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VEGNEWS.COM^ VegNews 97
including an expanded menu and locations
across America in communities that need
them most. VegNews caught up with the
busy entrepreneur to find out how she
turned an idea into a $4 million vegan
business in less than eight months—and
why she has her sights set on feeding
Beyoncé.On the food
I spend endless time in the kitchen
developing my menu like some mad
scientist, forcing my friends and employees
to try new things. I’m always cooking up
newer, fresher, more innovative vegan
options for my community. But as a second-
generation Jamaican-American, I’d have to
say the Dancehall Queen—an Impossible
patty topped with sweet jerk plantains
and vegan cheese on a Hawaiian bun—is
my favorite. The sweet and savory flavorsof the plantains and patty
along with the slightly spicy
special sauce is otherworldly.
Some people think choosing
veganism means choosing
blandness and mundane
menus. Not mine.On how her staff deals
with six-hour lines
The team is honestly the
heartbeat of Slutty Vegan.
I’ve been extremely fortunate in that I
have some of the most dedicated, loyal,
and visionary members. I am a stickler
for customer service and have a zero-
tolerance policy for anyone who is not on
the same page. But this team takes stock
in the business’ success as if they were
me. I couldn’t do any of this without them.On why her Instagram feed spotlights
customers instead of food
I’m highly observant, so when I got started,
I wanted to learn. I looked at brands and
their marketing strategies—what worked,
what didn’t. Rather than reinvent the
wheel, I just threw some rims on it.On the most memorable part
of her cross-country tour
Los Angeles. First, because of theamazing weather and spirit of the people.
Second, because the day we were in LA
was the day of rapper Nipsey Hussle’s
death. We were three blocks away—
many say he was planning to come to
the pop-up that day. It was a true reality
check about life, success, and being
Black. No matter the successes, life is
still very real for us in this country. It
could have been any of us. I appreciate
Nip for this realization, and was so
honored to have been able to mourn with
his city, in his city.On the importance of bringing
vegan options to the Black community
The Black community is so important to me
because it is my community. These are my
mothers, fathers, and aunts that stand in
these lines. These children are our future
leaders. It’s important to supply healthy
options to people who often have no other
exposure [to vegan food].On finding so much success so quickly
I could have never imagined this level of
success in this amount of time. Oftentimes
it’s overwhelming because I don’t know
what I did to deserve this, but what I do
know is what I can do with it. That’s why
my rule of thumb is to give, because these
blessings aren’t my own to keep.On whom she wants to feed next
The Carters. Jay and Bey’s plant-based
message in recent years has been directly
in alignment with what my goal and
mission is for the community, and I’d love
for them to get the opportunity to feel,
taste, and experience my contribution
to that mission.On going national
There are definitely plans for Slutty
Vegan to go nationwide in the coming
months—that’s been the purpose of
the tour: to test markets and see where
people need a Slutty Vegan. The support
and love from the community has been
so motivational—it’s my intention to
bring those vibes globally. I feel it’s my
obligation, so stay tuned.A double Fussy
Hussy Burger