In our latest episode of Plant Based On Fire, we had the pleasure of hosting Ashley Castellanos, a multifaceted creative professional and the dynamic founder of Vegan Ventures. Based in Portland, Oregon, Ashley has been making waves in the plant-based community through her engaging content, innovative events, and passion for vegan travel.
Join us as we dive into her inspiring journey, entrepreneurial insights, and the exciting projects she's spearheading to connect foodies and travelers worldwide.
From Teacher to Traveler: The Birth of Vegan Ventures
Ashley Castellanos' journey into the plant-based niche began in 2014 when she left the US to travel and teach English abroad. It was during her time in Hanoi, Vietnam, that she made the transition to a vegan lifestyle. Contrary to popular belief, she found it quite easy to adopt a vegan diet in Vietnam, thanks to the plethora of vegan restaurants and options available at the time.
"I've always enjoyed learning about different cuisines and trying new dishes. Becoming vegan just added a new layer to that experience,"
Ashley shared. After returning to Portland in 2019, she started Vegan Ventures, initially as a food Instagram account. What began as a simple platform to share her favorite vegan spots and experiences quickly grew into a comprehensive resource for vegan dining and travel.
Building a Community and Creating Content
One of the key elements of Vegan Ventures' success has been Ashley's dedication to building a community. Her approach to content creation focuses on sharing genuine experiences and stories that resonate with both seasoned vegans and those new to the lifestyle.
"I just want to share a good experience or a good story. Anyone can resonate with that, whether you're vegan or not,"
Ashley emphasized. This inclusive approach has helped her foster a welcoming community that appreciates the authenticity and passion behind her content.
Organizing Unique Vegan Experiences
Ashley’s passion for connecting people through shared experiences is evident in her event planning. She has successfully organized local events in Portland, such as the Portland Food Tour, and is now venturing into international group trips. Her first international vegan group trip is planned for Mexico City, a project that has been both exciting and challenging.
"I wanted to have more say in how the trip was going to be. Planning travel group trips is a lot of responsibility, but connecting with the right people who believe in your vision makes it possible,"
Ashley noted. By collaborating with local travel agencies and leveraging her extensive network, she ensures that each trip is not only enjoyable but also supports ethical and sustainable practices.
Insights You'll Gain From This Episode
The Importance of Consistency: Ashley highlights how consistently showing up and putting in the effort opens up numerous opportunities.
Building Genuine Relationships: Establishing and nurturing relationships with local businesses and the community is crucial for growth.
Adapting to Change: Learning from what works and what doesn’t is essential in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of content creation and business.
Embracing Collaboration: Partnering with experts and seeking support from the community can significantly enhance your projects.
Creating Inclusive Content: Sharing authentic stories and experiences that resonate with a wide audience helps build a loyal and engaged community.
Ashley Castellanos is a shining example of how passion, consistency, and community can drive success in the plant-based business world. Through Vegan Ventures, she continues to inspire and connect vegans and foodies globally, offering them unique and memorable experiences. As she looks forward to expanding her platform with more international trips and events, we can't wait to see what new adventures she will embark on next.
For more insights from Ashley Castellanos and to stay updated on her upcoming trips, follow her on social media or visit her website, Vegan Ventures. Don’t forget to tune into the full episode of Plant Based On Fire for an in-depth conversation filled with inspiration and practical tips for aspiring plant-based entrepreneurs.
Connect with Ashley
Instagram: @veganventures
Website: Vegan Ventures
Until next time, keep the fire burning and continue to explore the vibrant world of plant-based living!
Subscribe to the Plant-Based On Fire podcast on YouTube or your favorite streaming platform today and stay connected with our ongoing exploration of the complex plant-based business world.
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Episode’s Transcript
Please understand that a transcription service provided the transcript below. It undoubtedly contains errors that invariably take place in voice transcriptions.
Bryan (00:00)
Hello everybody and welcome to Plant Based on Fire where we talk about plant based businesses and their inspiring stories to thrive in our industry. I'm your host Bryan and joining us today is Ashley Castellanos. She is a content creator and founder of Vegan Ventures where foodies and travelers meet. Welcome to the show Ashley.
Ashley (00:22)
Thank you so much for having me.
Bryan (00:25)
It's so awesome to be here. I am jealous because I love to travel and you sound like you have done it quite a bit. So take us back to like the beginning. What inspired you to start vegan ventures and how did you transition into this plant -based niche?
Ashley (00:42)
Well, I feel like the journey started when I was living overseas. So in 2014, I left the US because I wanted to travel and I did that by teaching English. And while I lived overseas, that's when I became vegan. I was actually living in Hanoi, Vietnam, actually, when I made the transition. I get asked a lot if it was difficult and it was actually rather easy. At the time, there were a lot of options.
Bryan (01:01)
Awesome.
Ashley (01:10)
a lot of vegan restaurants. This was back in 2017. And after I left Vietnam, I continued to travel and explore, but of course now through a vegan lens. I've always enjoyed learning about different cuisines, trying new dishes, but of course becoming vegan, it just, it was just a different experience. So coming back to Portland in 2019, starting vegan ventures was kind of a fluke, if I'm being honest.
I had a different travel blog at the time that I was trying to monetize and it was someone's suggestion of like, why don't you start a food Instagram? That's honestly how it started. And I was like, sure, why not? And it's funny looking back because with, so I started the IG, it started off as an IG page as for at first.
Bryan (01:40)
Okay.
Ashley (02:05)
you know, big adventures and start off by sharing photos and just by, I feel like just because there was no pressure, I wasn't trying to be anything other than just wanting to share things that I genuinely enjoyed. It just naturally grew this community and this network. We all know what happened in 2020. So at the time I was super hyper -focused in what was happening in Portland, you know.
And it just grew and it just evolved. And so it became from just sharing photos to actually becoming a resource and getting to partner and work with other businesses to share what they're doing. The whole goal, I feel like, of Vegan Ventures is for you to just have the best experience, whether it's you're coming to it because you want recommendations and guides and information to plan your own experiences.
but now I'm getting to host my own. I'm doing more local events. I just launched my first international group trip to Mexico City for next year. And the goal is to continue to do more of that, just create more experiences for other vegans or people who just like to eat vegan, who are just open -minded to connect. So that's the overall goal. But that's just kind of how it started.
Bryan (03:11)
That's awesome.
That's right. It's so awesome because I find the businesses that really make it through are the ones that start on this passion and this plan to just do it because they love it so much. Because every business goes through this like valley of death or whatever. Like, am I, should I keep doing this? Am I going to make money? All those kinds of challenges and stuff. And I find the ones that have those passions, like that's how this whole podcast started was I just wanted to, I started a real many plants as just a blog to document my transition.
Ashley (03:51)
Yeah.
Bryan (04:01)
towards the vegan life and then it's just grown and these little things pop up and I thoroughly enjoy meeting people like you and talking to them about how they got their business started. So kudos to you for taking this to the next level.
Ashley (04:14)
Thank you. But I agree with what you were saying of like, it has its waves, right? And especially you kind of, you really have to look into what's working and what doesn't because, you know, I did start off as a creator and in ways I still am a creator, but it's like having to evaluate of like, how else can I grow my business? Like what are other offerings that I can share that?
Bryan (04:19)
Yeah.
Ashley (04:38)
our mind that are vegan ventures, you know, so it's a lot of like trial and error as well as to seeing what works and what resonates with your community and what doesn't. So there's definitely, yeah, there's definitely things that, you know, have attempted didn't really work out. And it's just kind of like, okay, that was a great lesson. You know, let's, let's find something else that
Bryan (04:49)
Yeah.
That's right.
Ashley (05:03)
you know, I feel like is in alignment with not just with what I want to share, but I know my community will as well. I always have to think about what my community really enjoys. And I feel like in ways they are an extension of me because they enjoy what I share. They also are looking for things that I'm looking for when it comes to food or an experience or travel. So, but sometimes you think you might know your community and sometimes you don't. So it's always a learning curve.
Bryan (05:16)
Hmm
Yeah.
Yeah, that's for sure. And I'd say like, you know, even on this podcast, I've gotten to meet a couple other travel agents and stuff. So I would love to connect you with a few of them, like Rebecca from veggies abroad. Like if she knew she you're doing trips, like she should recommend you. So there's just so many little connections out there that that just by putting yourself out there and, and doing it, they, they find you, you know, so, so kudos to doing that. I'm curious. So you, you hit on an interesting topic for me.
You know, I guess I'm a content creator myself to a degree during the podcast. How do you approach creating content that really resonates with both like the seasoned vegans and those that are maybe starting on this lifestyle journey?
Ashley (06:17)
I feel like my approach that has been quite consistent over the years is just that I just want to share like a good experience or a good story. You know, I feel like anyone can resonate with that, whether you're vegan or not. I feel like I want it's always been my goal to have a platform where it's welcoming for everyone. So when it comes to sharing content and some of my favorite content that I've shared is especially about, you know, businesses and sharing their story and
Bryan (06:28)
Mm -hmm.
Ashley (06:47)
you know, and how much passion they have around, you know, their product or what they're doing. And again, like anyone can connect with that, you know, no matter what your dietary preference is. And so I feel like it's just thinking about that more of like the experience and the story. And if it resonates with you, great. And if it doesn't, you know, that's understandable, but it's just trying to just have this welcoming.
type of content that I feel like anyone can enjoy. So that's just always been my approach typically.
Bryan (07:18)
Yeah.
I love it. No, it's, it's great advice. And I think like the other angle that I'm curious about your thoughts on is some of the challenges of like the Instagram world versus maybe the Tik TOK or YouTube world, because they all slightly have different demographics. I find to get a lot more love and hate comments on like YouTube and Tik TOK versus Instagram. but I don't know what have you, what have you seen and how do you sort of, do you curate?
things slightly different from some of your edits on the different platforms or it's all the same thing.
Ashley (07:56)
To be honest, I just keep it the same. Like it really is a lot of effort to try to differentiate the content for each platform. And I feel like in certain times it is necessary, but for the most part, I'm like, this is the content. I feel like it's good and I'm gonna post it on the different platforms, but I have experienced more of that negativity on like YouTube shorts.
Bryan (07:59)
huh.
Mm -hmm.
Right, yes.
Ashley (08:20)
I'll post on there just because I'm like, you know, I'm still gonna put myself out there. If anything, I just laugh most of the time at the comments because I'm very grateful that most of the time the comments aren't necessarily directed towards myself. I feel like that would be a different story if it were, but it's more about what it is that I'm sharing. So I just try to not let it get to me. But I feel like on TikTok and Instagram for the most part, they've been positive, but of course people have their opinions.
you know, and I get that and I feel like it's, it's something that I just can't like control. Like people have their opinions as to how they view vegan food. Again, my goal is to showcase just like a different like idea around it. And not everyone sees it that way. And it's kind of like, well, what can you do? So again, I just try to laugh it off and move on because at the end of the day, clearly that wasn't met for them. And that's, and that's fine.
Bryan (09:06)
Mm -hmm.
That's right. But I find like, you know, I know we're in the, in a, politically charged year and everything else. And so, but I do think it's at least that awareness level that, that we're out there and we're bringing more people to at least think about it or planting those seeds. And it might take them seeing 50 of my clips and a hundred of your clips to help them really say like, there might be something to this. So I appreciate you being bold and confident and putting out that content and,
Just don't worry about whatever anybody says. Just keep doing what you're doing there for sure. I'm so excited though about you planning these trips and taking people. So tell us more about Mexico and maybe the process for how you organize these trips and vegan events and what do you do to give it a little unique spin?
Ashley (10:07)
Yeah, so for this for this Mexico City trip, it's been definitely quite a fun process. I was originally going to work with one company where I wasn't going to have too much of a say in terms of the planning process, which is fine. But it just kind of came to a point where I was like, you know, I feel like as a seasoned traveler, I want to have a bit more say into how the trip is going to be. So but I had no idea how do I even go about
planning travel group trips. It's a lot of responsibility. I want to make sure everyone is safe and has a good time. So I actually got in contact with a local business owner who has a travel agency. Bless her for sitting down with me and just sharing with me all this information and insights of things I should know. And then when I told her the type of trip I wanted to plan, she was like, okay, you want to work.
this type of company, let me like get you some contacts. But again, I reached out to her like I've known her for a while and I said, Hey, like, I'm willing to pay you I'm willing to compensate you. I'm just really this is something I'm interested in but she responded of like, it's no problem. Like I'm happy to help and I feel like that's just
Bryan (11:15)
Mm -hmm.
Ashley (11:27)
really important and just really nice to have a supportive community who want to see you thrive and especially when you're starting something new. So, so I reached out to one of the companies she recommended and I just reached out. It was a great fit. They turned out that they plan or handle a lot of the backend things, but I've shared with them the vision that I wanted and they were able to just bring it to life. And so I'm very excited to plan more trips with them, but
Bryan (11:47)
Mm -hmm.
Ashley (11:57)
Again, this was a huge learning curve of like, how do I go about it where I'm in it, but also someone else can maybe handle the things that might require like too much of my time. And that's the other thing too of like learning to just like connect with people and building that trust so that they can do what they do best.
Bryan (11:59)
Yeah.
That's right.
Mm -hmm, that's right.
Ashley (12:19)
You know, and so, so the thing too, like I could try to do it literally all on my own, but like, why when there's someone else that has that expertise already and can like help support me in this project? So, so that's been another like learning curve, I guess, as like growing vegan ventures and growing the brand and the business of like, just finding and connecting with the right people that believe in you and you believe in them, and then you can just work.
together. So that was a bit of the process putting this together.
Bryan (12:51)
It's it.
And, and it's like, you just jam packed it full of starting a business tips there, you know, so I have to call them out a little bit, you know, like you can't do this alone. Every business needs some help. And I'm so, so excited to hear you continually say like, you have to reach out and talk to these people. Like you do. Most people will help even if they charge a little bit of money, they'll still help you and they'll help you. And it takes a village to build a business. So
kudos for reaching out. You know what your expertise is and there's other people that can compliment it. I couldn't do it without my bookkeeper. I don't like, I don't like doing the finance pieces of it. So yeah, that's awesome. But like it's an interesting thing because I think what I've seen over the time, even just that I've been launching this podcast is it, it is switching from like that content curation into like community building. So how have you sort of seen
beginnings of that community come to life and how do you foster that community that you're growing here?
Ashley (13:55)
Yeah, so because I had mentioned earlier that I started vegan ventures here in Portland, and so it started off, and it still continues to primarily highlight things here because I'm based here. But it just, eventually I started to go out and meet the business owners here and there. And so I guess it made it easier because it was more of a local experience.
And but also too, I feel like as a creator, I genuinely took the time to have conversations with these people that I was working with or promoting. And I feel like that's what made the biggest difference because it's like you're showing that you actually care. You know, you're showing up in a way of like, they're really like in this, like they really want to learn more about you and what you're doing.
Bryan (14:40)
Yeah, that's right.
Ashley (14:50)
And I just feel like when you take that extra bit of effort, it just makes the biggest difference. And so now doing more of these community events that I'm doing here, especially like locally, like I'm able to reach out to people I've connected previously. And it just makes it that much easier to bring up an idea because it's like, well, you took the time to build this relationship with me. So.
I want to reciprocate that and help you out with this other project that you're doing. Like I also just launched the Portland Food Tour for this summer with another creative and it was a lot easier to bring on these restaurants on board because I have cultivated these relationships over the years. But again, it just comes down to how you show up and how you just, yeah, just honestly just how you show up. It just makes the biggest difference.
Bryan (15:35)
Yeah.
I agree. Yeah. Have and you, you have that positive attitude going into it as well. So I did see that video on your Instagram, I think. And I commend you on that effort to just build that, that food tour that looks really fun. I'm and I, and I, I almost think like if all of us vegans got together and just took over TripAdvisor and Expedia with all these vegan tour options, like, you know, when people go to Portland, call Ashley and she'll give you a tour for sure.
What's the, what, what do you think has been like any key strategies that have really contributed to your successes, taking this thing off?
Ashley (16:26)
I feel like it's a matter of, I feel like the biggest thing is consistency. I feel like consistently showing up, whether it's, you know, as a creative, just like posting or just like reaching out to people and having conversations, like you build that momentum, you know, because it's really hard to even start. But once you start and you're being consistent, I feel like it just opens up so many doors.
But I feel like that's what made the biggest difference was that I consistently showed up. I was just consistently putting myself out there. And that just led to like other things and other opportunities that I would have never in my wildest dreams would have thought would happen. So, but don't get me wrong. Like there's many times where I'm like, I just want to like hide in a corner because I feel very overwhelmed or I feel very anxious, but it's like,
Bryan (17:13)
Right. Right.
Hehehehe
Yeah.
Ashley (17:25)
have to push through, like I have to show up and you know, it's okay, I feel like to take a day or so to sometimes just breathe and relax, but you just have to keep going because you mentioned earlier, I think about like sometimes thinking of just like having to give up or something and I'm not gonna lie that idea has crossed my mind many times. I'm like,
but I've made it this far, you know, like, why? You know, why would I do that? So, yeah, I just feel like that consistency and just showing up makes the biggest difference.
Bryan (17:55)
Mm -hmm.
Yeah, it's, it's so, so true, right? Like that's just it. Like, you, you know, we can, you know, have the six pack abs if we just are consistent in our setups or whatever it is, you know what I mean? It's just that consistency in every aspect of certain things. So I agree. That's what I tell my team too. Like you conducting a podcast, it takes hours and hours of prep and posts and editing and all that kind of stuff.
And it's not just what you're seeing on the camera here briefly. So, but that consistency of just doing it, you'll grow it. So kudos. I love all the content I was seeing and I'm following you now. So keep doing it and keep that consistency going. I'm curious though, like there are other content creators out there. And I know we have, we have a couple other podcasts too, that are just hitting these inflection points of how to monetize it. So.
Do you mind sharing any tips and tricks on some strategies that you have used to help generate some potential income from the platforms you're building?
Ashley (19:06)
Yeah, so, you know, like as a creator, I feel like it's important to have like different revenue streams, like relying on one is very dicey. Of course, the popular one is like brand partnerships, but I feel like brand partnerships, I don't know, I feel like it's kind of shifting. And I've had conversations with this, with other creators that like, they either don't pay as much or it's not as often. So that's why like you don't always want to count on that.
And so some other ways that I've generated like revenue is like providing some of my own like products. So I do have a map that I sell and some guides. There are some great platforms where you can create your own interactive guides. There's quite a few. So I feel like it's a matter of finding which one makes the most sense. Cause I feel like blogs, which I still write are still great and valuable, but
People are also very visual. So there's a lot of platforms where you can create and sell your own guides. And I also offer like planning services, right? So it's just a matter of like, how can I expand my own personal brand that makes the most sense with what I'm sharing and what my community is looking for when they come to my page. So it's thinking of like,
Yeah, honestly, as a business owner, like what can you offer yourself? Is there a service? Is there maybe like a product? You know, we all seen creators create their own merch. Like I would love to do that one day, but I don't feel like that's something that's super necessary for me right now. But like selling my map, like that makes the most sense given with what I share on my platform. And then of course now like evolving to more in -person events. So I'm doing like cooking classes. I'm doing the tours I'm doing.
Bryan (20:30)
Mm -hmm.
Yep.
Ashley (20:56)
the international group trips and things like that. So it's just really thinking about, okay, what is your content about? Why are, why is your community coming to you? And is there something that you can offer that is an extension of what you share with your content? You know? So, so it's just think it's a, it's a matter of just like kind of brainstorming and just seeing what makes the most sense. And you don't have to have like all these different offerings. Maybe it's just one, you know, and you just.
Bryan (20:58)
Yeah.
Absolutely.
Ashley (21:26)
That's your one. So I don't think you need to just go crazy and start doing all these things. But yeah, just what makes sense with what your community wants. And also what's nice when you have this online community is that you can straight up ask them, right? Like, would you be interested in this? Do a poll. They can say yes or no. If the majority was yes, cool. If the majority was no, then maybe, you know, nix that idea. So yeah.
Bryan (21:30)
Mm -hmm.
Right.
That's right. That's right. I think that that's the one that I tell all of the people that I sort of coach in this space is like customer discovery is number one. go and ask cause they'll tell you straight up. on that front, I give you the quick piece of advice. We sell some t -shirts and stuff on the real many plants website. but secretly behind the scenes, we're using printful .com. So Printful has a whole sustainability section. You can just upload your logo.
so I really liked that as just a way to get some merch out there for the people that do want it. But, what, what would you say would be the number one piece of advice? Cause you've already given us so many little tips and tricks for somebody starting their own plant based business in some fashion. What's that number one.
Ashley (22:34)
gosh, that's really hard to like, I feel like pick one, but I feel like.
Bryan (22:37)
You can go you can go back in time now and do it all over again, right? And like if I had only known this in the beginning.
Ashley (22:45)
I feel like this kind of goes into just for anyone, whether they're plant -based or not, because I feel like when you're starting out, it might be difficult to have the confidence in order to, like, let's say if you're doing a service thing, like to charge what you think is worthwhile or maybe even like a product. So I feel like if you're going to start selling anything,
You really need to look into what makes sense given like how much you want to make per month and how much time goes into whatever it is that you're going to be selling, whether that is an actual physical product, digital product, or like a service or something. Just really look into that and really hold yourself to it because,
Because especially as someone who started off with doing more services, I feel like there were definitely times where I was undervaluing myself. And it's definitely taken quite a bit of time to just be like, hey, I bring a lot to the table and what I do is really awesome work. And I don't want people to undermine me. So I feel like it's also a matter of looking into how much you want to make and making sure you charge accordingly.
Bryan (23:43)
Right.
Right.
Ashley (24:04)
but also just go into it with as much confidence as you can, I guess, and just hold yourself to it because you are the one that's going to be advocating for yourself. And so I just feel like, yeah, you just have to stay strong. So.
Bryan (24:11)
That's true.
Mm -hmm.
That's right. I like to summarize it. Like I love that that advice. And what I tell people is you're going to have more people coming and asking for your help in the future. So every time they come raise the price until they say no. And when they say no, back it down one notch. So whatever you do, just keep keep raising the prices just to see where the ceiling is to a degree, because you are worth a lot more than you think. Most people most people should raise their prices is my guess.
Ashley (24:36)
Yeah.
Bryan (24:53)
So, yeah.
Ashley (24:53)
Exactly. So I feel like that does gear more towards like service -based like offering, but I've had plenty of experience in that, but I just feel like just make sure that whatever it is you're offering, you're charging what you think is worth. And of course that does provide value, of course, for whoever it is for. Like you don't want to like charge this astronomical price, you know, because you want to make this certain goal. You need to make sure it actually makes sense for your community. But,
Bryan (24:58)
Right.
Mm -hmm.
That's right.
Ashley (25:22)
but also just consider yourself in it as well.
Bryan (25:23)
But you, but that's right. And like, I know I've spent some time in Mexico city and I know the couple of favorite vegan spots that I would take people, but like you've been there, you know, the experience like that's worth something. Cause you're going to help guide them. So yeah, I love what you're saying. I'm curious on, on the trip side of it, like, how do you sort of look at the events and the tours and take, take a look at the
the planet angle, the sustainability and the eco -friendliness side of it. Is there some thought going into that piece of it too?
Ashley (25:55)
There is some thought that goes into it. I feel like the overall goal for this trip was more of like, how can people like really learn a lot about the city? Like, of course, through food and of course, like the sightseeing. But it was also like my goal to make sure that what we're doing is being like ethical and being supportive of like the local community because yeah, like obviously you just you just want to know that like you are contributing and not taking away.
Bryan (26:06)
Mm -hmm.
Ashley (26:25)
so, so yeah, so there was definitely some thought in that, but I feel very excited with the trip that I've gotten to put together and I'm definitely excited to do more.
Bryan (26:36)
Awesome. So that begs the question then, what are some of the longer term goals for vegan ventures and are there some other upcoming projects you're excited to share with us?
Ashley (26:46)
Yeah, no, well, like, like the overall big goal is just to be able to just have, like all these vegan group trips around the world. Like I really, really want that I have another country that I'm like working on that I think is just going to be really awesome. I don't want to share it yet, just because it's like planning phases. But that's just like my overall goal is just to be able to have vegan ventures as like the ultimate like, just like
Bryan (27:03)
That's okay.
Ashley (27:13)
travel like foodie experience, again, as a resource, but also for like group trips. So that is like the overall goal and being able to start in Mexico City and especially because like my parents are from Mexico. So there's like, so there's that connection there. But that is like the bigger goal. And just honestly seeing where veganventures goes, to be honest, where I started four years ago with this page, I would have never guessed that I'd be getting to do more what I do now.
Bryan (27:26)
Yeah.
Ashley (27:43)
four years later, yeah.
Bryan (27:43)
I love it. And there's something to that angle. Cause like, I know I took a trip to Italy, but the, I took more of that intimate trip and I got to stay at the people's houses and stuff like that. And I got to have them cook the food and it was just so, so amazing. So it's so exciting to see you taking to some people to, you know, where your origins are from and you'll have some of that deeper connection. I love it. I guess a big question then.
the vision and the future here, where do you sort of see the intersection of veganism and travel going in the next few years for us?
Ashley (28:18)
I feel like it's going to continue to grow. I've already seen it grow quite a bit in the last few years. I mean, even when I like lived overseas, I mean, I first moved to Barcelona in 2014 and then I returned four years later. And then like the amount of vegan options was like, it just grew substantially. And then I was there recently again, like last, last summer. but I continue to see like more vegan options, growing.
especially when I was like in France last summer and even in Germany. So I feel like it's still growing, which is exciting. And also like a lot of countries are primarily plant -based. Yeah, you can see that they're like, you know, they might not be like fully vegan, but there's a lot of like plant -based like dishes and stuff. So I think...
Bryan (29:00)
That's right. Yeah. I mean, once you get out of the United States, right? For sure.
Ashley (29:11)
So I do see it like continuously growing, which is really exciting. And so I definitely want to be like a part of that journey.
Bryan (29:20)
I love it because I went to Barcelona, gosh, this has to have been 10 or 15 years ago. And I just remember they had ham and everything. So it's so good to hear that they're coming around to some more options and stuff. So that's awesome. Thank you for sharing that. What can we do as a community to help you continue to grow your business and tell us the best ways to get in touch and learn more about the tour you're booking?
Ashley (29:33)
Yeah.
Yeah. So of course you can follow me on social vegan ventures on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and I also have a YouTube, but I also have my website, veganventuresofficial .com. So that's where I have like my blog articles and you can also sign up for my newsletter, which you can also do via social or on my website. So whichever platform makes the most sense for you, whether it's social media or email, I'm there, but that's the best way to just.
keep updated and especially learn more about my trips. But especially when it comes to content, social media is definitely the best way to keep up with the content. So, yeah.
Bryan (30:24)
Awesome. Well, thank you, Ashley, very much for being here. We really appreciate you sharing some insight and wisdom with us on ways you've grown your business and we wish you the best of luck on your tour. I hope you can come back in the future and tell us all about the next one when it's ready.
Ashley (30:39)
Yeah, no, I would love to do that, but thank you so much again for having me. This was awesome.
Bryan (30:45)
That is all the time we have for this episode of Plant Based on Fire. If you like this episode, please like it, subscribe down below and tell us some other amazing people we should meet and have on the show. We'd love to hear from you. Until next time everybody, keep the fire burning.
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