Last night when I arrived home after a long day at the VHS office, I was met with the most delectable aroma! A parcel from my favourite soap company, Kama Natural Soap, had arrived.
This company, based on Salt Spring Island, has been in business for over 17 years, and once you experience the products, you’ll understand why. My sense of smell is acute and some odours can trigger my migraine headaches. However, I find the natural ingredients used to scent these products to be soothing and never overpowering.
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In addition, all products (except the lip balm, which has beeswax) are completely vegan and ingredients are sourced ethically. Plant oils like exotic ylang ylang from Madagascar, eucalyptus and tea tree oils from Australia, lavender oil from France and bergamot from Italy are combined in imaginative ways, creating the most interesting and delicious fragrances. Shea butter is ethically sourced from the Takpo widows group of Northern Ghana. And palm oil is no longer used (although it might be listed on the old labels that need to be used up!) as it was just too difficult to determine how it was produced.
My favorite soaps: Lavender/comfrey, Licorice bar, Orange spice and Flowers and spice with shea nut butter and hemp seed oil (organic and Canadian). Other bath products include comforting mineral baths to die for (Lavender, Restorative and Flowers ‘n spice) and bath oils.
Unique products include hand and foot balms, Belly/baby balm, body powder, lovely scented soy candles, soap-on-a-rope and baby soap.
What more could you ask for at Christmas when you’re looking for the perfect gift? My biggest problem is that I want to keep everything for myself! Products are available at select retail locations or you can order online. Check out Kama’s website or email for more information.
Geremie Voigt and Kyla Rawlyns of Buddha-Full Fresh Juice & Smoothies. photo: Stephen Hui, the Georgia Straight
Buddha-Full Fresh Juice & Smoothies represents an ethical, 100% animal friendly, community-based environment. Geremie Voigt and Kyla Rawlyns opened the café in North Vancouver five years ago. Buddha-Full proudly serves organic fresh juices & smoothies, raw organic cuisine, organic gluten-free baked goods, a full local retail section, and locally roasted coffee from Moja.
VHS supports the growth of cruelty-free businesses and we were interested to find out more about Buddha-Full. Here’s our Q&A with Geremie and Kyla.
VHS: What inspired you to open Buddha-Full Fresh Juice & Smoothies?
G&K: We both have been vegan for many years and have always been inspired by educating our community, family and friends on veganism and a conscious living dynamic.
VHS: How have you found the reaction from the community?
G&K: Our community tells us Buddha-Full is a staple in the lower Lonsdale area. People tell us every day it is like going to their church!
VHS: What do you enjoy most about running Buddha-Full?
G&K: Standing by our initial mission of educating our community and holding a space where people can come and feel welcome. It’s important to us that our customers feel comfortable and know they are taken care of.
VHS: What do you find is the hardest part?
G&K: Challenges will always come up. The hardest part is having some customers coming in and asking for dairy products or meat products and educating them on why we choose to maintain our animal friendly selection.
VHS: How do you stay positive in a world where animal-based products are still so predominant?
G&K: Considering that veganism has doubled since 2009 in the U.S., we know things are changing and we are making a difference in the world. We are proud to be standing by our ethics.
VHS: What is your most popular menu item?
G&K: The Lobo Smoothie (hemp protein, dates, peanut butter, banana and almond milk), it’s a Buddha-Full staple. Also, the Pesto Vegan Sausage wrap is one of our absolute favourite items and we make it all in house!
VHS: Who are your customers? Is there a predominant demographic?
G&K: Upwards of 60% of our customers are female. The majority of our customers are not vegan, however they are interested and curious about veganism and feel welcomed in our space!
VHS: What do you think is the best way to encourage consumers to make more ethical choices?
G&K: Leading by example is a great way to encourage ethical choices by others. Be the change you want to see in the world!
VHS: Do you think veganism is becoming more mainstream?
G&K: We think the world is becoming increasingly educated about and involved with animal liberation. Everyone we meet seems to have one at least one person in their family who is vegetarian, if not vegan. Half of Kyla’s family is now vegetarian – Now that’s progress!
VHS: What are some of the lessons you’ve learned about running a vegan business?
G&K: Having a space where everyone feels welcome is crucial. People want some sort of familiarity and seem to frequent spaces that provide that on a consistent basis.
Buddha-Full is located at 106 West 1st Street – Suite 101, North Vancouver.
Nice Shoes, Vancouver’s only vegan shoe store, was opened in 2011 by animal advocates Glenn Gaetz and Joanne Chang. The store carries 100% vegan shoes as well as purses, bags, belts, wallets and other cruelty-free products.
VHS supports the growth of cruelty-free businesses and we were interested to find out more about how Nice Shoes is faring in Vancouver’s competitive retail market. Here’s our Q&A with Glenn and Joanne.
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VHS: Can you say a bit about what motivated you to open Nice Shoes?
G&J: As shoppers, we were motivated by the anxiety and frustration we felt every time we walked into a shoe store knowing that the salesperson couldn’t answer our questions about materials – or even cared to try. As activists, we were motivated by our desire to normalize the vegan lifestyle.
VHS: How difficult was it to start a business that was the first of its kind in Vancouver?
G&J: Starting a business was the easy part! Vancouver has a vibrant vegan and animal rights community and everyone is excited when a new vegan business opens. The challenge comes in maintaining a profitable business and growing our customer base.
VHS: How is the business going now and how do you feel about the future of Nice Shoes?
G&J: We think there’s a bright future for Nice Shoes as veganism seem to be going through a growth spurt. We know this because a large portion of our customers are new vegans who have only made the transition within the last couple of years.
VHS: Who are your customers? Is there a predominant demographic?
G&J: Our main customers are vegans and vegetarians, but that in itself encompasses a huge range of people. We see vegans of all ages and professions. We also get quite a few non-veg customers who simply like the styles we carry.
VHS: Some vegan shoes are not cheap. Is affordability an issue?
G&J: Since our main goal is to normalize veganism, we are very thoughtful in selecting brands that are familiar and affordable to most people. We do carry some exclusive vegan brands (which tend to be pricier), but they are a small percentage of what we carry. Most of the shoes in our current spring/summer collection range from $30-$150. We also have great sales throughout the year and a student discount program.
VHS: Do you think the market is growing for cruelty-free products?
G&J: Absolutely! We find that “vegan leather” is now a popular term used proudly by mainstream brands to sell products. And a lot of these brands are rolling out vegan product lines and marketing them as such.
VHS: What do you think needs to happen to encourage consumers to make more ethical choices?
G&J: Consumers want nice looking things that are decent quality at a reasonable price. If the products can match what they are looking for, they will switch without even trying. We have a few loyal non-veg customers who might not even know that our products are vegan. By offering alternatives that look great and are equal to, if not better than, their animal product counterparts, we are lowering the barrier of entry to a vegan lifestyle. All things being equal, who wouldn’t choose the cruelty-free option?
VHS: How do you stay positive in a world where animal-based products are still so predominant?
G&J: We’ve been vegan for 18 & 20 years. In that time we’ve seen a lot of change. Twenty years ago, vegan shoes were horrible plastic things that looked atrocious and felt like cardboard. When we look at the selection and the quality of products available nowadays, we can’t help but smile. Animal products may still be predominant, but the alternatives are gaining ground every day.
VHS: What’s your most popular product?
G&J: Since the weather is getting nicer, women’s sandals are flying off the shelves. And hiking shoes are in high demand as people are starting to hit the trails.
VHS: What do you find most rewarding or satisfying about running Nice Shoes?
G&J: Nothing makes us happier than getting a positive feedback from our customers – it really makes all the hard work worth while. And of course, all the adorable dogs who visit us in the store.
Nice Shoes is located at 3568 Fraser Street (between E 19th & 20th) in Vancouver. Tel: 604-558-3000 info@niceshoes.ca
Last night when I arrived home after a long day at the VHS office, I was met with the most delectable aroma! A parcel from my favourite soap company, Kama Natural Soap, had arrived.
Unique products include hand and foot balms, Belly/baby balm, body powder, lovely scented soy candles, soap-on-a-rope and baby soap.
