We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Artinces Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Artinces below.

Artinces , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Fabulously Vegan literally popped in my head one day after having a conversation with a veg curious person about my vegan journey. I really do love living this lifestyle and I lit up whenever anyone had questions about it. People are always wondering how to get started, why do it, how hard is it, how to stick with it, and I could simply talk forever effortlessly about it.

One day I was sitting at home and wondering what to name a blog for one of my biggest passions. I didn’t stress over it but instead I focused on how much I love being vegan. I focused on how it made me feel…how I felt it contributed to society…and why I chose to live the lifestyle.

When the idea came to me that it’s a fabulous lifestyle I looked to see if domain was available – Fabulously Vegan, lucky for me it was!

I didn’t care about it being a worthwhile endeavor…I didn’t think of the money I could make from it, and I didn’t think about if it would work or not. I only thought about doing what I loved and sharing that journey with others.

However, Fabulously Vegan, which initially started as a blog quickly became a meal delivery service, catering, personal chef business that hosted events, pop ups, speaking engagements, and more. The slogan soon became, “if it’s vegan, its my business”. What a whirl wind that was. A lot of fun and a lot of lessons as well. Fabulously Vegan is now returning back to blogging, online services, coaching, and events.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When I became vegan it was such a natural progression. No force, I didn’t have to be sold anything, it was as if my heart, mind, and spirit guided me to being on this path. While in college a friend of mine and a guy I was dating at the time were discussing raw veganism and it piqued my interest. I started researching and became excited about the wonderful foods, the ethical and compassion lifestyle I could live, and also the natural healing benefits.

Months from that conversation I began the process of removing foods to support a more whole-food plant-based diet, I changed my fashion shopping habits – no more furs or leather- believe it or not that was the hard part not the food. I educated myself on the impact the lifestyle had on the world we live in and that was it for me. My heart was in alignment and felt it had a sense of purpose.

At some point I decided to go all in and devote myself to learning more. I wanted to be inspired by others living the lifestyle and that’s when I had the wonderful opportunity to work for Karyn Calabrese in Chicago. One of the trailblazers for fine raw vegan, and cooked vegan foods, in the nation. It was a wonderful experience and I learned so much. Years later I would go on to work in places throughout New York City, volunteer for festivals, animal shelters, and protest against animal cruelty. I needed to see all facets of being vegan and figured out what was the best way for me to contribute and serve others.

After traveling and learning from others for years, I decided to start my catering and meal prep service in Brooklyn, NY. I had the opportunity to create a food spread for an open house at the New York Sports Club gym. It was such a delight. people loved my food, took my business cards, and asked how I got started. Little did they know that was my first experience in serving my food to the public, outside of my friends, roommates, and family. I was totally overjoyed and knew I would have a food-based business someday. However, I wouldn’t make the impact until I returned to my hometown in St. Louis, Mo.

Years and years later of being out of the mid-west I returned to find that there weren’t many vegan based restaurants, very few wellness spots, and even fewer black inspired vegan and plant-based business owners. I actually stumbled into the food catering business by someone seeking a chef for their personal needs. They wanted a plant-based chef to make specific foods as they hadn’t the time or knowledge. I took one client, then soon word got around that I was a personal chef. It wasn’t what I intended at all lol. It just happened. Once I created the website and posted my food online my food business took off. I didn’t have much time to devote to creating my online business and decided to focus on the food biz.

I did my best to do it all…host and participate in pop ups, speaking engagements, host an online radio show, have partnerships with non profit organizations for plant-based nutrition, cater events, personal chef while all doing my best to fulfill other roles in my life. It was a blast and I was having fun. But it wasn’t sustainable. I was a team of one and soon burned myself out lol.

I think was sets me a part from others is the experience I have living this lifestyle. It isn’t a diet or a fad for me. I was vegetarian as a child and I’m on my 18th year of being vegan. This lifestyle is a way for us to connect our value to the world around us and I do my best to share how fabulous that connection truly is and how valuable we are to one another.

I am most proud of an event I host in St. Louis, Soul Vegan Thanksliving! It is a black focused thanksgiving themed dinner and we sell out every year! Each year we have a dj, speaker, 4-5 local vegan and plant-based chefs, good bags, and lovely dinner. I wanted a space for black veganism to be celebrated and also create more awareness in St. Louis. When I arrived in St. Louis there wasn’t a space for that. Most vegan spaces were “mainstream” and didn’t offer a welcoming vibe to anyone who didn’t “fit” that description of what they thought a vegan person was.

This year, after taking two years off due to COVID, we are partnering with the city of St. Louis- making it the first time the city has partnered for a vegan event, BADASSVEGAN is our honored speaker and guest, and we have so much in store! The event is November 19th and tickets will be on sale in a few weeks. There’s so much that goes into this event and I’m so happy to have it again this year!

Have you ever had to pivot?

When COVID first happened I decided to take a break from business and tune into my mental health. I had just lost both of my grandmothers, cousin, and to be honest I didn’t take it well.

I didn’t care for the belief of keep going when I was in pain. I decided that it was best for me to take a pause. There’s strength in the pause. I needed to quiet myself and ask what did I want in that moment. Who was I in that moment. What is the next best step in that moment.

I found my answer was to not force it and find my passion in my business again. And I really allowed it to unfold. I allowed myself to be guided to the process of creating my vision for myself and that was the biggest blessing.

Thankfully, for allowing myself to take a break I was able to discover joy in what I love so much! I say when someone isn’t sure on their next move, burnt out, depressed, and just over everything show yourself some grace and compassion.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think word of mouth is powerful and still the best growing tool. I have made MANY mistakes and I’m still learning for sure lol. I really think because I like to connect and help others my business was able to grow faster than I could keep of with and build a reputation for knowledgeable, passionate, and a trusted source. This happened because of others and I am so thankful!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fabulouslyvegan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_fabulouslyvegan_/

Image Credits
All of the photos are mine and taken by me. Thank you