Sandra Nomoto is carving a unique path in the plant-based business world, helping vegan entrepreneurs gain visibility and credibility. Her journey, as featured on the Plant-Based Eating for Health Podcast Show hosted by Kathleen Gage, is one of passion, purpose, and practicality. Whether you’re a plant-based business owner, an aspiring author, or simply curious about the vegan lifestyle, Sandra’s story is filled with insights that inspire action.
The Road to Veganism and Business
Sandra’s vegan journey officially began in 2018, but it was the culmination of more than a decade of effort. That same year, she decided to step away from her PR agency and explore freelancing. By 2020, she launched her new venture, branding herself as “The Vegan Copywriter.”
Reflecting on the past five years:
- Trusting Intuition: Meditation helped guide her toward combining her vegan lifestyle with her professional talents in writing and
marketing. - The Rewards and Challenges of Entrepreneurship: Building a vegan-focused business hasn’t always been easy, but Sandra’s passion for the mission keeps her going.
- Evolving Services: From marketing consulting to PR and book editing, Sandra has expanded her offerings to meet the needs of vegan entrepreneurs.
AI and the Changing Landscape of Writing
As artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT continue to reshape the content creation industry, Sandra has adapted while maintaining her commitment to authenticity.
Here’s her take on AI:
- Use It as a Tool: AI can be a great starting point for generating ideas or organizing content.
- Avoid Over Reliance: Heavy reliance on AI can lead to inaccuracies, especially for research or book writing.
- Stay True to Your Voice: Businesses should customize AI-generated content to align with their unique brand and tone.
Books that Build Visibility
Sandra is the author of two impactful books:
- The Only Public Relations Guide You’ll Ever Need: A practical workbook for PR professionals.
- Vegan Marketing Success Stories: The first-ever vegan marketing book, which highlights insights and strategies from leading
Version 1.0.0
plant-based businesses.
Sandra credits her second book for significantly elevating her profile:
- Media Coverage: Appearing on podcasts and in articles has established her as an authority in vegan marketing.
- Speaking Opportunities: Sandra has spoken at events like Planted Expo, often referred to as the “Vegan TEDx.”
- Enhanced Credibility: Publishing a book has proven to be a game-changer in building trust and authority within the vegan space.
Advice for Aspiring Authors
For those thinking about writing a book, Sandra offers simple yet powerful advice:
- Define Your Audience: Understand who you’re writing for and how your book will serve them.
- Create an Outline: Map out your table of contents and organize your thoughts.
- Use Technology: Tools like Otter AI can transcribe audio if you prefer to speak your ideas instead of typing.
- Be Consistent: Even small, regular writing sessions can lead to significant progress.
The State of the Vegan Market
There are challenges vegan businesses, entrepreneurs, authors and speakers face, including:
- Lack of Subsidies: Unlike the heavily funded meat and dairy industries, plant-based companies receive minimal government support.
- Visibility Issues: Limited marketing budgets make it harder for vegan businesses to compete with mainstream advertising.
- Advocacy Opportunities: Sandra encourages reaching out to policymakers to push for subsidy shifts toward plant-based industries.
Despite these challenges, Sandra remains optimistic about the potential of the vegan movement to inspire change and create a more sustainable future.
Vegan Heroes Who Inspire Sandra
Sandra draws inspiration from influential figures in the vegan community:
- Earthling Ed: A master of calm, fact-based advocacy, inspiring others through his emotional intelligence and composure.
- Tabitha Brown: Known for her joyful approach to veganism, Tabitha has become a mainstream sensation with her Target product line and social media presence.
- Jenny Stojkovic: Founder of the Vegan Women Summit, Jenny is a leading voice for women entrepreneurs in the plant-based sector.
The Path Forward
Sandra’s mission is clear: to amplify the visibility of vegans and vegan businesses. By helping entrepreneurs build content strategies, publish books, and secure speaking engagements, she’s creating a ripple effect that inspires others to join the movement.
Her advice for those starting a vegan business or writing a book:
- Test your idea with your target audience to ensure it meets their needs.
- Build a consistent content strategy to establish your presence.
- Gather testimonials to showcase the value of your work.
Final Thoughts
Sandra Nomoto is living proof that aligning passion with purpose can lead to extraordinary results. Her journey shows that every choice we make—whether it’s the food we eat, the businesses we support, or the content we create—has the power to create meaningful change.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your vegan journey, let Sandra’s story inspire you to live compassionately, eat healthily, and create a brighter future.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[02:00] Where veganism started for Sandra Nomoto
[07:30] Bringing books to market
[11:00] Business turns upside down
[12:00] Where to start with a book
[15:30] To AI or not to AI… things to consider
[21:15] Where the vegan market is headed
[26:30] Deciding on a direction in business
[29:00] The importance of self care for vegan activists
[31:30] A few vegan heroes
About Sandra Nomoto
Sandra Nomoto is a Book Whisperer for authors with impact and Hype woman for vegan leaders. Over the 10 years she ran Conscious Public Relations Inc., Women In Film & Television Vancouver awarded her the 2009 Volunteer of the Year award, the company was the fourth public relations agency in Canada to earn B Corporation® certification, and she contributed to eWomenNetwork Vancouver earning the Best Social Media and Community Engagement Award. Nomoto authored two books, including the world’s first vegan marketing book, Vegan Marketing Success Stories, in 2022. She’s spoken at TELUS, Main Street Vegan Academy, Planted Expo, and the Vancouver Vegan Festival, sharing the stage with Genesis Butler, Chuck Carroll, and Dr. Michael Greger. On the side of her desk, she co-hosts VEG Networking Canada, Canada’s only vegan networking group.
About Kathleen Gage
Kathleen Gage is a multifaceted professional, renowned as the founder of Vegan Visibility. With certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell University, she’s a seasoned business consultant, keynote speaker, and marketing strategist.
Kathleen’s impact extends to hosting the Vegan Visibility Virtual Summit, a niche event supporting vegan and plant-based entrepreneurs with top-tier training from industry experts. Since establishing her business in 1994, she’s navigated economic challenges across various sectors, including high-tech, healthcare, and publishing.
Her influential voice resonates through popular podcasts like “Vegan Visibility” and “Plant Based Eating for Health,” where she advocates for a sustainable, compassionate world and provides guidance to thousands globally. Moreover, as an award-winning speaker and past president of Utah’s National Speakers Association chapter, Kathleen excels in crafting effective marketing strategies.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kathleen resides in Central Oregon, where she champions animal rescue and enjoys outdoor activities. Her commitment to creating a more compassionate and sustainable world shines through in both her personal and professional pursuits.