The good news is that vegan businesses are on the rise. And, interestingly enough, these aren’t all related to food, either. Some companies are focused on plant-based, cruelty-free beauty products. Others are more interested in offering non-food vegan products and services.
While these businesses are becoming more popular and mainstream, they may not be getting as much support as other companies. This means that newer entrepreneurs may end up struggling. So, how can you – as a vegan – help these organizations out?
Well, the good news for you is that there are a number of ways that you can manage this. On this note, here are some tactics that you can try:
Create a List of Vegan Businesses
Be honest: do you know how many vegan businesses are in your neighborhood, town, or city? If the answer to this question is no, then it is time for you to start doing your research. Go ahead and look out for any stores or companies that may be specifically vegan.
Now, you should be aware that many of the results will be related to the food industry. Due to this, you may have to dig a little deeper. One thing that you can do is to take a look at smaller, local businesses. Determine if they only use plant-based, cruelty-free components.
Another option is to keep an eye out for vegan markets or festivals. You will often discover that business owners will gather during such times to sell their wares. This will give you the chance to easily identify all the vegan business owners in your area.
You should remember that there are new businesses coming up all the time. So, keep doing your research to figure out who the new kid on the block is. You will definitely end up helping yourself in the long run as well, since you will have more options than ever before.
Make an Note to Shop There
Shopping for vegan products – particularly non-food related items – can be tricky. For one thing, they can be hard to find or may not be readily available. There is also the possibility that these products may be more expensive than traditional options.
However, whenever possible, try to shop at these stores. This will help them to build up a loyal customer base and give them a greater chance at succeeding. If you find that a particular product is too pricey, make an effort to shop there once in a while – perhaps you can buy gifts from this store.
Write Positive Reviews
There is no need to make up false recommendations about a store. However, if you genuinely enjoyed shopping there and are satisfied with your product, make sure to review it. Or, just leave an online review so that you can alert anyone who is looking to shop at a particular store.
Keep in mind, most people are hesitant to buy products that they aren’t really familiar with. So, if you assure them that they are in for a treat, they may be more willing to make a purchase.
Buy a Gift Card
If you are like most people, then you probably know more non-vegans than vegans. So, how can you get someone who isn’t vegan to shop at a vegan store? Well, your best option would be to buy them a gift card from a vegan business.
Now, you do have to play this smart. Make sure that your friend or family member will appreciate what they can buy from a particular store. For instance, if you know someone who loves candles, get them a gift card from a vegan candle store.
Or, if you have a fashionista friend, go ahead and select a store that carries designs or styles that they will be interested in. This will increase the chance of your friend actually falling in love with the brand and becoming a loyal customer.
The Power of the Hashtag
One of the easiest ways to get everyone to know about a particular store is to use social media. Of course, make sure to do it in a fun and artsy way. This is sure to get you more likes and attention from your profile, thus increasing the exposure of the store.
You may also want to approach the store owner directly. Let them know that you would like to spread the word about your store. There is a good chance that they will be impressed by this action and help you in any way that they can.
For instance, you can team up with a store to organize a giveaway or to promote sales. This is a particularly helpful tactic if you have a large vegan following. Even if you don’t, though, it is a nice way to let others know what vegan products are available.
Go Online for a Wider Audience
Let’s assume that you aren’t an Instagram influencer – does this mean that you can’t get the word out about these businesses? Not at all! There are still several avenues available to you.
You may want to check out local vegan groups or Facebook vegan groups. Hand over a list of these vegan businesses so that other people can shop there and promote them as well. If a local business ships to other states, there is no need to limit your audience to those living in your area.
If you don’t mind going a step further, reach out Instagram influencers about promoting these local companies. Naturally, you should find someone who is dedicated to the vegan movement. This way, you will have many more people to recommend products and services to. The more influencers that you can find, the better.
These are all the way that you can support vegan businesses. Remember, every effort that you make counts. So, always try to purchase vegan items from vegan stores. And, if you stay local, you will be encouraging your community to adopt a plant-based, cruelty-free lifestyle. And, how amazing would that be?
If you like this blog post on “Your Guide to Ordering Vegan Pizza”, make sure to check out our other post on our blog. We also have recipes as well over on our Food & Recipe tab!
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