Vegan founded

Plant-based start-ups you need on your radar

This month’s founder: Damian Eadie VeggiePets.com

Hampshire, UK

My vegan story

I’ve been vegan for over 20 years now. I originally became veggie at 14 years old back in the 1980s, when I was walking home from school over a footbridge and a truck from a slaughterhouse passed under me. What I saw was enough to put me off meat for dinner that night, then the next night and it turned out, forever!

Early inspiration

I had a very varied career, training as a primary school teacher, college lecturer in art and design, before becoming a web designer, specialising in building online stores. Eventually, I thought I’d prefer having my own online store to solve a problem for vegans and started VeggiePets.com in 2003.

Tips for other start-ups

Turning an amazing business idea into a reality means learning how businesses work. Your business idea won’t change the world if it can’t even pay the rent! Take good advice from people with hard earned experience, surround yourself with talented people. Be prepared to listen and learn from criticism.

The best thing about being vegan

For me, the best thing about being a vegan has been the people I have met through vegan groups, events and business and the adventures I have shared with those friends.

You’re stranded on an island. What one vegan product/treat would you want with you?

Even if the beaches were soft white sand, lined with swaying palm trees in a golden sunset — I wouldn’t want to live anywhere without salt and vinegar crisps!

Fun fact

I started the business in 2003, in a spare bedroom for £350. I drove all the way to Sheffield to buy the first car full of stock and the first order took me an hour to wrap on my parents’ dining table! Now, we have sent many hundreds of thousands of parcels all around the world!

What’s next

I am sure VeggiePets.com still has lots to look forward to. However, I like the idea of building a vegan sausage factory one day… just a dream for now!

For more from Damian, visit VeggiePets.com.

“Take good advice from people with hard earned experience