TED Talks Daily How I make vegan food sexy | Pinky Cole
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May 12, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Pinky Cole, the dynamic restaurateur behind Slutty Vegan, shares her inspiring path from humble beginnings in Baltimore to building a multimillion-dollar plant-based burger empire. She dives into her innovative marketing tactics that make vegan food enticing and relatable, even to non-vegans. Cole also reflects on the significance of community and resilience in her journey, emphasizing the vital role of authentic experiences in the culinary world. Her passion for flavor and sustainability shines through as she aims to change perceptions one bite at a time.
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Early Entrepreneurial Roots
- Pinky Cole's entrepreneurial spirit was shaped early by her mother, a reggae band lead singer hustling multiple jobs.
- Her father, despite being incarcerated for 22 years, taught her about risk-taking and entrepreneurship.
From Ital Food to Vegan Empire
- Pinky grew up eating Ital food due to her Rastafarian parents and stopped eating animal products in stages, going fully vegan in 2014.
- This shift helped her realize her life's elevation and led to founding Slutty Vegan, now a $100 million company.
Authenticity Attracts Customers
- Pinky opened her first restaurant without prior experience and surprisingly had a line down the block.
- The secret was her authenticity and a bold pink color scheme that reflected her personality, drawing people to the vibe and originality.