Episodes
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In this episode, we sit down with the co-founder of MARPHYL Marine Phytoplankton to explore the journey of this pioneering vegan business. Harvesting wild and multi-species marine phytoplankton, MARPHYL offers a range of organic products designed to enhance soil health and promote sustainable agriculture.
Founded in 2017, MARPHYL has quickly established itself as a leader in the vegan and sustainable farming space. With a focus on environmental responsibility and ethical sourcing, the company has garnered a loyal following of environmentally-conscious consumers.
Join us as we discuss the secrets to MARPHYL's success, from their innovative product offerings to their strategic approach to business growth. Learn how MARPHYL navigated the challenges of launching a vegan business and discover valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in the plant-based industry.
Get to know Benjamin and MARPHYL Marine Phytoplankton's mission better here: MARPHYLQuote:
When you have a bad day, week, month of sales, or problem with production – just come back to your product and why you're there in the first place. Get that energy back. You're going to have bad days, you might even fail, but there is no problem in failing. It's all about trying again. If you have that drive of entrepreneurship, you will rise again and continue.
So believe in yourself, believe in yourself, believe in your product. At the end of the day, it will work if you have a great product and you're driven. You'll have great days ahead, so don't lose hope.
–Benjamin Achache
Show notes:
🌊 [01:45] Taking all the goodness from the ocean, but sustainably – supporting the oceans is key.
💊 [03:16] Products Marphyl is making: seaweed fertilizer, the flower of sea salt, liquid salt, and plankton supplements.
🪸 [05:07] The difference between spirulina, other microalgae, and Marphyl’s supplement.
3️ [06:45] The three aspects of sustainability: producing more energy than spending in production, everything is organic and cruelty-free.
🌸 [11:36] The soil enhancer has 80 different algae in it and is compatible with all plants.
🧂 [14:04] Producing supplements and flower of the sea – a type of white salt with phytoplanktons.
👫 [18:12] Benjamin started this business with his wife because they were impressed with the power of phytoplanktons.
🌎 [20:25] Shipping products worldwide: e-commerce covers only 20% of the market and the key is to be more present in retail.
⚠️ [23:44] Chemical fertilizers: extremely damaging to water streams, lakes, and soil.
💎 [26:37] Don’t stop believing in yourself and your product: don’t give up, remember why you are here.-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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In this episode of Pivot! we sit down with Kim Giovacco, the visionary behind Veg Jaunts and Journeys, to uncover the remarkable story of her company's rapid expansion. Despite the setbacks of the pandemic, Kim's resilience and strategic vision helped take Veg Jaunts and Journeys to new heights.
We dive into Kim's journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, and how her background in the travel industry paved the way for her success. Plus, you'll hear how Kim transformed adversity into opportunity during difficult times, building a thriving business that offers unique vegan travel experiences worldwide.
This conversation is a raw look at the challenges and triumphs of growing a business during uncertain times. It's full of Kim's valuable tips and strategies for sustainable growth and innovation.
Tune in to learn from the inspiring journey of Veg Jaunts and Journeys.
https://www.vegjauntsandjourneys.com
Join us as we delve into the story of Veg Jaunts and Journeys with Kim Giovacco, the driving force behind this innovative vegan travel company. With a background in the travel industry and a passion for veganism, Kim has transformed her vision into a thriving business that offers unique travel experiences for the vegan community.
In this episode, Kim shares how Veg Jaunts and Journeys has evolved from a small startup to a global leader in vegan travel, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. She shares her journey of resilience and adaptation and what it's like navigating the complexities of running a travel company in a rapidly changing world.
We explore the company's expansion into new geographic regions, including Africa and Asia, the innovative tours the company offers, from European adventures to whole food plant-based experiences near national parks, and how Veg Jaunts and Journeys is shaping the future of vegan tourism worldwide.
If you're looking for valuable insights into Kim's strategies for business growth and sustainability, don't miss this episode.
Get to know Kim Giovacco and Veg Jaunts and Journeys better here: https://www.vegjauntsandjourneys.com
Show notes:
🧳 [00:43] More intimate travel experience: getting back on track after Covid.
👩💼 [04:05] Kim took people on tours instead of traveling by herself: creating a business with quality as the priority.
🇺🇸 [08:18] Entering the Covid without debt: oil-free tours in national parks and having tours in the States.
🤝 [12:45] Having a partner sometimes can help you expand your business: sharing ideas, helping each other and creating subsidiary offers.
🗼 [21:24] Booking for 2025 is open.
🗺️ [22:45] What trips to Europe, Safari in Africa are like: supporting the vegan scene while having your own room.
🌍 [27:10] Having vegan relationships internationally and expanding your community.
🌆 [28:24] Short tours in vegan-friendly towns.
🤩 [29:43] Don't be afraid to give up some control: growing means delegating and being sustainable.-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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Missing episodes?
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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Olivier Mankondo, the visionary behind Mankondo Global Ltd. Discover how Olivier lost 77 pounds in just 9 months, reversed high blood pressure, and embarked on a mission to share the life-changing benefits of a plant-based diet. Dive into his captivating story, unveiling the secrets to achieving vibrant health and vitality.
https://oliviermankondo.com
In this episode of Pivot! Olivier Mankondo, the driving force behind Mankondo Global Ltd, joins us to offer a beacon of hope for those seeking holistic wellness solutions. Olivier's journey from battling chronic health issues to reclaiming his vitality through a plant-based lifestyle is nothing short of extraordinary.
Olivier's dedication to optimal health led him to shed an impressive 77 pounds in a mere 9 months, while also reversing high blood pressure and a myriad of other health ailments. As a certified weight loss and wellness coach, Olivier is on a mission to empower individuals to take charge of their health and transform their lives.
Throughout our conversation, Olivier shares intimate details of his personal health struggles and the pivotal moment that sparked his journey towards plant-based living. His journey serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of lifestyle choices and the profound impact they can have on our well-being.
Show Notes:
🙃 [00:43] Turning your major transformation into business is possible.
🤯 [03:00] Olivier’s transition: reversing his chronic diseases in 4 months with a vegan diet.
🤢 [04:22] Detox symptoms in the first week: his symptoms were worsening but he kept going.
💊[06:39] Suffering from malaria when he was younger: bad health and immunity reversed.
⚠️ [09:03] Olivier lost 11 pounds in the first week, and a total of 77 pounds in nine weeks with no medications.
🤒[11:30] You don't have to be sick when you grow up and get older: Olivier decided to share his health experience and became a public speaker.
⚡ [14:49] Helping people is very transformational: hearing feedback from the people gives Olivier more power to continue.
🎤 [16:25] Being just a speaker was not enough: Olivier created a three-step course and discovered the power of coaching one-on-one.
📙 [18:24] Olivier wrote a book and covered 4 main topics in it.
👉🏽 [21:20] Support from your environment matters when making big life changes: Olivier was lucky and had great support around him.
👣 [23:03] Take baby steps first: introduce plant-based food slowly to decrease detox symptoms and make your transitions sustainable.
😇 [25:58] Learning all the things needed to run a coaching business.
🤩 [30:52] Looking at things from a positive standpoint: Olivier built three streams of income during the pandemic.
🍏 [34:18] It is possible to live a disease-free life.-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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Episode Summary:
In this episode of Pivot! we delve into Carolyn Scott's multifaceted career as The Healthy Voyager. From her pioneering vegan travel show to her latest cookbook, Carolyn has been at the forefront of the global vegan movement. Discover how she's transforming mainstream dining, consulting with major hotel chains, and inspiring millions to embrace a plant-based lifestyle.
https://www.healthyvoyager.com/
Full Description / Episode Show Notes:
Join us for an incredibly interesting conversation with Carolyn Scott, aka The Healthy Voyager, as we explore her remarkable journey in promoting veganism globally. As a chef, nutritionist, and media personality, Carolyn has led initiatives that have reshaped the culinary landscape.
From her groundbreaking vegan travel show to her bestselling cookbooks, Carolyn's influence transcends borders. Tune in to discover how she's partnering with major brands and institutions to revolutionize plant-based cuisine.
We also explore Carolyn's latest projects, including her consultancy work with theme parks, air force bases, and even entire towns.Plus, Carolyn shares how she's leveraging her expertise to create sustainable, delicious vegan options for diverse audiences.
Check out this episode to learn the secrets to Carolyn's success and walk away with valuable insights into entrepreneurship, flexibility, and the power of positivity.
Get to know Carolyn Scott and the Healthy Voyager better here: https://www.healthyvoyager.com/
Show Notes:
🌎 [00:43] Being vegan not just in your backyard, but on a global scale.
✈️ [03:29] Healthy Vegan Show: becoming vegan and traveling was challenging, so Carolyn produced a healthy eating show that became her full-time business.
🥑 [09:30] Carolyn wanted to learn all about veganism and cooking: a personal choice that turned into a whole new world.
🥅 [12:19] Staying consistent. But don’t wait for the perfect time for anything.
🌍 [15:02] Travelling in faraway countries as a vegan: pre-planning and trust are crucial, and people will always help if you are patient.
🧳 [18:57] How to choose your destination: many resources are on Carolyn’s website.
🌱 [20:55] Carolyn is keeping herself very busy: cookbooks, TV presentations, veganizing different restaurants, nutritional coaching, and many more.
🎯 [23:37] Don’t turn away from your dream: becoming an early adopter of social media marketing.
🥚 [24:40] Flowing through issues: don’t throw all your eggs in one basket.
⚠️ [27:24] Learning all aspects of business is crucial: delegating and understanding roles people are doing.
🙃 [30:54] Being an entrepreneur means being ready for changes, and being flexible – you don’t know what is around the corner.Links:
Website: https://healthyvoyager.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RdsmodaKovin
https://facebook.com/healthyvoyager-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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Full Description:
Prepare to be inspired by the incredible journey of Nancy Leeds Gribble, the driving force behind NourishLiftGrow. Her story embodies the power of resilience and transformation. Nancy's life took an unexpected turn when she faced the profound loss of her husband to terminal cancer, leaving her a widowed single parent while navigating a turbulent real estate market. Later, she experienced the pain of losing a new love to cancer, prompting her to redefine her path and refuse to let adversity define her.
As someone who had been a vegetarian since her early twenties and a vegan for the past 17 years, Nancy's dietary choices were based on ethics rather than health. However, witnessing the devastating effects of disease and becoming the sole parent to her young son propelled her to seek the healthiest lifestyle possible. This awakening sparked a profound transformation journey encompassing health, fitness, self-development, and career.
Nancy Leeds Gribble is now the founder of NourishLiftGrow and a Plant-based Vegan Culinary Nutrition Expert specializing in empowering women in midlife. She helps them achieve weight loss, body confidence, optimal health, and vitality, making their second season of life their best season.
This episode offers a deeply moving and inspirational story of turning tragedy into triumph, embracing a vegan lifestyle, and empowering others to thrive.
Get to know Nancy Leeds Gribble and NourishLiftGrow better here: https://www.nancyleedsgribble.com
Quote:
I think when you start your business if you don't take the time to really figure out why you're starting it. If it was ‘This sounds like it will be fun” and then you find out it's not so fun all the time, you won't sustain it. So you really want to sit down and figure out why are you starting this business? Like, what is your driving force, aside from, we need to make money, we have to make money. But what are the other deeper reasons that this is so important to you? And that's going to help you when you hit that wall, and you will hit a wall and think it's very few people that they just start a business and off they go, and they're coasting and everything is great. You're going to hit the wall, whether it's because something didn't work, whether it's life, like God the world like COVID when it hit everybody, and you're going to have to either say, at that moment, I'm out, or no, this was important. And I'm going to figure this out, and I'm going to pivot And I'm going to adjust and, and you keep doing that you keep doing that until you hit the spot.
–Nancy Leeds Gribble
Show notes timestamps:
🏆 [00:42] Turning tragedy into triumph and successful business.
🤸♀️ [02:40] Growing up with the premise she needs to be skinny: going vegan due to ethical reasons.
🖤 [04:10] Family tragedy and bankruptcy: one more tragedy and Nancy’s realization about getting more healthy is the key.
🍏 [10:32] Nancy started focusing her business on healthy weight loss: most women are undernourished.
👉🏾 [14:49] Getting first clients: face-plant forward is failing in front of people.
🦄 [18:55] How to differentiate yourself on the market: worrying about clients you don’t have.
🙇♂️ [23:05] Realizing that in a new, starting business, entrepreneurs need to be humble.
🌞 [28:34] Figuring out the deeper reasons for starting a business.
-----Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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Full Description:
Mind Blown founders, mother-and-daughter team Shelly Van Cleve and daughter Monica Talbert, originally found success making gourmet seafood delicacies along the Chesapeake Bay. They started with a crab shack, Capt. Jack’s, which was wildly popular, leading them to create The Van Cleve Seafood Co.
The two began to see deep-seated issues with the global fishing industry right outside their front door, particularly with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices from non-domestic mega-ships. As the plant-based industry began to boom, they founded Mind Blown. Rather than alienating the seafood industry with unsustainable market solutions, Mind Blown works alongside the industry.
Together, they create solutions that help to take pressure off of edge-of-extinction fish stocks, and regenerate abundant oceans, such as their future partnership with Atlantic Sea Farms, using their kelp. Today, their lineup includes Mind Blown Coconut Shrimp, Dusted Scallops, Crab Cakes and more. The company is backed by notable investors including eight-time James Beard recipient and host of Bravo TV’s Top Chef Tom Colicchio, as well as D.C. restaurateur, founder of PLNT Burger and Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn.
Get to know Monica and Mind Blown and The Plant Based Seafood Co. better here: https://plantbasedseafoodco.com/
Quote:If you're going through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, make sure that you let the downs go every day. Let that shit go at the end of every day and start every day new and fresh. Sounds simple, but it's very, very, very important.
–Monica Talbert
Show notes:
🌊 [00:46] Vegan seafood: brands who innovate and disrupt landscapes of industries.
🦀 [03:06] Creating a sustainable seafood brand: unacceptable practices in seafood industries and innovative new products.
▶️ [06:34] Wanting to see change in the industry and food system: the journey of creating a brand.
👉🏾 [08:42] Direct-to-consumer is a great step to test your product.
🤯 [09:32] Naming your brand can be a struggle: “My mind is blown!”
🦞 [11:49] Plant-based seafood industry has the potential to address ocean sustainability issues: making vegan seafood is not easy.
🍥 [15:25] Benefits of vegan seafood: savings, consistency, and extended shelf life.
🌞 [16:43] Most changes happen from consumer demand: balance in the market and consumer demand will take 3–5 years.
🤔 [19:34] Challenges of mass adoption of new products: inflation, a problem with repeat purchases, and education of consumers.
🔑 [24:38] The Importance of gratefulness and focusing on the positive can help in running your business.
🧘♀️ [28:09] Handling stress differently is crucial for business owners: lean towards your mentors for help.
🎙️ [30:07] Learning from podcasts: there are so many lessons to learn from other entrepreneurs.-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It. -
Full Description:
Get ready to dive into the inspiring story of Kate Galli, the unstoppable force behind a mission to create a healthier, happier, and more compassionate vegan world. Kate's journey began in the fitness world, where she sought to transform not only her body but also her confidence. Over the years, she has helped thousands of individuals sculpt their bodies and lives in a way they love. For the past seven years, she has been dedicated to Vegan Health Coaching, using it as a powerful tool to advocate for animal welfare while promoting fitness, strength, and overall well-being.
During the episode, Kate opens up about the tensions and challenges faced by ethical vegans in their relationships. She candidly discusses the feelings of anger, frustration, and sadness that can arise when trying to navigate a compassionate lifestyle in a non-vegan world. However, Kate shares her personal story of how the toughest year of her life helped her transcend the negative emotions, while maintaining her passion for creating a compassionate vegan world.
As a Vegan Health Coach, author of "The Plant Positive Journal," and host of The Healthification Podcast, Kate is full of practical advice. She shares valuable tools, such as her 8 Step S.E.L.F. C.A.R.E. Acronym, the "Stop, Start, Continue" time magic'ing technique, and strategies to regain your exercising mojo. Additionally, she provides 10 Tips to Make Adopting a Plant-Based Lifestyle Easy, drawing from her own experiences and mistakes when she first transitioned to vegetarianism 30 years ago.
Don't miss this episode if you're looking for empowering insights, actionable tips, and a powerful story of love prevailing over hate on the journey to a compassionate vegan lifestyle.
Get to know Kate Galli and her mission better here: http://www.strongbodygreenplanet.com
Quote:
I bought into the ‘business from hell’, as I like to call it, and I learned so many lessons during that journey. The number one of which has really been so valuable is to back yourself 100%. You can't rely on circumstances or what's turning up today, tomorrow, or next year, but you can rely on yourself. And you can rely on yourself to turn up and to continually get better and to back yourself to come up with the goods.
– Kate Galli
Show Notes:
🤔 [00:45] Dynamic changes on your business journey can be a big struggle.
😇 [03:05] Mindset about eating and exercise choices: Kate has a lot of clients who have been with her for two decades.
✌️ [06:03] Laying foundations to success: do the do.
▶️ [09:19] Referrals are the best way to grow and maintain your business: creating a strategy that provides results.
🌞 [14:19] Journey from being a personal trainer, purchasing a franchise, and recreating all online: long-term entrepreneurs get bored and reinvent their business.
📗 [16:18] Plant Journal: vegan Trojan horse that helps to adopt a healthy plant-based lifestyle one step at a time.
⚡ [19:59] Getting professionals to help you in projects provides amazing products: creating content for Plant Journal.
😍 [22:54] Helping her mom to become vegan on Christmas: why she stopped being an angry vegan.
💚 [27:37] Focusing on love: it is hard being in a non-vegan world, but leading with love can help.
🎙️ [28:15] Healthification podcast: education in health, fitness and food.
🤓 [31:35] Importance of self-care and supporting yourself, and your body: implementing self-care steps daily for getting joy.-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It. -
In this episode, we sit down with Rey Ortega, a true pioneer in the vegan food industry. Rey's health struggles led him on a path of discovery, from battling chronic illness to becoming a successful vegan entrepreneur.
Rey's journey began with health issues that left him feeling unwell and desperate for answers. After identifying an egg allergy, he transitioned to a vegetarian diet, which significantly improved his health and led to a remarkable 95-pound weight loss. Inspired by dairy-free, eggless cookies at the Sacramento Natural Foods Coop, Rey decided to start his own vegan baking venture, the Alternative Baking Company.
Despite initial challenges and setbacks, Rey's business flourished, reaching nearly $1 million in sales.
However, a difficult partnership forced him to start over. With a loan from a trusted friend, he founded Sun Flour Baking Company and continued to expand his presence in the vegan food market.
Rey's expertise spans all aspects of the business, offering invaluable insights for aspiring vegan entrepreneurs. Join us to learn from Rey's experiences, avoid common pitfalls, and embark on your own journey to a profitable and successful venture in the world of plant-based living.
Get to know Rey Ortega and Sun Flour Baking Company better here: https://www.sunflourbaking.com
Quote:When I first started an alternative baking company, I got so much slack for people not wanting me to put the word ‘vegan’ on my package. I had so many people say, “That's going to kill your sales”. I didn't care! I was an angry vegan at the time. In fact, when I became vegan, I became vegan for health reasons.
– Rey Ortega
Show notes with timestamps:
🍪 [00:43] Cookies and entrepreneurship: health challenges and tasty pivots: dominating market with vegan cookies.
😎 [02:30] In cookie business for almost 30 years: How he became an angry vegan.
😇 [06:53] Learning how to make cookies without eggs: starting first company with just $5000 and huge passion.
😋 [08:54] Taking slack for creating a vegan baking business in 1994: giving away cookies for convincing people of its great taste.
👉 [12:30] Vegan cookies these days don't have issues with taste but with competition: saturated market.
👀 [15:20] Plant-based but not vegan: vegan products are getting to the mainstream, but we still need to look at labels.
🤕 [17:48] From illness to entrepreneurship: struggles with chronic illness made him learn about food digestion, and his sicknesses catapulted Rey into veganism.
💚 [23:25] Rey’s passion comes from veganism.
👨🍳 [26:16] Vegan cannabis producer of edibles: becoming a serial entrepreneur is a natural way of entrepreneurship life.
-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It. -
Karen Ranzi is a pioneer in the vegan and raw food movement, vegan since 1989 and raw vegan since 1994, guiding thousands of individuals and families to excellent health and wellbeing through a vegan and raw food lifestyle.
In 2020, when the COVID pandemic rocked the world, Karen Ramzi had a thriving live raw vegan coaching and classes business called Feel Fabulous With Food that she had built over decades. Karen was no longer able to host live classes for students and couldn't offer her in-person coaching appointments. Instead of panicking, Karen quickly started exploring ways she could continue to share her passion for teaching the vegan and raw lifestyle.
By leveraging her newsletter and social media platforms in a whole new way, Karen was able to bring in more new students and clients for online classes and sessions than ever before. In this episode, Karen shares how she did it. From creating interesting content and leveraging various tools for communication to restructuring her offers to appeal to new students and clients with varied interests, Karen shows us what a truly successful pivot can look like.
Karen Ranzi, M.A. is an Award-Winning Author, Vegan Health Coach, Autism Expert, Internationally Acclaimed Speaker, Director of the Vegan Coach Certification Course, Raw Food Health Retreat Leader of retreats in Costa Rica and the Women’s Health Retreat, and Speech/Language/Feeding Therapist. Karen has been a featured speaker worldwide for over twenty years, presenting at events such as the London VegFest and the annual Woodstock Fruit Festival.
Get to know Karen and Feel Fabulous With Food better here: https://feelfabulouswithfood.com/
Quote
Go with your passion, get strong, realize that your mindset is going to establish your business going forward. If you're fearful of getting on camera, just look at your underlying cause. Why are you passionate about spreading the information of a vegan business? Why do you want to get your message out there? I hope today’s show will give you that solid grounding that you need to spread your own message.
–Karen Ranzi
Show notes:
👩💼 [00:43] Longevity in establishing a business: Karen’s expertise and experience.
📣 [03:31] Helping people understand the vegan message through coaching and courses from 1988.
👵 [10:57] Karen’s inspirational story from her grandmother: issues with skin pushed her into the vegan way of life.
🎯 [15:29] When medications are not working: be in control of your health and the health of the world.
😷 [18:56] Entrepreneurship during the pandemic was in panic mode: in-person events and meetings moved to Zoom.
🌞 [22:43] Transitions in business: doing things Karen never did before - using the power of social media.
💎 [27:06] Courage to do new things in business: learning new things and being willing to be visible.
📚 [30:17] Karen’s books and websites: focus on children, coaching and coaching certificates.
🔥 [35:27] Your beliefs and passion are the pillars of your business.-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It. -
Get ready to be inspired by the remarkable journey of Crystal Bonnet, the mastermind behind Crystal Dawn Culinary. As a raw food chef, instructor, and cookbook author, Crystal embraces her culinary artistry as a potent form of activism, changing skeptics' minds about vegan food. Join us as we explore her captivating foray into entrepreneurship and how she leverages her passion for plant-based cuisine to make a positive impact on the world.
Having honed her culinary skills at Matthew Kenney Culinary Academy and Pure Joy Academy, Crystal's deep knowledge of raw foods led her to establish Crystal Dawn Culinary. Here, she shares her insights with students eager to discover the health benefits of plant-based living.
Beyond creating delectable plant-based menus for new restaurants and catering health retreats across Canada and Europe, Crystal is passionate about using her culinary skills as a form of activism to influence change. She shares her experiences of how she effortlessly showcases the ease and deliciousness of raw desserts, proving that choosing plant-based options doesn't mean compromising on taste or satisfaction.
Moreover, we delve into Crystal's inspiring journey as an entrepreneur. Armed with determination and a vision for a more compassionate world, she ventured into the world of business, founding Crystal Dawn Culinary almost four years ago. Throughout her entrepreneurial voyage, she has encountered failures and mistakes, but she embraces them as invaluable lessons that have contributed to her growth and success.
Join us as Crystal shares her insights on transforming failures into stepping stones and the resilience required to navigate the world of entrepreneurship. Her passion for culinary activism and unwavering dedication to her mission will leave you inspired to make positive changes in your own life and the world around you.
Don't miss this empowering episode, where we celebrate the fusion of culinary artistry, activism, and entrepreneurship with the incredible Crystal Bonnet.
Get to know Crystal Bonnet and Crystal Dawn Culinary more here: https://crystaldawnculinary.com/
Quote:
If you are feeling you're feeling stuck, and you're feeling overwhelmed and stressed – it will pass. Just know that this means that you're on the right path, you're growing, you are doing something important. And just keep going – they say that only 4% of business owners don't quit and keep going. So be that 4%. Be that 4% because those 4% are the ones that succeed. So just keep going and don't quit, and it will all work out.
–Crystal Bonnet
Notes:
👩🏻🍳 [02:03] Activism intertwined with entrepreneurship: Crystal embraced culinary activism.
🌞 [03:45] From raw food classes to creation of an online academy and raw dessert culinary course.
👂🏻 [06:15] How Crystal serviced her community: polls, surveys, market searches and finding gaps in the market.
😇 [08:01] Fun dehydrating series: what is a successful online course?
😎 [10:19] Crystal’s priority is her students: being present and super engaged is her secret sauce.
🤓 [13:59] The biggest risk Crystal takes: when you create a product that is not suitable for business growth.
🙃 [16:23] Managing your emotions and difficult decisions: growing and learning as a person together with your business.
📸 [19:19] Tech challenges, photography, filming and food preparation Crystal does all by herself.
📕 [21:31] Cookbook The Art of Raw Desserts: it took two years to create this project.
🤹🏻♀️ [23:41] Managing multiple projects at the same time: keeping your business sustainable and having multiple revenue streams.
⚡ [26:26] Only 50% of her students are vegans: other people just enjoy the food.
⚖️ [28:24] Taking breaks and taking time off is hard for Crystal: balancing work and her time.
🎯 [33:23] If you don’t feel like you want to quit - you are not doing it right: be the 4% of the ones who never give up!-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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Get ready to be inspired by Benjamin Hagerty, co-founder of It’s Bree and Ben, as he takes us on a journey through his experiences as a vegan traveler and researcher. Benjamin and his wife, Brianne Nemiroff, embarked on a remarkable two-year-long trip across Canada and the U.S., uncovering and showcasing vegan businesses in their travel guides.
Driven by the desire to highlight the stories of vegan entrepreneurs and their contributions to society, Benjamin entered grad school and embarked on a research project exploring the operationalization of the vegan philosophy in businesses. His findings, published in the academic blog series, "Ben’s Vegan Vancouver," offer unique perspectives on business, inclusivity and other topics not typically found in mainstream literature.
During the episode, Benjamin discusses the challenges faced by vegan entrepreneurs in Vancouver. Despite the city's reputation for being vegan-friendly, he reveals how businesses often encounter discrimination, leading some to hide their certifications, even after going through rigorous processes like PETA certification. These insights expose the struggle that vegan communities face to gain acceptance in mainstream culture, despite the growing popularity of veganism.
Join us as we explore the intriguing intersection between veganism, entrepreneurship, and societal norms, and how certifications become vital indicators of safety and inclusivity for consumers.
Don't miss this enlightening conversation that will broaden your perspective on vegan entrepreneurship and the transformative power of the vegan philosophy in the business world.
Get to know Benjamin Hagerty and his valuable research at It’s Bree and Ben here: https://itsbreeandben.com/
Quote:
The best lesson I've learned is, if you encounter any difficulty, don't hate yourself, take a breath, and then see, ‘What is it that I really need to learn? What is it that I'm expecting of myself? Is it practical?’. If it is, and if it fits with your mission, look for resources and people who can help you get there. And if you are just honest and kind to yourself, then awesome. The kindness will gravitate to others who want to help you in your mission.
– Benjamin Hagerty
Show Notes:
▶️ [02:01] How ‘It’s Bree and Ben’ was created: from becoming vegans, through the transcontinental journey to a website for shopping, traveling and learning kindly.
🧳 [07:16] First eight months of traveling: establishing routine and working full time on the road.
😍 [10:06] Working and traveling: be kind to yourself, be honest and check with your body and travel partners.
😇 [11:35] Difference in planning your traveling vs. day-to-day itineraries on the road: find your strengths.
🍀 [13:03] Diversity within veganism geographically and culturally.
🎓 [14:07] The research project on veganism: how vegan entrepreneurs in Vancouver, BC, experienced and operationalized the vegan philosophy.
4️⃣ [19:58] The four main themes for vegan entrepreneurs: health, environment for greater inclusivity and business spaces, mistrust for veganism, and costs of vegan entrepreneurship.
⚠️ [23:06] Many cities have sustainable actionable projects and goals in mind, but they should think about getting entrepreneurs to reach those goals.
🌟 [26:48] We define success in a very limited way that prizes exploitation: how to define success as a cultural policy that safeguards what is precious to us.
🦸🏾 [29:26] Examples of businesses with empathy as the first idea in mind: combining compassion and bottom line to impact your community with your business.
📈 [35:52] Success doesn't begin with being mean to yourself and others.
✌🏾 [37:29] Stephanie believes that people sometimes set expectations that don’t serve us: being on the grind is not helpful.-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It. -
Jay Barrett is a globally experienced human resources professional and an empathetic and passionate advocate of veganism. With a commitment to fostering a more compassionate and sustainable world, he strives to reduce society's reliance on animals for food, materials, testing, and entertainment. After dedicating 12 years to the fashion industry, Jay embarked on a new path as a consultant, merging his passion for veganism with his expertise in human resources.
Jay is currently on an entrepreneurial journey, establishing a business and brand that creates opportunities for others. As the visionary behind Culture Canopy, a human resources consultancy, he focuses on collaborating with purpose-driven clients who aspire to make a positive impact on the world, particularly within the realms of social impact, veganism, sustainability, and animal advocacy.
Culture Canopy is at the forefront of developing people-centric, sustainable, and holistic human resources initiatives and services. Their approach is tailored to each organization's unique ambitions and goals, ensuring a perfect fit. Jay and his accomplished team design compassionate and effective people strategies, providing transformational human resources solutions to enhance employee performance and elevate their overall experience.
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating concept of fractional HR and how it empowers organizations with invaluable access to expert guidance and services. Jay also shares profound insights on strategic planning for future growth, encouraging organizations to embrace scalability and evolution over time. Don't miss this opportunity to gain unparalleled wisdom and learn how to shape a brighter future for your organization. Tune in and be inspired by Jay's extraordinary journey, brimming with passion, purpose, and meaningful impact.
Get to know Jay and Culture Canopy better here: https://www.culturecanopy.com/
Quote
When you're leading people, your role is to determine what your team needs, because everyone is different. Some people need more structure, some are good with ambiguity and the freedom to go and figure it out. And some people want to know, ‘This is exactly what I need to do. These are the kinds of boundaries that I work with.’ It's finding that happy medium that works with everyone.
– Jay Barrett
Show Notes
🙋🏾♀️ [00:43]Today's topic is HR: how to create a culture within an organization that supports people and our ethical standards.
👨💼 [03:09] Functional HR: James is passionate about working with organizations that are growing.
🍀 [07:23] HR is helping you bring your vision to life: internal systems, team dynamics and contexts for navigating, so everyone in your team is set up for success.
✌🏾 [10:12] Two most important HR aha moments for Stephanie.
⚠️ [12:44] The one-year annual performance process is not enough to build a good team: talent nurture, workforce planning, communication channels, regular feedback and talent management that speaks with the culture.
2️⃣ [16:28] Two reviews per year: when business is changing, multiple reviews are needed.
⚡ [19:05] Keeping communication and collaboration boundaries clear: importance of having specific time and space for one-on-one meetings to discuss what the team needs.
🥅 [21:57] How consistency and process helped Stephanie’s team to get the same type of support for everyone in her team.
🌟 [23:33] Leading a team means determining what your team needs.
🛣️ [25:28] Remaining agile and be prepared for changes: don’t be rigid - you are on a journey.
😎 [27:23] HR consultancy and James’ pro bono support for organizations in animal and vegan advocacy space.
🏆 [30:46] You need to be prepared for pivoting: don’t forget to refine and look back on your achievements.
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Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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Maria Cebrian is a three-time entrepreneur and with 14 years of experience in the digital and wellness industries. After selling her second company, she set out to build the most sustainable supplements on earth after learning about the impact of this industry on animals and the environment. Every year, the US supplement industry kills 24 billion animals and creates 1.8 billion plastic pill bottles.
In 2016 Maria and her co-founder Hava Horowitz wanted to simplify and complete vegans’ nutritional needs with sustainable and ethical supplements that have no impact on the planet.
In this episode of Pivot, we speak to Maria, the co-founder and CEO of Terraseed, about her entrepreneurship journey and how the business became what it is today.
Terraseed has partnered with the non-profit Animal Save Movement to make a petition to the FDA to implement more transparent regulations for supplement companies, which would mandate companies to disclose if their supplements contain animal byproducts. Terraseed has secured almost 5,000 signatures and is on a mission to gather 25,000 signatures to pass them along to the FDA.
Maria shares what it takes to revolutionize an entire industry by transforming the way things are done to truly make an impact on the world.
Get to know Maria and Terraseed better here: https://terraseed.com/
Quote
I truly believe that a company or a startup is an extension of who we are…we are absolutely connected. I'm very spiritual in that way. My recommendation is that you build something that is 100% aligned with who you are, as a human being. Because if there's no alignment, when you start bumping into all these challenges and all issues, it’s really hard. This is brutal, especially when you have a physical product. So if your business is not 100% aligned with you, and without a very clear mission that you can hold on to, is going to be very difficult.
—Maria Cebrian
Show notes timestamps
💊 [00:43] How vegan businesses can disrupt industries: what it takes to lead a revolution in the supplements industry.
🤦♀️ [02:24] So many ingredients in supplements come from animals: building something that is totally different from what you can find in the market.
😲 [05:30] A lot of supplements have animal ingredients: the supplement industry kills 24 billion animals a year, mostly fish.
🧪 [08:56] Lack of transparency and scientific approach in the supplement industry.
😇 [12:42] Maria’s biodegradable package for supplements: journey and tests to create compostable tubes for their products.
🎯 [16:03] Building a mission-driven business is inspiring you to take the extra mile.
✌️ [17:56] The two keys to a resilient and positive mindset.
✍️ [20:46] Online petition to include info on animals in supplement facts labels.
💎 [24:47] Build a business that is 100% aligned with who you are.
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Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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Brett Christoffel is the Founder and CEO of All Y’alls Foods. All Y’alls Foods was born from Brett's love of cows. After spending over 40 years consuming them, it hit Brett that he loved all animals as much as he loved a dog or cat, so he stopped eating meat and became a vegan.
As a native Texan, Brett takes pride in his state. When he learned that one of Texas' most substantial contributions to the world is beef, he decided to support changing that by launching All Y'alls' first product: It’s Jerky Y’all, in May of 2018.
In this episode of Pivot, Brett describes his journey from avid carnivore to becoming vegan and founding his plant-based snack company in Texas, USA.
Brett shares his story of vegan entrepreneurship and what it was like launching a plant-based food brand in Texas, a state whose second-largest export is beef.
Get to know Brett and All Y'alls Foods better here: http://www.allyallsfoods.com
Quote
Things have changed and people are seeing it. 90% of all plant-based foods are eaten by people who still eat meat - so it's happening, people are trying it, people are sampling things. Whether it's from a health perspective, Planet perspective, or compassion for the animal perspective, more and more people just keep coming to it. And what's great is no matter why they come to it, at least it impacts all three areas every time.
—Brett Christoffe
Shownotes timestamps
⭐ [01:45] All Y'alls Foods is a mission-driven plant-based proteins company that is based in Texas.
⏪ [04:24] Two books that changed Brett’s life: meatless Monday was fun for him until he realized that diet and diseases are related.
☎️ [09:05] It all started at Grapevine Main Street Festival: calling vegan grocery stores to move forward and scale.
💲 [11:01] Selling ⅔ retail and ⅓ online: the ways consumer packaged goods are usually distributed.
🐮 [14:12] Getting out of animal agriculture to different field with great success.
📈 [17:35] Vegan business perspective and margins: why Brett uses only organic soybeans.
🫘 [21:36] All certificates All Y’alls Food is working on: no GMO.
🤓 [24:14] Vegan business challenges: world is changing and 90% of all plant-based foods are eaten by people who still eat meat.
🎶 [26:24] What he is most proud of: “Damn, it feels good to be a vegan.”
🎯 [28:15] Getting things right: working hard and being happier than ever.
Links:
Song ‘Damn, It Feels Good to be a Vegan”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F55n7DGRCXE
Supporting Rowdy Girl Sanctuary: https://rowdygirlsanctuary.org/
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Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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Full Description / Episode Show Notes
Not long after becoming vegan for health reasons, Keith Lesser became just as passionate about the ethics of veganism–preventing animal cruelty, promoting sustainability and acting against climate change.
Keith decided to combine his career in accountancy and veganism to serve the vegan business community with quality accounting services. He acquired the Vegan Accountants brand, built a vegan team and re-vamped, re-launched and later re-branded the business with significant growth of 500% in the first 24 months.
In this episode of Pivot, the Managing Director of Vegan Accountants, Keith Lesser, joins us to share how his business helps vegan and ethical businesses with their accounts and tax compliance.
Keith's story is a fantastic account of how you don't necessarily need to change professions to become a vegan entrepreneur.
Get to know Keith and Vegan Accountants better here: https://veganaccountants.co.uk/
Quote:
If you have anxiety about taxes, it is a good thing to delegate and just focus on what you're good at. It all comes back to having an abundance and growth mindset, don’t try and do everything yourself and think, “Oh, I save, save a little bit on this.”
—Keith Lesser
Show notes timestamps:
🙋🏾♀️ [00:50] Vegan businesses are not only food-based: a vegan accountant is a must.
🤩 [05:52] Keith merged his vegan lifestyle and the family accounting business.
➡️ [08:52] The good balance: put quality at the forefront of everything and add ethics to it.
🤯 [12:15] Team of vegan accountants and connection with clients: you can't hide from the accountant.
⚡ [15:39] It’s easier to go to the mass market, but then you leave your mission a little bit at the door: yes, there are plenty of vegan businesses out there.
🎯 [17:25] Having an accountant on your side is important: shifting businesses with a good understanding of finances.
⏰ [21:01] When is the best time to get an accountant?
🆚 [21:45] Having accounting software vs. having an accountant.
✅ [23:00] Thinking about prices, value and scalability from day one.
🔢 [24:10] Emotional barrier and the value of the offering: understanding numbers.
💸 [27:00] Taxes in the USA and UK: people don’t count taxes in and break down the invoices incorrectly.
🧭 [32:02] Tax planning phase: business and personal tax planning throughout the year.
🗝️ [34:11] Relationship, connection and expertise are the key points for every business.
⚖️ [37:10] Reducing client base, tweaking process and improving balance in the business.-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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Stephanie Downs has more than 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and spent over a decade advising fashion and automotive brands on animal alternatives. She also founded the largest plant-based meat company in India.
In this episode of Pivot, Stephanie Co-Founder and CEO of Uncaged joins us to share her story of founding a sustainability brand during the pandemic. Uncaged is a biomaterials company combining the power of nature and technology to reimagine leather.
Stephanie Stephanie and co-founder and CTO Dr. Xiaokun Wang spent two years in the lab working to find a way to replicate the characteristics of leather. After testing thousands of combinations, they developed Uncaged's proprietary bio-leather materials and launched a business in the midst of a pandemic.
Tune in to hear Stephanie and Dr. Wang's journey into vegan entrepreneurship and what it takes to get a sustainable brand off the ground.
Get to know Stephanie and Uncaged better here: https://www.uncagedinnovations.com/
QuoteThere's never any harm in planning out the big picture and then breaking it down into chunks. I personally do it to make the big goal less overwhelming. So we take a big, one-year goal, and then break it down into quarters, and then break it up down into months.
— Stephanie Downs
Shownotes timestamps🦊 [00:20]Taking animals out of products and still having cool things.
🤯 [03:36] Stephanie’s business history: from working with PETA, starting her plant meat business and going into leather-alternative space.
🍍 [06:23] Most vegan leathers are made of plastic: innovation in next-gen vegan leathers.
👗 [09:00] The demand for leather alternatives is vast and mostly comes from fashion brands.
🚘 [11:10] Collaborative relationship with smaller and huge brands: electric vehicle industry and creative processes.
👀 [13:28] Market penetration is different within automotive and fashion industries: startup needs to strategize where to focus the energy.
🎩 [16:08] Staying sharp in strategic mindset: breaking KPIs into monthly plans and additional tricks.
🎯 [18:40] Helping companies hear your voice and choice, plus voting with your dollars, are great approaches to getting more vegan products made.
✨ [20:22] Vegans are loyal customers: vegans love luxury too.
🐮 [22:58] The importance of educating consumers: leather is embalmed skin - how the products are made.
🥗 [25:54] Switching to vegan food is the hardest because food is an emotional thing, but people will start using other vegan products very easily.-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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Clarissa Gannon owns the online coaching company, Vegan Fit For Life (formerly Elite Fit For Life). She is also a multiple-times certified fitness and nutrition coach.
Clarissa founded Vegan Fit For Life as a result of her expansive experience in the fitness industry and after observing just how broken it is. After making the decision to incorporate a vegan lifestyle to help some health and digestive issues, Clarissa realized how desperate the vegan community was with needing real information and real nutritional strategies.
As a result, Vegan Fit For Life has become a main source of nutritional information for the general population and the vegan competitive athlete. Clarissa holds several specialist certifications and implements full integration of health in all nutritional protocols.
Clarissa launched her company 8 years ago and has since grown it to 6 figures. She joins us for this episode to share her entrepreneurship journey. Clarissa opens up about what it's like being a mom to 4 children while running a busy business and competing as a vegan bodybuilder. She also shares what it took to get to where she is today–running a successful six-figure business and offering the only truly complete vegan coaching service.
Get to know Clarissa and Vegan Fit For Life better here: https://www.veganfitforlife.com/
Quote
If you own a business, there's always tons of doubt. If your intent is pure, that you're helping people, then I think that, as long as you don't give up on yourself that at some point, you will reach that goal. The instant overnight success stories can get in the way and give you a lot of that impostor syndrome, but I really believe if you narrow down on that on the niche where you want to work, really identify who your ICA is, and then listen to them, they'll give you the feedback on what they want, and what they need.
—Clarissa Gannon
Shownotes timestamps:
💼 [00:43] Identifying our business niche and figuring out where you can really help can be challenging.
🏋️♀️ [02:10] Clarissa started in the bodybuilding world: moving away from animal proteins in her life and business was aligned with her views.
🎯 [04:27] Why aligning your business to your views is a road to success.
🍏 [05:29] What is Complete Coaching: fixing underlying issues and helping women lose weight based on data and specialists’ input.
✨ [08:20] Coaching business means reassuring your clients and being there for them.
💡 [11:46] Self-doubt is a normal process when having a business: know your niche and ask your customers for feedback.
⏰ [15:20] Coaching process is not just a prescription: people need time to apply coaching advice.
🦸♀️ [16:20] Helping clients deal with stressful expectations.
🤩 [19:31] How to find clients: making connections through social media content.
⚡ [24:16] Marketing is an extended process: Stephanie’s thoughts on the power of following up with people.
🆕 [26:51] Clarissa’s new program is about gut health.
🥅 [29:39] Hiring a coach helped Clarissa’s business so much and offloaded a lot of the confusion.-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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VEG3 is an AI-powered marketing assistant that helps vegan businesses and animal rights charities create impactful marketing campaigns that increase revenue while saving animals.
After spending more than a decade laser-focused on making data-driven decisions to maximize the impact of work done by vegan businesses, VEG3 founder, Sam Tucker, realized there was a technological revolution happening that could scale the vegan movement and its economic impact to a previously unprecedented level.
https://veg3.ai/
Quote
Scalability of your impact, especially as a vegan business, is driven by more than just the desire for profit - we have this deeper purpose of trying to change the world. And to change the world, it requires a lot more work than any one human can do on their own. So you have to be able to let go and to delegate in order to grow.
—Sam Tucker
⚙️ [00:40] How AI can be a tool in your toolkit and help you grow business.▶️ [02:23] Animal activist since his teenage years: the idea of working in digital space was born out of limited scalability issues for nonprofits.
🤖 [05:45] Generic AI doesn't understand brand messaging for vegan businesses: VEG3 tool and the need to train AI on your own data.
👨🏫 [07:44] AI tool that analyses marketing data and knows how marketing content will perform before you publish it.
📈 [09:45] Two biggest benefits of AI for businesses.
🦾 [11:58] Implementing AI in your business: find AI substitute for all the repetitive work and how to get answers you need.
🔐 [16:07] Copywriters are the target market for AI: data privacy policy in VEG3 and personal securities with AI.
🏆 [19:23] Investment in AI for business owners: reducing costs and increasing quality and quantity simultaneously.
[22:02] Testing ads with AI: packages and free options VEG3 provides.
🎯 [25:15] To scale, you need to learn to delegate.
🦋 [27:19] Everything in your business will change with time: you as well.
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Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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Full Description
Jane Velez-Mitchell started her non-profit network, UnchainedTV, with a single Go Pro camera, videotaping the stories she felt needed to be on network television, but weren't. UnchainedTV quickly evolved into a global social media network with dozens of citizen journalists going LIVE on Facebook and Instagram around the world, garnering millions of views.
On a mission to share the truth about the horrific problems created by industrialized animal agriculture, UnchainedTV offers viewers delicious alternatives that are better for people, the environment and the animals.
In this episode, Jane shares how she went from award-winning TV journalist, New York Times bestselling author and documentary filmmaker to running a free, vegan, CNN/Netflix-style streaming TV network.
Get to know Jane Velez-Mitchell and UnchainedTV better here: https://unchainedtv.com
Quote
You have to always get through that period where it seems like, “Oh, no, this isn't working. Oh, my God, what did I do?” I've had those moments…there are those moments in every business. I just try to put those thoughts aside and do the next indicated thing and stay out of the results. Just prod forward – prod forward to get through a difficult point where it looks impossible.”
— Jane Velez-Mitchell
Shownotes timestamps
⚠️ [02:46] The mission is to wake the world up to veganism: eating animals is causing most of our problems.
📺 [04:29] Jane was in mainstream media for 40 years and then decided it was time to break the vegan bubble and founded UnchainedTV.
⚡ [08:34] The importance of having information to drive a change.
💡 [10:05] Bringing activism to your business: if you're good at something, do that–it doesn't matter what it is, you can use it to help animals.
🤩 [15:45] How UnchainedTV can help your vegan business pivot.
🧐 [18:57] Why the mainstream media isn’t talking about animal agriculture.
👩💼 [20:55] UnchainedTV pivoted so many times and adapted to challenges faced.
⚖️ [23:42] Coverage of the open rescue trial of former Baywatch actress Alexandra Paul and her co-defendant, Alicia Santurio.
😤 [26:36] California overturns the proposition forbidding meat from pig gestation.
🗝️ [29:52] Driving change: do things in front of you and be patient.
💎 [33:07] How to get through hard times and the power of streaming to get the message out there.
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Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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PlantX started as a passion project at the beginning of a global pandemic. PlantX is not only an online store for plant-based products, but an all-encompassing online platform that makes living a plant-based lifestyle accessible to all. It's an online vegan community where users can order healthy vegan meals and learn about the vegan lifestyle through discussions and blogs.
PlantX CEO Lorne Rapkin joins us to share how PlantX leveraged the open and inviting nature of the vegan industry to help fuel its incredible growth in a short period of time. We'll also discuss PlantX's visions for taking the company and the industry to the next level.
Get to know Lorne and PlantX better here: https://plantx.com/
Quote[Our community runs] definitely set us apart from other e-commerce platforms out there that are just sending your goods to your door. With us, whenever you place your next order, we want that conversation to continue and we want to engage you throughout that period of time, before your next order.
—Lorne Rapkin
Shownotes timestamps
🌸 [02:50] When your community’s collaboration helps your business growth.
🏪 [04:55] Online and retail stores: it started with online but physical stores can be marketing tools to use for product discovery.
🎓 [08:10] Using storefronts to educate customers.
😲 [10:38] Plantx started just three years ago: e-commerce bloomed during pandemic and new pivot came with variety.
📈 [14:11] When to expand vs. when to dilute: Plantx acquisitions and synergy with other companies during pandemic.
🤓 [18:19] How Plantx engages their customers after purchases and shaped a community around them.
⚠️ [20:28] Customer support and events are glue between purchases.
🥳 [22:16] Combination of art, music, food and all kind of inclusive community events.
😉 [24:18] Allowing customers to request new products.
✨ [27:19] Short recipe for business owners: explore your passion, ask for help, ask questions and treat everyone as best as possible.-----
Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. This is recorded as a live-streaming session, so I hope you’ll join us for future interviews as well! If you are feeling inspired but unsure of how to take actionable steps to improve your business, I invite you to explore our two premium paid podcasts, Going Solo and Fix It.
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