How this came about
Try Vegan is a concept I have been toying with for quite some time. The original plan was opening a restaurant, but I quickly realized finding capital for such a venture would be quite difficult and time consuming. This is when I decided to start with something requiring less start up costs and with that, the Try Vegan food truck was born.
I have been practicing a plant based diet for over two years and it all started as a simple experiment. Being lactose intolerant, I cut dairy out of my diet and wanted to do a little test to see how I would feel cutting out meat and eggs as well. Within a week I had already started noticing a difference. My skin cleared up, I was more energized in the mornings, and I didn't have that heavy, regretful feeling after eating.
The purpose of this truck is to show people how beneficial a plant based diet can be and how quickly they can start feeling results. My goal in this project is to be another piece of the puzzle that is trying to help spread the awareness of how important food is to our overall health. Once the truck is up and running, I would like to go to different schools and give speeches explaining to students what they are doing to their bodies when they make the decision to eat processed foods and what they could be eating instead.
How to help me get on the road
I was lucky enough to get a vehicle relatively quickly for a great deal. Now, however, I need to fix it, design it, outfit it, and get it on the road. Doing so will cost me a few dollars which is where I need your help. Getting the truck to the point where it is on the road and selling food is going to cost money. To start I need a 3 bay sink, hand sink, water pump, water tank, water heater, generator, blender, panini press, refrigerator, etc. just to name a few. After all is said and done with all the numbers crunched, including the cost of the perks, 15k is the sweet spot for what I will need. But enough about me, lets talk about what you get!
What you get
Try Vegan is more than a food truck, it is also our message. Most of the perks offered are apparel or can be used at the gym. This is a great way to get spread awareness and get people talking about a plant based diet. As mentioned earlier, I am all about spreading the message, and what better way is there than wearing clothing and accessories showing off what you represent!
Don't fear if I do not reach my entire goal, I will still be able fulfill all perks listed and will have the means to go about finishing up the truck although I may not be able to tailor fit the truck with all the bells and whistles I would like.
*When checking out, let me know the color and design wanted for each shirt.
How you are helping
By contributing to my cause, you will help push forward a grass roots movement to help people learn the benefits of a plant based diet. You will be allowing me to go into different communities in order to teach people how a vegan diet can transform their bodies into efficient healthy machines. The message of Try Vegan is the same as all people who practice this lifestyle share, we all want to help each other become more healthy and aware. By helping me with this cause, you will in turn be helping those around you. I have made myself a few t-shirts using Iron-ons and while wearing it the shirt has come up in conversation and from there people I'm talking to become more interested. Through this, I have learned some people are still unaware what the word vegan means, and this is your chance to help let them know!
What makes you think you can do this, Vince
Starting a business is always risky, you never know what may happen or if you are qualified. Luckily for me, I have served in retail for the 10 years, the past 5 of which I have been a salaried store manager. The stores I have managed were well known "Big-Box" stores and the most recent was a large scale supermarket in New Jersey which even had a mini restaurant inside. The store had many departments in which different types of raw food were handled and I have licenses from both The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals and ServSafe National Restaurant Association. While there, I was responsible for abiding by food safety regulations, health department inspections, providing customer service, managing 200+ employees, all while keeping track of a 70k+ sq-ft store.
Being responsible for such a large scale operation at a relatively young age was a major factor that led me to believe this is something I can do. Shrinking the operation down and allowing me to be at the helm feels like a logical move and I hope the qualifications I just mentioned put you at ease when thinking about whether or not this ship has the right captain.
How else to help
Please do not feel obligated to donate money. This is a movement that has become huge over the past few years and there are so many ways to help spread the word other than contributing your hard earned money.
Check out my website at
www.tryegannj.com send me an e-mail at TryVeganNj@gmail.com or follow us on social media:
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Thank you for stopping by and viewing my campaign!
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