RAW TALES GIVES READERS AN INSIGHT LOOK INTO VEGAN COMPANIES AND THE INDIVIDUALS BEHIND THE BRAND. WE ASKED OUR FEATURES TO BE RAW AND TRANSPARENT IN SHARING THEIR CHALLENGES, SUCCESS, AND THE PASSION THAT CONTINUES TO DRIVE THEIR BUSINESS.
We gladly introduce the Raw Tale of Natasha Fox Owner of Foxy Face Vegan Makeup Artistry.
WHEN DID YOU BECOME A VEGAN?
I can’t tell you the exact date that I went vegan, as it was a transition from strict Vegetarian to Vegan. I went vegetarian almost 19 years ago but at the time was still eating, vegetarian (non-animal rennet cheese). I have been vegan for many years now and my 11-year-old son is being raised Vegan. My husband, myself, our son, my stepdaughter, and our two almost 12-year-old dogs are vegan.
Approximately 15.5 years ago when my husband and I first started dating, there was only one vegan restaurant in Brisbane (Squirrels), unfortunately they have now closed but the wonderful news is that there are now soooo many more wonderful vegan restaurants in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and surrounds, that it makes it so easy to eat out as a vegan now.
Veganism really is the way of the future and is one of the fastest growing social justice movements of our time and I am so happy that myself and my little family are part of that movement.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A VEGAN?
I became vegan for ethical reasons. As I mentioned earlier, I transitioned from vegetarian to vegan. I went vegan because I did not want to contribute to the suffering, killing, and torture of sentient beings. I did not know about the atrocities of the dairy industry and animal agricultural industries for that matter when I went vegetarian, So I did not realize I was still contributing to the plight of animals. I soon realized that the best and most logical way to stop contributing to the suffering and killing of animals was to be vegan, hence the reason I became vegan and the reason I am now so passionate about veganism and cruelty-free/ vegan products/beauty products.
My family and I were live-in volunteers at Farm Animal Rescue about 4 and a half years ago, for a period of approximately a year and a half. During our stay there, we witnessed first hand the heartbreaking situations that the rescued animals had experienced before coming to live out their days in the happy, loving environment provided by farm animal rescue.
Please checkout Farm animal rescue and the amazing work Brad king, Carol Slater, and their amazing team, do at farm animal rescue www.farmanimalrescue.org.au.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START FOXY FACE VEGAN MAKEUP ARTISTRY?
I also had the pleasure of working with the talented vegan photographer, Carol Slater on a photo shoot during our stay at Farm Animal Rescue, for a vegan teen magazine called, ‘Chikadee’, released by Animal Liberation Qld. It was a wonderful opportunity to do the makeup for the teens and to be part of such a great project. This photoshoot experience, as well as, always having a keen interest in makeup artistry, inspired me to start my vegan makeup artistry business. I feel there really is a lack of vegan representation for makeup artists and that there is a real need for people to have access to vegan makeup artists that can provide cruelty-free/vegan service.
WHAT PRODUCT/SERVICE DO YOU OFFER?
Foxy Face Vegan Makeup Artistry offers is makeup artistry using all vegan and cruelty-free makeup products.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WITH HAVING A VEGAN COMPANY?
One of the biggest and most frustrating challenges I have faced with starting this vegan business is the, sometimes, ambiguous and vague responses from various makeup companies in regards to their cruelty-free/no animal testing policies and vegan products. It has taken a lot of liaising back and forth between companies, a lot of research and more research. The wonderful news is, that there are some great, upfront non-withholding companies that answer cruelty-free/ vegan questionnaires promptly and directly, as well as, great accredited cruelty-free/ vegan makeup brands. The other issue I had was finding an accredited college that would allow me to bring and use my own cruelty-free and vegan makeup kit. I did finally find one, YAY!
HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE?
The way I overcame these challenges is through persistence, research, research, and more research, networking with others in the vegan beauty industry and some great online vegan beauty pages. One of the things I really love about the vegan community is that we are all wanting to help each other, we all have the same goal in mind, that is mainly, helping animals, helping the vegan movement and helping to bring vegan products to the mainstream.
I have found there is no competitive energy between the vegan makeup artists I have met, they are not worrying about who is more successful or making more money than the next artist. They all want to share their amazing vegan, cruelty-free makeup finds because their core motive is that of love and empathy.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOUR COMPANY?
Success for my business, to me, means providing a service that people can be confident and relaxed, in knowing that all the products are vegan and cruelty-free. A business that provides quality service and helps to spread the wonderful message that beauty does not have to be at the expense of or harmful to, the life or freedom of any sentient being. True beauty is compassion. Of course, monetary success would be great too!
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL AN ASPIRING VEGAN ENTREPRENEUR?
What I would say to any aspiring vegan businesses out there, is to draw on your passion for helping the plight of animals as a strong motivating factor. Making vegan products and services easily accessible is a great platform for spreading the vegan movement.
Do what you love, when people love what they do it really shows.
To ask other vegan businesses for help, ideas, and suggestions.
To call on your vegan community for help. We all have the same goal in mind and that is to end the suffering of animals, and with that goal in mind, we all want to see each other succeed.
