Conversations with the Inspiring Lisa Kelly

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Kelly.

Lisa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started The Vegan Pact almost ten years ago! It began as a vegetarian blog, documenting my journey on how to cook without animal products. I was based in Boston at the time and there was a strong need for more vegetarian/vegan bloggers, cooks and teachers in the area, and so I founded my actual personal chef business, prepping specialized meals for individuals and families with dietary restrictions. I also taught private and public cooking classes in a number of different culinary schools, along with health cooking demos at expos or in schools. I also partnered with other plant-based brands to promote other vegan companies and grew my social media from there. I also have clients that I travel with around the country and cook for! Now based in Boulder, I am still prepping meals for clients and partnering with local brands that focus on plant-based foods or products, even as some of my own dietary restrictions are shifting!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has NEVER been a smooth road, which I’m sure all entrepreneurs and business owners will tell you! In working with food, it was easy to cook for others, help others get healthy, but then be too far burnt out or tired of cooking to properly feed myself on my busiest days. It’s easy to start helping others and put yourself on the back burner, but that will always catch up with you. My advice to others would be to still make sure you maintain your own quality of life, even if it’s just small things every day. Ask for help. Take breaks when you need to. Especially when you own your own business and LOVE what you do, it’s truly difficult to turn yourself off sometimes and separate your personal life from your professional life.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My work revolves around plant-based food! Cooking for clients, blogging recipes and writing about other vegan products, reviewing restaurants and photographing food. I’m known for catering events, providing specialized meals for individuals and families and traveling with clients, cooking for them and their families, mostly throughout the holidays. I’m always most proud of getting people excited about healthy food. About helping people work through medical issues by changing their diets. About providing nourishing meals for people who need it I think I set myself apart from others because I promote vegan food in an approachable way, that’s not judgmental or harsh.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Go after what you truly want and don’t compromise for anyone. Really focus in on what makes you happy and gives you purpose, rather than just what makes you the most money Your time and energy is the most valuable thing, so make sure you invest it wisely!

Contact Info:

• Website: theveganpact.com
• Phone: 7812289200
• Email: theveganpact@gmail.com
• Instagram: @willhikeforavocados
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theveganpact/
• Twitter: @veganpact

Image Credit:
Courtney Hizey Photography

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