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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.