These Vegan Companies Run by AAPI Women Deserve All Your Money

Posted by Calvin on June 23, 2023

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women—including those with vegan brands—are making their presence known in the business world. According to a 2019 American Express report on woman-owned businesses, growth in entrepreneurship for Asian American women was up by 63%.

Here are some female AAPI vegan business owners who inspire and influence us with their ambition, mission, and humane products: 

Aubry Walch, The Herbivorous Butcher

Aubry Walch moved from Guam to Minnesota when she was 13 years old and now owns a vegan butcher shop in Minneapolis with her younger brother, Kale. The siblings started The Herbivorous Butcher to save animals, fight the climate catastrophe, and provide people with scrumptious, protein-packed vegan foods. Try the Korean BBQ “ribs,” maple-glazed “bacon,” or “chicken” piccata.

Amy Liu, Tower 28 Beauty

Amy Liu worked as a beauty exec for over 15 years, but her sensitive skin greatly limited the products she could enjoy. Knowing how widespread this struggle is, she founded Tower 28 Beauty to provide the nourishing, nontoxic makeup and self-care products sensitive skin deserves. Tower 28 never tests its products on animals or uses irritating ingredients, so shopping there is compassionate to animals and yourself. ❤️

Nikki Duong Koenig, Cykochik Custom Handbags  

In 2003, Nikki Duong Koenig started Cykochik out of her Southern Methodist University dorm room as a creative outlet. Two decades later, it’s a thriving company offering animal-friendly handmade purses, shirts, and accessories. Need a stylish, sustainably made handbag? Check out the PETA Bunny Vegan Foldover Clutch/Crossbody Bag. It’s plastic-free and biodegradable, and 25% of the proceeds go to PETA!

Madeline Haydon, nutpods

Madeline Haydon founded nutpods in 2013 after searching in vain for a delicious nondairy creamer. Since then, she’s gone on to win the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and nutpods has become the number one dairy-free creamer on Amazon. Each tasty flavor, including French Vanilla and Hazelnut, is gluten-free and made without GMOs.

Mollie Cha and Hannah Hong, Must Love

If you’ve watched Shark Tank, you might remember best friends Mollie Cha and Hannah Hong, who pitched their vegan ice cream company, Must Love. Although they walked away without a deal, they have since expanded their brand and now offer sprinkles, candy bar sandwiches, and frosted cookies alongside their classic pints. Their products contain no artificial ingredients.

Stacey Chang, VEERAH

Stacey Chang knew she could make gorgeous shoes without harming animals, so she launched this company in 2016. VEERAH, from the Sanskrit word for “warrior,” designs bold and beautiful shoes using innovative materials like renewable plastic textiles, algae foam, and even apple leather. Whether you’re into flats, pumps, or sandals, it has styles to match your look and boost your confidence.

Susie Wang, 100% Pure

While working for luxury beauty companies, Susie Wang discovered that many brands claim to be “cruelty-free” even if they use ingredients that were tested on animals. 🤦This emboldened her to start her own beauty business using nontoxic ingredients never tested on animals. The result was 100% Pure, a truly cruelty-free company with over 500 products ranging from eye shadow to complexion cleanser.

Yvonne Ardestani, Yvonne’s Vegan Kitchen

Love the sweeter things in life? Then you’re sure to love the reinventions of classic snacks and desserts from Yvonne Ardestani, a French-trained chef. Her company, Yvonne’s Vegan Kitchen, makes mouthwatering cakes, pies, doughnuts, cookies, and platters (seriously yum) that prove top-notch baking doesn’t require animal exploitation. She’s made it her life’s work to promote vegan sweets for the sake of animals, the planet, and her customers’ health.

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AAPI women are changing the face of the animal rights movement through businesses like these, one vegan item at a time. Purchasing their products not only supports their companies but also enhances our quality of life, benefits the environment, and—of course—saves lives.