Houston-based entrepreneur Dominique Side is on a mission to help people become more conscious through her sustainability consulting firm.
Founded in 2021, The Luxury Vegan is a concierge transition service aimed at helping those who wish to embrace an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
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“As soon it was over, I was like, ‘That’s it, I’m done.’ Once I looked into what my food options would be, then I got more deeply ingrained,” Side told AFROTECH. “I became more familiar with all the knowledge about the different industries, animal agriculture, and the dairy industry, and all those different things. And I thought ‘Who am I that other beings would be subjected to this kind of treatment so that I can have something that I take for granted, essentially, and don’t really care that much about, and what’s part of a meal that could otherwise have nothing to do with them?'”
She continued, “So I looked at all my consumption across the board, and from a compassion-centered place I could have more compassion for other beings, which includes animals and people and directly addresses the intersectionality of human rights and animal rights. Then I could have more compassion for the planet, which is the environmental component of a plant-based lifestyle.”
In the wake of the pandemic, Side felt convicted to create a medium that would encourage others who were looking to adopt some of the same habits. She had already dedicated many hours to extensively researching companies she adored to determine if products adhered to her core values.
“I love Dior. I shop Gucci, Celine and these different designers, but Balmain, I sit on the website and when they introduce a new collection, I will go through each piece and read the materials and research,” Side said. “Not many people are going to do that, but because I do, I felt like I could capitalize on that investment of time and energy and have it benefit other people and myself.”
Currently, The Luxury Vegan is running a tight ship, working with leaders across industries. According to the company website, the firm offers clients a plan to pivot to veganism, direct support customized to meet their needs, and education on brands and restaurants to amplify, among other things.
“I want to coach the person who is running the Fortune 500 company,” Side explained. “Once they change their mindset, the way that they run their company changes, the way that they raise their family changes — it’s a high chance that their children will be high net-worth individuals — the way that they invest will change, what they put their resources behind, whether it’s innovation in that same space or it’s wellness, or if it’s solving social issues like food deserts. That’s where I feel like I can take my expertise.”
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