Brett Christoffel is the Founder and CEO of All Y'alls Foods, a Texas-based company making plant-based jerky and bacon bits from whole non-GMO soybeans. After 40 years of eating meat, Brett made the connection that he loved all animals as much as his dog or cat, and stopped. As a proud Texan, he decided to change one of Texas's biggest contributions to the world: beef. Since launching It's Jerky Y'all in 2018, Brett has built a mission-driven snack company that exists to "be the change through kinder snacking."

In this episode of Pivot Podcast, Brett is sharing how All Y'alls Foods went from a Texas-based vegan jerky brand to conquering the European market. Brett talks about what it actually takes to expand internationally. Spoiler: it's not about vanity metrics or viral moments (though he has a great story about a post that went viral). It's about business fundamentals, strategic partnerships, and staying mission-driven even when growth gets complicated.

You’ll learn about:

• How Brett expanded All Y'alls Foods into Europe
• How a viral social media post translated into actual sales
• Brett's approach to email marketing: nurturing relationships and providing value
• How being vegan-owned influences their business decisions and marketing strategy

Guest Links:

http://www.allyallsfoods.com

Memorable Quote:

“It's on us to find a new path to have it different. But it's always a conversation in our heads that either supports us or beats us down. And what you have to do is learn to become friends with it, understand what it is, and it's not, because if you think about it, that voice in your head, that's not you. You're the one who hears it. It's the egoic mind, and it thinks it has to have a job. Think of all the times it's told you – oh, this is going to happen, or that could happen. And 90 percent of the time, it never happens. It's not being in the moment. We're the only place we've ever lived.”

Show Notes:

👣 [2:28] Brett explains his journey to veganism.

♻️ [5:05] How he’s creating meat replacement products.

🎥 [9:33] What does different social media mean for his business: repurposing content.

📧 [15:23] Brett's approach to email marketing: nurturing relationships and providing value.

🏷️ [18:29] What supporting true vegan brands means to him

🗜 [23:34] Managing the pressure of keeping the business going.

🤜🤛 [26:31] How conversation in our heads supports us or beats us down.

📲 [28:44] Get in touch with Brett through social media

…

Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. If you are feeling inspired but not quite sure where to start, we’ve got you covered! Check out our online courses and free resources at veganmainstream.com.

Loved this conversation? Explore more inspiring stories from vegan entrepreneurs on the Pivot Podcast at https://veganmainstream.com/podcast/pivot-a-vegan-business-interview-podcast/. You never know which story will spark your next breakthrough.

Ready to turn inspiration into action? If you're serious about growing your vegan business and want to talk through how we might work together, book a discovery call at https://veganmainstream.com/support/discovery-call/. These aren't free advice sessions – they're real conversations for people ready to invest in their growth.

Want to learn more first? Join our next live webinar at https://veganmainstream.com/resources/webinars/ and get practical tools you can use right away.

Terri Chrisman is a nutritionist, podcaster, author, and founder of the Fabulous Health Show podcast and fabuloushealth.net. With a passion for empowering individuals to reclaim their health, she combines cutting-edge science with actionable strategies to prevent chronic disease and inspire lasting lifestyle transformation.

As a private nutritionist, Terri wanted to help people improve their health. She was passionate. She was knowledgeable. But she was unprepared for something that caught many health professionals off guard – clients who weren’t willing to put in the work. So she found herself emotionally invested in outcomes she couldn’t control. The work she loves started affecting her mental well-being. She realized something had to change. So she pivoted. Terri wrote a book. She shifted her focus from one-on-one clients to reaching many people at once. And now, she’s stepping onto stages as a professional speaker.

You’ll learn about:

• How Terri navigated client fatigue as a private nutritionist and realized one-on-one work wasn’t sustainable for her
• How she’s pivoting to professional speaking and why she loves the stage
• Why self-belief and practice are both essential for building confidence as a speaker
• Practical advice for vegans on how to eat healthy without feeling overwhelmed

Guest Links

https://fabuloushealth.net

Memorable Quote:

"I'm 58, and so I've lived some life, and it's taking me until now to realize that I have a calling, and that calling I've been put on this earth to help people not die of heart disease, diabetes, Crohn's disease, cancer, all those things by supporting a vegan lifestyle. That's my calling. It's like I have no choice, and I don't want a choice anyway, right? Because that's what I'm here to do."

Show Notes:

🤹🏼‍♂️ [02:51] Terri explains how most of her work as a solopreneur comes down to marketing.

📘 [05:48] How writing a book helped her reach more people and change their health.

🏃‍♀️ [08:32] Why running a business is like running a marathon.

💪 [11:45] What she means when she says she’s “intrinsically motivated.”

📣 [17:47] Why her next big step is to be a speaker.

🗣️ [22:38] The importance of self-belief and the importance of practice.

🎙️ [25:42] How her podcast helps people overcome challenges.

🥗 [29:40] Her advice for vegans on how to eat healthy.

…

Thanks for listening to Pivot, our vegan business interview podcast. If you are feeling inspired but not quite sure where to start, we’ve got you covered! Check out our online courses and free resources at veganmainstream.com.

Loved this conversation? Explore more inspiring stories from vegan entrepreneurs on the Pivot Podcast at https://veganmainstream.com/podcast/pivot-a-vegan-business-interview-podcast/. You never know which story will spark your next breakthrough.

Ready to turn inspiration into action? If you're serious about growing your vegan business and want to talk through how we might work together, book a discovery call at https://veganmainstream.com/support/discovery-call/. These aren't free advice sessions – they're real conversations for people ready to invest in their growth.

Want to learn more first? Join our next live webinar at https://veganmainstream.com/resources/webinars/ and get practical tools you can use right away.

Amy McKenna is a managing broker at Windermere Real Estate in Seattle, specializing in helping first-time buyers, Seattle newcomers, and co-buyers navigate residential real estate. She’s also the creator of CoHome, a community platform dedicated to educating people on owning property with others, whether that’s friends, family, or chosen community.

Amy’s journey into co-homeownership began with an unexpected request: a talk for a polyamorous community group about real estate. As she prepared, she realized the concept applied far beyond that community. Young people wanting to build equity before (or without) marriage. Parents sharing childcare. Seniors aging in place with friends or family. The possibilities were endless, but the process felt daunting to most people.

Today, Amy educates people on co-homeownership through free public talks, one-on-one strategy sessions, and resources for navigating the logistics. Her work has made real estate invigorating again, much like how cooking became more exciting when she embraced veganism.

You’ll learn about:

• How Amy shifted from traditional real estate to educating people on co-homeownership and co-living arrangements
• Why co-ownership isn’t just for romantic partners, but also for friends, family, and seniors aging in place
• Creative ways to have separate but attached living spaces that give privacy while fostering connection
• How Amy’s vegan journey mirrored her work

Quote:

"You don't necessarily have to be best friends to do this together. In fact, I'm not sure that that's the best pairing. And I was like, I think you're right. I think you come in with, you know, obviously simpatico, but it's as much that you have the right priorities and the right philosophy around how you live might actually be a better partner, possibly."

Show Notes

🏠 [2:53] Amy explains her work as a real estate agent in Seattle with first-time home buyers.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 [5:43] Choosing how you want to live: co-living and co-owning.

🤝 [9:16] The importance of proximity and accidental interactions in your local community.

👥 [13:02] Why you don't necessarily have to be best friends for co-housing.

🔗 [15;46] Ways you can have very separate but attached discrete areas.

👨‍👩‍👧 [20:25] Co-owning without co-living: parents investing in their child's first home.

💼 [24:50] Why everyone over 18 should have a power of attorney and a health directive.

📑 [27:16] How Amy serves clients throughout the entire state.

🌱 [31: 02] Sharing communal spaces: A great way to build your vegan community.

🏆 [34:31] What “becoming” vegan means for Amy

…

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 online course and free resources at veganmainstream.com.

Kristen Decker is the founder of DESERT BLOOM™, a cowgirl boot brand redefining Western fashion with plant-based materials and sustainable practices. What started as a family conversation at a reunion seven years ago became a mission: to create boots that honor cowgirl culture without requiring animal products.

Growing up on a small farm, cowgirl boots were always part of Kristen's life—comfort, style, and identity all in one. But she wanted more. She wanted boots that made a difference. So she dove into the unfamiliar world of fashion, experimenting with premium plant-based leathers made from corn and wheat.

Today, DESERT BLOOM™ is more than boots; it's a movement for style and compassion. Kristen is focused on building brand awareness through events, pop-ups, and partnerships, all while staying true to her roots.

Quote:

“I've always believed that surrounding yourself with people who actually know more than you do is the best way to create a team. Because I'm definitely going to pretend that I do not have all the answers. But if I bring my team together, and we all discuss and put our heads together, then we're going to come up with something amazing.”

- Kristen Decker

Show Notes:

💇🏽‍♀️ [00:45] Why vegans want environmentally safe clothing that doesn’t sacrifice quality.

✨ [02:55] How Kristen decided to create boots made from corn and wheat leather.

✌️ [05:42] Can experience of building a business bring you confidence in a completely new territory?

👩‍💼 [07:40] The importance of researching, being out there, learning, and connecting.

😇 [09:51] Kristen’s approach to building a team; learning about the industry from the best.

😍 [14:14] Why childlike positivity and curiosity are essential for resilience.

👢 [19:28] How Kristen collects feedback through the customers’ club to design her next products.

…

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 online course and free resources at veganmainstream.com.

Jane Harris is the CEO and founder of The Virgin Hair Fantasy, a luxury glueless wig brand created to empower women through beauty and confidence, especially those navigating hair loss, life transitions, or identity shifts.

What began with $500 and a dream has grown into a million-dollar business that serves women across the globe. Jane’s journey is rooted in resilience: from balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship to learning the ins and outs of e-commerce, fulfillment, and personal branding.

Her transformation from a shy, people-pleasing introvert to a confident, high-energy entrepreneur reshaped her business and personal life, and that’s why she says mindset is the foundation of every pivot.

Today, she not only runs her successful wig company but also coaches aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women of color, on how to launch and scale their own businesses. With a mission to uplift, educate, and build financial independence for others, Jane’s work is about more than wigs; it’s about transformation from the inside out.

Website: thevirginhairfantasy.com

Quote:

“Don't think you're going to switch on your own. You need help. We are programmed to just kind of roll with the flow. I've been studying mindset, and I still fall short every day because everything else kind of caters to the idea that “everyone will be rich.”

Everyone will be a millionaire. Everyone will walk around happy. Everyone will have everything they want. It's only the few that I would say go that extra mile, which I'm sure when you hear this, you will get up, read a book, exercise, and read more books.

That's what changed me. I did not have money for expensive coaches at the time, but even now, as I'm in coaching programs, I needed my mindset to change first.”

Show Notes:

💇🏽‍♀️ [04:08] How Jane’s journey started after creating a wig for herself.

💫 [07:10] How her side hustle started to inspire and change lives.

📢 [10:42] The right way for Jane to share her vegan journey.

🎓 [16:54] Jane’s decision to teach as a way to heal from losing her mom.

🤸 [19:23] Jane’s transformation to being an outgoing person in her 40’s.

🧠 [22:29] Why you need to make changes in your mindset to get better

😞 [26:28] Why believing in yourself is the most important

…

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 online course and free resources at veganmainstream.com.

In this episode, Stephanie speaks with M Sandip Kumar, an Indian entrepreneur who transformed his family’s traditional silk business into a cruelty-free vegan silk brand.

Guided by his Jain values of non-violence, Sandip closed all contracts with silk weavers in 2018 and launched a store offering plant-based and artificial silk alternatives, later expanding into natural dyes and sustainable techniques.

Despite criticism and early challenges, his business now serves customers worldwide, earning PETA and Beauty Without Cruelty certifications. Sandip shares his mission to educate consumers, challenge industry myths like “peace silk,” and inspire entrepreneurs to prioritize ethics, sustainability, and transparency over short-term profit.

This is a powerful, must-hear story for every vegan entrepreneur who has faced significant challenges.

Quote:

So my message to all the entrepreneurs is that yes, we need profits to run our business, you know, for our livelihood. But we should make sure that we take care of the ecosystem, both the environment and other living beings, as well as the fellow human beings who deserve a better life.

-- M. Sandip Kumar

Show Notes:

🧵 [3:22] M. Sandip Kumar’s family background, why he wanted to start a more ethical practice of production.

💡 [6:06] Why new generations are more conscious and why they started looking for his brand.

🧶 [10:07] The difference between plant-based and man-made fabrics.

🎨 [17:44] Why people are interested in natural dyes.

🚚 [22:58] The obstacles he had to overcome when opting for plant-based silk.

👩🏻‍🏫 [26:16] How his store was built like a school.

💎 [31:59] The importance of creating a business that gives value and emotions, not just a product.

👨‍🔧 [33: 21] Why we should support all artisans whose craft comes from generations before.

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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, Stephanie interviews Dr. Angela Crawford, a vegan psychologist about the emotional and psychological side of adopting a vegan lifestyle.

Drawing from surveys and interviews detailed in her book The Vegan Transformation, Dr. Crawford shares key themes like values alignment, compassion, and empowerment, while highlighting that advocacy can take many forms depending on personality.

She offers advice for entrepreneurs and new vegans: connect with your “why,” seek supportive communities, and trust your unique approach.

Whether you're just starting on your vegan journey or you're ready to advocate more for a vegan lifestyle, this episode is for you.

Quote:
Connecting with your core values and your why is one foundational piece of that, because whenever we're feeling stuck, because we're having to learn a new skill or navigate a challenge that we haven't before, if we're connected with our why and our values and the reasons we're doing this, it gives us a little more willingness to say, okay, it's worth it to be a little uncomfortable and learn new skills and break through whatever is blocking me here.

--Angela Crawford

Show notes:
⚕️ [03:19] How food choices are deeply psychological and social

📕 [08:07] Angela’s seven themes that can deepen your life.

👨‍👨‍👦‍👦 [12:27] How Angela brings plant-based and vegan living into her local community.

💫 [16:37] Purpose and gifts: Where we fit in the world to offer our gifts.

⚖️ [20:41] Learning the balance between following guidance and not always seeing the next step.

🥇 [23:41] How connection with your values helps us break through whatever is blocking us.

🤝 [26:28] Different kinds of support we need on our journey.

👁 [28:21] The importance of valuing what you have to bring and to trust your inner guidance as you take the next steps.

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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.