If you own a vegan business, you know it’s not always smart to indulge in trends. In the last couple of years, companies have popped up around the country touting business models that have a lower environmental impact. A vegan diet, in-and-of-itself, is way more environmentally friendly than the average meat-inclusive western diet, as studies show. Even when compared to local diets, vegan diets have been shown to have a smaller impact (though some locavores would dispute this).

When it comes to vegan business and the environment, there are certain companies and organizations that have acted as trail blazers. These innovative groups stand out when you look at the many aspects of veganism, business and the environment:

1) The Vegetarian Society is a long-time leader for vegetarianism and vegan awareness. It was formed in 1847, and as it has evolved it has worked to help veganize – and subsequently support – businesses with “Veggie Approved” status. This helped set the example for vegan groups and a standard for vegan-certified status. A focus for the society is to encourage people to see the positive effects of vegetarian choices on the environment.

Today’s typical conscientious consumer cares less about finding cruelty-free vegan products and more about buying local. If this consumer’s goods come from nearby, he/she can throw other moral concerns out the window, basking in the glow of an “End of Suburbia,” anti-Wal-Mart disposition.

Instead of reconciling vegetarianism and the local food movement, most people have directed their energy into comparing the two and arguing about which is better for the environment, or which boosts the local economy more. The truth is, however, that both philosophies are part of the bigger plan to make the world a better, more sustainable place to live! So, with that said, is it possible for the two to thrive in one business? Here are ten local entrepreneurship ideas for a vegan business:

As the years go by, vegan shopping, whether in stores or online, is becoming more and more convenient. When I first went vegan, it seemed nearly impossible to obtain nutritional information on foods or animal ingredients and testing information on merchandise.

Life is busy for Mary Wilmer and Terry Bradford as they pursue their creative passions. Not only have they spent the last 10 years working together in the music industry but they own and run a vegan business as well. In 2008, they started Bountiful Vegan, a vegan food manufacturing company and home of the Intention Cookie. Part vegan snack and part affirmation, it is the law of attraction in a cookie.

Mary recently spoke with Vegan Mainstream about her experiences as a vegan business owner, and about her hopes for the future:

When Google released its new social feature, Google Buzz, millions of people across the world were puzzled: How is Google Buzz going to compete against established social networking giants like Facebook and MySpace? Moreover, do we really need another social networking platform? Vegan entrepreneurs who are already struggling to find time to keep up with current social media may have felt similarly. However, if that’s you, before you turn away in despair, take a peek. In addition to the social networking accounts and corporate website you already maintain, Google Buzz is definitely something you should consider if you are serious about reaching your customers.

Vegetarian and vegan stores that provide excellent service are held in high regard in the vegan community. It doesn’t matter whether your store is Internet-based or has a physical storefront. Customers return to businesses that treat them well, and they tell others about these companies. I will often pay a little more for vegan products provided by a small company with great service than pay less at large chains with little or no service.

As a vegan business owner, your goal is to popularize your products with your target market.  We all know about brand recognition, right?  Think about the brands that you grew up with, and the emotional memories associated with them.  While the most successful brands in the world to date are not vegan nor organic, there’s no reason that you can’t take a page from their marketing book!  Think about the brand recognition that Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Target Corporation have created in the minds of the masses.  Want some of that success for your sustainable, Earth-loving business?  Of course you do!  Here are the top 10 ways to begin:

There are many ways consumers can influence the vegan products sold by a store or business. In fact, if vegan products are what a business’s core customers want – and express they want – a store can go from carrying very few vegan items to carrying a large selection and altering its focus to vegan marketing.

Vegan Purchase Power

One easy way to encourage a business to sell more vegan products is by purchasing the vegan items that it already offers. If a store you like to shop at puts out a few new vegan products, spread the word – encourage all your vegan friends to buy them. Business owners pay attention to what sells. If vegan products sell, businesses will offer more of them.

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