Vegan Business Talk

In this episode I interview Renia Pruchnicki, owner of Truth Belts in Canada. After graduating from her studies in fashion design at Ryerson University in Toronto, Renia worked for various companies, designing skiwear, backpacks, and soft-sided coolers, gaining an extensive knowledge of human-made, technical materials. She started Truth Belts in 2001 from her apartment in downtown Toronto, with a desire to create a life she loved while doing something positive for the planet. Having no experience with leather as a material, her belts could be called ‘accidentally’ vegan or as she likes to call them ‘Genuine Non-Leather’! As her business progressed, she connected with the vegan and animal rights communities and shifted her lifestyle accordingly. Her newest belt styles are made from recycled car tires. In this interview Renia discusses: •    How being laid off from your job can sometimes be a blessing in disguise for budding entrepreneurs •    Why it’s ok – and not a failure – to go back to a regular part