • How and why the original vision for a global content hub morphed into a more localized version • Why she chose an affiliate sales model to monetize the site, instead of drop shipping or other methods • How she decides what types of content and brands to feature on the site • How the site has been funded to date • The benefits the company has gained from content retargeting and native advertising • And much more Visit The Vegan Company’s website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights Vevolution’s Pitch + Plant 2019 RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 120: What to include on the ‘About’ page of your vegan brand’s website

Katrina Fox — Thu, 23 May 2019 07:02:01 +0000

In this episode I’m sharing with you a talk I gave recently to a group of vegan business owners and entrepreneurs on what to include on the ‘About’ page of your website. It’s a question I get asked a lot by people, including my coaching and consulting clients and students on my Vegans in the Limelight online PR course and group coaching program, so I thought it would serve you to share this as a podcast episode. It’s also available as a video and as a blog post below. Among the things I discuss are: • Why the ‘About’ page of your website is so important • What NOT to include on your ‘About’ page • How to make your ‘About’ page compelling for your customers and clients • Why your ‘About’ page shouldn’t be all about you • Examples of an ‘About’ page for a service provider and for a product maker • Why your story as the business owner is important and you can no longer hide behind your company or brand • And much more Watch a video of this presentation: And here’s a blog post based on the presentation: First of all, everybody's ‘About’ page is going to be different, depending on you and your business, the type of business, whether you're a solo practitioner or you're a larger company, and whether you sell products or services. I don't believe there's a ‘one size fits all’ kind of template that you can use to create an About page because it needs to be personalized to you and your venture, but I’m going to give you some ideas about what to include and how to structure it. Why your ‘About’ page is so important The reason your ‘About’ page is so important is that it's one of the most visited pages on websites. There's been some anecdotal research done and it's been found that people will often click onto your ‘About’ page, anything from the second, third or fourth page as they're going through your site. One of the reasons for this is that nowadays, people want to know who they're doing business with, a lot more than they used to in the past. People want to know a lot more about a business and about a company. If you think about it, it's true for us as consumers, so even though you're reading this and you’re a vegan business owner, you're also a consumer. We're all consumers. Some of the questions that your customers or your clients may be asking when they get to your ‘About’ page are: How big is the business? Is it an SME or a solo enterprise? Who owns or runs the business? How long has the person or company been in business? Where is it based, and does it service my location? Why should I buy from this particular business? Don’t hide behind your business It's really important not to hide behind your company. I see this quite a lot with vegan entrepreneurs, and you just can't get away with that nowadays. In the past, this was a thing that large, multinational corporations in particular would do. The CEOs would be very much behind the scenes, whereas nowadays, if you look at a lot of big companies, the CEO has got their own blog, and they're much more prominent because people want to know or who they are. And they want to know who you are, so don't be afraid to put yourself out there and let us know who you are. One of the key things you want to do with your About page is to inspire trust and connection with your audience. The way you do that is to let people know about you, who you are and what you do. They have to get to know you. It's a bit like meeting people in real life. You get to know somebody, and the more you get to know them, you start to like and trust them. That's the kind of relationship that you're wanting to build up with your About page. It's the online version of doing that. It’s not all about you Now, having said that, your About page shouldn't necessarily be all about you. What do I mean by that? I'm going to give you a couple of examples, and I'm going to start with my own ‘About’ page on my Vegan Business Medi...

VBT 119: Interview with Dr Nadja Pinnavaia of vegan food delivery & coaching program Plantable

Katrina Fox — Fri, 17 May 2019 05:43:02 +0000

In this episode I interview Dr Nadja Pinnavaia, founder and CEO of Plantable (originally Euphebe), a vegan food delivery service and nutritional coaching program in New York. Nadja has an undergraduate degree in chemistry from King’s College, London, and a Ph.D. in quantum chemistry from St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge. The company launched in 2016 under the name Euphebe before undergoing a name change and rebrand recently to become Plantable. Plantable is a 28-day program that delivers nutrient-dense plant-based meals to customers’ doors, along with personalized one-to-one coaching and support by phone or text with a team of coaches. Prior to founding Plantable, Nadja was a managing director at Goldman Sachs in London. She holds the Certificate in Culinary Nutrition from the Natural Gourmet Institute and lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children. In this episode Nadja discusses: • Why she left a high-flying corporate career in finance to start Plantable • How she kicked off the business in the early days by driving a massive food truck around New York City to allow people to pick up their orders • Why she changed the name of the company, what the rebranding process entailed and the challenges it posed • The particular way she chooses her team of coaches to hire • How collaborations and partnerships have been instrumental in the success of the business • How she got to appear on the Today show in the US which resulted in many new customers • And much more Visit the Plantable website Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights: Vegan India Conference Chef’s Pencil study into rise of veganism in Africa RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 118: Future of Plant-Based Business Panel with Tofurky’s Seth Tibbott & consultant Cale Drouin

Katrina Fox — Fri, 10 May 2019 06:04:15 +0000

In this episode I’m sharing a recording of a panel discussion I hosted last year at the 2018 Adelaide Vegan Festival in Australia, called the Future of Plant Based Business. My guests on the panel were Seth Tibbott, founder of iconic American vegan meat brand Tofurky which is sold internationally, and Cale Drouin, a plant-based consultant in Brisbane, Australia who works with food retailers and distributors. Among the topics we discussed are: • What’s driving the take-up of vegan/plant-based living • What plant-based products are currently ‘hot’ right now • What to be aware of when dealing with large supermarket chains • Strategies for getting your products into retailers • How will ‘clean’ meat compete against plant-based meat? • Pushback from animal agriculture industries in banning terms like ‘meat’ and ‘milk’ on products unless they come from animals • What’s happening in non-food-related vegan business sectors and the opportunities this provides • And more You can also watch a video of this discussion here: RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 117: Interview with Damien Clarkson & Judy Nadel from vegan events & media startup Vevolution

Katrina Fox — Fri, 03 May 2019 06:17:22 +0000

In this episode I interview Damien Clarkson and Judy Nadel, co-founders of Vevolution, a plant-based events and media start-up in London, UK. Damien has spent the past decade primarily working on social change projects for some of the UK’s biggest NGOs and brands. He’s previously ran a creative agency and in fact he’s been on this show before, back in 2016, in episode 35 talking about digital strategy, but since then he and Judy have taken Vevolution forward and now work on it full-time. Judy is a creative tour-de-force. She’s passionate about the sensory arts, promoting women via her platform Badass Vegan Women and She Loves Plants and encouraging people to care about animals and the environment. She’s worked with some of the biggest organisations in the UK in creating digital work and curating hackathons. With a background in events management, her main aim for each project and event is to bring people together to connect and create unique, one-off experiences. In this episode Damien and Judy talk about: • How they’ve managed to secure some of London’s most prestigious (and expensive) venues and still break even on their events • What the most popular events have been and how they decide what kinds of talks, topics and events to run • The marketing strategies they use to attract crowds to their events • What’s involved in pulling together their ‘Pitch and Plant’ event (a vegan version of Dragon’s Den/Shark Tank) • How they work with sponsors and brands over and above the typical stall/table/booth offering to achieve a win-win that helps both parties’ businesses grow • How they got onto an accelerator program with one of the UK’s largest banks • And much more Visit the Vevolution website Check out She Loves Plants Brands mentioned in vegan business news highlights Plant Based World Conference & Expo (New York, 7-8 June, 2019) Beyond Meat RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 116: Interview with Heather Mills, vegan entrepreneur & owner of VBites plant-based food brand

Katrina Fox — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 06:02:41 +0000

In this episode I interview Heather Mills, vegan entrepreneur and owner of VBites plant-based food company in England. After being fired as a young teenager for eating too many croissants at the bakery store she worked at, Heather decided she didn’t want to work for anyone else. Since then she’s run a successful bra company that made her a millionaire at the age of 19, a model agency and many other businesses. In the early 1990s on returning home from charity work in the Balkans, a road accident resulted in her losing her leg. Far from letting this hold her back, it kickstarted additional careers in the development of prosthetics, public speaking, television commentating, and alpine ski-ing – in which she broke several world records. In 2009 Heather bought the Redwood Company, a plant-based food brand that made vegan meat and cheese alternatives and rebranded it as VBites. As well as opening several VBites cafes throughout the UK, Heather has scaled up the VBites brand which now makes 130 plant-based meat, fish and dairy products that are sold in 25 countries. She also invests heavily in other vegan brands and recently launched VBites Ventures, an incubator and investment vehicle for vegan and plant-based businesses. Her most recent venture is the upcoming launch of an affordable vegan beauty brand Be at One. In this episode Heather discusses: • Why she decided to buy an existing plant-based food brand, instead of starting one from scratch • Why most startups fail to scale up – and how VBites Ventures is providing a solution • Why she requires business owners she invests in to relocate to the north of England • Why she has bought and continues to buy plant-based factories • The one thing she looks for when deciding whether to invest in a vegan brand (Hint: It’s not the business plan, which she says most people get wrong most of the time anyway) • Why there has been a plant-based boom and what that means for vegan entrepreneurs • How and when to use the word ‘vegan’ versus ‘plant-based’ and how she does this with VBites • And much more Visit the VBites website Check out Heather Mills’ website Learn about the Be at One vegan beauty range Find out more about VBites Ventures Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Califia Farms Polestar RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 115: Interview with Jodi Monelle of vegan media company LIVEKINDLY

Katrina Fox — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:13:43 +0000

In this episode I interview Jodi Monelle, the founder and CEO of global vegan media company LIVEKINDLY, in Vancouver, Canada. Originally from Bath in the UK, Jodi has a background in media sales for BBC magazines and worked in marketing for Hootsuite and a small VC startup. During her time working at the VC fund, she was inspired by the entrepreneurs she met and began exploring how to turn her blog into a business with large-scale impact. In 2017 LIVEKINDLY came into being and quickly became a popular news source for millions of people regardless of their dietary choices, focused on empowering people to make positive changes – big or small – in their own lives and how their daily actions make a difference in the world. In this episode Jodi discusses: • The challenges involved in the early days of LIVEKINDLY and how she handled them. • Why she spent the first 18 months growing a brand and community without a focus on monetization. • The mistakes she made when deciding to seek investors to raise capital to fund the business and allow it to grow – and what she learned from the experience. • How and why LIVEKINDLY is creating multiple streams of income, including advertising, and taking a broader approach to its offerings – and what this means for vegan brands. • And much more. Visit the LIVEKINDLY website. Follow Jodi on Instagram. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Hilton London Bankside Bompas & Parr Vegans Baby Pure World Distribution Chef’s Pencil RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 114: Interview with Alon Hochberg of Billion Vegans online vegan marketplace

Katrina Fox — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 03:00:17 +0000

In this episode I interview Alon Hochberg, co-founder and CEO of Billion Vegans, an online marketplace that is aiming to be the ‘Amazon for vegans’. Born and raised in Israel, Alon is a serial high-tech entrepreneur and angel investor who has founded five companies over the past 25 years. He started his first business Modus in 1995 and funded it by himself with a second mortgage. It was one of the first companies in the world that developed an enterprise-grade Customer Relationship Management application. Alon sold the business three years later to the largest system integrator in Israel. In February 2017, after accidently seeing a short video about the dog-eating festival in China, Alon immediately went vegan. After spending several months replacing all his food, clothes, cosmetics and dog supplies, reading the fine print on every product, and contacting the vendors for more information, he bought a pair of ‘vegan’ shoes on Amazon. When they arrived, he found out the glue was made of pigs’ bones and decided then and there to start Billion Vegans to provide an online marketplace selling only vegan-certified products. The site launched in July 2018 in the US, with plans for international expansion into 2019 and beyond. In this interview Alon discusses: • Some of the key challenges facing startups, particularly in the tech space • The two crucial things every startup needs for success • Why ‘passion’ can sometimes kill a startup • How he turned his perceived limitations into strengths that he’s used to build companies • How he managed to raise $60 million over the years for his various companies, including a VC fund • How Billion Vegans is different to other online vegan stores and the benefits to business owners of listing their products on the platform • Why he chose a mix of private investment and equity crowdfunding to fund Billion Vegans and how those who invest in the WeFunder campaign will get their rewards • And much more. Visit the Billion Vegans online marketplace Find out more about the Billion Vegans equity crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Drake’s Organic Spirits Tigermylk RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 113: Interview with Ben Davis, creator of the Plant Based World Conference & Expo

Katrina Fox — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 03:35:48 +0000

In this episode I interview Ben Davis, creator of the inaugural Plant Based World Conference & Expo, which takes place in New York in 2019. Ben is working on the project with his family’s company JD Events, a boutique trade show management company with a 17-year track record of launching and growing unique concepts into industry-leading events. He came up with the idea as a result of his own drastic transition to a plant-based lifestyle (from being a big meat-lover), and earnest desire to make the world a better place. Coming to the Javits Convention Center in NYC in June of 2019, the event will have three streams, bringing together businesses, consumers and healthcare professionals to experience the latest foods, products and services and learn from world-class experts about what plant-based living has to offer. In this interview Ben discusses: • The benefits to vegan business owners of being involved in or sponsoring trade shows • How exhibitors and sponsors can get the best out of trade shows and how this is different from what you might do at consumer shows • The key mistakes exhibitors make when taking part in trade shows and what to do instead • What goes on behind the scenes to pull a trade expo and conference together, including how long the organizing takes and what happens at each step • How to go about becoming a speaker at trade expos • What to expect from the Plant Based World Conference & Expo • And much more Visit the Plant Based World Conference & Expo website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Protein Industries Supercluster (Canada) Orange Fiber RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 112: Interview with Ronnie Tsunami of Change Leader Solutions, vegan trainer

Katrina Fox — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 03:17:03 +0000

In this episode I interview Ronnie Tsunami, a vegan speaker and learning solution architect in North Carolina, who helps leaders and organizations to accelerate the growth of their world-changing movements. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, over the past 25 years, Ronnie’s innovative solutions have been implemented in more than 10,000 academic institutions, companies and enterprise organizations around the world including Microsoft, the US Air Force, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Time Warner Cable, and PlantPure Nation. In addition, he’s helped to build online and local support communities with millions of members in over 400 cities around the world in the fields of IT, business, and health and wellness. The President and CEO of Change Leader Solutions, Ronnie is a big advocate of the plant-based lifestyle. He earned a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell University, and is the co-founder of the Plant-Based Society, an organization that provides resources and education on the plant-based lifestyle. In this interview Ronnie talks about: • How to build your list and generate income from holding online, virtual summits • What’s involved in running an online, virtual summit and how far ahead you should plan • The kinds of technology needed to run an online summit • How many speakers are ideal for online summits, and when and how to do the interviews • What to put in place to make it easy for your speakers to share information about the summit • How to repurpose content from online summits to create additional products, income streams and marketing material • What to do after the online summit has finished to maximize long-term income and brand awareness • And much more Visit the Change Leader Solutions website Visit Ronnie Tsunami's speaker website Check out the Plant-Based Society Register for Ronnie’s Change the World Summit Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: VeganBurg The Green House Hotel RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 111: Interview with Diana Edelman of Las Vegas guide Vegans, Baby

Katrina Fox — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 11:09:57 +0000

In this episode I interview Diana Edelman, founder of Vegans, Baby, a resource website and guide to all things vegan in Las Vegas. After nearly a decade as a publicist, Diana wanted a change so in early 2010 she left her job and the US, to travel through Europe, documenting her experiences on a blog she launched, called d travels ’round, and worked for an elephant sanctuary in Chiang, Mai, Thailand. After four years living abroad and becoming more aware of animal rights and responsible travel, Diana returned to Las Vegas determined to live a cruelty-free life. With no up-to-date resource for vegans in the city, she created Vegans, Baby, a site dedicated to making life in Vegas more accessible for vegans. Diana creates and organizes major vegan events in the city including a vegan dining month – Veganuary Las Vegas – and offers vegan consulting services to restaurants who want to expand to the rapidly growing vegan market. She also penned the Las Vegas Vegan Food Guide, a comprehensive guide to vegan dining in the city covering 35 categories of food, and most recently, she launched Las Vegas’s only Vegan Food Tour, which visits five restaurants and offers at least 12 different tastes of some of the most delicious vegan eats in Sin City. Diana is currently working on expanding the Vegans, Baby brand and plans to launch in additional markets early 2019. In this episode Diana talks about: • How she came up with the name of her brand • How she’s consolidated her existing skills to create a new business and become an entrepreneur • The proactive steps she took before launching her brand – and why you shouldn’t keep what you’re doing a secret • How her additional revenue streams evolved organically as a result of her responding to customer demand • How a collaboration with a large vegan media outlet and local restaurants benefited everyone involved • And much more Visit the Vegans, Baby website Check out Diana’s travel blog d travels ’round Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Planta RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 110: Why these vegan female entrepreneurs got mainstream media coverage for their brands

Katrina Fox — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 08:33:14 +0000

For this episode of Vegan Business Talk I’m going to share with you an audio recording of a 20-minute talk I gave earlier this year at the Plant Powered Women’s Leadership Conference in Sydney. Organized by vegan publishing powerhouse Kathy Divine, the conference provided a platform for a range of female speakers from all walks of life talking about various aspects of veganism and plant-based living. My talk was on how to get media coverage for your vegan brand. Because it was an event focused on plant-based women, I gave a couple of examples of two female vegan entrepreneurs whose stories I shared in my Forbes column: Laura Way from vegan watch company Votch and Anna Tagliabue from luxury faux fur brand Pelush The aim was to explain why, as a journalist who writes about vegan and plant-based business for Forbes, I chose these two women to feature. I get a lot of pitches from both publicists and vegan business owners and I turn far more down than I choose to write about. What got Laura and Anna over the line were their stories and aspects about them or their brands which made them interesting and relevant to my audience. I also shared some tips, including an exercise I teach business owners enrolled in my Vegans in the Limelight Online PR Course and Group Coaching Program, on how you can find the stories in your brand (including your own stories as the founder). You can also watch a video of this talk, as well as read a blog post about it on the Vegan Business Media website (links below). Find out more about the Plant Powered Women’s Leadership Conference Series. Watch the video of this talk. Read the blog post with an edited transcript of this talk. Check out my Forbes column. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Beyond Meat The Fry Family Food Company The Good Food Institute Forbes article: This vegan brand just proved that plant-based burgers are more sustainable than those made of traditional beef RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 109: Interview with Lindsay Rubin of vegan dog food company v-dog

Katrina Fox — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 06:06:06 +0000

In this episode I interview Lindsay Rubin, director of operations for v-dog, a vegan dog food company in San Francisco. Always obsessed with animals, Lindsay ran her own dog sitting business in high school, and became a vegetarian at college. After learning about the dairy and egg industries, she went vegan and became an animal rights activist. Photo by Gianna Conci Photography In 2013, she met Dave Middlesworth, the late founder of v-dog, who started the company in 2005 with his wife Linda, and starting working with the company as the first full-time employee. She currently leads the company’s strategy for growth. In this interview Lindsay discusses: • The challenges the company faced with packing, warehousing and distribution companies when it started out and how it resolved these • How partnerships have been instrumental in the growth of the brand • How and why the company is expanding internationally under the v-planet brand name • How the company decides when and what type of new product to bring out • The advantages of competitions and giveaways and how v-dog makes the most of these to gain more brand awareness • The benefits of having a live chat system on the company website, the tool it uses for this, and how the team manages enquiries • And much more Visit the v-dog website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Forbes article: This Ban On Vegan 'Meat' Labeling Sets A Dangerous Precedent (It's Also Hypocritical) Sunfed Meats Iceland RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 108: Interview with Sara Kidd, vegan baking ambassador

Katrina Fox — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 04:06:37 +0000

In this episode I interview Sara Kidd, vegan baking ambassador in Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand. Sara started out studying as a chef but ended up at film school in Sydney. She worked in film for 15 years as Head of Acquisitions and Marketing at Indievillage, with a remit to take on animal rights and environmental films. Photo: Melissa Katherine Her last project, Kangaroo: A Love Hate Story, released in early 2018, was quoted by Australia’s breakfast TV show Sunrise as being the most controversial Australian documentary ever released in the US. Now, Sara, who has a background in branding and marketing, has made the decision to leave the world of show business behind to pursue a career as a vegan cake designer and baker. Her newly launched retro-inspired website sarakidd.com shares a wealth of free vegan baking resources and video recipes, and her Facebook group Vegan Cake Decorating, All Types of Baking & Resources is a fast-growing online community that’s supporting fellow vegan baking businesses and home bakers from across the globe, in a fun, non-judgemental space. In early 2019 Sara is launching a series of vegan baking books. In this interview Sara talks about: Why she left a successful career in film distribution to become a vegan baking ambassador How she built a strong personal brand and the 3 key steps entrepreneurs need to take to create a brand that resonates with your market as well as being authentic to you What to do before you launch your brand How she created a popular Facebook group and what’s required to maintain a successful and highly engaged online community How she plans to monetize her brand and turn it into a business The importance of creating good-quality free content And much more Visit Sara’s website SaraKidd.com Join Sara’s Facebook group Vegan Cake Decorating, All Types of Baking & Resources Follow Sara on Instagram Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Good Catch Great British Bakeoff Hemingway’s (Hong Kong) Forbes article: Vegan Seafood Is About To Become Big Business--And Not A Moment Too Soon Forbes article: These Restaurants Removed Animal Products From Their Menus And Went Vegan - Here Are The Results RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 107: Interview with Suzy Welch, vegan business journalist, leadership expert & author

Katrina Fox — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 13:04:15 +0000

In this episode I interview renowned business journalist, leadership expert and best-selling author Suzy Welch in New York. Suzy began her career as a crime reporter for The Miami Herald in 1981 before leaving daily journalism a few years later to study at Harvard Business School and then worked as a management consultant. In 1995 she combined her two career paths at the Harvard Business Review (HBR), where she was eventually named Editor-in-Chief. Suzy is the author of the New York Times bestseller 10-10-10: A Life Transforming Idea, a guide to values-driven decision making. With her husband, Jack Welch (the former chairman and CEO of General Electric), Suzy founded the Jack Welch Management Institute, an online MBA program. The pair have co-authored international best-sellers, The Real Life MBA and Winning. For the past three decades, Suzy has written extensively about leadership, career management, and other organizational issues, for publications ranging from O, The Oprah Magazine to The Wall Street Journal. In addition, her candid and perceptive commentary can also be heard regularly on Power Lunch, and CNBC.com programs, ‘Get to Work, with Suzy Welch’ and ‘Suzy Welch: Fix My Career’. Suzy is the mother of four children, and as a tireless advocate for universal compassion, she currently serves on the board of several animal rights organizations. She’s also a passionate vegan and evangelical Christian. In this interview Suzy discusses: • The biggest mistakes she and Jack see entrepreneurs making and what to do instead • Her own experience as an entrepreneur – and why it didn’t work for her • Why scaling-up can often result in disaster for some vegan businesses • Why vegan business owners need to stop being afraid of partnering with non-mission-aligned distributors or other collaborators • What she looks for when being pitched as an investor (and what not to include in your pitch to her) • How she handled being fired from HBR and her advice on how to survive a damaged reputation • The role of religion and faith in business • And much more Tune in to Get to Work with Suzy Welch and Suzy Welch: Fix My Career on CNBC Check out Suzy’s books on Amazon Follow Suzy on Twitter and Instagram Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Huel Plant Based Foods Association Good Food Month RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 106: Interview with Nicole D’Angelo, vegan owner of The Yoga Collective

Katrina Fox — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 03:40:50 +0000

In this episode I interview Nicole D’Angelo, owner of The Yoga Collective studio in New York. Nicole left her full-time career as a social worker in the Philadelphia suburbs to move to the Big Apple in 2014 to pursue her dreams of working in health and wellness. Just four day after she arrived in New York, she started her yoga training. A graduate of the Three Sisters Yoga School, she’s taught gentle yoga, yoga for runners and meditation for runners at The Yoga Collective, which she bought in 2015, and currently manages the studio. Her aim is to create a space for artists and teachers to do what they love for themselves and the community. Nicole also graduated from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2014 with a health coach certification and is a writer and recipe developer. She maintains a blog called Forever Plant-Based, a health and wellness website dedicated to plant-based recipes, meditation, running and fitness. In this interview Nicole talks about: • How she supported herself with side hustles during her transition to New York from Philadelphia • The challenges of moving from a stable 9-5 job in your home town to a new city to run your own business - and how to handle them • How she overcame the loneliness and home-sickness that set in when she moved to New York • How she knew when she was ready to give up her side hustles and work full time in the business • The business model she uses, which is unlike most yoga studios, and the benefits this offers the teachers as well as her as the owner • The online and offline marketing techniques she uses to promote the studio • And much more Visit the Yoga Collective website Check out Nicole D’Angelo’s blog Forever Plant Based Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Vegan Leaders in Corporate Management The Chufa Company RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 105: Interview with April Tam Smith of vegan social enterprise restaurant PS Kitchen

Katrina Fox — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 06:55:11 +0000

In this episode I interview April Tam Smith, co-owner of PS Kitchen, a vegan restaurant in New York that gives away 100% of its profits. April’s ‘day job’ is managing director of an equity sales and trading team at a large investment bank where she’s worked for the past 13 years. Most evenings, however, she can be found at PS Kitchen. It’s a balance she’s happy to strike as she’s driven by a passion to help people. Having spent time volunteering in South Africa and Haiti, April, who moved to the US from Hong Kong when she was 11, discovered the joy of giving and was keen to make a difference in her own neighborhood. She and her business partners teamed up with experienced restaurateurs Craig Cochran and Jeffrey LaPadula, owners of the Terri plant-based restaurant chain, to launch PS Kitchen, which opened its doors in August 2017. Located in the heart of New York’s theater district in Times Square, the restaurant is unique in not only giving away 100% of its profits to charity, but also in providing employment for people who have experienced challenges such as homelessness or incarceration and are in need of a fresh start. A third of employees come from the restaurant’s charity partners that include the Bowery Mission and anti-sex-trafficking organization Restore. In this interview April talks about: • How her day job allows her to fund PS Kitchen • The benefits of running a social enterprise business • The importance of collaborating with the right people and organizations • The challenges of opening a restaurant of this kind (and how one of them is also a bonus in regards to the business’s purpose) • Why she chose the location for the business – and signed a 15-year lease on it • How the story behind the restaurant has been key to its early success • And much more Visit the PS Kitchen website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Tesco Wicked Healthy Dollop Gourmet Up Beet Market RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 104: Interview with Dylan Kendall, vegan home products designer

Katrina Fox — Sat, 09 Jun 2018 05:39:19 +0000

In this episode I interview Dylan Kendall, a designer of fun, affordable, functional and responsibly-manufactured products for the home, in Los Angeles. Dylan founded her first enterprise, Hollywood Arts, as a response to the challenge of ending youth homelessness. Hollywood Arts was the only educational facility in the nation to use arts and music to help homeless young people become self-sufficient. It quickly grew to serve hundreds of young people and earned Dylan the recognition of the Ashoka Foundation for her innovative approach to ending youth homelessness at the national level. Her second company Dylan Kendall Home launched with a bowl on feet. The company now sells internationally and is working on a program of eco-friendly products for children based on new-to-market, green materials. It hasn’t all been plain sailing though and Dylan uses her experience of getting through some particularly difficult times to help other entrepreneurs succeed via her social impact coaching services. In this interview Dylan talks about: • How she started her home products company while working for an agency for foster children • What she did that resulted in her first product – a bowl with feet – going viral • How she handled this fast success and the challenges that came with it (including missing deadlines for fulfilling orders) • The different funding models she used – including five crowdfunding campaigns, three SBA loans, purchase order financing and giving away a majority of her company ownership – and her thoughts on these • How her plans to launch a new plant-based plastic were cut off at the knees by a poor investment and a few bad containers – and how she came back from this • The model she’s now using to sell her products to China which has freed up a lot of her time to pursue other projects • And much more Visit Dylan Kendall’s website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Vevolution Bran Investments Crowdcube Vegan Ladyboss City of Asheville (North Carolina) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 103: Interview with Leslie Durso, vegan chef and wellness expert

Katrina Fox — Sat, 26 May 2018 10:39:58 +0000

In this episode I interview Leslie Durso, a vegan chef and wellness expert in Los Angeles. An Italian-American, Leslie has eaten plant-based since the age of eight and you may remember her from her entertainment days when she starred as Leslie the lab girl, on the popular TV show Bill Nye, the science guy that ran from 1993 to 1998. It was during the show that Leslie discovered her love of education and shifted from science to plant-based food. After establishing herself as a private chef for the NYC and Hollywood elite, Leslie began hosting cooking segments on television and online, including her show Accidentally Vegan for the FabFitFunTV membership community. She regularly appears on Food Network, Discovery Channel and Hallmark Channel, as well as in other mainstream media. Leslie is currently the vegan chef at the Four Seasons, Punta Mita in Mexico and a chef partner at PLANTLAB culinary school. In this interview Leslie discusses: • How she became a chef despite not going to culinary school • How she got the gig at the Four Seasons hotel • The key factors that have made the Four Seasons job such a success that it resulted in her becoming the hotel’s wellness ambassador • Why she refuses to allow a separate vegan menu at hotels and restaurants and instead insists vegan dishes are part of the main menu • Why she prefers to partner with culinary schools and other collaborators instead of running and operating her own platforms • How to attract the right partners for your business • And much more Visit Leslie Durso’s website Check out Leslie's show Accidentally Vegan on FabFunFit TV Find out more about PLANTLAB culinary school Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Beyond Advisors Mac and Moon The LC RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 102: Interview with Ryan Bethencourt, vegan biohacker, investor & co-founder of Wild Earth pet food company

Katrina Fox — Sun, 13 May 2018 02:59:16 +0000

In this episode I interview Ryan Bethencourt, a vegan biotech entrepreneur, investor, and one of the founders of the biohacker movement, in Los Angeles. Growing up in inner-city Miami, Ryan’s imagination was fueled by science fiction and as an adult he’s focused on using science and technology to solve some of humanity’s most intractable problems and reduce animal suffering. He’s a co-founder, former program director and venture partner at biotech accelerator program IndieBio. Ryan has invested in more than 70 early-stage biotech startups, and served as the head of life sciences at the XPRIZE Foundation. His latest venture, of which he’s co-founder and CEO, is Wild Earth, a pet food company that uses cultured protein to create vegan dog food. The company, which was started in 2014, is also working to bring a cruelty-free clean meat cat food to market. In this interview Ryan discusses: • What biohacking is and how it’s helping people, animals and planet • The language and messaging vegan brands need to use to get consumers on board with new technology in food • The (perhaps surprising) key mistake food startups make and what to do instead • Why an idea is not enough and what else you need to get investors and partners on board with your business • Why he thinks business plans are dead and what you need instead • How to choose the right accelerator program for your startup • The three questions he asks entrepreneurs before deciding whether to invest in them • Why he chose to go the venture capital investment route for Wild Earth • And much more Visit the Wild Earth website Check out my article on Ryan and Wild Earth on Forbes Find out more about IndieBio life sciences startup accelerator program Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Beyond Meat East Lancashire Health Trust Alexi Lubomirski RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 101: Interview with Dr Joel Kahn, cardiologist and vegan restaurant owner

Katrina Fox — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 04:23:33 +0000

In this episode I interview Dr Joel Kahn, holistic cardiologist and owner of two vegan restaurants GreenSpace Café and GreenSpace & Go in Detroit, Michigan. Joel is the founder of the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity and Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University. Even though he’d practiced traditional cardiology since 1983, it was only after his own commitment to a plant-based diet that he began to explore non-traditional diagnostic tools, prevention tactics and nutrition-based recovery protocols and focus on holistic cardiology. Having treated thousands of acute heart attacks during his career, Joel wants to prevent these happening in future. He aims to achieve this by educating people about plant-based nutrition through his books (so far he’s authored five, as well as 100 scientific papers and hundreds of health articles), and speaking, as well as his restaurant ventures. He opened GreenSpace Café – a 120-seat all-vegan restaurant with a full bar – in Ferndale in December 2015 with his son Daniel and wife Karen. And just recently in March 2018, he opened the fast-casual eatery GreenSpace & Go in Royal Oak. In this interview Joel discusses: • Why he moved into the restaurant business • How he had to shift his plan for a small juice bar to create a much larger restaurant, after the landlord threatened to open a butcher store next door • The benefits that came out of the budget for renovations doubling • Why he decided to open a second, fast-casual eatery • How he chose the locations for both restaurants • How he manages his diverse businesses, including still running an active cardiology practice • The social media platforms that are most successful in promoting the restaurants • And much more Find out more about Dr Joel Kahn at his website Check out GreenSpace Café Check out GreenSpace & Go Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Don Lee Farms Nat-2 Benevo Vegan Pet Food RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 100: 5 key lessons learned from 100 episodes and interviews with vegan entrepreneurs

Katrina Fox — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 03:45:44 +0000

So, this is a special episode of Vegan Business Talk, as it’s episode number 100! I’ve interviewed 100 brilliant vegan business owners for the show who have been so kind and generous in sharing their challenges and how they overcame them, along with providing practical strategies for success. I love how this community of entrepreneurs on a shared vision are willing to share their intel and tips to help other vegan business owners to succeed. I know I learn heaps from every single person I interview and I’m so grateful to everyone who contacts me personally or posts on social media to let me know how much they enjoy the podcast and how much they learn. So a big thank you to all my interviewees for making the show a success and of course to you, the audience, for listening to and sharing the episodes. So for this episode, I talk about 5 key lessons for vegan business owners that have come out of the 100 episodes and you can find links to the ones mentioned below. Lesson 1: Everyone does it tough. Starting a business is a huge undertaking which challenges you on every level: physical, emotional, spiritual. Remember that most people only share the highlights of their life and business success on social media. Episodes mentioned: Jeremy Johnson, Vegan Perfection (12) Joy Pierson & Bart Potenza, Candle Café (10) Lesson 2: Resilience is the number one personal quality of successful business owners. Sticking it out, even when the going gets tough is essential. Episodes mentioned: Rebecca Mink, Mink Shoes (99) Renia Prutchnicki, Truth Belts (22) Seth Tibbott, Tofurky (6) Lesson 3: Take time out from the business Take time to relax, spend with family and friends, meditate or do a hobby. Episodes mentioned: Lisa Gawthorne, Bravura Foods (95) Lesson 4: Everything costs more than you think it will. I hear this time and time again from entrepreneurs, who, even with the most detailed business plan, find that budgets tend to end up being anything from double to four or five times what you estimated them to be. So you need to be prepared for this and make sure you have some kind of backup or buffer and not rely solely on outside investment. Episodes mentioned: Kiki Adami, Veganizer (70) Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni (7) Liz Dee (31) Jody Rasch (76) Lee Coates (83) Jonathan Petrides (98) David Benzaquen (29) The above episodes will give you a good idea of what investors look for, how to know you’re ready for investment, how to pitch an investor, and much more. Lesson 5: Collaboration is essential. What I love about vegan entrepreneurs is their willingness to collaborate with each other and lift each other up so it’s a win-win. Episodes mentioned: Naijha Wright-Brown and Gregory Brown, The Land of Kush (62) Jessica Bailey, The Cruelty Free Shop (39) Jonathan Petrides (98) Tammy Fry, Fry’s Family Foods (85) Kathy Divine, author, publisher and mentor (90) I hope enjoy this episode and find the lessons helpful. I’m looking forward to bringing you more excellent interviews with wonderful vegan business owners, as well as some solo episodes from me with tips on raising the profile of your vegan business. Here’s to the next 100 episodes of Vegan Business Talk! Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Veganizer Chef Chloe Coscarelli by Chloe RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 099: Interview with Rebecca Mink of luxury vegan shoe brand Mink Shoes

Katrina Fox — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 11:40:02 +0000

In this episode, I interview Rebecca Mink, founder of vegan luxury shoe brand Mink Shoes in Los Angeles. Rebecca is a pioneer in this field, as she started Mink Shoes back in 2000 when there were few other players in the market. Working as a celebrity wardrobe stylist, she found it hard to find high-end vegan shoes for her clients, so she decided to create her own. She was initially turned down by 16 factories in Italy, until one finally agreed to take up the challenge of making luxury vegan shoes, for which Rebecca had to create her own animal-free glue! Eighteen years later she’s now a part-owner of this female-run factory, which also makes shoes for the likes of Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Dolce and Gabbana and Gucci. Mink’s specialty is making custom shoes and the company’s clients include celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, Alicia Silverstone and Natalie Portman, as well as Miley Cyrus who approached the brand when she turned vegan to ask Rebecca to make animal-free versions of her favorite shoes and boots. In addition to creating her own range, Rebecca also partners with other vegan shoe brands to help them bring their products to market. This includes the upcoming line from Kat Von D later this year. Rebecca continued to work as a wardrobe stylist, while running Mink Shoes until just two years ago when she started to work full-time in the business. She’s grown the company to increase sales tenfold over the past decade and upped the number of staff from three to more than 50. In this interview Rebecca talks about: • How she dealt with rejection from 16 factories when she started out • How she managed to get her shoes into Zappo’s, despite being told her appointment with the buyer was canceled and being asked to leave the premises • Why she decided to focus on selling her shoes online and direct to customers • How a collaboration with a cosmetics firm resulted in a win for both brands • Why she waited until recently to seek outside investment in the company • The benefits of private label collaborations • And much more Visit the Mink Shoes website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: GoodMylk (See also my Forbes article) Wild Earth (See also my Forbes article) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 098: Interview with Jonathan Petrides from plant-based frozen food subscription company allplants

Katrina Fox — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 03:29:39 +0000

In this episode, I interview Jonathan Petrides – aka JP – from allplants, a plant-based frozen food subscription service in the UK. JP is a serial entrepreneur passionate about building businesses that solve major global problems. He founded Africa's first and fastest growing mobile bank, M-Shwari, which now has more than 30 million users, most of whom previously had no access to a bank account, and issues more than 100,000 new loans each day. He also founded an award-winning retail health chain, Penda Health, in Kenya, bringing a new model for affordable mass-market healthcare to East Africa. After returning to the UK, he started allplants with his brother Alex in January 2016, soft-launching the first range of frozen plant-based meals to family and friends, before rolling out the subscription-based service nationwide in January 2017. In May last year allplants secured £800,000 funding from Felix Capital. This was the first time the venture capital firm had invested in a plant-based startup and the largest amount raised for a European plant-based startup to date. In this interview, JP talks about: • The importance of testing concepts before committing to and launching a new business • The innovative way allplants carried out recipe tests • The dangers of relying on grants or competitions to fund your business and why you shouldn’t think of them as ‘free’ money • How allplants managed to raise £800,000 in investment funding • The most important thing you must have in place before approaching investors • How to know when you are ready for investment – and the ideal situation to be in when preparing to do this • Why he decided to make the company a B-Corp • Why talking openly and endlessly about your project in the early stages, rather than keeping your ideas a secret, is the key to success and attracting the right connections • And much more Visit the allplants website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Booja Booja The Lip Bar Sheese (Bute Island Foods) Tofurky RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 097: Interview with Marla Rose of Vegan Street Media creative agency

Katrina Fox — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 02:50:19 +0000

In this episode I interview Marla Rose, an award-nominated journalist, columnist and author from creative agency Vegan Street Media in Chicago. Since 1995, Marla has dedicated her life to building vegan culture and community. In addition to writing most of the content and managing social media for the Vegan Street website, including a variety of creative and informative memes, she is the co-founder of the annual free vegan festival Chicago VeganMania, which is now in its 10th year. For the past several years, she has been writing feature stories for magazines, including VegNews, and her popular blog Vegan Feminist Agitator. In 2015, Marla and her husband John Beske, a graphic designer, created Vegan Street Media, a creative agency dedicated to bringing the most effective, professional and unforgettable communications to vegan businesses, services, product lines and non-profits. The agency helps clients with logos, packaging, campaigns, promotions, branding, social media, web development and consulting. Marla is also the author of several books, including the new cookbook and guidebook, Fun, Festive and Fabulous: Vegan Holidays for Everyone. In this episode Marla talks about: • How she and her husband turned their skills and passions into a successful business • One of the key mistakes vegan businesses make in regards to treating their customers • The quote from the Grateful Dead that informs her strong personal brand, and the importance of finding your voice • How the power of being part of a community has resulted in regular business for Vegan Street Media • The importance of using your personal profile and presence on social media to complement content you share as a brand • Why she no longer uses any images in her content that are not created by her agency • And much more Visit the Vegan Street Media website Check out the Vegan Street website Find out more about Chicago VeganMania Festival Read Marla Rose’s blog Vegan Feminist Agitator Buy Marla Rose's latest book Fun, Festive & Fabulous: Vegan Holidays for Everyone Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Harmless Harvest Blue Heron Creamery RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 096: Interview with Brooke Goldner, vegan medical doctor and plant-based healer

Katrina Fox — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 02:39:01 +0000

In this episode I interview Brooke Goldner, medical doctor and plant-based healer, in Texas. Brooke was diagnosed with systemic lupus nephritis with stage 4 kidney disease at the age of 16 and made a startling recovery at 28 through plant-based nutrition from supermarket foods. She’s been symptom-free ever since, with normal lab results and no trace of disease in her body. Now, she educates physicians and patients on how to heal and achieve vibrant health using her Hyper-Nourishing Healing Protocol and supermarket foods, a system that’s helped patients with lupus and a multitude of other auto-immune diseases. A board-certified medical doctor licensed to practice medicine in California and Texas, Brooke is also a psychiatrist specializing in healing the mind from trauma, depression and anxiety. This forms part of her online nutrition programs to help people worldwide live a healthy, happy life. She’s the author of two best-selling books, Goodbye Lupus and Green Smoothie Recipes to Kick-Start Your Health & Healing, and has been featured in multiple documentaries such as Eating You Alive, Whitewashed, and The Conspiracy Against Your Health. She’s also a popular media commentator and keynote speaker who regularly shares the stage with her plant-based contemporaries including Drs. Ornish, Esselstyn, and T. Colin Campbell. Brooke is a graduate of the Temple University School of Medicine, was Chief Resident at UCLA-Harbor Residency, and holds a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University. She’s the founder of VeganMedicalDoctor.com, GoodbyeLupus.com and creator of the Hyper-Nourishing Protocol for Lupus Recovery. In this interview Brooke discusses: • Why she gives a lot of information to people on how to heal themselves away for free • What people pay for when signing up for her programs • The benefits of practicing online as a medical and health practitioner • The legalities regarding what health and medical practitioners can and can’t do online and how to ensure you comply • How she attracts mostly non-vegan clients to her brand • What you need in place to set up and run online programs • How she comes up with ideas for her programs and products to ensure their success • And much more Visit the VeganMedicalDoctor.com website Visit the GoodbyeLupus.com website Check out Brooke’s books on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Rawsome Treats Moving Mountains Vanilla Bean RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 095: Interview with Lisa Gawthorne, vegan owner of Bravura Foods

Katrina Fox — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 07:36:42 +0000

In this episode I interview Lisa Gawthorne, owner of Bravura Foods, a marketing, sales and distribution company in the UK. Lisa has worked in a variety of FMCG marketing roles at major blue-chip companies, including Leaf UK working on the Chewits and Malaco brands, Nichols Foods working with the Vimto, Sunkist and Rani brands, Burton's Foods on their sugar confectionery and branded export biscuits portfolio that included Cadbury, Maryland, Wagon Wheels, Jammie Dodgers and Lyons Biscuits) and Cedar Health on its range of natural healthcare products. After five years at Cedar Health, Lisa moved to work directly for OY Panda AB in Finland, coordinating all marketing activities across the UK, US and Canada. Among the vegan food brands Bravura Foods represents are Panda Liquorice and Freedom Mallows, Captain Kombucha, Vegan Bakery and Little Miracles, and it also owns its in-house vegan confectionery brand Free From Fellows. Lisa, who’s from the north of England, is also the author of the vegan health and fitness book Gone in 60 Minutes – a bite-sized health and fitness resource that can be read in just an hour. In addition to managing her own business, Lisa is a competitive runner. She’s run for her club, Liverpool Pembroke Sefton; the county of Merseyside; and Great Britain Duathlon teams for her age group at European and World Championship levels. In this interview Lisa talks about: • What you need in place before approaching retailers (they don’t want to have to hand-hold you) • How to be innovative in your presentations to retailers • The importance of targeted marketing plans, especially if you want to get your brand into a large retailer • The importance of speed to market, especially now with the plant-based trend being so popular • What she looks for in a brand when considering working with them • The one question every vegan brand needs to ask themselves on a regular basis • And much more Visit the Bravura Foods website Check out Lisa’s book Gone in 60 Minutes Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Tesco Wicked Healthy V-Grits Food Co RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 094: Interview with Anna Tagliabue of vegan luxury faux fur brand Pelush

Katrina Fox — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 04:04:26 +0000

In this episode I interview Anna Tagliabue from luxury faux fur company Pelush in New York. Originally from Milan, Italy, Anna moved to New York two decades ago and took a job working in the fur department at Fendi where she worked for the next eight years. When the brand launched a faux fur, Anna was captivated by it, but since it sold for a lot less than the animal furs and was popular with many customers, Fendi decided to no longer do faux fur. Anna bought the coat with a staff discount and began her search for high-end animal-free furs. After leaving Fendi, she worked for 13 years at Prada on Madison Avenue as a personal shopper for high-wealth women on Manhattan’s upper east side – where her Pelush studio is currently based. Five years ago, with the help of her friend, Italian haute couture designer Antonio Grimaldi, she started to learn the other side of the fashion business, including how to order and who to meet, and two years ago she launched Pelush – which means ‘plush’ in Italian – to create what she calls a ReFAUXlution. Since then, her spectacular coats – that look and feel like real fur – have been worn by Helen Mirren (complete with a Humane Society anti-fur pin), four-time Grammy-award-winning jazz musician and bassist Esperanza Spalding and opera star Diana Damrau. Anna’s fashion shows, including the two she’s held as part of New York Fashion Week, are akin to performance art pieces, featuring dramatic music and animal activists of all ages and backgrounds walking the runways. As well as showcasing her beautiful products, many of which include intricate hand-embroidered details, French lace and sparkling vintage glass, models carry placards with information and statistics that reveal the cruelty involved in the $40 billion fur industry. In this interview Anna talks about: • Why she chooses to make faux furs that look and feel like real fur • How she knows whether a material is made from animals or not • The challenges when she first started out of finding the right professionals to create the standard of product she required • How she got her coats onto celebrities (and Helen Mirren to wear an anti-fur pin to a movie premiere) • The importance of trunk shows, especially for new designers • And much more Visit the Pelush website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Modern Meadow Bolt Threads Forbes roundup article: Here’s why you should turn your business vegan in 2018 RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 093: Interview with Victoria Moran of Main Street Vegan Academy and vegan lifestyle coach JL Fields

Katrina Fox — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 09:39:30 +0000

In this episode I interview two fabulous vegan powerhouses, both of whom have previously appeared on the show as individual guests: Victoria Moran from Main Street Vegan Academy in New York and vegan lifestyle coach JL Fields in Colorado. The reason I’ve got them back on the show and together is because they’ve co-authored a new book and being experienced authors, I knew they’d have a ton of advice on writing, co-authoring and publishing books. Victoria is a vegan of over three decades and made her reputation in the self-help genre with books including the international bestseller, Creating a Charmed Life. A twice-featured guest on Oprah, Victoria’s vegan titles include The Love-Powered Diet, The Good Karma Diet, and Main Street Vegan, which received endorsements from Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Clinton. A renowned and popular international speaker, she trains vegan lifestyle coaches, educators and entrepreneurs via her in-person Main Street Vegan Academy and hosts the Main Street Vegan podcast on Unity Radio. JL is the founder and culinary director of the Colorado Springs Vegan Cooking Academy. She is a Master Vegan Lifestyle Coach & Educator, personal chef, career coach, and a corporate consultant offering wellness training, brand representation, and strategic planning services. Her books include Vegan Pressure Cooking and The Vegan Air Fryer. JL produces and hosts the weekly radio program Easy Vegan, blogs at JLGoesVegan.com and writes the monthly vegan dining review for the Colorado Springs Gazette. Left: Victoria Moran. Right: JL Fields. The pair have co-authored The Main Street Vegan Academy Cookbook: Over 100 Plant-Sourced Recipes Plus Practical Tips for the Healthiest, Most Compassionate You, which also includes tips and recipes from 60 graduates of the academy. In this interview Victoria and JL talk about: • How they navigated the writing process, considering they live in different cities • Why they chose an independent publisher and tips on how to pitch a book • The benefits of being an author to their respective businesses • The marketing and promotional strategies they use to sell their books • Their honest experiences of working with previous publishers • How Victoria got endorsements from Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Clinton, plus tips on how to secure high-profile people to praise your book or write a foreword • How JL dealt with unscrupulous people copying her work and publishing it as their own on Amazon • And much more Visit Main Street Vegan Academy Visit JLGoesVegan.com Check out books by Victoria Moran on Amazon Check out books by JL Fields on Amazon Find out more about The Main Street Vegan Academy Cookbook Listen to Victoria Moran’s podcast interview in episode 15 of Vegan Business Talk Listen to JL Fields’ podcast interview in episode 11 of Vegan Business Talk Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Good Dot Naturli Foods RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 092: Interview with Jane Velez-Mitchell, vegan TV journalist from JaneUnchained

Katrina Fox — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 03:24:59 +0000

In this episode I interview renowned US TV journalist and best-selling author Jane Velez-Mitchell, founder of JaneUnchained in Los Angeles, a multi-platform social media news outlet that produces original video content on animal rights and the vegan/compassionate lifestyle. Jane worked as a TV journalist for mainstream media for several decades. This included stints as a news anchor and reporter at KCAL-TV in Los Angeles and WCBS-TV in New York, as well as reporting for the nationally syndicated Warner Brothers/Telepictures show Celebrity Justice, where she did numerous stories on animal issues championed by celebrities. For six years she hosted her own show on CNN Headline News, where she ran a weekly segment on animal issues. She’s won numerous awards for her reporting, including a Los Angeles and a New York Emmy, four Genesis Awards from the Humane Society of the United States, a Compassionate Leadership Award from Mercy for Animals, and the Nanci Alexander Award from PETA. Jane has also penned four books: Secrets Can Be Murder, and Addict Nation: An Intervention for America with co-author Sandra Mohr; plus her two New York Times bestsellers: Exposed: The Secret Life of Jodi Arias and her memoir iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life. Since she launched JaneUnchained in 2015, it’s quickly reached a loyal following of just under a million people as of December 2017 across its social media channels, with many videos getting several hundred thousand views. In this interview Jane talks about: • How to get featured on mainstream TV and who to contact to pitch your idea • What makes a great TV guest • How having a strong personality and story can get you media coverage • The importance of creating your own content and becoming the media • What equipment she uses to make her videos (clue: she shoots them on her phone) • Tips for making Facebook Live videos • And much more Visit JaneUnchained.com Follow Jane’s Facebook Live videos Check out books by Jane Velez-Mitchell on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: NAE RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 091: Interview with Debra Denniston of HFS Collective vegan bag company

Katrina Fox — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 04:37:36 +0000

In this episode I interview Debra Denniston, co-founder with her daughter Rachel, of HFS Collective (formerly Hipsters for Sisters), a fashion brand in Los Angeles aimed at ‘liberating women from their baggage’. The brand is renowned for its belt bags, a much more stylish and colorful alternative to fanny packs. An artist at heart, Debra loved color, texture and shape as a child and taught herself to sew by the age of five. But, due to pressure from her parents to pursue more sensible career options, her journey into the fashion industry only happened much later in life when HFS was launched five years ago. Up until then she worked in a variety of sectors including three years practicing law. HFS has recently expanded into crossbody bags as well as releasing a new collection made from Pinatex, the pineapple leather alternative. In this episode Debra talks about: • How her daughters’ embarrassment led to the concept of the brand • Why she and Rachel changed the name of the business, despite a successful launch • The benefits of being in business with her daughter • The costs involved in using certified sustainable fabrics • The challenges of making bags locally in Los Angeles • How doing their own PR resulted in a slew of sales from the UK • And much more Visit the HFS Collective website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Sydney Vegan Market Forbes column on vegan and plant-based business by Katrina Fox RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 090: Interview with Kathy Divine, vegan author, publisher and book mentor

Katrina Fox — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 03:00:34 +0000

In this episode I interview Kathy Divine, author, publisher and book mentor in Sydney, Australia. Kathy is the author of five vegan books: Forever 21, Vegans are Cool, Plant-Powered Women, Plant-Powered Men, and Everyday Vegans, and founder of the magazine Australian Vegans Journal. The concept of ethical vegan leadership as the solution to world peace inspires and drives her work, and she uses publishing as a way to broadcast this vision into the world. Kathy offers one-on-one coaching to first-time authors and is currently developing an online course that will show aspiring authors how they can successfully publish their books. Kathy’s publishing focus is on promoting vegans who exhibit great leadership, and her coaching focuses on those who have leadership aspirations and potential. One of her #1 Amazon best-selling books Plant-Powered Women forms the basis for the upcoming global conference series she is presenting. Launching in March 2018 in Sydney, the Plant-Powered Women Leadership Conference Series will be a series of one-day events where vegan women will speak on various topics of expertise with the aim being to inspire the audience to become ethical vegan leaders in their communities. In this interview Kathy discusses: • The mistakes many first-time authors make and what to do instead • How she defines vanity publishing and how to avoid it • The differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing and how to decide which route to take • The benefits of publishing with Amazon’s Createspace platform • What you need to do on Amazon to maximize your book’s opportunity to succeed • How to raise funds to publish your book • The challenges involved in producing a print magazine, especially if you have no previous experience, and how she dealt with them • How she made her crowdfunding campaign for the magazine a success • And much more Visit Kathy Divine’s website for first-time author coaching Check out the Australian Vegans Journal Enjoy Kathy’s interview-based blog Vegans Are Cool Find out more about the Plant-Powered Women Leadership Conference Series Check out Kathy Divine’s books on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Beyond the Shoreline Califia Farms AirVegan RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 089: Interview with Robert Petrarca of Maxine’s Heavenly vegan cookie company

Katrina Fox — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 04:47:22 +0000

In this episode I interview Robert Petrarca, co-founder and chief operations officer at Maxine’s Heavenly, a vegan cookie company in Los Angeles. The company is named after co-founder Tim Miller’s mother Maxine, who took great pleasure in creating delicious sweet treats for the family. As Tim got older and started making cookies for his children, he wanted to preserve the joy of his mother’s baking, but adapt it for a healthier lifestyle. So he took out the processed flours and sugars, gluten and animal products and replaced them with healthy, plant-based alternatives, while retaining the sumptuous flavours. Robert’s background is in entertainment. He owned his own production company and has worked in theater as a director, but when he tasted Maxine’s cookies, which are also soy-free and only sweetened with coconut sugar, he was keen to come on board with the company. In this interview Robert talks about: • How he and his team grew the company, despite knowing nothing about the food industry • How prominently to feature the various ‘free from’ labels on products without scaring potential customers off • How to not only get your products into retailers, but maintain them there • Why focusing on smaller stores in the beginning is important, including for a business’s cashflow, before approaching the larger retailers • How the company got ‘lost’ in the Wholefoods Market system for two years and what he learned from the experience • The challenges involved in co-packing and outsourcing manufacture of products to a third party • And much more Visit the Maxine’s Heavenly website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Leith’s School of Food and Wine Vevolution (start-ups application form for Pitch + Plant until 27 October 2017 only is here) BRAN Investments RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 088: Interview with Billy Simmonds of ECO Superfoods vegan health and fitness products company

Katrina Fox — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 04:04:02 +0000

In this episode, I interview Billy Simmonds, founder of ECO Superfoods, a natural, vegan and organic health and fitness products company in Queensland, Australia. Billy is a martial artist, bodybuilder, powerlifter, and winner of the 2009 Mr Universe title in Hollywood. An authority in health and nutrition, he has served as a strength and conditioning coach to athletes around the world. Twenty years ago he worked in in the supplements industry in a health food store that is part of the largest chain in Australia. After working in corporate banking later in life, he left to start Prana ON, a supplement range which is now carried in stores across Asia, including Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand, either directly or through a distributor. After gaining a sterling reputation among vegans and non-vegans for Prana ON, ECO Superfoods launched a second brand, Kaaya Health, a nutritional supplement formulated for weight loss. Billy is an advocate for healthy eating, the environment, and compassion for both people and animals. To celebrate his 10th year of advocacy work, he teamed up with In Defense of Animals to launch a global high-school speaking tour high to inspire young adults to lead a life of strength and kindness. A popular speaker, he is currently writing a book, Strength in Kindness to share his journey, lessons, and teachings for success and is the host of the recently launched Power Plant Radio podcast. In this interview Billy talks about: • What gives his company a point of difference and why he refuses to pitch against competitors • What draws non-vegans to the Prana ON brand • How he came up with the Prana ON name and what it means • What he looks for in a brand ambassador and people seeking sponsorship from the company • Why he chose to employ a sales team in Australia, rather than using a distributor • The benefits to the business of launching his own podcast • How to scale up your business – the smart way • Why you shouldn’t give away equity in your company just for dollars alone and what to seek instead • And much more Visit the ECO Superfoods website Find out more about and register your interest in Billy’s new book Strength in Kindness Check out the Plant Power Radio podcast Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: NOTFrom Elmhurst Milked Zwanenberg Food Group RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 087: Interview with Heidi Lovig of vegan cheese company Heidi Ho!

Katrina Fox — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 08:21:56 +0000

In this episode I interview Heidi Lovig, founder of Heidi Ho! an organic vegan cheese company in Oregon. Heidi is fanatic about farm-to-table dining, sustainability, seasonal menus, and local. She honed her vegan chef skills during her time living in Hawaii in a sustainable community where she managed an eco-hostel and farm. She’s trained with vegans and raw foodies from all over the world and was introduced to the spiritual side of veganism including elements of Jainism and the ethics of kindness. This resulted in her developing a deeper connection to the ingredients she uses to create her products, which are made in a dedicated a dedicated vegan, soy-free and gluten-free facility. In November 2014, Heidi appeared on episode 610 of Shark Tank to pitch her products and was successful in getting a deal from entrepreneur Lori Greiner. This resulted in a ton of national and international media coverage, as well as a high-profile new fan: Ellen Degeneres. Since being on Shark Tank, Heidi Ho! has increased its distribution across the US (it’s now in more than 1000 stores) and Heidi is regularly invited to speak or make food for corporations, including Google. In this interview Heidi discusses: • Why she decided to apply for Shark Tank and how she got picked to be on the show • How she prepared for her appearance on Shark Tank • What it’s really like behind the scenes of Shark Tank • The benefits of her Shark Tank deal – which continue today • What to take into account if you’re considering applying to be on Shark Tank • Why she chooses to use certified organic ingredients, despite the challenges involved • How the fast-changing landscape in plant-based foods has changed her mind about working with retail giants such as Walmart and Target • And much more Visit the Heidi Ho! website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Milky Way Shakes Pacific Foods Matthew Kenney Essence Cuisine RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 086: Interview with vegan chef Day Radley

Katrina Fox — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 13:52:27 +0000

In this episode I interview Day Radley, a vegan chef in London in the UK. Day has worked across three continents launching and running restaurants. She became a chef in 2010 after many years as a passionate foodie. After starting out in high-stress, minimum-wage kitchens, she quickly rose to Head and Executive Chef and went on to work as a private chef. She now works as a consultant, advising brands on food concept, and as a cooking teacher. She offers bespoke cooking classes in people’s homes, as well as group classes, and is available for private catering. Day will also be teaching the first vegan natural chef course at the Centre for Naturopathic Medicine in November this year. Her first book Love.Food is released later this month, and she recently ran a successful crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to put together a pilot plantbased cooking show to pitch to mainstream TV executives. In this interview Day discusses: • Why trying to find your passion is not a good strategy for long-term success, and what you should focus on instead • How her degree in art history and putting on an art exhibition was instrumental in launching her career as a chef • What she did to land her first job in a professional kitchen, despite having no formal training as a chef • How an appearance on Sky News earlier this year came about and the benefits to her business of this and other subsequent media coverage • What makes her stand out from other vegan and plantbased chefs • What she did to make her recent crowdfunding campaign a success • And much more Visit Day Radley’s website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Let Them Eat Cake Nick’s Kitchen HFS Collective RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 085: Interview with Tammy Fry of The Fry Family Food Company

Katrina Fox — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 04:38:48 +0000

In this episode I interview Tammy Fry, marketing director at her family business The Fry Family Food Company. A born vegetarian since 1981 in Durban, South Africa, Tammy inspired her father Wally Fry – a meat-eating animal farmer – to go vegan. Together with his wife and Tammy’s mother Debbie Fry, also a lifelong vegetarian, they created The Fry Family Food Company. Sold in retailers throughout Australia, the UK, South Africa, and soon to be in the US, Fry’s provides tasty, plantbased alternatives to meat. An avid crossfitter, 5th Dan karate practitioner and many times South African national champion, self-defence coach, surfer and current Australian Open and Queensland Karate champion, Tammy is passionate about health and wellness. She joined the family business (which currently employs six family members) in 2001 after gaining her degree in marketing and economics to raise the profile of the Fry’s brand of all-vegan products internationally. A popular public speaker and director of Meat Free Mondays Australia and South Africa, Tammy is keen to raise awareness of unsustainable food choices, global warming and the cruelty involved in factory farming. She also shares recipes, lifestyle tips and plant-based advocacy ideas at her blog, Seed. In this interview Tammy talks about: • What to consider when selling your products internationally (and how Fry’s grew differently in the UK to how it did in Australia) • The challenges the company has experienced with major supermarkets and how they dealt with them • The problem of ‘zombie brands’ that use clever branding to mislead consumers and disadvantage truly ethical businesses • How they balance running the business and family relationships • The marketing strategies the company uses to create organic growth • The company’s use of the word ‘vegan’ in its branding and marketing and how it differs for different countries • How the company decides which countries to sell their products in and when • And much more Visit The Fry Family Food Company website Check out Tammy Fry’s blog Seed Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Plant Power Fast Food HANX Unicorn Goods Vote for Vegan Business Talk in the Unicorn Goods’ Best of Vegan Awards 2017, in the Vegan Media Category (voting is open 1-30 September, 2017: http://unicorngoods.com/vote RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 084: Interview with vegan artist Preston M Smith of PMS Artwork

Katrina Fox — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 03:50:31 +0000

In this episode I interview Preston M. Smith, a vegan artist from Los Angeles. Known by the provocative moniker ‘PMS’, in 2009 Preston was commissioned to paint 12 portraits of President Barack Obama, for the Inaugural Purple Ball in Washington DC, where his paintings were distributed to celebrities and collectors including Ed Harris, Ashley Judd, Amy Madigan, Josh Lucas, Patricia Arquette, Il Divo, and more. Having been through art school and working part-time in restaurants and other jobs while building his body of artwork on the side, Preston eventually came to a point where he was able to work full time as an artist, showing his work in galleries as well as selling it online to the general public and collectors across the globe. Part of this transition involved in a shift in mindset from the ‘tortured starving artist’ to an entrepreneur running a creative, art-based business. This change is captured in a short documentary about Preston, called ‘Negativity to Creativity’, directed by Antonio Lugo-Ponce. The film highlights the artist’s process as well as a new painting that he is working on as part of his ‘Garbage Collection’, a series dealing with reducing our carbon footprint and becoming more eco-friendly in art. As well as including his own recycled material in his artwork, Preston ensures he only uses vegan-friendly brushes and paints. In this interview Preston talks about: • The one action you need to take to stand a chance of becoming a successful, fulltime artist • Whether art school is still necessary to be successful • Whether art shows are still relevant • How to offset some of the costs of putting on your own art show • Why the ‘tortured, starving artist’ trophe is so dangerous and how ditching it was key to his success • The marketing strategies he uses that result in leads and sales of his artwork • How to handle the rejection that’s prevalent in the art world and turn it into something positive • And much more Visit the PMS Artwork website Watch the 3-minute documentary Negativity to Creativity below: Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Alternative Meats Lab at UC Berkeley Bunnie Cakes RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 083: Interview with Lee Coates of financial planners Ethical Investors and Cruelty Free Super vegan pension fund

Katrina Fox — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 11:28:09 +0000

In this episode I interview Lee Coates, founder of financial planning firm Ethical Investors in the UK and superannuation (pension) fund Cruelty Free Super in Australia. Lee has run Ethical Investors since 1989 and established the first vegan investment funds in the UK three years later in 1992, pioneering the concept that animal welfare issues were as important as human rights and the environment. Following on from the success of the funds in the UK, he launched vegan pension fund Cruelty Free Super in Australia in 2010. The fund has high ethical standards in regards to people, animals and planet when it comes to what it will and won’t invest in. Popular particularly with young women, the fund was initially dismissed by financial professionals in Australia, who didn’t believe that a superannuation fund focusing on animal welfare issues, and only using social media to market itself, would raise $1000, let alone the $28 million it’s brought in so far and so quickly. An ethical financial planner of 28 years, and one of the top 150 qualified financial planners out of 30,000 in the UK, Lee was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2011 for his services to ethical business and finance. The self-described ‘Mr Establishment’ enjoys drumming to relax – a throwback to his earlier years of playing drums in various bands – and blogs at Cruelty Free Money on global ethical finance issues. In this interview Lee discusses: • The blindspot many vegan business owners have when it comes to investing the profits from their operations • The biggest mistakes vegan business owners make when seeking investment capital (and what to do instead) • The importance of having a diverse investment portfolio • How vegan investment funds’ performance compares with non-vegan ones • Why Cruelty Free Super’s fees are higher than non-vegan funds • How being ‘Mr Establishment’ has allowed him to influence the financial industry • What to take into account if you’re considering opening a business in another country • And much more Visit the Ethical Investors website Visit the Cruelty Free Super website Check out the Cruelty Free Money blog Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Vaute Couture Holster Skull and Cakebones RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 082: Interview with Kat Mendenhall, vegan lifestyle coach and cowboy boots maker

Katrina Fox — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 03:52:54 +0000

In this episode I interview Kat Mendenhall, vegan lifestyle coach and educator who also sells custom-made vegan cowboy boots and other accessories in Dallas, Texas. After many years working in corporate sales, Kat found her calling: to mend the world through whole, plant-based nutrition and cruelty-free products. She is a Master Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator certified by the Main Street Vegan Academy, a Culinary Nutrition Expert certified by The Academy of Culinary Nutrition, holds a certification in plant-based nutrition by the T. Colin Campbell Foundation at Cornell University, and is certified as a Food for Life Instructor by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. In 2013 Kat, who’s a native Texan, launched her handmade goods business under her eponymous brand, with her signature line of custom vegan cowboy boots. Made from a patent microfiber material which is designed to have a leather grain look and a natural appearance, the boots come in a range of styles, and customers can tailor the finish to their liking, including choosing the material, toe shape, heel height and stitching colour. In this interview Kat discusses: • The challenges of running a bootmaking business, which is a dying trade, without any previous experience in the fashion industry • Why she takes a custom-made, handcrafted approach to her boots and how this sets her apart from other shoeware businesses • Why she chooses to have the boots made in Texas • The importance of running your business the way you want to and defining what success means to you • How the skills she gained working in corporate America have helped her to run two different businesses under the one brand • How she got and continues to get mainstream media coverage for her brand • How developing a community around her brand and being involved in her local community has resulted in her success • And much more Visit the Kat Mendenhall website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Firefly Café RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 081: Interview with Karine Brighten, vegan event planner and founder of Veg Speed Date

Katrina Fox — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 03:30:16 +0000

In this episode I interview Karine Brighten, event planner and founder of Veg Speed Date in Ontario, Canada. After working with Canada’s largest event planning company JPDL, Karine started her own company Karine Brighten Events in 2009, based out of San Francisco, California. Karine has more than a decade of experience in producing and planning events, including the renowned San Francisco Vegan Iron Chef, Berkeley Vegan Earth Day, weddings and more. Her latest project is Veg Speed Date, a speed-dating service exclusively for vegan and vegetarian singles. She started planning speed dating events in San Francisco five years ago, before launching Veg Speed Date in January 2017. Veg Speed Date events have been running successfully in cities across North America since February 2017, providing an intimate atmosphere for 30 people to connect and get to know each other in the hope of finding that someone special. In this interview Karine discusses: • Some of the challenges involved in running an event and how to handle them • The key things to consider before you decide to run an event • When to start promoting your event • The two key marketing strategies that have been most successful in getting ticket sales to Veg Speed Date • What to do on the day of the event to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible • Three things it’s important to do after you’ve held an event • How she manages to run successful events in different cities – without necessarily being there herself • How to get people to book tickets to your events well in advance • And much more Visit the Veg Speed Date website Sign up for the Veg Speed Date newsletter and get $5 off your next event Check out Karine’s blog post Top 5 things to consider when planning an event Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Spectrum Collections Inika Organic VegFestUK Trade Tesla Ripple Foods RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 080: Interview with Lois Eastlund, vegan fashion designer

Katrina Fox — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 04:15:22 +0000

In this episode I interview Lois Eastlund, vegan fashion designer of her eponymous brand in New York. Lois has loved fashion since she was a child and knew at the age of 11 that she wanted to attend NYC’s Fashion Institute of Technology. After gaining her degree from there several years later, she entered the industry, working in Manhattan’s Garment District for more than 30 years as a designer in menswear, womenswear, junior sportswear and tween clothing. During this time she also ran her own shop in the East Village and leveraged her line of streetwear, wholesaling to vendors throughout Europe, Asia and the US, including New York City’s Patricia Fields. In 2008, after years of freelancing, vending at weekend markets and participating in an independent designer co-op in NoHo, Lois opened her eponymous boutique on the Lower East Side. For five years, the store stocked her line of men’s shirts and women’s dresses that embodied her signature aesthetic – bold patterns and flattering tailoring – which continue to define her brand to this day. In 2013, Lois made a strategic decision to close her physical store and focus on online fashion to reach a broader audience for her designs, which are aimed at the modern woman who is young at heart, while taking advantage of also showcasing her wares at local pop-up events. Lois and her designs have appeared in a number of media outlets including The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily, CBS News This Morning, and many more, and she is the co-founder of digital vegan fashion magazine La Fashionista Compassionista. While Lois went vegan in 2011, her fashion line has always been animal-free, sewn by hand, by her, from cotton and cotton blends. Most recently she has been making print-on-demand t-shirts and other accessories which she sells on Redbubble and Amazon. In this interview Lois discusses: • How not knowing what you are doing when starting a business can be a bonus • How an incident early on in her business taught her to eliminate ‘middle men’ and to deal directly with manufacturers and suppliers • A strategy she uses to keep the cost of fabrics down and how this influences her designs • Why she closed her physical store in 2012 and moved into running an online-only fashion brand • The pros and cons of being involved in high-profile fashion events such as New York Fashion Week • Why she chooses to continue to make all the garments herself (and how this can be a good selling point in a business) • And much more Visit the Lois Eastlund website Check out Lois’s designs on Redbubble and Amazon Find out more about La Fashionista Compassionista magazine Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: leCupboard RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 079: Interview with Robbie Lockie of Plant Based News vegan content platform and creative agency

Katrina Fox — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 05:55:12 +0000

In this episode I interview Robbie Lockie from Plant Based News, a content platform and creative agency in London, UK. Robbie was born in Zimbabwe, Africa, where he started his career in digital design in 1999. He then came to London a year later to further his career in design, media and communications. He’s worked with several large brands including BMW UK, Mercedes Benz, Microsoft, The Royal Navy, Jamie Oliver and Getty Images. In 2016 he co-produced a short documentary, SWINE for UK Animal charity Viva! and has been involved in a number of online campaigns, including Move your Money, a charity helping to raise awareness about ethical banking. Robbie co-founded Plant Based News (PBN) with Klaus Mitchell in 2017 to act as a global platform for change. Operating for two years previously as a YouTube channel, the brand has experienced fast growth, currently reaching three to five million people a week via the website and its social media channels. PBN Creative is the agency arm that helps ethical brands with a range of digital services including web design, branding and promotional videos. This included managing the website infrastructure rebuild and relaunch for Veganuary. In this interview Robbie discusses: • The three questions you need to ask yourself before creating a piece of content for your vegan business • What to do if you put your content out on social media it doesn’t get engagement • How to grab a viewer’s attention with a video in the first three seconds • The pros and cons of a video marketing strategy PBN uses that involves rebranding and sharing other people’s content • How a new cross-posting feature on Facebook can benefit brands who agree to collaborate • PBN’s point of difference and how it managed to enter and stand out in a crowded marketplace • What to take into account when paying online platforms to produce branded content • And much more Visit the Plant Based News website Check out Plant Based News Creative services Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Greenhouse Canteen & Bar The Vurger Company RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 078: Interview with Cynthia King, vegan dance studio owner

Katrina Fox — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 02:40:04 +0000

In this episode I interview Cynthia King, founder and executive director of Cynthia King Dance Studio (CKDS) located in Brooklyn, New York. The vegan studio has been a vital part of Brooklyn’s rich dance culture for more than 15 years. In 2014, after nearly two decades of presenting dance works in Flatbush, Cynthia opened her new studio and performance space in the heart of the neighborhood. Having danced professionally since 1978 and taught since 1986 in both public and private schools, Cynthia and the studio have become staples in the local community, supporting a wide variety of civic and educational organizations. In May 2015, she received the prestigious Boston Conservatory Distinguished Alumni Award (one of many acknowledgements for her work). Later that year, she established the Cynthia King Humane Artists Scholarship, which is awarded to an incoming Boston Conservatory student who embodies compassionate living. In addition to running her dance studio – which offers a range of classes for both children and adults, including a pre-professional course – on vegan principles, Cynthia is the creator of the Cynthia King Vegan Ballet Slippers, her signature line of cruelty-free ballet shoes. These are worn by compassionate dancers from across the globe, and have been seen on the feet of Natalie Portman and Emily Deschanel. In this interview Cynthia talks about: • How she weaves her vegan ethics into the business to influence students, parents and staff • Advice for vegan actors, dancers and other entertainers on how to navigate showbusiness, especially if you’re asked to wear animal-based fashions • How being an active part of the local community has been a key factor in her success • The challenges she faced when moving studios and how she handled them • Why being positioned as the more expensive end of your market can be beneficial • How she handles pushback from students or parents who complain about not being allowed to bring animal products, including food and leather shoes, into the studio • How standing your ground despite being perceived as ‘difficult’ can be advantageous to your business, particularly in the long term • And much more Visit the Cynthia King Dance Studio website Check out Cynthia’s signature line of vegan ballet slippers Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Thrive: The Plant Based Food Show Plantcurious Whole Health Club RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 077: Interview with Adrian Ling of Plamil Foods, vegan confectionary and condiment manufacturer

Katrina Fox — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 05:10:42 +0000

In this episode I interview Adrian Ling, managing director of Plamil Foods, which has been manufacturing vegan food products in the UK since the 1960s. Plamil was the first company in Europe to produce dairy-free milk and later the first to make dairy-free chocolate. Committed to making products that are good for animals, people and planet, the company has a comprehensive environmental and ethics policy. A lifelong vegan, Adrian has spent over 30 years in the food industry. His father, Arthur Ling, went vegan in 1927, before the term was even coined almost 20 years later. Having joined Plamil when it had just four employees, Adrian has grown the company and product range from the original food canning line, to a 24-hour operation with almost 50 staff and an extensive range of confectionary and condiment products which sell to retailers and manufacturers worldwide. The most recent launch is the So Free range of chocolate and snack bars. Nicknamed the ‘British Willy Wonka’ because he literally has his own chocolate factory, Adrian oversees production at the company’s dedicated vegan manufacturing plant, which is run on 100 percent renewable energy, in Folkestone, England. He spent a number of years on the UK Vegan Society council and has made presentations at a number of food expos and chocolate conferences. Recently nominated as a ‘Free from Superhero’ in 2017, Adrian’s knowledge and experience of managing a specialist food business, new product development and his ‘nuts and bolts’ knowledge of many production lines enables him to provide a unique insight into vegan food standards and production. In this interview Adrian talks about: • Why the company manufactures other brands’ products that will compete on the shelf with Plamil • Why Plamil created its own vegan-certified trademark which it also licenses to other brands • The potential impact of Brexit on vegan businesses • What to take into account when seeking international distribution for your product • The downsides of animal product companies buying vegan brands • The importance of innovating and keeping up with changing markets and trends • And much more Visit the Plamil Foods website Find out more about VegFestUK Trade 2017 of which Plamil/So Free Chocolate is a sponsor Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Vegan Gorilla Earth Island Foods (Follow Your Heart) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 076: Interview with Jody Rasch of VegInvest Trust vegan investment fund

Katrina Fox — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 02:37:57 +0000

In this episode I interview Jody Rasch, managing director of VegInvest Trust, a vegan investment fund in New York that provides early-stage capital and guidance to companies striving to replace the use of animals. Prior to launching VegInvest Trust in 2015, Jody headed the Social Performance Group at financial services company Moody’s Corporation, working on projects including microfinance and social investing. He also served on various advisory boards including Women’s World Banking’s Gender Performance Initiative and the Global Impact Investing Rating Service (GIIRS). His 39-year professional background also includes founding a company that conducted financial training programs for international commercial and investment banks, heading up the New York derivatives sales desk of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and working in the corporate treasury departments of two Fortune 500 companies. VegInvest Trust’s current portfolio includes plant-based meal planning and delivery services Lighter and Purple Carrot, fast food chain Veggie Grill, sustainable seafood company New Wave Foods, and Washington DC eatery Shouk. In this interview Jody talks about: • The types of businesses VegInvest Trust is looking to collaborate with • What he looks for when considering investing in a business • The key mistakes vegan business owners make when approaching investors • What to do when you have little to no experience in an industry to make your venture attractive to investors • What he expects as an investor from a business after funding has been provided • The risks involved in investing – for both the business owner and investor • Why he believes large animal product companies buying out vegan businesses is a good thing • What to put in place to deter a company buying out your vegan brand, then later adding animal products under its name • And much more Visit the VegInvest Trust website (where you can fill out a form to submit your investment proposal) Check out the Glass Wall Syndicate group of venture capitalists that VegInvest Trust is part of Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Bonobo Café Kama Cream Oh Deer Sugar Wegan Foods (no website or social media) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 075: Interview with Renee Hasseldine of Share Your Passion

Katrina Fox — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 23:49:58 +0000

In this episode I interview Renee Hasseldine, a course creation and leverage expert from Share Your Passion in Melbourne, Australia. After a corporate career that included stints in the tech and finance sectors, Renee ran a careers coaching firm for 11 years. During that time she was also part of the senior leadership team for Robbins Research International, leading and coaching participants through Tony Robbins’ personal and professional development programs. Determined to not only live a fulfilled life herself as an entrepreneur, Renee founded Share Your Passion in 2014 to help other entrepreneurs do the same, by leveraging their expertise, particularly by creating courses. She shares her signature 7-stage process of course creation in her bestselling book Share Your Passion, which provides experts and entrepreneurs with a simplified system to launch their courses. In this interview Renee discusses: • How to know when you’re ready to create a course and the four foundations you need in place to do it successfully • The type of course you should avoid creating • The 7 stages of course creation • How to figure out what courses to create • How to work out what to give away for free and what to include in a paid course • The biggest mistake business owners make in relation to course creation • The different types of platforms for course delivery and how to choose which is best for you • Whether or not to have continual open enrolment or set start and finish dates for your course • And much more Visit the Share Your Passion website where you can download Renee's 7 Stages of Course Creation free checklist Check out Renee’s book Share Your Passion on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: D’s Naturals The Grub Factory Green Condom Club Veggemo RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 074: Interview with Hannah Kaminsky, photographer

Katrina Fox — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 03:27:41 +0000

In this episode I interview photographer Hannah Kaminsky in San Francisco. Hannah works with top food publications and manufacturers across the US, creating photographs for the glossy pages of magazines, cookbooks, and product packaging. She is also the author of the books My Sweet Vegan, Vegan Desserts, Vegan a la Mode, Easy as Vegan Pie, and the upcoming title Real Food, Really Fast. Working independently for over a decade has provided her with professional experience in all aspects of a photography project from start to finish. This includes cooking and styling, as well as the capturing and editing of each image with her own signature style. Her latest recipe creations, photos, and musings can be found on her Bitter Sweet blog. In this interview Hannah discusses: • Mistakes vegan business owners make when taking their own photos • The 3 things that make a good photo • Lighting tips for taking a great photo (and why you should mostly avoid flash) • The benefits and disadvantages of photo filter apps • What to look for when hiring a professional photographer • Latest trends in photography • The one thing that’s more valuable for new photographers than working for free • The best ways for photographers to attract clients • And much more Visit the Hannah Kaminsky Photography website Read Hannah’s Bitter Sweet blog Check out Hannah’s books My Sweet Vegan, Vegan Desserts, Vegan a la Mode, Easy as Vegan Pie, and Real Food, Really Fast on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business newsroundup VegTrip Bed and Broccoli Kind Sugar (no website yet) Superdrug Vegea RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 073: Interview with Maureen Mahon, interior designer

Katrina Fox — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 05:01:50 +0000

In this episode I interview Maureen Mahon, an award-winning interior designer in Los Angeles. Maureen is a designer on HGTV’s House Hunters Renovation and was named one of Angeleno Modern Luxury Magazine’s Dynamic Women of Los Angeles. She began her foray into home renovation when she bought a dilapidated duplex near Los Angeles’ trendy Melrose Avenue and did much of the remodeling work herself. She later sold the house for nearly four times what she’d paid and invested in an ocean-front property in Rosarito, Mexico. She and her brother purchased all the furniture and accessories for the 3,000 sq. ft. luxury condo from Thailand, and the home was featured in Distinctive Homes Magazine. After being commissioned to decorate several turnkey oceanfront vacation properties in Baja, Maureen decided to make interior design her new career and attended the Architectural Interior Design Program at Santa Monica College. Maureen worked almost exclusively on residential projects in LA until being hired to design offices for a tech startup. This experience completely changed her career path, resulting in her working with visionary entrepreneurs to create green, sustainable, ethically sourced and cruelty-free work environments. She is the first PETA-approved vegan designer and has incorporated vegan design into her company’s code of ethics. In this interview Maureen talks about: • What made her become a vegan interior designer and how it’s impacted her business • Why interior design is important for a business • Key things to consider when planning the interior design of a commercial premises – and how they differ from residential spaces • Latest trends in commercial interior design • The best type of lighting for commercial spaces • And much more Visit the Maureen Mahon Interiors website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Vegan Food Tours Vitao Vegan Hippo Wild Food Café Yorica! Beyond Meat RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 072: Interview with Ron Prasad of Impetus Success Australia

Katrina Fox — Sat, 27 May 2017 06:03:13 +0000

In this episode I interview Ron Prasad, a communications and public speaking trainer and author from Impetus Success Australia in Melbourne. Ron has provided coaching and public speaking training to CEOs, professional sports people, and to Aboriginal youth. He’s also a popular keynote speaker and MC, leading audiences of all sizes, from small groups and corporate meetings to those numbering in the thousands. His expertise as a keynote speaker lies in personal development, sales and service, and effective communication. Ron is the author of Welcome to Your Life: Simple Insights for your Inspiration and Empowerment, which received praise from several luminaries in the personal development field including author and teacher from the movie The Secret, Bob Proctor; bestselling author Jack Canfield; and Dr Phil’s money expert Loral Langemeier. Passionate about empowering people in the animal advocacy community, Ron has been a speaker and MC at a range of animal rights and vegan events across Australia and is the co-founder of the Beat Bullying With Confidence Foundation, a charity whose goal is to support people who are being bullied at school and in the workplace. In this interview Ron talks about: • How he became an in-demand, successful speaker – despite having a speech impediment • The key mistakes business owners make in regards to public speaking • How to decide if and when you should speak for ‘free’ (and if you do, how to create a win-win situation for all parties) • Five steps to selling from the stage (without being sleazy) • Tips for telling a memorable story • What you need in your speaker kit • How to approach high-profile people for advance praise or to write a foreword for your book • And much more Visit the Impetus Success Australia website Find out more about the Beat Bullying with Confidence Foundation Check out Ron’s book Welcome to Your Life on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Perfect Day Foods Bad Hombres RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 071: Interview with Brenda Morris of Humane Investing (via First Affirmative Network)

Katrina Fox — Sat, 20 May 2017 04:26:16 +0000

In this episode I interview Brenda Morris, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ from Humane Investing in Virginia. Armed with just a notion of ‘helping people’, Brenda changed her major five times over the course of four years, ending up with a double major in English and Psychology from the College of William and Mary. Despite no intentions of entering the finance industry, Brenda began her career in banking, helping clients with both lending and investment needs. After spending over a decade in the financial industry she left the corporate world in 2008 and became an investment advisor representative through First Affirmative Financial Network, a group of investment professionals committed to sustainable, responsible, impact investing. This relationship allows Brenda to provide people with expert financial advice on how to achieve their dreams and live the life they want while investing ethically in regards to people, animals and planet. In 2009 she founded her business Humane Investing. In this interview Brenda discusses: • Why financial planning is important – at any age – especially for vegan business owners • The difference between a certified financial planner and a financial adviser • What a financial planner does • How financial planning allowed her to go five years without making money while building her business • How she is influencing the financial industry towards ethical and vegan investing • And much more Visit the Humane Investing website Check out the First Affirmative Financial Network website Disclaimer: Humane Investing, LLC is not a registered entity and is not a subsidiary or affiliate of First Affirmative. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Mention of specific securities is not a recommendation to buy or sell said security. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Flash Climbing Allplants Beyond Meat Bentley RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 069: Interview with Dan Pinne of Organik Digital

Katrina Fox — Sat, 06 May 2017 03:12:27 +0000

In this episode I interview Dan Pinne, a vegan Facebook marketer and founder of Organik Digital in Melbourne, Australia. Dan works with clients from across the globe, tailoring Facebook advertising solutions for them by creating a full campaign from start to finish. He specializes in small businesses that are looking to scale their operations through methods that are right for their particular model. An experienced digital marketer, Dan has a background and interest in sport. He’s held positions at Swimming Victoria and professional rugby team Melbourne Storm and was the social media consultant at Channel 10’s ‘Thursday Night Sports Show’. Some of the brands he’s worked with include the Australian Open tennis tournament and organic, fair trade footwear company Etiko. In this interview Dan talks about: • The two key types of organic posts that are most important and getting strong reach right now on Facebook • How organic and paid reach work together • Whether or not to use Facebook’s ‘Boost’ button • The importance of developing a Facebook advertising strategy (most businesses fail to do this) • How to ensure you’re targeting the right people with your ads • The importance of creating custom audiences • How to use Facebook Live videos to promote your brand (after as well as during the live presentation) • How to figure out what budget to use for your Facebook ads • And much more Visit the Organik Digital website Book a free call with Dan to discuss your Facebook ad campaign or ask questions Read Dan's article Don’t set up your Facebook Ad campaign without doing these four things Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Orgran Vega RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 068: Interview with Adam Sobel of The Cinnamon Snail

Katrina Fox — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 04:20:59 +0000

In this episode I interview Adam Sobel, founder of The Cinnamon Snail food truck and restaurant in New York. Adam worked as a chef for several vegetarian, vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants for more than 12 years before launching the food truck in 2010. Since then he’s grown the business into a vegan food empire that employs more than 50 staff. He creates the recipes, specials, permanent menu items, catering items, and plans new locations for The Cinnamon Snail. As well as a permanent eatery at the Pennsy local food hall in downtown Manhattan, the company also has a catering arm and an online store as well as providing wholesale donuts. The food trucks continue to service New York and New Jersey for select public events. The company has won several awards, and Adam also the author of Street Vegan, a cookbook on vegan street food. When he’s not working at The Cinnamon Snail he teaches free yoga classes and rescues animals (in fact, he had a very cute Australian mammal on his bed during our interview!). In this interview Adam discusses: • Why he launched a food truck business • The challenges and benefits of running a food truck business • The realities of New York’s complex permits system • Why a business should enter awards – even if you don’t win • The importance of listening to your customers and giving them what they want, not what you want • And much more Visit The Cinnamon Snail website Check out Adam’s book Street Vegan: Recipes and Dispatches from The Cinnamon Snail Food Truck Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Vevolution Globally Local Nutriati Better Eating International RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 067: Interview with Nikki Duong Koenig of Cykochik Custom Handbags

Katrina Fox — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 05:19:27 +0000

In this episode I interview Nikki Duong Koenig, the founder of Cykochik Custom Handbags, in Dallas, Texas. Nikki started the vegan handbag company back in 2003 when she was an art student. After graduating, she took up a career in corporate marketing as an art director and creative director, working in New York City and Dallas for American Express, AT&T, Bank of America, Barneys New York, Hilton Worldwide, Hewlett Packard, and many other global brands. In 2013, Nikki left the corporate world to focus full time on growing Cykochik, collaborating with local, national and international artists, while supporting environmental causes and animal and human rights. Within a year, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) honored Cykochik with the “Compassionate Business Award” for being an “exceptional cruelty-free company” and Nikki became the first Texas fashion and accessories designer to collaborate on a collection with PETA. In this interview Nikki discusses: • Why she chooses to manufacture her bags in Dallas (and the challenges that brings) • How she chooses which artists to collaborate with on collections – and how to pitch her • How she ran a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2013 to celebrate the brand’s 10th anniversary • How getting customers involved in her brand and creating a community around it has resulted in the business’s success • Why she decided to stick to an online ecommerce model instead of selling her products through retailers • And much more Visit the Cykochik Custom Handbags website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Meringue Shop Vegan Woman Made Cali’Flour Beehex Bagle Factory RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 066: Interview with Robyn Chuter from Empower Total Health

Katrina Fox — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 09:17:36 +0000

In this episode I interview Robyn Chuter, a naturopath, counselor and EFT therapist from Empower Total Health in Sydney, Australia. Through her one-on-one consulting and membership program EmpowerEd, Robyn specializes in helping people reverse serious and chronic illnesses such as autoimmune conditions, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as emotional eating and food addiction, using a plant-based diet and emotional healing. Her dual background as a physical and mental health professional allows her to not only educate her clients about what to do to be healthy and happy, but also provide them with the ability to do it by getting past their psychological, behavioural and social barriers to change. Robyn is currently completing an Honours degree in preparation for a PhD in plant-based nutrition research, with a focus on behaviour change strategies. Her Honours research project is examining the value of membership in a Facebook group for helping people adopt and maintain a plant-based diet. In this interview Robyn discusses: • The challenges of running a plant-based health practice and the specific approach she takes to handle them • The benefits of running a membership program to broaden your reach as a service provider • What’s involved in setting up and maintaining a membership program • How she uses Facebook organically (without paying anything) to raise her profile and gain new clients • How she handles the ethical considerations health practitioners need to take into account when interacting with people on social media • The strategies she uses to attract her ideal clients • And much more Visit the Empower Total Health website to receive Robyn’s free action guide ‘The 5 Steps to Breaking Bad Habits’, learn about her membership program EmpowerEd, and subscribe to her weekly e-newsletter, EMPOWERED! Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Plant Power Fast Food Forks Over Knives Cruelty Free Shop RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 065: Interview with Steven Griswold of Vegan Insurance

Katrina Fox — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 03:09:22 +0000

In this episode I interview insurance expert Steven Griswold in Los Angeles. Steven is President of Griswold & Griswold Insurance Agency, a second-generation, family-run firm that has been around since 1948. With over 16 years of experience, Steven provides innovative solutions and fresh perspectives on risk management to small and mid-sized businesses in a variety of fields including startup, technology, healthcare, and non-profit. The company is the only insurance agency in Southern California – and one of only a handful in the world – that is certified as a B-Corporation. In 2016 Steven launched Vegan & Animal Professionals Insurance Agency (VAPI), an idea that had been gestating since he first became an ethical vegan in 2012. VAPI provides a diverse range of insurance broking services to vegan-run businesses in the US and international companies that sell products or services in the US, as well as for professionals working in the animal advocacy and non-profit sectors. In this interview Steven discusses: • The key types of insurance most vegan business owners require and when to get them in place • The newest type of liability insurance coverage essential for the majority of business owners today • Why you need insurance – even if you don’t make mistakes • The advantages of working with an independent insurance broker (and the hidden fees to watch out for that not all of them declare) • How to choose the right insurance broker • An important type of insurance a startup with investors needs • And much more Visit the Vegan & Animal Professionals Insurance Agency website Check out Griswold & Griswold Insurance Agency website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: von Holzhausen Autogefuehl Pret a Manger (Veggie Pret) VegFestUK VegFestUK Trade Reebok RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 064: Interview with Susan Prolman of Veg Shop

Katrina Fox — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 02:46:20 +0000

In this episode I interview Susan Prolman, who started Veg Shop on the Etsy platform a year ago as a hobby to test the waters in becoming a business owner. Susan is a lifelong advocate for animals. She’s served as Executive Director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and as Director of International Campaigns for The Humane Society of the United States. She's lobbied against factory farming and for environmental protection in Washington, DC for years. Before graduating Georgetown University Law Center with honors, she helped to create the school's first animal law course. Veg Shop features Susan’s handmade jewelry and accessories with messages such as ‘Go Veg’ and ‘I Love Pigs’. The aim is to help customers express the joy of being vegan. In this interview Susan talks about: • The benefits of Etsy, particularly if you have little money to invest up front to sell your products • The challenges of selling on a crowded platform, particularly when you’re starting out • The quickest way to create a community of people interested in your items • How she partnered with nonprofit organizations which helped boost her sales • The importance of SEO when running an Etsy store • The time investment required to run a successful Etsy store – and how that changes as the store becomes established • And much more Visit Veg Shop on Etsy. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: By Chloe Chef Chloe Coscarelli Apiecalypse Now! FuBar Toronto Liberation Barbell Green Earth Travel RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 063: Interview with Andy Tabar of Compassion Co

Katrina Fox — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 02:11:25 +0000

In this episode I interview Andy Tabar, owner of Compassion Co, an organic, US-made vegan clothing line that he runs out of his van while traveling across the US to vegfests each year. Andy is an animal rights activist who completed three trips with Farm Animal Rights Movement’s 10 Billion Lives tour, traveling to nearly every continental state and having more than 10,000 one-on-one conversations educating college students and concert-goers about the cruelty inherent in animal agriculture. His business is very much connected with this activism by producing t-shirts featuring messages that start conversations around veganism or the treatment of animals and which are made as ethically as possible. He’s also the co-host of the Bearded Vegans podcast, with Paul Steller, in which the pair discuss a range of vegan issues. In this interview Andy talks about: • How his experience touring with punk rock bands has helped him in running his business • The challenges and benefits of running your business from a van • How he handles scaling up the business, especially with physical location and inventory storage limitations • The one person he hired early on that was instrumental in helping him to run the business effectively • How taking an intersectional approach to his business, in manufacturing, operations, and marketing, gives the brand a competitive edge • How to maintain a relationship when you’re on the road for several months a year • And much more Visit the Compassion Co website Check out the Bearded Vegans podcast Find out more about FARM’s 10 Billion Lives Tour Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Expo West New Hope Network Beyond Sushi The Fields Beneath Fresh Start Fauxmage RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 062: Interview with Naijha Wright-Brown & Greg Brown of The Land of Kush

Katrina Fox — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 02:24:19 +0000

In this episode I interview Naijha Wright-Brown and Greg Brown, founders of vegan soul food bistro The Land of Kush in Baltimore, Maryland. Naijha, a native New Yorker, born in Manhattan’s lower east side and raised in the South Bronx, is a people person, with over 20 years of customer relations experience. She’s held managerial, technical and administrative positions at Verizon Wireless, Dow Jones Markets, and Credit Suisse First Boston. She co-founded and organizes Vegan SoulFest, an annual vegan festival for Baltimore’s inner-city communities which attracts around 7,000 attendees. She is also the Executive Director of the Black Vegetarian Society of Maryland, an organization that connects people wherever they are on their journey to veganism with a focus on the Black and Latino communities. Greg had no intention of becoming a vegan chef. Like Naijha, he had a career in corporate America – in fact they worked together at Verizon. After becoming vegetarian in the late 1990s and then vegan, he learned how to cook without animal products out of necessity. In 2008, during the height of the mortgage crisis in the US, the couple left their successful jobs to realize the dream of opening a vegan soul food restaurant. The eatery attracts a diverse range of clientele from all walks of life, both vegans and non-vegans, including politicians and celebrities such as Stevie Wonder. What’s extra special about The Land of Kush is that as well as being a for-profit business, it also has a social mission to give back to the local community. Many of the employees are black youth who have never held a job. Naijha and Greg provide training and mentoring and go out of their way to give people, many of whom have been on public assistance for a long time, a chance to become leaders. In this interview Naijha and Greg talk about: • How they get their staff, many of whom are from economically depressed communities, to become ambassadors for their brand • The benefits of rewards programs to keep customers coming back • How collaboration with other businesses, non-profits, schools and community organizations has been instrumental in the restaurant’s success • A different way to look at your day job, especially if you hate it • How to work successfully with your partner in a business, even when you’re both A-type personalities • And much more Visit The Land of Kush website Find out details about Vegan SoulFest Get details of the Black Vegetarian Society of Maryland Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Gusta Elmhurst Milked Plant Based Foods Association RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 061: Interview with Ed Lower and Malindi Lovegrove of The Chocolate Yogi

Katrina Fox — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 00:49:08 +0000

In this episode I interview Ed Lower and Malindi Lovegrove from The Chocolate Yogi in Sydney, Australia. Ed, who’s from the UK, worked as a bookkeeper for many years in the media, entertainment and technology industries, while nurturing his creative side with a side hustle as a voice-over artist for TV adverts, cartoons and online media. Malindi, who’s Australian, has worked as a Community Development Worker in South Africa, the UK and in Tanzania, where she lived and taught about sexual health and HIV prevention in a rural village for six months. She’s also taught yoga and meditation all over the world. After returning to Australia in 2013, the husband and wife team started their business because they both had dairy allergies and couldn’t find creamy vegan chocolate that they liked. They began experimenting in their home kitchen and started to get involved with Sydney Vegan Club, educating themselves about how animal agriculture impacts people, the planet and animals. Already vegetarian, they quickly made the transition to ethical veganism and began gently introducing the philosophy into The Chocolate Yogi’s branding and packaging. In this interview Ed and Malindi talk about: • How the environment where a food product is made and the energy that goes into making it impacts its taste • The key investment they made at a time when they were down to their last dollar that was instrumental in enabling them to scale their business • How they got their products into more than 100 stores, without a distributor • Why national distribution is not necessarily the best way to go initially as a small business owner starting out • How they got an initial investment to get the business started after just a 10-minute phone call • And much more Visit The Chocolate Yogi website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Natural Healthy Foods Ozery Bakery James Beard Foundation D’s Naturals Veganizer NYC RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 060: Interview with Cayla Mackey and Dave Pittman of Unicorn Goods

Katrina Fox — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 03:02:09 +0000

In this episode I interview Cayla Mackey and Dave Pittman from Unicorn Goods, whose tagline is ‘the world’s largest vegan store’, in Rhode Island, New England. The couple have run several social enterprises including Nashville’s culture magazine Native, and Taco Bike, a certified organic restaurant. They started Unicorn Goods, an online store, in November 2014, offering a large range of vegan goods across a number of categories using an affiliate model. CEO Cayla oversees the overall vision and strategy of the company, while CCO Dave, a former creative director of advertising company Young & Rubicam, oversees the creative vision of the brand. Dave is an industrial designer focusing on vegan manufacturing and animal-free design at the Rhode Island School of Design. In this interview Cayla and Dave talk about: • Why they chose to use an affiliate model for the business and the pros and cons of this approach • Why they made the company a public benefit corporation • How collaboration and community building, including the creation of their brand ambassador program, the ‘Unicorn Squad’ has contributed to the success of the business • How using interns and volunteers in an ethical, win-win scenario can be an affordable way to build your business • The benefits of being a PETA-approved business • The key questions to ask yourself when considering starting a business • And much more Visit the Unicorn Goods online store Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Hackney Downs Vegan Market (Event page) and information Food Fight! Miam! vegan bakery Ten Forward Star Truck RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 059: Interview with Susie Pusch of Bungalow360

Katrina Fox — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 03:11:37 +0000

In this episode I interview Susie Pusch, owner of handbags and accessories company Bungalow360 in California. Bungalow360 is renowned for its whimsical animal themes, exemplifying the company’s commitment to protecting the planet’s species and environment. Products are crafted of natural cotton canvas and printed with water-based inks. The line consists of handbags, wallets, kids’ accessories and vegan leather items, with a new bamboo line in the works. Susie started out hand-crafting the bags herself nearly 20 years ago in 1998, while working as a receptionist at Mossimo, a trendy lifestyle brand in California. She learned about sales and distribution which came in handy when she decided to quit her job and work full time on Bungalow360. Her products are available in 2,000 independent boutiques, gift shops and health food stores across the US. She operates the business from her home, on a farm in Fallbrook, California. Bungalow360 is big on sustainability, using alternative energy sources such as solar, and it’s known for its philanthropy towards animal causes. As well as financial donations to various animal advocacy organizations, the company also provided solar panels to The Gentle Barn animal sanctuary. In this interview Susie talks about: • Why she doesn’t follow trends when designing her products • Why she manufactures her products in China rather than the US (be prepared to set aside any preconceived ideas you may have around this) • Why she decided to stop selling her products to department stores such as Nordstrom and deliberately kept her business smaller • How she handled other companies stealing her designs • How she used guerilla marketing tactics to raise her brand profile and make sales • And much more Visit the Bungalow360 website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Pep Foods Baltimore Vegan Drinks Lightlife Vita Coco Lisa Frank Glamour Dolls Makeup RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 058: Interview with Tracie O’Keefe, clinical hypnotherapist, naturopath & wealth builder

Katrina Fox — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 05:08:30 +0000

In this episode I interview Tracie O’Keefe, clinical hypnotherapist, naturopath and wealth builder in Sydney, Australia. And full disclosure, she also happens to be my wife! Over four and half decades she has started, owned and run several business in many industries in different parts of the world. While at college at 15 in the UK, studying the beauty business, Tracie worked three part-time jobs and started her first business which provided home hairdressing services. She went on to be a partner in a chain of health clubs in her teenage years with a champion weight lifter and national weight loss competition winner. She’s owned her own dance company, was co-owner of an employment agency and ran and owned a Rolls Royce and Bentley dealership that shipped collectors’ models to the US. She’s sold European fine water colours and oil paintings into the US auction houses in New Orleans, Florida and New York and founded one of England’s first organic hotels and restaurants. For more than 20 years, Tracie has helped thousands of people to empower themselves, attain emotional wellbeing and achieve their goals through her clinical hypnotherapy and psychotherapy clinics in London and Sydney, Australia as well her suite of online, downloadable self-help programs. As well as being an experienced hypnotherapist who also trains other hypnotherapists through live and digital masterclasses, she’s also a qualified and registered naturopath and medical nutritionist and is the owner and clinical director of the Australian Health & Education Centre in central Sydney which operates on plant-based principles. She’s the author of several books on topics including sex, gender and sexuality diversity; hypnosis; and overcoming trauma and crisis. Tracie is consulted by and coaches many of Australia’s top CEOs and small business owners to help them maximise their full potential, helping them start and run their businesses and develop a money mindset to build their wealth. In this interview she discusses: • A different way of looking at selling that those with an activist background will particularly like • How to handle negative media coverage (which she’s experienced) • A simple, fast and effective strategy to cultivate resilience and protect yourself from criticism • Why you need to invest in yourself as well as your business • The one thing every vegan business owner must do constantly to ensure their business is successful • How to balance the demands of relationships and family with running your business • And much more Visit Tracie’s clinical hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and counselling website Visit Tracie’s naturopathy and nutrition website Check out Tracie’s downloadable self-help hypnosis programs Sign up for Tracie’s wealth building tips Check out books by Tracie O’Keefe on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Pie, Pie My Darling Kitchen17 Hero Condoms The Vegan Life Miyoko’s Kitchen RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 057: Interview with Stephanie Prather of Vegan Gastronomy Culinary Academy

Katrina Fox — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 02:59:43 +0000

In this episode I interview Stephanie Prather, co-founder of the Vegan Gastronomy Culinary Academy on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Vegan Gastronomy is a vegan cooking school that offers in-person training in the city of Palma, with a focus on teaching students to create healthy, delicious, sustainable, and economical vegan dishes. Through its Global Vegan program, it also takes its training on the road to other cities across the globe and has recently partnered with equipment maker Fisher & Paykel to offer classes in New York; Sydney, Australia; and more. Stephanie, who lived in Las Vegas for 20 years, has had a varied career, including selling mortgages to seniors, working at an LED lighting company and teaching children. Food has always been her passion and in 2013 she started Mallorca Vegan, a guide to the island’s best restaurants, eco-farms, workshops and wellness facilities with a plant-based focus. After running short workshops in vegan cooking, she opened Vegan Gastronomy with Manuel Lynch to respond to consumer demand for more comprehensive training. Stephanie writes a weekly vegan column in a mainstream newspaper, the Majorca Daily Bulletin, covering new recipes, restaurant reviews and healthy food. In this interview Stephanie talks about: • Why she chose to run in-person trainings rather than online courses • What to take into account when running live trainings in a physical location • The importance of preselling courses to ensure you get a minimum number of students to cover your costs and make a profit • The importance of attending events and conferences to keep up to date with the latest information in your industry, particularly if you teach and train others • How to approach potential partners to collaborate with – and the key personal quality you need to muster to make this successful • How she got a column in a major daily newspaper and how this helped her business • And much more Visit the Vegan Gastronomy website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: The Very Good Butchers Home Food Hall D’Addario Accessories RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 056: Interview with food scientist Mary Mulry of FoodWise One

Katrina Fox — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 02:24:37 +0000

In this episode I interview food scientist Mary Mulry, managing director at product development consulting firm FoodWise One in Denver, Colorado. After gaining a PhD in food science and human nutrition, Mary’s first jobs were with Kellogg’s and Kraft in the early to mid-1980s, working in both analytical chemistry and product development. She entered the natural and organics industry when she took a position in product development at herbal tea company Celestial Seasonings in 1989 and has worked with many companies in this sector, both in the US and internationally since then. Along with an extensive array of industry partners and connections, Mary brings her wealth of expertise to a range of businesses, from startups to large consumer packaged goods firms. As well as consulting and guidance, she provides technical work, including help with food safety processes and documentation, sourcing ingredients and project management. In this interview Mary talks about: • The technical challenges and considerations involved in scaling up from a home-based kitchen to selling your product in retailers • Why it’s important to be able to trace your ingredients through the supply chain back to their origin • The approximate investment a vegan business owner needs to make to get help with writing of procedures, making sure your documentation is in place and checking your supply chain • The types of food safety tests you may need to conduct • Whether certifications such as ‘vegan’, ‘gluten-free’ and so on are important • And much more For more information about Mary, check out her LinkedIn profile. To work with Mary, contact her via email at foodwiseone [at] gmail [dotcom] (Use the subject line ‘Katrina Fox’) or phone 303-641-3685. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Zizzi Oh My Heavenly Hair (OMHH) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 055: Interview with Clare Mann of Communicate31

Katrina Fox — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 02:04:25 +0000

In this episode I interview Clare Mann, a vegan psychologist and communications trainer from Communicate31 in Sydney, Australia. Clare consults with a range of clients all over the world to enhance their communication mastery. She runs public and in-house training programs for corporations, large SMEs and non-profit organizations in communication, team-building and ethical leadership, and is editor-in-chief of the digital business magazine Ethical Futures: Conversations that Matter, which champions initiatives that are profitable and successful without abusing people, the environment or animals. The author of several best-selling books, including Communicate: How to Say What Needs to be Said, When it Needs to be Said, in the Way it Needs to be Said, Clare has worked in 15 countries including the Middle East throughout her decades-long career. Through a range of face-to-face and online skills training and programs, she also helps other vegans address the personal and social challenges of being vegan and living in a non-vegan world, as well as facilitating animal welfare organizations to collaborate for increased effectiveness. Clare is the co-founder of the Vegan Voices Smartphone App, a free 30-day video training with tools and techniques to respond to typical communication challenges faced by vegans as well as resources to support the information they share. She is a co-contributor to the Sydney Vegan Club 30-Day Vegan Challenge, the books Plant Powered Women and Everyday Vegans and a regular contributor to numerous vegan magazines. In this interview Clare talks about: • How to handle difficult conversations when you’re approached by non-vegan potential clients, particularly in the corporate and business sector • Creative strategies to use your book/s to generate leads and sales • How and when to incorporate vegan values, including the type of language to use, to corporate and business audiences without alienating them • What true ‘collaboration’ really means (it’s not what most people think) • The importance of developing a friendly and positive relationship to money • The first thing to do if you’re not getting the results you want in your business • How best to communicate information about your products or services • And much more Visit the Communicate31 website Visit the Vegan Psychologist website Download the free Vegan Voices smartphone app Subscribe for free to Ethical Futures digital magazine Check out books by Clare Mann Find out more about the Sydney Vegan Club 30-Day Challenge Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Sainsbury’s Marks and Spencer The Good Sort Over the Moo RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 054: Interview with Tracye McQuirter

Katrina Fox — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 08:31:51 +0000

In this episode I interview Tracye McQuirter, a public health nutritionist and plant-based educator in Washington DC. Tracye is a real trailblazer. A vegan of 30 years, she co-created the first vegan website by and for African Americans nearly 20 years ago with her sister, historian Marya McQuirter. She directed the country’s first federally funded and community-based vegan nutrition program, the Vegetarian Society of DC Eat Smart Program, launched with funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services. The course taught low-income DC residents about the health benefits of plant-based foods, and how to shop for and prepare healthy vegan meals. It was so popular that it became a national model. Tracye, who has a master’s degree in public health nutrition and is a popular international speaker, is the bestselling author of By Any Greens Necessary: A Revolutionary Guide for Black Women Who Want to Eat Great, Get Healthy, Lose Weight, and Look Phat and she’s been featured in more than 150 media outlets including Fox News, CBS News, The Washington Post and USA Today. In September 2016 Tracye released the first African American Vegan Starter Guide in partnership with Farm Sanctuary. This is a free digital ebook containing 40 pages of information and inspiration from African American vegan experts on how to transition to a plant-based diet, along with vegan recipes from renowned black vegan chefs. As well as consulting with organizations, Tracye offers one-to-one nutritional counseling appointments and online programs in plant-based eating. In this interview Tracye discusses: • The importance of having multiple streams of income, particularly if you’re a service provider • How zoning in on a highly niche market helps you to grow your business • How hiring a publicist independently of her publishing house helped her gain national bestseller status for her book within six months of its release • The business benefits of collaborating with a non-profit on a project • The need for mentors and a community, especially at the beginning of your business • And much more Visit Tracye McQuirter’s website Check out Tracye's book By Any Greens Necessary: A Revolutionary Guide for Black Women Who Want to Eat Great, Get Healthy, Lose Weight, and Look Phat Download the free African American Vegan Starter Guide Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Temple of Seitan Club Mexicana Pamela Trader Joe’s Seamore RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 053: Interview with Doron Petersan of Sticky Fingers and Fare Well

Katrina Fox — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 02:08:04 +0000

In this episode I interview Doron Petersan, founder of Sticky Fingers bakery and café, and the newly launched Fare Well diner in Washington DC. Doron started Sticky Fingers in 1999 in her home kitchen before moving to a small basement storefront where she teamed up with Kirsten Rosenberg to create a vegan baking empire that included a chain of stores in South Korea. After Kirsten moved on to pursue her other passion of music, Doron went on to win the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars twice and expanded Sticky Fingers into a café popular with both vegans and health-conscious consumers. With a degree in nutrition and food science, Doron is passionate about introducing people to creative and delicious animal-free foods. To that end, she opened Fare Well, a diner, bakery and bar serving an array of tasty savoury comfort dishes and sweet treats in the Atlas District in 2016. Being in the heart of DC, Doron has been providing catering services to several senators. Vegan senator Cory Booker has been a customer of Sticky Fingers for years and also recently visited Fare Well. In this interview Doron talks about: • How one of the three jobs she worked while setting up Sticky Fingers resulted in meeting someone who was instrumental to the success of the business • Why being great at baking cookies and cakes alone isn’t enough to run a successful business • The importance and benefits of hiring staff who know more than you to help your business grow • The importance of being honest in admitting you don’t know how to do something and being willing to ask for help • How to deal with and make the most of a sudden increase in sales after a big media appearance • Why just because you’re making a lot of money, especially at the start of your business when you’re new and hot, doesn’t mean you’re profitable • And much more Visit the Sticky Fingers website Visit the Fare Well website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Matcha Mylkbar Birkenstock Miyoko’s Kitchen Ripple Foods Veg Speed Date RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 052: Interview with Stephanie Redcross of Vegan Mainstream

Katrina Fox — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 03:59:57 +0000

In this episode I interview Stephanie Redcross from marketing and training consultancy Vegan Mainstream in Florida. Stephanie is a pioneer in providing services to vegan business owners. She started Vegan Mainstream in 2009 after leaving the corporate world where she worked for many years for Fortune 500 companies such as GE so she could meld her passion for entrepreneurship with her love for the vegan lifestyle. She formed many of the vegan professional groups on Facebook, Google Plus and LinkedIn, which still flourish today, many with several thousand members, such as Vegan Professional Network on Facebook. Along with her live events and one-on-one coaching services, Stephanie runs webinars and online classes for vegan entrepreneurs in different aspects of running a business. Stephanie is a genuine collaborator. She’s been working in this field for several years and is always keen to share her expertise. As well as the Vegan Mainstream blog, Stephanie is also collaborating with Vegan Business Media on a video series in 2017, and she has a regular column in the digital magazine Vegan Lifestyle. In this interview Stephanie talks about: • The importance of organising your week and a smart strategy to do this without getting overwhelmed • The two kinds of lists you need to make and how to evaluate what goes on each one • A key social media trend vegan business owners would be wise to embrace in 2017 • When and how often you should work ‘on’ your business rather than ‘in’ it • Why fast growth in your business is not necessarily a good thing • Why you should pay yourself (something) from day one of your business • And much more Visit the Vegan Mainstream website Join the Vegan Professional Network Facebook group Check out the Vegan Lifestyle magazine Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Zink Red Sparrow Pizza What the Pitta RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 051: Interview with Susan Carskadon – natural food and products consultant

Katrina Fox — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 03:43:01 +0000

In this episode I interview Susan Carskadon, a natural food and products consultant in Denver, Colorado. For decades, Susan has been identifying innovations and categories ahead of trend while creating demand and effective streams of commerce for numerous companies in the natural and organic industries. Over the past 35 years Susan has been instrumental in advancing many consumer products and new concepts. This included spearheading consumer acceptance of Tetra Pak in North America in 1985, which resulted in top sales of products packaged in what was a category disruptor at that time. Susan draws on her unique childhood in the untouched environment of the bayous of Louisiana, as well as living and working in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe and the Middle East to manifest successful, disruptive new concepts and products. Her focus is to identify and create trends and demand for conscious concepts and products while making them viable and successful in today's marketplace. In this interview Susan talks about: • The minimum amount of money a brand needs to get national distribution across the US and do it successfully over a couple of years • The hidden costs involved in distribution that are little known and can destroy a product manufacturer • The difference between distributors in the US and distributors in other countries • The most important thing a retailer looks for when considering taking on a product • A key person a food product manufacturer needs to hire when scaling up and why • The risks of creating ‘me too’ type products, particularly if you want to get them into large retailers • A little-known and potentially lucrative strategy to get your products into retailers without shouldering the stress or financial costs of marketing – and the one thing you need to be able to take advantage of this tactic • And much more To work with Susan, contact her via email at Carskadon [at] indra [dotcom] (Use the subject line ‘Katrina Fox’) or phone 303-329-8476. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: The Green Lion Herbivorous Butcher Monk’s Meats Mink Shoes PETA NotCo RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 050: Interview with Eugene Wang of Sophie’s Kitchen

Katrina Fox — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 11:57:38 +0000

In this episode I interview Eugene Wang, founder of Sophie’s Kitchen vegan seafood company in Sebastopol, California. Eugene started the business in 2010 in response to his daughter Sophie’s severe allergic reaction to shellfish, along with learning about the devastating impact of overfishing. Currently available in more than 2m000 retailers across the US and Canada, Sophie’s Kitchen products are unique in that they use konjac (also known as elephant yam) to create the seafood taste, are soy-free, GMO-free, gluten-free, and contain no cholesterol, trans fats, preservatives, colors, MSG or sugar. Eugene has been involved in his family’s business, which manufactured and distributed vegetarian foods throughout Asia and North America for more than 30 years and he has extensive experience launching and developing growing businesses. This includes acquiring national distribution for the top US natural distributor, UNFI, and developing sales in the natural and specialty marketplace in Asia for leading US natural product companies. In this interview Eugene talks about: • The three different types of meat alternative businesses and the importance of knowing which you are going to place your product in • The importance of offline marketing, particularly for food products • The importance of getting the right contacts to get your products into retailers • The benefits of outsourcing your food manufacture rather than running your own factory • The two types of entrepreneurs and the importance of defining which one you are • Why you must keep a good credit rating and establish a relationship with your banker long before you start your business • And much more Visit the Sophie’s Kitchen website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: The Chocolate Story Temple of Seitan Wayfare Foods Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 049: Interview with Chef AJ

Katrina Fox — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 02:50:48 +0000

In this episode I interview Chef AJ, an educator on plant-based eating and living. An ethical vegan for almost 40 years, AJ is driven by her passion to end animal exploitation and consumption. With a background in comedy, she has appeared on several high-profile popular TV shows including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman. A chef, culinary instructor and professional speaker, AJ is author of the popular book Unprocessed: How to Achieve Vibrant Health and Your Ideal Weight, which chronicles her journey from a junk-food vegan faced with a diagnosis of pre-cancerous polyps, to learning how to create foods that nourish and heal the body. Based in Los Angeles, AJ teaches people how to create meals to transform their health, how to deal with cravings and food addiction and addresses the emotional side of eating. She is the creator of The Ultimate Weight Loss Program, was the Executive Pastry Chef at Sante La Brea Restaurant in Los Angeles, creator of Healthy Taste of LA, host of the YouTube cooking show The Chef and the Dietitian and host of the TV series Healthy Living with CHEF AJ which airs on Foody TV. In this interview she talks about: • The importance of daily habits of self-care such as sleep and family time • The challenges of running live events and the key thing you need in place to make the process successful • Why she doesn’t spend time checking out what others in her field are doing • The benefits of self-publishing your book with Amazon’s print-on-demand platform • The importance of honing your craft – whether it’s making a product or offering a service – before you leave your job to start your business • How a diverse job or career history can help you as an entrepreneur • And much more Visit the Chef AJ website Check out Chef AJ’s book Unprocessed: How to Achieve Vibrant Health and Your Ideal Weight on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Brija Cosmetics Too Faced Keep Katjes Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 048: Interview with Meg and Komie Vora of Delikate Rayne

Katrina Fox — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 02:20:40 +0000

In this episode I interview Meg and Komie Vora from fashion brand Delikate Rayne in Los Angeles. The sisters grew up with a cruelty-free ethic – their father was raised Jain and their mother Hindi – and they’ve never eaten meat. As they searched for an animal-friendly wardrobe, they identified a gap in the market for high-quality vegan, ethically manufactured, sustainable clothing in the contemporary space and launched Delikate Rayne in December 2013. As the first generation of their family to be born in the US, they are keen to incorporate their east Indian roots into the brand. The company’s name is what both their names mean in Hindi and the brand represents an effortlessness, nonchalant coolness with components of luxury. The sisters aim to provide clothing with a purpose and for the garments to hold meaning. They want their customers – who are predominantly women aged 18 to 35 – to feel good internally as well as externally. All their clothing is made locally in LA, and they sell their garments in carefully chosen retailers and from their own online store and pop-ups. In just three years and despite having no background in fashion before launching Delikate Rayne, their pieces have been worn by high-profile celebrities including Kendall Jenner. In this interview Meg and Komie talk about: • The best way to convince customers and buyers that cruelty-free fashion is as good as or better than garments that use animal materials • The number one way for your customer to recognise you • The importance of aesthetics and quality in ethical fashion • How to convey vegan ethics in your marketing and branding without coming off as preachy • How to get a celebrity to wear your clothes, and the key person on their staff you need to build a relationship with to make that happen • And much more Visit the Delikate Rayne website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Tofurky El Palote J. Selby’s Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 047: Interview with Cale Drouin of Plant Based Foods

Katrina Fox — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 02:18:39 +0000

In this episode I interview Cale Drouin from Plant Based Foods, a distribution company in Brisbane, Australia. With a background in sales, Cale has worked for variety of organizations. He ran a vegan café and grocery store for three years, before moving into distribution three years ago. Through Plant Based Foods he imports US products including Gardein, Tofurky and Match Meats, as well as working with local Australian brands such as Herbisaurus to get them into retailers. In this interview, Cale talks about: • The advantages for US product manufacturers of launching their products in Australia • What US product manufacturers need to know when considering distribution in Australia • The amount of capital a vegan business owner needs to get their products into retailers • The realities of trading terms and profit margins • Why you should not become dependent on large supermarket chains to stock your products • The major mistake a retailer won’t put up with, which can destroy a food manufacturer • The importance of knowing your own strengths – and why Cale recently ‘fired’ himself as CEO of his company • And much more Visit the Plant Based Foods website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Planta (Toronto) Fry’s Family Foods Maker Sydney Happy Maki VegFestUK Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 046: Interview with Kristin Lajeunesse of Kale Media and Will Travel for Vegan Food

Katrina Fox — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 01:06:59 +0000

In this episode I interview Kristin Lajeunesse, freelance marketing consultant, owner of Kale Media and founder of Will Travel for Vegan Food. After graduating from Emerson College with a Master’s Degree in Integrated Marketing Communication, Kristin landed a dream 9-5 office job with an animal rights non-profit organization in Boston. In 2011 she felt herself drawn to an entrepreneurism and launched various businesses including Vegan Weddings (which she recently sold) and Kale Media, while still working full time. One day she got the idea to quit her job, sell her stuff and move into a van to travel across the US and eat at every vegan restaurant. This passion project, which lasted two years, led to a book and website Will Travel for Vegan Food. During this time, Kristin amassed a large social media following, including more than 100,000 followers on Facebook alone. Since then she’s traveled across the globe, earning income from freelance marketing, lifestyle design coaching and consulting, as well as her online program on how to launch a book on a zero budget. A true digital nomad, Kristin helps passion-driven individuals gain clarity around their goals and business ideas. In this interview she talks about: • How a passion project can turn into a career and initiate additional business offerings • The challenges of working and running a business while traveling • The first three things you need to do when landing in a new place to ensure you can get your work done • Why she advocates not paying to promote Facebook posts unless it’s something of major importance • The downsides of mass following others on social media to gain followers • How to get a sponsor for your book or other project • And much more Visit the Kristin Lajeunesse website Check out the Will Travel for Vegan Food website, including details about the book Find out about Kristin’s online program How to Launch & Promote Your First Book on a $0 Budget Brands mentioned in vegan business news: Veggemo Ocado Gardein Pret a Manger One Planet Pizza RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 045: Interview with Nicole Sopko and Dan Staackmann from Upton’s Naturals

Katrina Fox — Sun, 06 Nov 2016 12:04:39 +0000

In this episode I interview Nicole Sopko and Dan Staackmann from Upton’s Naturals, an independently-owned natural foods company in Chicago that creates meat alternatives using simple, recognizable ingredients. Dan founded the company in 2005, pioneering flavored, wheat-based seitan. Nicole, his life partner, who also owns two yoga studios, came on board in 2010 and now serves as vice-president. The business started off small, operating out of a shared kitchen, and has grown to the point where its products are sold in around 2,000 outlets across the US. Three years ago it moved into a new building and opened Upton’s Breakroom, a café for staff and the public. In 2015, Upton’s launched the first-to-market, seasoned and ready-to-eat jackfruit in the US. Five years ago the company took off the word ‘vegetarian’ from its packaging, leaving ‘vegan’ to do the job of explaining the products’ animal-free status. As well as helping to run Upton’s, along with her yoga studios, Nicole is a founding board member of the Plant Based Foods Association, a newly established trade body representing plant-based alternatives in the marketplace, government, and media. In this interview Nicole and Dan talk about: • The challenges of starting a company with a business partner • The benefits of implementing a slow growth plan for your business • Why Dan turns down offers of investment and chooses to remain the sole owner of the company • The hands-on strategy likely to get retailers and buyers to remember you • Why you need to let go of being right when you’re in business • And much more Visit the Upton’s Naturals website Check out the Plant Based Foods Association Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Veggie Grill Beyond Meat Purple Carrot Wholefoods Market Tofurei More Than Meat The Allotment RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 044: Interview with Leigh-Chantelle of Epicentre Equilibrium

Katrina Fox — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 02:55:30 +0000

In this episode, I interview Leigh-Chantelle from Epicentre Equilibrium, a social media and content creation specialist from Brisbane, Australia. Leigh-Chantelle has run the online vegan community Viva la Vegan! since 2005, bringing positive education, information and vegan outreach to a worldwide audience through her blogs and videos. She’s the author of several books including Expert Tips from Vegan Athletes, Fitness Fanatics & Exercise Enthusiasts; There's a Vegan in the Kitchen: Viva la Vegan’s Easy and Tasty Plant-Based Recipes and What Do Vegans Eat? She’s also produced three recipe calendars, a plant-based Detox Diet eBook and a collection of other recipe eBooks. For four years she ran the not-for-profit environmental awareness Green Earth Group which put on two successful all-vegan environmental festivals, and many smaller events, in Brisbane. An accredited, although no longer practising, naturopath, nutritionist and western herbalist, speaker and consultant, Leigh-Chantelle brings together her diverse skill set to help small business owners with social media strategy, online marketing and content creation. In this interview she talks about: • The importance of overcoming your fear of selling – and how a throwaway offer of help to a vegan brand helped Leigh-Chantelle launch a new career • How to stand out above the noise on social media • Why you must create your own high-quality branded content (and how to do it without becoming overwhelmed) • Ensuring your content is congruent with your brand • How to create visuals for products, services or industries that don’t lend themselves naturally to strong imagery • Online etiquette tips • And much more Visit the Leigh-Chantelle website Find out about Leigh-Chantelle’s services at the Epicentre Equilibrium website Explore the Viva La Vegan! website Check out books by Leigh-Chantelle Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Blossom Du Jour Urban Vegan Kitchen By Chloe General Mills Progresso Hellman’s V-Eats RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 043: Interview with Allison Rivers Samson of Allison’s Gourmet and The Dairy Detox

Katrina Fox — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 23:41:46 +0000

In this episode I interview Allison Rivers Samson, founder of Allison’s Gourmet, the first online vegan bakery in the US, established in 1997, and now co-creator of The Dairy Detox online wellness program. Allison – aka the Maven of Mmm – is a born entrepreneur, buying her first business at the age of 17. She grew Allison’s Gourmet to the point where it was featured in high-profile media including the Wall Street Journal and delivered her treats to some of Hollywood’s most prestigious addresses. For six years Allison wrote the award-winning column Veganize It! in VegNews magazine and she’s the author of the ebook Comfortably Yum: 10 Whole-Food Vegan Recipes from the Maven of Mmmm... She recently closed down Allison’s Gourmet after nearly 20 years to focus on The Dairy Detox and her new health and wellness coaching. In this interview she shares her experiences and insights as a pioneer in online food products, including: • Recognizing you have way more competitors than you think you do – and why that’s a good thing • The perils of using your own name in your company name • The bold move Allison took to differentiate her brand as others came into the market • The importance of (re)defining ‘success’ and adjusting your work and lifestyle accordingly • Why she decided to close Allison’s Gourmet rather than sell it • How to know when it really is time to quit your business and move in another direction • And much more Visit the Allison Rivers Samson website Find out more about The Dairy Detox program Check out the ebook Comfortably Yum Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Chato (no website) Wiz Kid (no website) V Street VegfestUK Antrobus + Ramirez RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 042: Interview with Elizabeth Olsen of Olsenhaus Pure Vegan

Katrina Fox — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 05:43:48 +0000

In this episode I interview Elizabeth Olsen, founder of Olsenhaus Pure Vegan, a footwear company that was launched in New York in 2008. Just two years later in 2010, the line was sold in 16 countries in prominent retailers including Barneys and Nordstrom as well as eco-boutique stores. Both the brand and Elizabeth have been featured in a ton of high-profile media including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Olsenhaus shoes have captured the attention of celebrities including Emily Deschanel, Alicia Silverstone, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cameron Diaz and have even been displayed in museums. Before launching Olsenhaus, Elizabeth held a number of prestigious positions at renowned brands including Creative Director for Tommy Hilfiger handbags, and in Creative Direction and Design for Calvin Klein, Nine West and many others. She also had a career as a wardrobe and prop stylist in film, commercials and print for clients including Nike, IBM, Nissan and Universal Studios and was Producer and Head of Wardrobe for the photography agency Superstock. During her travels for these companies, she witnessed the horrendous animal cruelty, devastating environmental pollution and hazardous working conditions in the leather industry and launched Olsenhaus as a socially-conscious alternative. Elizabeth runs the business out of Florida nowadays and is writing a book on consciousness. In this interview she discusses: • The psychological strategies she uses to educate retail buyers to overcome resistance, overwhelm and defensiveness • Why she decided to launch her online store after initially doing wholesale only • Why she’s joined forces in a collaboration with two other vegan brands – including another vegan shoe company • How she got her shoes on the feet of celebrities • The importance of having legal counsel to protect your business • And much more Visit the Olsenhaus Pure Vegan website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Spiral Diner Mono Good Rebel Beyond Meat RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 041: Interview with Eric Lindstrom of ThankTank Creative

Katrina Fox — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 03:19:43 +0000

In this episode I interview Eric Lindstrom from ThankTank Creative, a consulting, design, and marketing agency in New York. Eric has more than 20 years of experience as a senior-level administrator, entrepreneur, and consultant in communications, marketing, brand management, and design for various organizations across several industries including higher education, government, facilities, financial, retail, and entertainment, picking up a slew of awards along the way. In 2014 he founded ThankTank Creative to focus on working with vegan, socially-just and environmentally-conscious businesses and non-profits. His clients include Miyoko’s Kitchen, PlantPure Nation, The Vegan Food Truck and many more. Eric also runs the popular blog The Meaty Vegan and his first book, a memoir and cookbook, The Skeptical Vegan will be published next year. In this interview Eric talks about: • The first thing you need to do before developing your branding materials • A major misconception many vegan business owners have about logos and branding • Why branding and design is so important • The downsides of crowdsourcing your logo • How often you should redesign your website • How to decide what colors to use in your branding and design • And much more Visit the ThankTank Creative website Visit The Meaty Vegan blog Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: The Cambridge Satchel Company Melissa Beyond Skin Fresh&Co Jill Milan RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 040: Interview with Liza Braude-Glidden of Beanfields Snacks

Katrina Fox — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 02:52:18 +0000

In this episode I interview Liza Braude-Glidden, co-founder and Executive Vice President of Culture and Sustainability at Beanfields Snacks in Los Angeles, which produces bean and rice chips. Beanfields is a family-owned business that was founded in 2011 by Reed Glidden, along with Liza, his wife, and Reed’s brother, Roy Glidden with the aim of creating delicious, plant-based, non-GMO snacks, with beans as the primary ingredient. The company’s products are sold across the US, Canada, Australia and other countries and in 2013 it became certified as a B Corp, cementing its commitment to business for good. While Reed and Roy Glidden brought more than 20 years’ experience in the natural foods sector to the table, Liza was new to the business – although she’s a natural entrepreneur with previous experience as part owner of a construction firm as well as having been active in a number of non-profits, including the Social Venture Network and the American Sustainable Business Association. Liza rolled out the first batch of bean and rice chips in the family kitchen before putting her background in arts, education, and writing to use in Beanfields’ marketing campaigns. In this interview Liza discusses: • The benefits of B Corp certification • Why the business chose to be a (for-profit) Public Benefit Corporation • Contests as a way to raise your brand profile • How the company got featured on the Today Show • The one thing anyone contemplating leaving a salaried job to start a business should do • The importance of communities to grow your business • And much more Visit the Beanfields Snacks website Resources mentioned: Impact Hub Social Venture Network Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Soul Burger Smith & Daughters Sainsbury’s Bute Island Foods The Beer Plant PlantPure Nation FAIRR Coller Capital RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 039: Interview with Jessica Bailey of The Cruelty Free Shop

Katrina Fox — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 03:27:57 +0000

In this episode I interview Jessica Bailey from The Cruelty Free Shop in Sydney, Australia, a speciality retail and online store carrying more than 1,500 vegan products, ranging from food and skincare to fashion, books and accessories. Jessica started the business as an online store in 2001 after going vegan while still working full time as an IT project manager. Her aim was to provide a one-stop-shop where people could buy hard-to-find vegan foods without having to do the time-consuming label reading themselves. In 2012 Jessica opened the first physical store in the inner-west suburb of Glebe in Sydney, followed two years later by a store in Melbourne. Just a couple of weeks ago, she opened a brand new store in Brisbane, Queensland and is currently scouting out premises for a branch in Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. A passionate animal rights advocate, Jessica ran the Cruelty Free Festival for three years as a fundraiser for charity Animal Liberation NSW, which now draws crowds of around 5,000 people. She’s the founder of Vegan Day Out, an annual weekend event bringing hundreds of people into the areas where The Cruelty Free Shop is located. This festival is a collaboration with neighboring businesses, allowing them to experience the demand for vegan food and other products by offering special deals and discounts. In this interview Jessica discusses: • The benefits – and challenges – of opening one or more physical stores • The importance of knowing what your customers (not you) want and providing them with it • Who to listen to for honest feedback on your products – and who to ignore • Why she jumps for joy when ‘competitors’ open similar businesses • A strategy she uses that can get you quickly out of overwhelm when running your business • And much more Visit The Cruelty Free Shop website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Vegeway Veggie House Tsaka Juice Girl Mother of Pearl RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 038: Interview with Kezia Jauron of Evolotus PR

Katrina Fox — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 01:55:39 +0000

In this episode I interview Kezia Jauron of Evolotus PR, a public relations agency that works with animal rights nonprofits and campaigns, documentary films, books, and vegan companies. She and her husband, Evolotus co-founder Gary Smith are a whizz at generating positive media coverage, helping organizations gain visibility, increase their followings, and generate revenues. Evolotus has promoted animal rights and veganism in the mainstream for nearly 10 years. Their clients include Mercy for Animals, Veganuary and Tofurky, among many others. Kezia and Gary also run the popular blog The Thinking Vegan, through which they have mentored hundreds of new and transitioning vegans, and developed a comprehensive guide of Frequently Asked Questions and resources for people motivated to go vegan for ethical reasons. The couple have each contributed to several published books, including Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business; Circles of Compassion; Publicity to the Rescue; Plant-Powered Women; Plant-Powered Men; and more. In addition to running a busy PR firm, Kezia is also a volunteer leader of the Vegan Professional Network, a Facebook group of like-minded vegan business owners and other professionals, which currently has around 7,500 members. In this interview Kezia discusses: • The difference between PR and marketing – and how the two complement each other • What activities a boutique PR agency does for a brand (in addition to pitching media) • The symbiotic relationship between PR and social media, and why both are important for raising your brand’s profile • The difference between project-based PR and long-term retainers • Why hourly rates disadvantage both PR firms and their clients • The major misconception business owners have in regards to working with a PR agency • And much more Visit the Evolotus PR website Visit The Thinking Vegan website Visit the Vegan Professional Network Facebook group Check out the books mentioned above: Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Circles of Compassion: Essays Connecting Issues of Justice Publicity to the Rescue: How to Get More Attention for Your Animal Shelter, Humane Society or Rescue Group to Raise Awareness, Increase Donations, Recruit Volunteers, and Boost Adoptions Plant-Powered Women: Pioneering Female Vegan Leaders Share Their Vision for a Healthier, Greener, More Compassionate World Plant-Powered Men: Inspirational Men Share their Secrets of Optimal Health and Boundless Energy RELATED POST: 5 things a vegan company needs to know about PR (Blog post by Kezia Jauron of Evolotus PR) Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Di Bruno Bros Vegan Commissary Lagusta’s Luscious By Chloe Enjoyer The Parlour Vegan Bakery RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 037: Interview with Joshua Katcher of Brave GentleMan

Katrina Fox — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 03:12:54 +0000

In this episode I interview Joshua Katcher from Brave GentleMan, a disruptive vegan menswear label in New York. Joshua previously worked in creative media, including roles as director, editor, producer and director of photography for PBS and MTV. In 2008 he discovered an appreciation for fashion and launched men’s lifestyle website The Discerning Brute, which focused on “fashion, food and etiquette for the ethically handsome man”. The blog quickly established Joshua as a pioneer in the field of ethical, sustainable fashion and two years later in 2010 he launched the Brave GentleMan label and online store. Brave GentleMan fuses future-textiles with centuries-old production methodology. Utilizing what he calls “future suede”, “future leather” and “future wool”, which are superior to animal-fibers, Joshua has created a high-end, sustainable and ethically-made Men’s Collection. The company offers luxury New York made suiting, premium footwear produced in Portugal and hats made in Los Angeles, along with accessories made in New York’s Historic Garment Center and Gloversville. Joshua’s groundbreaking work has been featured in several high-profile media outlets, including Oprah.com and most recently Paper magazine which referred to Brave GentleMan as having “just about everything a mindful fashionisto could want”. As well as running his business, Joshua is also an adjunct professor of fashion at Parsons The New School. His research focuses on sustainability and ethics in fashion and he’ll soon be releasing a book on the topic. In this interview Joshua discusses: • The key things you must have and do to create a successful business, despite having no previous experience in a particular industry • The challenges involved in opening a physical store • The one thing that will set you apart from other brands • Why crowdfunding is not necessarily a good strategy for fashion brands • A relatively unknown yet surprisingly beneficial source of loans • The importance of pre-orders to grow your business • And much more Visit the Brave GentleMan website Visit the The Discerning Brute website Brands mentioned in vegan business roundup: The Peacock The Green Lion Evergreen Organics J-Rocks Pop Pret a Manger RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 036: Interview with Wanda Malhotra of Surya Brasil

Katrina Fox — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 03:49:50 +0000

In this episode I interview Wanda Malhotra from Surya Brasil, a natural beauty company in Brazil. Wanda, who founded the business with her mother Clelia Angelon in 1995, moved to New York from Brazil in 2012 to help grow Surya Brasil’s business in the US, Canada and major markets around the world. The company’s products, which include henna cream and powder and skincare solutions are now sold in 40 countries. Wanda and Clelia are dedicated to sustainability and creating the healthiest, natural, organic and vegan products possible. They’ve been immersed in the world of ayurvedic and organic living their entire lives. Ingredients used in their products are sustainably harvested from the Amazon rainforest and natural botanicals from around the world. Wanda and Clelia are determined to build a brand that not only creates natural, healthy products but one that gives back to society and the environment. To this end, they created Surya Solidarity, the brand’s social division that focuses on animal protection, environmental preservation, educational transformation and human rights. In this interview Wanda talks about: • The one thing natural beauty products must get right and focus on (which most don’t) • How community partnerships help brand loyalty • The importance of certifications to gain customers’ trust • A key strategy to offer retailers to get them to love your brand • What to take into account if you’re considering exporting your products internationally • How to make your staff feel special and love working for you • And much more Visit the Surya Brasil website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Plvnt Moo Shoes ColourPop Great Bistro RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 035: Interview with Damien Clarkson of The Growing Box

Katrina Fox — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 05:09:53 +0000

In this episode I interview Damien Clarkson from The Growing Box, a creative agency in London, UK, providing content creation solutions for ethical brands. A longtime and passionate storyteller, Damien has written for The Huffington Post and The Guardian on vegan and environmental issues. He recently co-created the short film SWINE in partnership with renowned UK animal charity Viva! and launched a new vegan education festival Vevolution. Damien and his team have worked on some of the UK’s biggest commercial and social good campaigns and he has a strong background in marketing. He describes himself as a ‘multi-potentialite’ with a diverse range of interests and a desire to helping both non-profits and vegan business owners to tell the world about the ideas and products that matter. In this interview Damien talks about: • The importance of storytelling for vegan brands • How service providers can manage the ‘feast or famine’ aspect of client work • The one thing your content needs to have above all else • The power of video marketing • The benefits of working with small, boutique agencies over big-name ones • And much more Visit The Growing Box website Visit the Vevolution website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Velvet 59 Kat Von D Pai Rahua TheVeganKind VBites Foods Fry’s Family Foods Farmacy CookDaily The Cruelty Free Shop RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 034: Interview with Donna Zeigfinger of Green Earth Travel

Katrina Fox — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 04:55:37 +0000

In this episode I interview Donna Zeigfinger from Green Earth Travel, a travel agency in Maryland, specializing in ethical and eco-friendly vacations. Travel has been in Donna’s blood for decades and she’s combined her passion with business, working for various travel companies since the 1980s before launching Green Earth Travel in 1997. Since then it’s become a leading vegetarian, vegan and eco-travel agency in the US, featuring in several prominent media including the New York Times and Washington Post. The company focuses predominantly on volunteer vacation packages and adventure travel. Whether it’s a weekend or several weeks, Donna works closely with clients to deliver a customized trip. These range from individual packages to group tours and services include booking airline tickets and hotels, along with advice and support if there are any problems. Green Earth Travel's mission is to make it easier for vegetarians and vegans to eat while traveling to their dream destinations and to enable people to travel in as sustainable way as possible. Donna, who works from home with a small remote team, has also teamed up with Vegan Travel Club to produce tours of Italy featuring vegan health and culinary experts. In this interview Donna discusses: • The importance of experience and expertise as a service provider to build trust with potential clients • The best type of content to share on social media that’s guaranteed to get the most engagement with your brand • The relevance of offline marketing methods, such as festivals, to generate leads • What small business owners and solopreneurs can do to stand out, particularly from bigger brands in their industry • And much more Visit the Green Earth Travel website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Vaute Couture GreenBay Supermarket 222 Veggie Vegan Treeline Kroger Miyoko’s Kitchen RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 033: Interview with Alicia Lai of Bourgeois Boheme

Katrina Fox — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 05:04:30 +0000

In this episode I interview Alicia Lai, founder of luxury shoe brand Bourgeois Boheme in London, UK. After a career as a podiatrist, Alicia, who’s originally from Australia, moved to London 10 years ago to start a vegan footwear company. Originally selling a range of lower-priced shoe brands, along with accessories, she took a break from the business and relaunched it as a high-end, luxury, aspirational brand, focusing solely on her own shoe designs. The company has built up loyal fans among the vegan and vegetarian communities for its quality, bespoke products and is currently expanding to attract conscious consumers interested in fairly made and sustainable fashion. In response to its popularity with American customers, Bourgeois Boheme launched a US website earlier this year. In this interview Alicia talks about: • The importance of doing research before launching a business and not rushing into it • Giving yourself permission to rebrand and relaunch if necessary • Ensuring you don’t underestimate the costs involved in running a business (including the one area many business owners fail to factor in) • The challenges involved in convincing non-vegan retailers to take vegan products and how to overcome these • The benefits of celebrity endorsement – and the essential strategy to get it without using a PR agency • And much more Visit the Bourgeois Boheme website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Tofurky Vendy Awards Monk’s Meats Jerk Shack Mysttik Masala Vegan Bandwagon Yeah Dawg Bamboo Bites Cinnamon Snail Detroit Vegan Soul Make, Believe Cinnaholic RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 032: Interview with Nil Zacharias of One Green Planet

Katrina Fox — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 05:09:33 +0000

In this episode I interview Nil Zacharias, co-founder and editor-in-chief of independent publishing platform One Green Planet in New York. After more than a decade working in the digital media space, at companies including Yahoo!, DoubleClick (which was acquired by Google), PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory, and as an attorney specializing in privacy and intellectual property law, Nil decided to take his passion for the environment into building a purpose-driven media company. Since its inception in 2013, One Green Planet has become one of the fastest growing media outlets in the food sustainability space. With a team of just two people at the beginning, within a year of its launch, its audience of largely millenials had grown from 300,000 to 3 million. It currently stands at more than 6 million and the company now employs a team of staff in a dedicated office. Interestingly, despite the liberal use of the term ‘vegan’ in its content, the majority of One Green Planet’s audience are not vegan. In April 2016 One Green Planet launched Food Monster, the biggest vegan recipe app, containing more than 5000 recipes with new ones added each day. Nil oversees strategy, editorial, and social media at the company and also writes about sustainable business trends. In this interview he discusses: • The two key things an independent publishing platform that’s short on money and resources needs to focus on to be successful • How narrowing down your focus and demographic helps you build a larger audience • Why he decided not to go down the route of seeking external investors and how this has helped the brand grow • The one strategy that’s essential to getting your content shared as widely as possible • Why it’s wise not to talk too much publicly about your idea before you’ve built something, especially if you don’t yet know what your product or story is • The importance of measuring the impact of the content you put out and adjusting your strategy accordingly • And much more Visit the One Green Planet website Find out more about the Food Monster app Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Insecta Shoes Globally Local 3 Twisted Vegans David Chang, Momofuku Impossible Foods New Wave Foods Absolutely Fabulous Vegan Market (no website – check Facebook for future events) VegNews magazine (Vote HERE for Veggie Awards 2016) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 031: Interview with Liz Dee of Smarties Candy Company and Baleine & Bjorn Capital

Katrina Fox — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 06:48:33 +0000

In this episode I interview Liz Dee, co-owner and executive vice-president of her family’s business Smarties Candy Company in the US and CEO of impact investment firm Baleine & Bjorn Capital. Liz has worked with the Smarties Candy Company – which is a completely separate entity to Smarties in the UK, Australia and elsewhere – for many years. In 2011, while doing research on veganism for the business (the American company’s products are vegan), Liz became aware of the cruelty and environmental devastation involved in animal agriculture and the fashion industry and became an ethical vegan. Through her extensive experience as a food company executive and recent venture capitalist, Liz is changing the conversation about food production and sustainable business. Based in New York, she’s been featured in The New York Times, CNN Money, The Globe and Mail and The Toronto Star, among many other publications. Liz is also a popular public speaker on the topics of the future of food, impact investing, and the move toward conscious business models. She set up Baleine & Bjorn Capital with her husband Nick Garin earlier this year. So far they have invested in vegan fashion brand Vaute Couture, plant-based meal delivery service Purple Carrot, food education tool Lighter and lab meat company Memphis Meats. In this interview Liz talks about: • How a negative mindset around money can hinder animal advocacy • The kinds of businesses she is looking to invest in • What she wants to see in a company that will convince her to invest • How to know if you’re ready to receive investment • Key things to include in your pitch deck to investors • The one thing you must do, when pitching an investor, above all else • And much more Visit the Smarties Candy Company website Visit the Baleine & Bjorn Capital website Follow Liz Dee on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Har Sinai (no website or social media yet) Chiara Appendino Willow Cup Root Juice Matcha Mylkbar RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 030: Interview with Ilsa Hess of Love & Joy Foods (Nacheez)

Katrina Fox — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 04:30:25 +0000

In this episode I interview Ilsa Hess from Love & Joy Foods, producers of Nacheez sauce, in Sacramento, California. Five years ago Ilsa was working in a government job as an IT consultant for the City of Sacramento. Before that she had professional experience in web design, graphic design, photography, product demonstration and customer service. All these skills came in handy when she decided to launch her business. One day she found herself craving some nacho cheese from a pump, so she decided to make her own. After literally bottling her cashew-based recipe, local stores began stocking jars of Nacheez. The product is currently available in over 50 retail outlets across the US. This is particularly impressive in that, for the most part, Ilsa deals direct with retailers herself. She also packs and ships online sales to customers, along with her parents who are the only additional staff. Last year the company launched Nacheez in pouches, making it easy for customers to slip into their bags or lunch boxes. In this interview Ilsa discusses: • The importance of developing patience when running your business as things rarely happen in the timeframe you want • Tips on cold calling retailers to stock your products • How to get into a retailer even if you have few to no sales of your products • The importance of opening lines of credit while you have a salaried job • The key mistake new business owners make and how to avoid it • And much more Visit the Nacheez website Photo of Ilsa Hess by Marcos Hernandez Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Whole Foods Beyond Meat Follow Your Heart Eat Drink Vegan Califia Farms Hampton Creek RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 029: Interview with David Benzaquen of PlantBased Solutions

Katrina Fox — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 02:25:15 +0000

In this episode I interview David Benzaquen from PlantBased Solutions, an award-winning brand management and marketing agency for plant-based consumer product companies, headquartered in New York. After more than a decade working in the government and non-profit sectors with a focus on education and grassroots advocacy, David immersed himself in the plant-based business sector, working for a time as a natural products broker before evolving PlantBased Solutions into its current incarnation. With a team of people who collectively have hundreds of years’ experience in marketing, branding, product development, finance, operations and more, the company offers a range of services for pre-market startups through to huge global brands, including opportunity assessments, business planning and forecasting, new product development, market research, brand creation and a full range of marketing planning and execution. David has also brought together a large network of angel investors keen to support plant-based businesses. In this interview he talks about: • The 3 ways to price your product and the importance of choosing the right one • Why having your product in the biggest and highest number of retailers is not necessarily the best strategy for sales or growing your business • The first steps to take before approaching retailers • The pros and cons of working with distribution companies and brokers • Why listing too many ‘free from’ claims on the front of your packaging can turn consumers away from your product • What investors look for in businesses and what questions you should ask an investor • And much more Visit the PlantBased Solutions website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Veestro nat-2 Sova Kat Von D Iceland The Allotment RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 028: Interview with Justin Mead of Vegan Style

Katrina Fox — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 04:03:17 +0000

In this episode I interview Justin Mead, owner of Vegan Style footwear and accessories store in Melbourne, Australia. Starting out with humble beginnings in two small rooms sharing with a vegan cafe and only open two days a week, to opening a flagship retail store in the vegan-friendly hub on Brunswick Street, the company has grown to become a market leader in the provision of high-quality, fashionable and stylish products that are made without harming animals and minimizing impact on the environment. Vegan Style carries a diverse range of brands in women’s and men’s styles from across the globe, including its house brand Zette. Among the innovative eco-friendly materials used in some products are recycled PET bottles and laser-cut wood from ethically managed forests. Also, Vegan Style recently became the first retailer in Australia to carry sneakers made from Pinatex, a leather-alternative made from pineapple leaves. Justin started Vegan Style in 2010 while still working full time in web development for the Department of Education. And he still works full time for the Victorian State Government. In this interview he talks about: • How staying in a salaried day job can allow your business to grow much faster • The need to educate customers on the higher price points of products • The importance of valuing your staff and utilizing all their skills • The pros and cons of using the word ‘vegan’ in your business name • And much more. Visit the Vegan Style website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Conad Susi Studio Snacklins Bentley Dun-Well Doughnuts RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 027: Interview with Julieanna Hever – The Plant-Based Dietitian

Katrina Fox — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 03:35:47 +0000

In this episode, I interview Julieanna Hever aka The Plant Based Dietitian in Los Angeles. Julieanna has been in private practice in Los Angeles since 2005, specializing in weight management, disease prevention and management, and sports nutrition. She’s the host of the wellness talk show series What Would Julieanna Do? on Z Living Network and nutrition columnist for VegNews magazine. As well as being published in prominent journals, she features regularly in the media, with appearances including The Dr. Oz Show and E! News. Julieanna is the author of The Vegiterranean Diet and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition. She co-authored The Complete Idiot's Guide to Gluten-Free Vegan Cooking and is a recipe contributor to both New York Time Best-Selling Forks Over Knives books. She received her Bachelors degree from UCLA and Masters of Science in Nutrition at California State University, Northridge, where she also completed her Dietetic Internship. She has taught as part of Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s eCornell Plant-Based Nutrition Certification Program, worked as a clinical dietitian at Century City Doctors Hospital, and has consulted for numerous organizations. In this interview she discusses: • The importance of working with the right clients, not just anyone • Why she stopped being afraid to use the word ‘vegan’ • How having a book helps clients and opportunities to come to you instead of you chasing them • How loving what you do is essential for coping with rejection and criticism • How keeping your integrity and not selling out leads to the right opportunities and sustains your business in the long term • And much more Visit the Julieanna Hever – Plant Based Dietitian website Check out books by Julieanna Hever on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Grassroots Pantry Mana Modern Meadow Just Green Parfait Studio RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 026: Interview with Kevin Newell of Humane Wildlife Solutions

Katrina Fox — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 02:09:32 +0000

In this episode I interview Kevin Newell, owner of Humane Wildlife Solutions, a humane, non-lethal and ethical alternative to ‘pest’ control in Scotland in the UK. The business uses methods to repel and deter so-called ‘pests’ rather than the current methods offered by traditional pest control services of trapping and killing. Kevin and his team are currently researching a plant-based, non-lethal, non-toxic wasp nest repellent that encourages wasps to take their young and go elsewhere. They’ve also discovered what may be world’s first plant-based pesticide that is likely to be cheaper, as well as good for people, animals and planet and are currently seeking funds to continue this research and testing. In this interview Kevin discusses: • The importance of solving a problem, servicing a demand in the market and finding a niche that is craving your product or service • The ‘downside’ to creating a unique and revolutionary product or service – and how to overcome this • How passion and belief in the face of scepticism from family and friends led to the business increasing sales by over 300 per cent, opening additional branches in the UK and gaining its first international contracts • The importance of testimonials and word-of-mouth referrals • How partnering with non-profit organizations can help your business • And much more Visit the Humane Wildlife Solutions website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Fare Well Rock Salt Creamery Plant Power Fast Food Kat Von D Beauty Vegano Hooligano RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 025: Interview with Fran Costigan

Katrina Fox — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 03:23:57 +0000

In this episode I interview Fran Costigan – aka The Queen of Vegan Desserts! The native New Yorker is an internationally renowned chef, culinary instructor and cookbook author. Professionally trained, Fran was a chef in both traditional and vegan pastry kitchens before moving into teaching over 20 years ago. Since then she’s instructed home cooks and professionals in the art of transforming traditional desserts into luscious cholesterol-free vegan versions that satisfy all dietary preferences. Her lively classes include the unique in the world, Costigan Vegan Baking Boot Camp Intensive in New York and Fran recently joined Rouxbe Cooking School as Director of Vegan Baking and Pastry where she’s able to reach even bigger audiences through her online classes with the school. An advisory board member of the New York Coalition for Healthy School Foods, Vegan Trade Council and Main Street Vegan Academy, Fran is a professional member of the New York Women’s Culinary Alliance, International Association of Culinary Professionals, and Women Chefs and Restaurateurs. She is the author of Vegan Chocolate: Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts which has one of the most enticing covers I’ve ever seen on a cookbook! And More Great Good Dairy Free Desserts Naturally. In this interview Fran talks about: • How to leverage your skills and platforms to reach a broader audience • The importance of networking in non-vegan circles as well as vegan ones • Places where you can teach classes that many people don’t think of • Turning challenges into opportunities by taking a positive attitude • And much more Visit Fran Costigan’s website Find out about Fran’s online programs at Rouxbe Cooking School Check out books by Fran Costigan on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Vegan Vegan The Garden of Vegan VegeNation Violette’s Vegan Grass Roots Screamer’s Pizza RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 024: Interview with Pana Barbounis of Pana Chocolate

Katrina Fox — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 04:11:01 +0000

In this episode I interview Pana Barbounis of Pana Chocolate in Melbourne, Australia. Four years ago when he launched the raw, vegan, organic brand, he filled the first few orders himself. He wrapped them and delivered them on the back of his motorbike. Now the business takes over $5 million a year and products are sold in over 3,000 stockists in 24 countries. The company employs over 80 staff and recently opened a London office to service the European market. Pana plans to expand into the US later this year, with a vision to be the world’s number one raw chocolate company by 2017. In August 2013 the company opened one of the first raw, standalone dessert stores in the world that wasn’t attached to a café and in April this year it achieved another major coup: Knocking multinational chocolate brand Cadbury off the shelves at Etihad sports stadium in Melbourne. Pana has managed to achieve all this while still owning 100 per cent of his company. In this interview he talks about: • Why he deliberately avoids placing his products in large supermarket chains at the moment • The importance of aligning with the right partners to grow your business • How the company grew after he was able to give up control and hire other people for their ideas • Why you shouldn’t sell any or too much of your company in the beginning before it’s had a chance to realise its value • And much more. Visit the Pana Chocolate website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup Tony Bishop-Weston VegFestExpress Kelly Myers Copywriting Pret a Manger Zizzi RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 023: Interview with Giacomo Marchese of Vegan Proteins

Katrina Fox — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 08:59:58 +0000

In this episode I interview Giacomo Marchese, the co-founder with his partner Dani Taylor of Vegan Proteins, an online store selling a range of vegan supplements. The couple also co-founded PlantBuilt, a non-profit organization of strength-based vegan athletes who compete together to raise awareness of vegan living, as well as funds to help farm animal sanctuaries. A fitness aficionado for over 20 years, Giacomo has been vegan for more than 10 of those. He actively competes in bodybuilding and powerlifting, and holds a certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from Cornell University. In addition to running the Vegan Proteins online store, he also coaches clients online. This interview is one that I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. In this interview, Giacomo discusses: • The signature strategy he and Dani use to provide highly personalized customer service to differentiate themselves from bigger brands • Embracing being a small- or a medium-sized business and not forcing yourself into a corporate model of massive fast growth • The importance of trusting yourself amid huge uncertainty when starting and running a business • Strategies for working successfully with your partner in a home-based business • And much more Visit the Vegan Proteins website Visit the PlantBuilt website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Plant Based by Nafsika The Peace Exchange Bead & Reel Impossible Foods Shouk Sticky Fingers Bakery New Harvest Soylent RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 022: Interview with Karen Knowler of The High Vibrational Woman and The Raw Food Coach

Katrina Fox — Sat, 28 May 2016 04:51:00 +0000

In this episode I interview Karen Knowler, founder of The High Vibrational Woman and The Raw Food Coach. Karen is an award-winning international business coach, and a world-renowned raw food expert of almost two decades. Based in Hertfordshire, England, Karen’s biggest passion is helping other women to go after their desires and to create and live the life that they truly dream of. A spiritual awakening in her early 20s in 1998 led to Karen leaving behind a high-flying career in publishing to work in a meditation centre. That same year she took over the UK’s first raw food organisation – The Fresh Network – which she expanded significantly over the next eight and a half years. She’s the author of Raw Food Made Simple, which she self-published and Eat Right for Your Personality Type, which was picked up by Hay House and has trained thousands of people to become professional raw food coaches and teachers via her live, virtual and home study trainings. In 2014 Karen launched The High Vibrational Woman, a series of private coaching, mentoring, group and online programs for women that incorporate her expertise in raw food, business and living life to the fullest. In this interview Karen talks about: • How she almost jeopardized her first business because of money mindset issues and an inability to ‘receive’ – and how she overcame this • The one thing that will conquer any fear you have about becoming a thought leader and raising your profile, especially if you’re a solo practitioner • The benefits of self-publishing and traditional publishing • How coaches and consultants can stand out in today’s flooded marketplace by going ‘all in’ with their branding and developing a proprietary system • And much more Visit The High Vibrational Woman website Visit The Raw Food Coach website Check out books by Karen Knowler on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Kite Hill Drizzle + Shine Lighter Beyond Meat RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 021: Interview with Florian and Shannon Radke of Cinnaholic

Katrina Fox — Sat, 21 May 2016 03:58:17 +0000

In this episode I interview Florian and Shannon Radke from Cinnaholic, a vegan bakery franchise offering hand-made vegan cinnamon rolls with more than 30 different flavors and toppings. The couple, who are both animal activists and ethical vegans, met through the Couchsurfing.com website in 2008 in a group for vegans and vegetarians where Shannon offered to take like-minded travelers on a tour of San Francisco. Florian was planning a trip from his native Germany to couch-surf around California. Shortly after meeting in person they fell in love. Shannon – who’d worked in various administrative jobs and copywriting – also discovered another passion: Baking. With Florian’s vast experience in brand marketing through his successful creative agency in Berlin, Cinnaholic was born, with the first location opening in 2010 in Berkeley, California. Another five locations, including Nevada, Texas and Georgia followed. In 2014 the couple appeared on the TV show Shark Tank and pitched their venture. They received an investment deal from Robert Herjavec worth $250,000 to develop their online business. After initially accepting the deal, they realized Robert had a different vision for the company and they parted ways – very amicably and he’s continued to be very supportive. Despite walking away from a quarter-of-a-million-dollar deal, in 2015 the pair announced plans to launch an additional 25 Cinnaholic franchises across the US. In this interview Florian and Shannon talk about: • How growing too fast is not always right for a business and why it’s important to have the courage to turn down lucrative deals if you and potential investors or partners don’t share the same vision • Why they chose a franchise model to grow their brand • The importance of support networks and hiring experts to help you grow • How passion and a willingness to learn can often be more important than experience in a particular field • And much more Visit the Cinnaholic website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: The Herbivorous Butcher The Vegan Society (UK) Vegan Life magazine The Vegg Hampton Creek RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 020: Interview with Renia Pruchnicki of Truth Belts

Katrina Fox — Sat, 14 May 2016 04:35:58 +0000

In this episode I interview Renia Pruchnicki, owner of Truth Belts in Canada. After graduating from her studies in fashion design at Ryerson University in Toronto, Renia worked for various companies, designing skiwear, backpacks, and soft-sided coolers, gaining an extensive knowledge of human-made, technical materials. She started Truth Belts in 2001 from her apartment in downtown Toronto, with a desire to create a life she loved while doing something positive for the planet. Having no experience with leather as a material, her belts could be called ‘accidentally’ vegan or as she likes to call them ‘Genuine Non-Leather’! As her business progressed, she connected with the vegan and animal rights communities and shifted her lifestyle accordingly. Her newest belt styles are made from recycled car tires. In this interview Renia discusses: • How being laid off from your job can sometimes be a blessing in disguise for budding entrepreneurs • Why it’s ok – and not a failure – to go back to a regular part-time or even full-time job while running your business, in order to make it sustainable over the long term • Why manufacturing products locally, even though it’s more expensive, can be the smart move • The use of competitions to build an email list • And much more Visit the Truth Belts website Brands mentioned in the vegan business news roundup: Bourgeois Boheme Fabanaise Purple Carrot Gelzen RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 019: Interview with Ginger Burr of Total Image Consultants

Katrina Fox — Sat, 07 May 2016 01:16:18 +0000

In this episode I interview Ginger Burr from Total Image Consultants in Massachusetts. Ginger’s been running her image consulting and fashion styling business for 29 years, although it wasn’t until 2005 that she became vegan and incorporated these ethics into her brand. A music major at college, Ginger did a stint at modelling school and as a typist at MIT before finding her calling at the age of 30 to empower women to feel good about who they are, both inside and out and launched Total Image Consultants. As well as working one-on-one with private clients, which include both cis and transgender women, helping them to shop and express themselves in a way that’s right for them, Ginger also has a flagship virtual coaching program Who Taught You How to Dress and is about to launch a new online program Dress to Impress—Yourself! A DIY guide to a wardrobe YOU love. Ginger directs corporate seminars and community education programs for some of Boston’s most prestigious organizations including Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School and the US Army. She’s the author of the book That’s So You! And in 2007, VegNews Magazine named her one of “25 Most Fascinating Vegetarians”. In this interview Ginger discusses: • How to network – the right way – even if you’re an introvert • Why not compromising on your ethics and being unafraid to take a stand is good for business • Why she uses the word ‘vegan’ all over her marketing materials, even though the majority of her clients are not vegan • And much more Visit the Total Image Consultants website Check out That's So You! by Ginger Burr on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: The Hampshire Vegan Fair California Giant Berry Farms Duda Farm Fresh Foods Natural Delights Kathy Patalsky from Healthy Happy Life blog House Foods, America RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 018: Interview with Jennifer Pardoe of Zest Plant Based Food Consulting

Katrina Fox — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 04:01:20 +0000

In this episode, I interview Jennifer Pardoe, owner of Zest Plant Based Food Consulting, the UK’s first food consultancy to work exclusively on plant-based products in the raw, vegan and free-from markets. Zest is the UK’s go-to agency for plant-based product development, branding, marketing, business plans and scaling. The company works with a diverse range of clientele, from early stage businesses, through to large corporations in both the consumer product and food service sectors. Jennifer launched Zest in 2014 after a wealth of experience in the food and retail sector starting in 1996, working in startups, small to medium businesses and large corporations all over the world. Originally from Australia, Jennifer’s owned three cafes in London and won a British Sandwich Association award. Her mission is to create more and better plant-based choices and availability for consumers. Zest is currently designing a vegan pale ale can, a vegan cheese range, a quick service restaurant concept, working on new product development with an almond milk, helping a plant-protein smoothies brand to make sales and helping brands to break into the UK. In this interview Jennifer discusses: • Why brands must not only stand out, but be entertaining – and how to go about this • What retailers look for in a brand when considering stocking it • What investors look for in a plant-based food company • And much more Visit the Zest Plant Based Food Consulting website Read Jennifer’s article Are you damaging your vegan brand by making these mistakes at food shows? Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Lyrical Foods Sarah’s World Fare Gigi’s pizzeria Soul Burger Sadhana Kitchen RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 017: Interview with Miyoko Schinner of Miyoko’s Kitchen

Katrina Fox — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 02:35:23 +0000

In this episode I interview Miyoko Schinner of Miyoko’s Kitchen in California Miyoko’s Kitchen is an award-winning producer of cultured nut products – including a range of fantastic vegan cheeses and a new vegan butter product. The company is only 18 months old, but has seen massive growth in this time and its founder Miyoko Schinner has been working in the plant-based foods arena for several decades. She started her first business in Tokyo when she was in her 20s, lugging heavy pound cakes on her back on public transport to deliver them to customers. Since then she’s run successful businesses including Now and Zen vegan restaurant in San Francisco and a natural products company that manufactured a range of items from meat substitutes to pastries for United Airlines, before taking time out to raise a family. The author of five books, including Artisan Vegan Cheese and her latest The Home Made Vegan Pantry, Miyoko’s mission is to replace the dairy cases in stores worldwide with delicious plant-based alternatives. And she’s well on her way to doing that. It’s exciting times for the company as it goes into its next growth phase, while Miyoko actively promotes veganism through talks, cooking demonstrations, participation in the recently formed Plant Based Foods Association and as a presenter on the Vegan Mashup TV show which is screened on PBS in the US. In this interview Miyoko talks about: • The importance of systematising and streamlining production in order to grow your business • How taking an educational, as opposed to a judgemental approach with staff and customers is key to a company’s success • Why having competition is a positive thing for all involved • When the right time to pay yourself, as a business owner, is • And much more Visit the Miyoko’s Kitchen website Check out books by Miyoko Schinner at Amazon Find out more about Vegan Mashup TV show on Delicious TV Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Wholesome Bakery Cinnaholic Go Max Go Dandy Diner Ripple RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 016: Interview with Maz Valcorza of Sadhana Kitchen

Katrina Fox — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 07:36:19 +0000

In this episode I interview Maz Valcorza, owner of Sadhana Kitchen organic, raw vegan wholefoods cafe in Sydney, Australia. Maz studied nursing at university and then embarked on a high-flying corporate sales career in the pharmaceuticals industry, living a life of constant parties, chain-smoking and eating whatever she wanted, without considering the repercussions of her actions. Stepping onto a yoga mat in 2010 – initially with the intention of just toning her butt – propelled her in a whole different direction, towards mindful and purposeful living. Recognising that what we eat affects both our health and the world around us, Maz became an ethical vegan and adopted a plant-based foods diet. As she continued to research health, she discovered raw foods and in 2012 opened Sydney’s first organic, raw, vegan wholefoods café, Sadhana Kitchen, in the trendy inner-west suburb of Newtown. Just a couple of weeks ago, Maz opened another Sadhana Kitchen outlet in Sydney’s renowned Bondi Beach. Her new book The Naked Vegan has just been published, which features over 140 super delicious and healthy raw food recipes. An inspiring speaker and workshop presenter, Maz is also the director of the I Give a Shit Project, a non-profit organization committed to improving the wellbeing of our planet and all its inhabitants by empowering people to find out what they really care about so they can do more of it. Maz is a lovely example of a young, social entrepreneur whose mission is helping people to transform themselves and their world, through what they put on their plates. In this interview she discusses: • The importance of communicating exceptionally well with your staff, through policies and procedures • How redefining what is important to you and how you spend your time is key to being a successful, happy and fulfilled entrepreneur, rather than a burnt-out one • How there is no space for ego when you’re trying to do good work in the world – that’s a lesson a lot of businesses need to hear! • And much more Visit the Sadhana Kitchen website Visit Maz Valcorza’s website Visit the I Give a Shit Project website Check out The Naked Vegan on Amazon. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Lagusta’s Luscious Sweet Maresa Veggie Grill Doomie’s Toronto Vegan Sidekick Essentis Bio Hotel Eqvita RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 015: Interview with Victoria Moran of Main Street Vegan Academy

Katrina Fox — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 04:01:15 +0000

In this episode I interview Victoria Moran from Main Street Vegan Academy. Victoria is a hugely successful writer who’s been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show – twice – as well as in other high-profile media including Good Morning America and The Washington Post. She’s been vegan for 31 years and her college thesis was the first work on vegan philosophy and practice to be put out by a major publisher, back in 1985. Victoria is the bestselling author of 12 books, covering areas such as spirituality, compassion and plant-based eating and living. They include Creating a Charmed Life, The Love-Powered Diet, Main Street Vegan and the most recent The Good Karma Diet. A renowned and popular inspirational speaker, certified holistic health counselor and graduate of the T. Colin Campbell Foundation/eCornell program in plant-based nutrition, nearly four years ago Victoria launched the Main Street Vegan Academy to train and certify vegan lifestyle coaches. The six-day program is held four times a year in New York City where Victoria has lived for many years. She’s also the host of the Main Street Vegan weekly radio show and podcast. In this interview Victoria talks about: • The mindset shift needed, particularly for creatives and activists, to launch and run a business and become comfortable with being a business owner • How being open to diversifying your offerings can bring a multitude of opportunities to grow your business • Why the Buddhist concept of ‘Beginner’s Mind’ is essential for vegan business owners and entrepreneurs to embrace • And much more Visit the Main Street Vegan website Check out books by Victoria Moran on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Doomies (Toronto) Nanashake (Toronto) Gardein Suzy Welch The Stoop (LA) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 014: Interview with Nichole Dandrea of Nicobella Organics

Katrina Fox — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 03:12:06 +0000

In this episode I interview Nichole Dandrea from Nicobella Organics, makers of vegan, organic, dark chocolate truffles, in Atlanta, Georgia. Since launching their truffles in late 2009 Nicobella – which combines the names of Nichole and her toy poodle Isabella – have created more healthy treats with their munch line and peanut butter squares. Nichole is a registered dietitian and yoga instructor with a passion for bringing healthy, plant-based, ethical treats to people – and believes dark chocolate should be its own food group! This is another audio interview I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. In this interview Nichole talks about: • Price versus quality – the dilemma between producing products cheaper but lower quality, or pricing them higher and maintaining high quality • How outsourcing parts of the business allows it to grow • The importance of creating a community around your brand • The types of email content that – surprisingly – get more open and click-through rates • And much more Visit the Nicobella Organics website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: By Chloe Alchemy (ColourPop Cosmetics) Choices Cafe Star City Foods RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 013: Interview with Tim Barford of Yaoh and VegFestUK

Katrina Fox — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 03:03:14 +0000

In this episode, I interview Tim Barford, owner of organic hemp products firm Yaoh and organizer of the VegFestUK festivals, which attract tens of thousands of visitors each year. Tim’s owned Yaoh since the 1990s. Based in Bristol, Yaoh has topped the Ethical Consumer Magazine’s Best Buy categories 4 times for its range of organic, vegan food and bodycare products. As well as running their own events in Brighton, Bristol, London and Scotland, VegFestUK also sponsors and supports other vegan events in the UK. This is another audio interview I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. I’m from the UK originally and when I went vegan in 1996 there was an annual vegan festival that was held in a small hall in central London where I lived and it probably saw maybe 1000 or so people through the doors. Now the London event alone attracts over 12,000 people and is held at the prestigious Olympia venue in Kensington. I was invited to speak at London VegFestUK last October and launch my book Vegan Ventures at the event. And I was blown away by the number of stalls, speakers, workshops and panels on offer as well as the numbers of people attending. There were queues around the block on both days, which is something I never thought I’d see – thousands of people interested in learning more about vegan living and literally beating down the doors to do so. So I really take my hat off to Tim and co-organizer Alan Lee for taking veganism in the UK mainstream. And of course, remember Tim does all this while running his hemp business, which is pretty amazing. In this interview Tim talks about: • The importance of having a strong team around you to help your business grow • Why you must be willing to spend money on marketing and PR • Making sure your passion for your business doesn’t exclude paying attention to margins, overheads, competition and other aspects important to running a business • And much more Visit the Yaoh website Visit the VegFestUK website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Pana Chocolate Vegan Street Fair (Los Angeles) RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 012: Interview with Jeremy Johnson of Vegan Perfection

Katrina Fox — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 02:05:00 +0000

In this episode, I interview Jeremy Johnson, owner of Vegan Perfection in Melbourne, Australia. Jeremy’s interview will be particularly informative for those of you interested in importing products internationally and also getting products into retailers. Jeremy became vegan while he was living in the UK. When he moved to Australia, he was initially frustrated at the lack of products available, so he filled a gap by starting Vegan Perfection whose core business is as a wholesaler and distributor. There’s a lesson there already – about filling a gap in the market to achieve success. This is another audio interview I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. In this interview Jeremy talks about: • The importance of being proactive – instead of waiting for clients (in Jeremy’s case retailers) to come to you, you must go to them. And that might fly in the face of ‘attraction marketing’ which is a buzzword right now, but it goes to show that you have to do what works for your particular business • How he coped with an incident where the company’s first import shipment nearly proved to be disaster and what he learned to avoid similar situations occurring • The dangers of growing your business too quickly, especially if your start-up capital doesn’t support the level of growth • And much more Visit the Vegan Perfection website. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Biota Gelato Gelato Blue Hella Vegan Good Food Institute New Crop Capital RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 011: Interview with JL Fields

Katrina Fox — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 04:55:39 +0000

In this episode, I interview JL Fields, vegan lifestyle coach and educator, Food for Life instructor, co-creator of Real World Vegan Meal Plans, kitchen coach, personal chef, career coach, and a corporate consultant offering wellness training, brand representation, and strategic planning services. JL runs the popular blog JL Goes Vegan and she’s the host of the Easy Vegan with JL Fields show on KCMJ, which is Colorado Springs Community Radio. She’s the author of the book Vegan Pressure Cooking and co-author of Vegan for Her. She’s a graduate of Victoria Moran’s Main Street Vegan Academy – and in fact she’s now on the teaching faculty. So, she’s got a very diverse range of offerings in her business. This is another audio interview I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. JL’s story is an inspiring one, because she spent many years working in the not-for-profit sector before deciding to make a sea change in middle age. This is important, because we often hear about people starting businesses when they’re younger, in their 20s and 30s and JL is a great example of how it’s possible to create a business based on your passions – at any age. In this interview JL talks about: • How she gets her local media to give her free publicity on a regular basis • The importance of being flexible in your business offerings and utilising skills and contacts you’ve built up over your professional life • How taking a stand and speaking out about what she believes in helped grow her profile and business • And much more Visit JL Goes Vegan Check out books by JL Fields on Amazon Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Plant Based Foods Association Holi Vegan By Chloe The Good Dye Young Opificio V Zette (Vegan Style). Origine Liquidflora RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 010: Interview with Joy Pierson and Bart Potenza of Candle Cafe

Katrina Fox — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 12:10:10 +0000

In this episode, I interview Joy Pierson and Bart Potenza from Candle Café, Candle Café West and Candle 79, which are vegan, organic fine dining restaurants in New York City. This is another audio interview I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. Joy and Bart have been in business for several decades, so as you can imagine, they have a wealth of experience and they were so kind and generous in sharing it with me. They’re a lovely couple and Joy’s name is totally reflective of her nature, which emanates joy, so it was a real pleasure interviewing them and they also hosted the New York book launch of Vegan Ventures. In this interview Joy and Bart talk about: • The number one way to get through the difficult, challenging times faced by small business owners in the beginning, particularly when you’re on the brink of potential disaster • The importance of not compromising your values, even – or especially – when the going gets tough • The key ingredients that make the business successful over such a long period • And much more Visit the Candle Cafe website. Check out the Candle series of cook books by Joy Pierson and Bart Potenza on Amazon. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Hampton Creek Yorica Australian Vegans RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 009: Interview with Ella Nemcova of The Regal Vegan

Katrina Fox — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 10:31:54 +0000

In this episode, I interview Ella Nemcova, founder of The Regal Vegan which produces vegan gourmet spreads, including the renowned Faux Gras, Basilicotta and Superfood Pesto. This is another audio interview I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. Ella’s products are in the gourmet, premium range and she’s a great example of a small business owner coming up with a unique product and managing to raise the company’s profile through that, which allowed her to add new products and continue to grow. In this interview Ella talks about: • Why it’s important to use words and images that reflect your brand – and how she does this with The Regal Vegan • How being across many different marketing platforms helped the company grow • How to get comfortable with selling • And much more Visit The Regal Vegan website. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: 00+Co Buttercream Dreams The Butcher’s Son RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 008: Interview with Karin Ridgers of Mad Promotions and VeggieVision TV

Katrina Fox — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 04:20:23 +0000

In this episode, I interview UK publicist Karin Ridgers, owner of Mad Promotions who also runs online TV station VeggieVision TV. This is another audio interview I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. I love Karin because she’s so passionate about PR – in fact I hired her to do some PR for me when I launched Vegan Ventures at London VegFestUK in October last year and she got me on LBC Radio, the UK largest talkback radio network. What I’ve found about Karin is she’s one of those rare publicists who really gets what journalists need and gives it to them. As a journalist myself, I really appreciate PRs like Karin who make my job easier. In this interview Karin talks about: • How PR is still the best and fastest way to get recognition for your vegan business • Why putting ‘vegan’ front and center when approaching journalists isn’t always the best move • What to look for in a PR professional • What PR professionals expect of you • And much more Visit the Mad Promotions website Visit the VeggieVision TV website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Bee Free Honee V Spot (Dallas) Veganz Stella McCartney RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 007: Interview with Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni of Querciabella

Katrina Fox — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 14:04:23 +0000

In this episode I interview Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni, a multi-million-dollar businessman and vegan investor. Sebastiano was recently profiled in Forbes magazine in connection with a 20-course, gourmet plant-based dinner created by chef Daphne Cheng that he hosted in New York. Born in Milan, Italy, he was taught wine appreciation by his father as a child and is the owner and chairman of one of the most renowned and pioneering organic and biodynamic wineries in Europe, Querciabella. Querciabella is a vegan winery with the best critic scores in the world. Sebastiano is the chairman and CEO of NKGB strategic consultancy, the chairman and owner of Opteres, an exclusive fine art network that consults with and facilitates sales to private clients and banks, and plans to launch a classical music label in 2017. In July 2014, he was appointed by the Italian Prime Minister to the post of Advisor to the Minister and Foreign Direct Investment Senior Advisor with the Italian Ministry of Economic Development. A passionate animal activist, Sebastiano sits on the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Advisory Board and since 2012 has invested millions of dollars in various vegan-run businesses, including Beyond Meat and Matthew Kenney Cuisine, plus a range of cruelty-free textile and technology firms. In this interview Sebastiano discusses: What he looks for in a business when considering investing in it The number one mistake business owners make when approaching investors Why vegans must get over any negative connotations they may have around money and business And much more Visit the Querciabella website Visit the Opteres website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Hampton Creek More Than Meat Ravi DeRossi Love, Peace and Sol Jeremy Miller RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 006: Interview with Seth Tibbott of Tofurky

Katrina Fox — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 06:43:21 +0000

In this episode, I interview Seth Tibbott, founder of Turtle Island Foods which produces the range of renowed Tofurky alternative meat products. This is another audio interview I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. It was such a pleasure to interview Seth because he’s run a vegan business for over 20 years and seen massive success. But it wasn’t always like that – he had some tough times and it actually took him many years before his business turned a profit. And I think it’s really good for us to hear about the challenges and struggles that successful vegan entrepreneurs had because sometimes we might be tempted to think they had it cushy all the way along. That’s rarely the case and Seth’s story certainly demonstrates that. In this interview Seth talks about: • The innovative strategy he took with his living arrangements when he couldn’t afford conventional rent • How Tofurky took off and hit the big time when Seth stopped conforming to how he thought a ‘businessman’ should look and act • The importance of knowing when to ‘fire yourself’ and delegate • And much more Visit the Tofurky website. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Herbisaurus Hip City Veg RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 005: Interview with Heather Lounsbury of Live Natural Live Well

Katrina Fox — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 04:44:25 +0000

In this episode, I interview Heather Lounsbury, owner of Live Natural, Live Well in Santa Monica, California and author of Fix Your Mood With Food. This is another audio interview I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. The first few episodes of Vegan Business Talk have been with business owners who have a widget to sell – a product. Heather, though, is a service provider. She’s a Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist. In this interview Heather talks about: • Why giving away lots of free sessions and appearing desperate, particularly when you’re starting out, is a mistake • The importance of learning to be a business person, not just a practitioner in your field • How she got major celebrities as her clients • And much more Visit Live Natural Live Well for more information. Check out Heather's book Fix Your Mood with Food at Amazon. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Vegan Style Bourgeois Boheme RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 004: Interview with Georgie Campbell of Addiction Food

Katrina Fox — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 13:48:08 +0000

In this episode, I interview Georgie Campbell, co-founder of Addiction Food in Sydney, Australia. This is another audio interview I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business and Georgie’s a good friend of mine too. I met her when she was first starting out with Addiction Food and I’ve been so happy to watch her business that she runs with her husband Grant grow over the years into the success it is today. I know they’ve both worked incredibly hard and it’s really great to see it pay off. Addiction Food makes delicious handmade sweets and healthy plant-based treats, that are organic, fair trade and sustainable. In this interview Georgie talks about: • How the business deals with the challenge to stay competitive and attract clients, while raw materials are increasing in price • Why she decided to stop using the word ‘vegan’ in her branding and marketing • The importance of having another passion away from your business • And much more Visit the Addiction Food website. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Vx Space Bars Gusta RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 003 Interview with Mellissa Morgan of Ms. Cupcake

Katrina Fox — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 14:17:35 +0000

In this episode, I interview Mellissa Morgan, founder of Ms. Cupcake, a vegan bakery in the UK’s South London, whose tagline is ‘The Naughtiest Cakes in Town’. It's also the name of her fabulous cookbook. This interview with Mellissa is another one that I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. Mellissa gives some great tips including: • Why you should invest in branding up front • How her strong branding sets her apart from the crowd to the point where if 50 other vegan cake businesses opened on the same street as hers, she wouldn’t be worried • How she got five publishers beating down her door to write a cookbook • And much more. Visit the Ms. Cupcake website. Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Soledad RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 002 Interview with T.K. Pillan of Veggie Grill

Katrina Fox — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 14:09:48 +0000

In this episode, I interview T.K. Pillan, one of the co-founders of Veggie Grill, a healthy, fast-food chain in the US. This is one of the audio interviews I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. What’s interesting about Veggie Grill is that from the outset, the owners’ vision and plans were to create a chain of restaurants, never just one. In this interview T.K. talks about: • The strategies he and his co-founders used to establish a chain of 28 restaurants. • The importance of location when you’re opening local businesses • And how finding the right team was key to Veggie Grill’s success Visit the Veggie Grill website. RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

VBT 001 Welcome and Interview with Sugandh Agrawal from Gunas

Katrina Fox — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 12:30:16 +0000

In this first episode of Vegan Business Talk, I interview Sugandh Agrawal, owner of vegan handbag brand Gunas in New York. Plus a round up of latest vegan business news. This is an interview I did for my book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. Sugandh talks about: The challenges to stay affordable while maintaining quality and ethics and making a profit. Balancing the demands of family life with running a new business The importance of honesty and being open with customers And much more Visit the Gunas website. RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Connect with me personally at: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn