How did you use your MSVU degree to transition into opening enVie?
From the moment that I connected with the business program, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur! As soon as I graduated, I started travelling with my husband, who was a professional hockey player. We landed in Germany for three years, where I initially went vegan, and took an interest in the impact I could make by eating and living compassionately. That interest quickly became a passion when my friend asked me to help open her vegan restaurant in Heilbronn, and the rest is history. I identified a gap in the marketplace in Halifax, and we went for it!
What was your first day l ike?
To be perfectly honest, our first day was like a rollercoaster of emotions. We had no idea what to expect and it was nerve-wracking. There were so many people that said we would never make it because our target market was so small, but we instantly saw the support from our community. And the best part? Very few of them were vegan!
This article appears in Feb 19-25, 2015.