Pinky Cole shares her inspiring story of rebuilding her vegan fast food chain after a devastating fire. Nuseir Yassin discusses turning his social media travelog into a successful business. Whitney Wolfe Herd talks about the future of dating.

It’s hard to miss a Slutty Vegan when you’re driving past one. No, we’re not talking about a person… We’re talking about a fast-casual burger chain — and a vegan one at that! Since launching Slutty Vegan in 2017, Pinky has seen her plant-based brand through several iterations: a ghost kitchen, then a food truck, then eventually several brick and mortar locations that continue to pop up across the east coast. And with a valuation of $100 million and expansion into other sectors, Pinky is only getting started... This week on How I Built This Lab, Pinky talks with Guy about her journey as a TV producer-turned-restaurateur, and how Slutty Vegan is a prime example of Seth Godin’s Purple Cow theory: companies must build things worth noticing into their products and services. Plus, Pinky reflects on her roots, sharing the valuable lessons about discipline and work ethic that she learned from her parents. This episode was produced by Carla Esteves and edited by John Isabella, with music by Ramtin Arablouei. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch.You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Pinky Cole, the dynamic founder of Slutty Vegan, known for her inventive marketing and brand-building, as she shares insights on capturing consumer attention and competing with industry giants. Philippe Cousteau Jr., the ocean advocate and grandson of Jacques Cousteau, passionately argues for prioritizing ocean preservation over space exploration. He highlights the economic potential of healthy oceans and the urgent need for investment to tackle climate change. Together, they inspire listeners to embrace joy, innovation, and responsibility.

Pinky Cole, the visionary behind Slutty Vegan, shares her incredible journey of raising $25 million, catapulting her vegan brand’s valuation to $100 million. She reveals the intense emotions and responsibilities that came with the investment, highlighting the pressure of representing a community of aspiring entrepreneurs. Pinky discusses the critical importance of managing funds strategically to ensure sustainable growth and reflects on the broader significance of her success for black women and minorities in business. Her insights inspire future generations of entrepreneurs.

Pinky Cole, an inspirational entrepreneur known for her honesty about the ups and downs of business, shares invaluable insights into her entrepreneurial journey. She discusses the critical role of data in making informed decisions and the emotional toll of closing unproductive locations. Pinky also highlights the importance of networking with fellow entrepreneurs like Derek, illustrating how shared experiences foster growth. Additionally, she reveals her effective marketing strategies, leveraging celebrity endorsements and social media to enhance brand visibility.