Today we’d like to introduce you to Lateefah Smith.
Lateefah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am the Founder of The Veggie Connection. The Veggie Connection is a network event where attendees are exposed to a host of vegetarian/vegan vendors, speakers, entertainment, and more. The Veggie Connection aims to not only create awareness regarding the plant-based lifestyle but to ensure that it is accessible, enjoyable and sustainable for all who are on this journey towards wellness and abundance.
This was something I experienced firsthand living in Georgia and having to go into the city (Atlanta) for Veggie Events hence birthed the first installment of The Veggie Connection Events, in Smyrna GA 2015! Now with me being a Southern California native, I saw the same pattern occurring in my hometown. So I took The Veggie Connection on the road for the 2nd installment of The Veggie Connection Events “The Inland Empire Edition” July 2016!
I establish The Veggie Connection to fill the space where these sorts of events are not occurring (2nd tier cities). I feel that people shouldn’t have to travel far just to experience an event of this nature that usually occurs in a major city. I also wanted to create an environment based on an intimate type setting. I like for attendees to be able to take their time to talk and interact with each vendor, speaker, entertainer, and not be overcrowded. At The Veggie Connection Events, attendees can relax and enjoy themselves in an air condition facility or in a park setting with their blankets and tents.
The Veggie Connection has flowered into something so wonderful! We will have our 4th Annual Veggie Connection Event this Summer back in our usual location Smyrna GA. For details on this event and others please visit www.theveggieconnection.com
Has it been a smooth road?
As in any business, you will have your obstacles/challenges. I embrace the obstacles and strive to overcome the challenges.
One of the major obstacles/challenges in the beginning stages was acquiring sponsorship. It was rough to obtain sponsors, being that we were just starting out I had to knock on a lot of doors for sponsorship. Eventually, they started to come in. I give thanks to my team and volunteers who help make the events successful indeed!
For those who would like to participate in our events via sponsorship please email us at theveggieconnection@outlook.com.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Veggie Connection is a network event where attendees are exposed to a host of plant-based food vendors, non-food vendors, speakers, entertainment, and more. The Veggie Connection aims to not only create awareness regarding the plant-based lifestyle but to ensure that it is accessible, enjoyable and sustainable for all who are on a journey towards wellness and abundance. We started in Smyrna GA in 2015 since then we have added Rancho Cucamonga CA (2016) with Alabama in the Fall.
As a company, I am most proud of how The Veggie Connection is able to host these events and spread plant-based knowledge.
What sets us apart from others is that at our events our attendees, are able to take their time to talk and interact with each vendor, speaker, entertainer, and not be overcrowded. Attendees can relax and enjoy themselves in an air condition facility or in a park setting where you can bring, chairs, umbrellas, blankets, and tents. Attendees are also able to interact with individuals who are either plant-based already, veggie curious or a seasoned veggie vet.
You will obtain knowledgeable information from the guest speakers who are engaged with the audience. Either you are sitting in a circle with the speaker or you are up close and personal.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or veggie-curious The Veggie Connection Events will provide you with helpful information through plant-based, wellness options. The Veggie Connection strives to make our events fun and inclusive, with all the diverse reasons in which people choose a vegetarian/vegan (plant-based) lifestyle.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, Georgia is a great place to start a plant-based business! There are so many people here that are plant-based and plant-based curious so the possibilities are endless.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theveggieconnection.com
- Email: theveggieconnection@outlook.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theveggieconnection
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/therealveggieconnection
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/theveggieconnec
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