November is National Vegan Month, a month to recognize individuals who follow a plant-based diet and are dedicated to not using any products made from animals. Vegans generally dedicate themselves to this lifestyle for three reasons: To save the animals, for the environment, and for their own health. Although you yourself may not be vegan, there are many benefits to catering your business towards a vegan lifestyle. According to a global Nielson study, of the 66% of global respondents willing to pay businesses more, over 50% of them are influenced by key sustainability factors, such as a product being made from fresh, natural and/or organic ingredients (69%), a company being environmentally friendly (58%), and company being known for its commitment to social value (56%). In this day and age, many consumers are looking to either save animals and the environment or simply live healthier, whether they’re vegan or not. Vegan diets have received an increasing amount of attention in recent years. By advertising your business as one dedicated to supporting those choosing to forgo meat and animal products lifestyle, you will be joining a rapidly expanding sector of the economy.
For today’s BusinessTipTuesday, here are some ways to incorporate a more vegan focus into your business.
- Research Your Products – It’s a good idea to know the history of your products for a variety of reasons, especially the ethicality of their production. Try to avoid selling products that were tested on animals or produced using cheap labor. Instead, look for products that were produced ethically, naturally and environmentally-friendly.
- Sell Cruelty-Free Products – Brands that don’t test on animals will usually proudly advertise this. Sometimes they do so by writing “cruelty-free” on the package, or by adding a “leaping bunny” image on the back of their products. Cruelty-free products are usually made with less harmful chemicals, parabens, and fragrances so they’re also healthier for humans and the environment.
- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – Although it’s been said a thousand times, it bears repeating. No matter what industry your business is in, there are no doubt improvements to be made in these areas. Although reducing and reusing might be more challenging, most communities have a recycling program in place that your business can take advantage of with minimal effort on your part. A cleaner earth will help reduce the suffering of wild animals and be healthier for everyone.
- Start an innovative Natural-Based Business – Thinking about starting a business but not sure what kind? If you have a passion for anything from lotion to makeup to cleaning, consider opening an environmentally-friendly, natural-based business. Focus your marketing on the health aspects content and use the term ‘plant-based’ to appeal to a wider range of customers, such labels may imply the products are only meant for vegan or vegetarian consumers. Whether you want to be a creator or a reseller, becoming a vegan-based business in your community can be both a positive, profitable and rewarding opportunity.
Cassandra Wisdo
SBDC/WEC Intern
The University of Scranton
Small Business Development Center
artwork adapted from freepik.com
