Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Na’sha Robertson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Na’sha, thanks for joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

Yes, Veganized Living serves underserved communities, primarily in food deserts and low-income areas where access to fresh, nutritious foods is limited. In these areas, residents often rely on convenience stores or fast-food options due to the absence of grocery stores offering fresh produce. This lack of access to healthy foods contributes to higher rates of chronic illnesses, like diabetes and heart disease, particularly affecting low-income families and communities of color.

One story that highlights this is from a family we serve in an area with few grocery options and limited access to public transportation. The mother shared with us that before Veganized Living, her family’s diet consisted largely of processed, high-calorie foods due to affordability and availability. Since partnering with us, she now receives weekly deliveries of fresh produce and vegan staples, along with personalized recipes that fit her budget and time. Not only does this help her prepare nutritious meals, but her children have also become curious and excited about cooking with fruits and vegetables they had never tried before.

This story is one of many that shows why our work matters. We provide both access to healthy, affordable foods and education, empowering families to improve their health and well-being. Veganized Living bridges the gap in food access while promoting a culture of health and sustainability in communities that need it most.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Na’sha Robertson, founder of Veganized Living, a nonprofit focused on promoting health, sustainability, and compassionate living through plant-based diets. My journey into this field was shaped by both my personal history and commitment to social justice. Coming from a family that faced generational trauma, violence, and limited access to healthy food, I was inspired to find ways to break these cycles, both for myself and my community.

I went vegan in 2017, just before starting college, where I studied criminal justice and sociology. My studies, combined with my personal experiences, deepened my understanding of intersectionality and how race, economic inequality, and food justice intersect. In 2018, I became a certified victim advocate, supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in underserved communities.

In 2021, I moved from Virginia to Florida to become a teacher in a low-income community, where many students relied on school meals as their primary food source. Witnessing this need inspired me to turn *Veganized Living* from a social media handle into a nonprofit organization. Initially using my own resources, I provided fresh produce and vegan meals to my students and their families, aiming to give them nutritious options and teach them about the benefits of plant-based living.

In 2023, I returned to victim advocacy, but Veganized Living remains central to my mission. Through Veganized Living, we aim to fill a critical gap in food access and education. We provide:
– Weekly Fresh Produce Deliveries to families in food deserts, ensuring access to fresh fruits and vegetables where they are scarce.
– Vegan Pantry Staples to enable families to make healthy, affordable meals.
– Educational Resources and Personalized Recipes that empower individuals to prepare nutritious, plant-based meals on a budget.

Our work addresses food insecurity, health disparities, animal rights, and environmental impact. By providing consistent access to fresh produce and educational resources, we’re helping families lower their risk for chronic diseases and improve their quality of life.

What sets Veganized Living apart is our holistic approach—we’re not just delivering food; we’re building a community and giving families the tools to make lasting changes. We also prioritize supporting local farms, creating a sustainable, community-focused model that strengthens the local economy.

I’m proud of the impact we’re making, especially seeing families enjoy fresh foods and share what they learn with others. My goal for Veganized Living is to foster lasting change in health, sustainability, and community well-being, empowering communities with the resources they need for a healthier future.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Starting Veganized Living was truly a passion project that began with the funds I earned from my full-time job. Witnessing firsthand the need for access to fresh, healthy food options in low-income communities, I was determined to make a difference. I used my personal income to buy produce, vegan pantry items, and educational materials to distribute to families in need. This dedication to using my own resources is what helped Veganized Living grow from an idea into a nonprofit organization.

Today, I still rely primarily on my earnings to fund Veganized Living, as donations alone aren’t yet sufficient to cover the growing demand. I see firsthand how much impact our services have on families’ lives, and it drives me to keep going. However, with more community support and donations, we could reach even more families, provide a consistent supply of nutritious, plant-based foods, and offer additional educational resources.

If you’re moved by our mission, I invite you to consider donating or supporting Veganized Living in any way you can. Together, we can make healthy, plant-based foods accessible to those who need them most and create lasting change in our communities.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building an audience on social media for Veganized Living has been a natural and authentic journey. Honestly, I simply showed up as myself, sharing content semi-regularly, and connecting with people who resonate with our mission. Most of my following has grown from real-life connections I’ve made in the community—whether at animal rights events, vegan festivals, or even casual conversations at the grocery store. By sharing our mission and passion in person, I’ve found that people want to stay connected and learn more, which often leads them to follow us online.

For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, my advice is to keep it real and focus on genuine connections. Share what you truly care about, and don’t worry about perfection. Engage with people in your community, talk about your work whenever you get the chance, and invite them to connect with you online. The more authentic and approachable you are, the more naturally your audience will grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://veganizedliving.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganizedliving/profilecard/?igsh=MTB1cWx5M3BhaXVzeQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Wg4amMuh2/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@veganizedliving?si=82keTt0tN1TTQOZd