Revolutionizing Vegan Fashion: The Story of Voes & Co with Desiree Dupuis

Pivot! A Vegan Business Interview Series

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.