Have you ever wondered how everyday shopping decisions could help create a more sustainable world? Or did you feel overwhelmed trying to make more conscious choices in a world designed for instant gratification?

In this episode, I sit down with Desirée Dupuis, founder of Voes & Co., a global vegan footwear brand revolutionizing fashion with next-generation plant-based materials. Having followed a vegan lifestyle for 17 years, Desiree shares how she turned her frustration with finding stylish vegan footwear into a mission-driven brand. We dive deep into practical strategies for mindful consumption, from the simple "24-hour rule" before purchasing to researching brands that align with your values. Desiree opens up about her journey creating beautiful designer shoes from innovative materials like cactus and corn leather, while we explore how every purchase is essentially voting with your dollar for the kind of world you want to see.

Whether you're just beginning to think about sustainability or already committed to conscious living, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and inspiration for mindful shopping habits.

Key Talking Points:

In this episode, we discuss…

Desiree's Vegan Journey and Brand Origin
- Her awakening to veganism in 2008, initially for animals
- Expanded commitment in 2015 after watching Cowspiracy (environmental reasons)
- Founding Voes & Co. to solve her personal problem of finding stylish vegan footwear
Conscious Consumption Strategies
- The 24-hour rule before making purchases
- Researching brands before buying (spending 1-2 minutes to check alignment with values)
- The "one in, one out" approach to maintaining a minimalist wardrobe
- Considering a product's entire lifecycle and end-of-life impact
Voting with Your Dollar
- Every purchase is a relationship and contract with brands
- Supporting independently owned, woman-led, mission-driven businesses
- The power of conscious consumer choices multiplied across billions of people
Sustainable Materials Innovation
- Voes & Co.'s use of plant-based alternatives like cactus leather and corn leather
- Focus on creating timeless, durable designs rather than seasonal trends
- The journey from plastic-based vegan materials to natural alternatives
Building Community Around Values
- The importance of playing the long game in business and advocacy
- Finding connection through shared values at events like Vegan Women's Summit
- Creating authentic relationships with customers who become friends
Personal Practices for Staying Aligned
- Meditation practices (Dr. Joe Dispenza, guided meditations)
- Body energy testing for decision-making
- The importance of self-knowledge and connecting to personal values
- Spiritual practices to maintain alignment with purpose
PR and Media Strategy
- Working with aligned publicists who share your values
- Leveraging events like the Vegan Fashion Show for media exposure
- Building credibility through features in publications like Forbes, Cosmopolitan, and Vogue
Overcoming the Instant Gratification Culture
- The challenge of mindful consumption in a world designed for one-click purchasing
- Using intentional behavior changes to shift mindset
- Finding accountability partners for conscious consumption challenges
Grace in the Sustainability Journey
- Avoiding perfectionism in conscious living
- Giving yourself grace when you can't always make the perfect choice
- The importance of progress over perfection
Long-term Vision and Legacy
- Approaching conscious business as a 20-30 year commitment
- Creating a global iconic brand that represents veganism
- The ripple effect of conscious advocacy and education

Time Stamps:

[2:30] Desiree explains how her vegan journey began in 2008 and evolved into a mission to create stylish, ethical footwear
[5:15] Discussion on mindful consumption and taking time before purchasing to consider a product's end-of-life
[9:40] The concept of waiting 24 hours before making purchases to avoid impulse buying
[12:20] Strategies for maintaining a minimalist wardrobe, including the "one in, one out" rule
[18:35] The importance of supporting independent, women-owned, mission-driven brands
[22:10] How every purchase is a vote with your dollar for the world you want to see
[24:50] Desiree shares the story behind Voes & Co. and her innovative use of plant-based materials
[28:15] The long game of building community around conscious values
[35:20] Discussion on spiritual practices that help maintain alignment with values
[41:15] Insights on leveraging PR to share sustainability stories with major publications

Mentioned Resources:

Cowspiracy Documentary (2015)
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey
Dr. Joe Dispenza's Guided Meditations
Mel Robbins' "Let Them" Theory
Vegan Women's Summit
Voes & Co. Footwear Made with Cactus Leather and Corn Leather

Quotable Moments:

"The most sustainable thing we can do is buy nothing at all, but we are here to be human and enjoy this human experience, which includes good food, fashion, driving a vehicle, all these fun things." — Desirée Dupuis

"Every time you make a purchase, you are voting with your dollars in the type of the world that you want to see." — Desirée Dupuis

"Do you want to put your money towards a brand that is literally destroying the planet? Or do you want to put your money towards a brand backed by a conscious person who is doing everything they can to try to make the world a healthier place?" — Desirée Dupuis

"People can only be mindful and conscious to the capacity that they really know and understand themselves." — Desirée Dupuis

"The message I want to share is around grace. I think we all need a little bit more grace... do your best to be conscious and to be mindful, but be so graceful. Give yourself so much grace." — Desirée Dupuis

Connect with Our Guest:

Connect with Desirée Dupuis and Voes & Co:

Website: Voes & Co.

Social(s): @voes_and_co

Connect with Ashley Graham:

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