Desiree Dupuis is the visionary behind Voes & Co, a pioneering vegan lifestyle brand redefining the fashion industry. In this episode of Pivot! Desiree shares a journey fueled by her passion for ethical living and sustainable fashion that culminated in the creation of Voes & Co.

We dive into the whole origin story –from Desiree's frustration with the lack of vegan footwear options to the realization of her dream of Voes & Co.

Discover how she navigated the challenges of the pandemic with resilience and determination, forging ahead to create a brand synonymous with integrity and innovation.

Plus, learn about Voes & Co's commitment to ethically sourced materials and sustainable practices, and their mission to lead the way toward a plastic-free future.

Desiree's entrepreneurial mindset, her dedication to her values, and the profound impact of her work on the global fashion landscape offer valuable insights that you can take back to your business.

Get to know Desiree and Voes & Co better here: https://voesandcompany.com

Quote:

What I like to tell people and inspire people is that “We may not have the perfect solution right now, and we are not 100% plastic-free, but when you invest in brands and products that are as far along on the path as possible, you are part of helping us pioneer the way.” We can continue to push the foreground of what we can do.

—-Desiree Dupuis

Show notes timestamps:
🌵 [00:46] “At least it is vegan” vs. having something nice to wear: changes in the vegan fashion industry.
📈 [03:30] Desiree’s journey from corporate to entrepreneur: solving the need for luxury designer footwear made from plant-based materials.
🚀 [07:04] How Desiree came up with the name VOES: the international brand name with a nice flow on the tongue.
♻️ [09:32] Choosing partners and materials that will not harm animals: reducing plastic, waste, and petroleum products in the fashion industry.
🛍️ [15:06] After the pandemic, the retail game shifted: issues with supply, waste, and smaller batch productions as part of the solution.
🤩 [17:09] The power of customer choices: consumers want to support sustainable brands.
🤓 [19:01] Positioning brand around plant leather: issues with quality, vendors, and letting go of expectations and stress in running a business.
👩‍💼 [24:22] Living in Bali and running a business: worldwide suppliers and manufacturers, a 3PL and an e-commerce website is all she needs.

-----

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.

Aimee Kilmer, Founding Partner & Creative Director of Good Stuff Partners, has spent more than 20 years in the creative industry advocating for brands that prioritize the well-being of people, animals, and the planet. From designing for VegNews and V-Dog to working with Habitat for Humanity, Aimee’s passion for purpose-driven work has always been at the forefront of her career.

In this episode, Aimee shares how her dissatisfaction with traditional creative agency work led her to co-found Good Stuff Partners whose mission is to work with clients that align with her values. She discusses how staying authentic to her principles drives the work she does and helps her deliver the most meaningful results for her clients.

Beyond her professional achievements, Aimee talks about her commitment to the vegan lifestyle, her volunteer work with the Marin Humane Society, and the importance of standing up for animal rights in her community.

Tune in to hear her inspiring journey and how she embodies the values she promotes through her agency.

Get to know Aimee and Good Stuff Partners better here: https://www.goodstuffpartners.com/

Quote:

Just listen to your gut. If you have a bad feeling about something, run for the hills. Find a different client, because it never really works out. And I think that's just something as women we need to do – trust our gut more. It’s something I wish I'd done early on. And it also goes the other way; when you have a great feeling about someone, you can really start to build great relationships.

– Aimee Kilmer

Show notes timestamps:
▶️ [01:12] Seeing your long-term impact: creating "Good Stuff Partners" and helping both non-profit and profit organizations.
🌺 [02:46] Supporting vegan brands that need help with their communications: working only with purpose-driven companies.
💼 [05:38] Learning about business in a small agency: find a great mentor and decide what you want to stand for.
3️⃣ [10:25] How Aimee chooses clients: three filters they use when deciding which companies to work with.
🤓 [13:26] Branding means combining verbal positioning with strong visuals: capturing the core essence of the company.
📊 [16:23] Key aspects of branding: brand positioning, voice, naming, taglines, identity, and the digital application of graphic design.
🎯 [18:00] Transitioning to a four-day work week: increasing productivity, creativity, and helping employees recharge.
🆓 [23:05] Free advice for businesses, designers, and purpose-driven companies: email Aimee.
😇 [25:03] Connecting with like-minded people is crucial: trust your gut – it will save you time, money, and health.
⚠️ [27:22] Continuing under pressure is rarely effective: experiences teach us, but they aren’t always ideal for making big changes.

-----

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 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: MARPHYL

Quote:

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.