Vegan Business Talk

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

This is a special episode of the show, with some tips to help you and your vegan business survive the current COVID-19 coronavirus crisis. I’m joined by three experts: Bob Ratnarajah, a strategic finance practitioner in Australia; Karen Knowler, a business and mindset coach in the UK; and Stephanie Redcross, a business coach and marketing consultant with Vegan Mainstream in the US.           Bob provides you with some practical strategies to preserve cash and adapt your business. Kare...

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

Michelle Courtright of vegan eco-restaurant Fig + Farro chats with Katrina Fox in this episode of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode, I interview Michelle Courtright, the owner of Fig + Farro, a mission-based restaurant in Minnesota that educates guests on the environmental benefits of plant-based food. Michelle was part of a business delegation to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Poland in 2018 and a consultant on the UN’s COP25 menu in Madrid in 2019. She’s been trained by Al Gore as part of the Climate Reality Leadership Corp and worked with the Mayor of Minneapolis to issue a Proclam...

VBT 137: The pros and cons of vegan capitalism

Katrina Fox discusses the impact of multinational corporations getting in on the vegan and plant-based trend.

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

In this episode I’m sharing a talk I gave last year at the World Vegan Day festival in Melbourne, Australia, called ‘Will vegan capitalism save the world?’ It’s a bit of a controversial topic, but one worth exploring as multi-national corporations not known for their ethics in regards to animals, people or planet are jumping on the plant-based trend, bringing out their own animal-free versions of popular products, investing in vegan businesses or buying vegan companies. One of the issues th...

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

In this episode I interview Emma Osborne, founder of Citizen Kind, a vegan recruitment firm in the UK. After more than 12 years working for a recruitment firm in Asia, Emma decided to use her international knowledge and corporate experience to work with businesses looking to bring some good into the world. In 2018 she created Citizen Kind, a recruitment company that focuses on working with sustainable, ethical and vegan companies to connect them with the employees they need to help them gro...

Vegan Business Talk 136: Emma Osborne of vegan recruitment firm Citizen Kind

Emma Osborne of vegan recruitment firm Citizen Kind chats with Katrina Fox in this episode of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode I interview Melissa Murphy-Webster from AVS Organic Foods vegan cheese company in Melbourne, Australia. The company – which was originally called A Vegan Smiles – was the first to produce non-dairy cheese in block form in Australia which Melissa distributed via markets and retail stores. Melissa has a strong business background, including holding an MBA which she completed in 2017. Prior to starting her own business in 2013 she worked for 17 years with The Chemist Warehouse...

Vegan Business Talk 135: Melissa Murphy Webster of vegan cheese firm AVS Organic Foods

Melissa Murphy-Webster of AVS Organic Foods talks with Katrina Fox in this episode of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode I interview Rimi Dabhia, founder of vegan snack company LoveRaw in Cheshire, in the north of England. Rimi left behind her career in investment banking and founded LoveRaw, which makes vegan, organic, natural chocolate snacks, in 2013 from her in-law’s home kitchen in Manchester with a budget of just £600. In February 2018 she appeared on Dragon’s Den (the UK equivalent of Shark Tank). Despite receiving an offer of investment from renowned dragon Deborah Meaden, Rimi turned ...

Vegan Business Talk 134: Rimi Dabhia of LoveRaw vegan snack company

Rimi Dabhia of LoveRaw vegan snack company chats with Katrina Fox in this episode of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode I interview Alicia Robb, a vegan investor in Colorado in the US. With a strong background in economics, Alicia created Next Wave Impact to increase diversity, inclusion, and impact in early-stage investing. The company’s global fund has 99 female investors, 25 of them women of color, which is led by an experienced investment committee of 10 women. As well as investing in vegan-led companies, Alicia also recently founded Vegan Investors, an angel investor group focused on hel...

VBT 133: Interview with Alicia Robb, vegan investor

Vegan investor Alicia Robb chats with Katrina Fox.

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

In this episode I interview Jeffrey Harris, co-founder of Plant Power Fast Food, a vegan fast food chain in San Diego, California. Jeffrey has spent the past 30 years working in the professional audio industry, mostly as a regional and national sales account manager for top brands. In 2004 he began to contemplate the idea of building a nationwide chain of 100% plant-based fast-food restaurants. After years of searching for partners who had the operational expertise he lacked, Jeffrey event...

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

Jeffrey Harris of vegan fast food chain Plant Power Fast Food chats with Katrina Fox in this episode of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode I interview Shawna Barker, a plant-based nutritionist in Vancouver, Canada. Shawna is also the owner, manager and in-store nutritionist at Plant Life Nutrition, Vancouver's only fully vegan health food store. She began her journey towards health and nutrition over 25 years ago when she decided to change her diet at a very young age and was determined to learn everything she could about nutrition, food science, natural health, and how to thrive on a plant-based diet. Shawna ...

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

Shawna Barker, vegan nutritionist and health store owner in Vancouver, chats with Katrina Fox of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode I interview Callee Ackland, founder of Bestowed Essentials, a wholesale distributor, online marketplace, and zero waste retail store selling ethical, vegan and eco-friendly home goods in Rapid City, South Dakota. Callee founded the company three years ago at the age of 23 while still on active duty in the US Navy. A zero waste activist, Callee also hosts the popular Hippie Haven Podcast, a free weekly resource on sustainable living. She also travels the US in a self-convert...

VBT 130 Callee Ackland of zero waste vegan retailer Bestowed Essentials

Callee Ackland of zero waste vegan retailer Bestowed Essentials chats to Katrina Fox in this episode of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode, I interview Claire Smith, co-founder of humane investment platform Beyond Investing, in Switzerland. Claire is a vegan and environmentalist with 34 years’ experience in finance and investment at top-tier banks and investment houses, including UBS and Albourne Partners. She’s carried out bespoke hedge fund research, as well as working as a derivatives broker, marketer and structurer, and credit analyst. Beyond Investing creates investment programs designed for animal advocat...

Vegan Business Talk 129: Claire Smith of Beyond Investing

Claire Smith of Beyond Investing chats with Katrina Fox in the latest episode of Vegan Business Talk.

VBT 128: Interview with Dave Graham of Vegan Web Design

In this episode I interview Dave Graham, co-founder of Vegan Web Design in Queensland, Australia. Originally from Yorkshire in the UK, Dave spent his early career in software development working for large corporates including Walt Disney and BHP. Since going vegan six years ago he’s now committed to and passionate about using digital marketing to help those helping animals and the environment. Vegan Web Design – which is run by Dave and his wife Sian – works with small animal sanctuaries t...

VBT 128 Dave Graham of Vegan Web Design interview

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

In this episode, I interview Christophe Caron, who, with his mother and father, own French vegan restaurant Delice & Sarrasin in New York. Christophe Caron (right) with mother & chef Yvette and father Patrick. Christophe moved from France to New York 10 years ago and spent the first few years as a fashion model, represented by top agencies Wilhemina Models and Ford Models. After becoming vegan he began craving animal-free versions of traditional French food. So he encouraged his mother Yve...

VBT 127: Christophe Caron of vegan French eatery Delice & Sarrasin

Christophe Caron of Delice & Sarrasin vegan French restaurant in New York chats with Katrina Fox of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode I interview John Oberg, a vegan social media marketing expert and influencer in Washington, DC. John is dedicated to making the world a kinder place for animals by utilizing the power of social media. He’s the former Director of New Media for the international animal protection organization, The Humane League. And prior to that, he served as Director of Communications for Vegan Outreach. In both these roles, John oversaw social media for the organizations which led to a ten...

VBT 126: Vegan social media marketer John Oberg

Vegan social media marketing expert John Oberg chats with Katrina Fox in this episode of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode I interview Simon Newstead, founder of Bite Society, a new vegan food product company in Melbourne, Australia. A vegan for more than 10 years, Simon’s background is in technology. He’s a co-founder of Frenzoo, a mobile games studio in Hong Kong that has been in operation since 2008. In addition, he’s an angel investor and supporter of other companies including Ocean Hugger Foods, Shiok Meats, Kinds of Grace and Hungry Planet. Bite Society, a zero-profit company, was started...

VBT 125: Simon Newstead of vegan food product firm Bite Society

Simon Newstead of vegan food product firm Bite Society chats with Katrina Fox in this episode of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode, I give you some tips on how to respond to queries and callouts from journalists who are working on stories and need expert comment or case studies. It’s one of the easiest ways to get free publicity for your vegan brand. You don’t even have to pitch the journalist or producer a story from scratch – they’re already working on something and are looking for experts in their field to comment or to showcase products. In this episode, I cover: • Where you can find queries and ca...

VBT 124: How to respond to journalists' requests for expert comment

In this episode of Vegan Business Talk, Katrina Fox provides tips on how to respond to journalists' request for expert comment.

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

In this episode I interview Annie Ryu, founder of The Jackfruit Company in Boulder, Colorado in the US. Annie started the company in 2011 while traveling to India as a pre-med student and trying her first jackfruit. She discovered that this large fruit had many nutritional and ecological benefits, but also that the majority of jackfruit grown in India was going to waste. Passionate about global health, Annie saw this as an opportunity to improve lives so while she was still attending Harvar...

VBT 123: Annie Ryu of The Jackfruit Company

Annie Ryu of The Jackfruit Company chats with Katrina Fox in this episode of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode, which was recorded live in person in New York at the inaugural Plant Based World Conference and Expo, I interview Michael Schwarz, founder of Treeline Treenut Cheese in upstate New York. Michael’s discovery of the cruelty involved in dairy production and the harm animal agriculture causes to the environment were key drivers for his decision to give up not just milk, but his entire career as an intellectual property attorney, and focus on vegan cheese making. Raised in South...

VBT 122: Michael Schwarz of Treeline Treenut Cheese

Michael Schwarz of vegan cheese company Treeline Treenut Cheese speaks with Katrina Fox.

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

In this episode I interview Melissa Hobbs, co-founder of The Vegan Company in New South Wales, Australia. Launched in 2018, although the business was registered in 2017, The Vegan Company is the go-to destination for vegan fashion and beauty in Australia. Its aim is to make vegan living stylish, desirable and accessible by connecting people with an ever-growing collection of sustainable, cruelty-free vegan fashion, beauty and feel-good news. The content hub shares inspiration, ideas and inf...

VBT 121: Melissa Hobbs of The Vegan Company fashion and beauty hub

Katrina Fox chats with Melissa Hobbs, co-founder of The Vegan Company, fashion and beauty hub.

VBT 120 What to put on the About page of your vegan brand's website

Vegan Business Media founder discusses what to include on the About page of your vegan brand's website.

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

In this episode I’m sharing with you a talk I gave recently to a group of vegan business owners and entrepreneurs on what to include on the ‘About’ page of your website. It’s a question I get asked a lot by people, including my coaching and consulting clients and students on my Vegans in the Limelight online PR course and group coaching program, so I thought it would serve you to share this as a podcast episode. It’s also available as a video and as a blog post below. Among the things I di...

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

In this episode I interview Dr Nadja Pinnavaia, founder and CEO of Plantable (originally Euphebe), a vegan food delivery service and nutritional coaching program in New York. Nadja has an undergraduate degree in chemistry from King’s College, London, and a Ph.D. in quantum chemistry from St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge. The company launched in 2016 under the name Euphebe before undergoing a name change and rebrand recently to become Plantable. Plantable is a 28-day program that delivers...

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

Dr Nadja Pinnavaia of vegan food delivery service and nutritional coaching program Plantable chats with Katrina Fox in this episode of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode I’m sharing a recording of a panel discussion I hosted last year at the 2018 Adelaide Vegan Festival in Australia, called the Future of Plant Based Business. My guests on the panel were Seth Tibbott, founder of iconic American vegan meat brand Tofurky which is sold internationally, and Cale Drouin, a plant-based consultant in Brisbane, Australia who works with food retailers and distributors. Among the topics we discussed are: • What’s driving the take-up of vegan/plant-bas...

VBT 118 Future of Plant Based Business Panel

Seth Tibbott of US vegan meat brand Tofurky and consultant Cale Drouin join Katrina Fox in a panel discussion recorded at the 2018 Vegan Festival, Adelaide.

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

In this episode I interview Damien Clarkson and Judy Nadel, co-founders of Vevolution, a plant-based events and media start-up in London, UK. Damien has spent the past decade primarily working on social change projects for some of the UK’s biggest NGOs and brands. He’s previously ran a creative agency and in fact he’s been on this show before, back in 2016, in episode 35 talking about digital strategy, but since then he and Judy have taken Vevolution forward and now work on it full-time. Ju...

VBT 117: Damien Clarkson & Judy Nadel of Vevolution

Katrina Fox of Vegan Business Talk chats with Damien Clarkson and Judy Nadel from vegan events and media startup Vevolution.

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

In this episode I interview Heather Mills, vegan entrepreneur and owner of VBites plant-based food company in England. After being fired as a young teenager for eating too many croissants at the bakery store she worked at, Heather decided she didn’t want to work for anyone else. Since then she’s run a successful bra company that made her a millionaire at the age of 19, a model agency and many other businesses. In the early 1990s on returning home from charity work in the Balkans, a road acc...

VBT Episode 116: Heather Mills, vegan entrepreneur and owner of VBites

Vegan entrepreneur and owner of VBites plant-based food brand Heather Mills chats with Katrina Fox in this episode of Vegan Business Talk.

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

In this episode I interview Jodi Monelle, the founder and CEO of global vegan media company LIVEKINDLY, in Vancouver, Canada. Originally from Bath in the UK, Jodi has a background in media sales for BBC magazines and worked in marketing for Hootsuite and a small VC startup. During her time working at the VC fund, she was inspired by the entrepreneurs she met and began exploring how to turn her blog into a business with large-scale impact. In 2017 LIVEKINDLY came into being and quickly beca...

VBT 115: Jodi Monelle of vegan media firm LIVEKINDLY

Katrina Fox interviews Jodi Monelle, founder and CEO of global vegan media company LIVEKINDLY.

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

In this episode I interview Alon Hochberg, co-founder and CEO of Billion Vegans, an online marketplace that is aiming to be the ‘Amazon for vegans’. Born and raised in Israel, Alon is a serial high-tech entrepreneur and angel investor who has founded five companies over the past 25 years. He started his first business Modus in 1995 and funded it by himself with a second mortgage. It was one of the first companies in the world that developed an enterprise-grade Customer Relationship Manageme...