Meet Erin Olivari | Owner of The Vegan Cheese Shoppe

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Olivari and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, what do you want people to remember about you?
I hope that my legacy will be that I, with my company, helped to make a healthier and more sustainable world.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Based on my education and personal experience, I truly believe that the optimum diet for humans is plant-based. Giving up meat products was easy for me, cheese was another story. I am a cheese lover. Especially simply on a cheese plate with crackers, fresh baguette and a little fruit. This is what I missed and this is what I intended to re-create. After experimenting with a variety of tree nuts, macadamia nuts became my favorite for a rich and satisfying cheese alternative. They were also the most sustainable choice since I live in Hawaii. Finding a product that is healthy, sustainable and satisfied my craving is what inspired me to start my business.

I always aspired to owning my own business. I was attracted to the freedom and, as I got older, the idea of controlling my own destiny. No glass ceilings. As far as starting and maintaining a business, it’s definitely challenging and incredibly rewarding. You may have to work two jobs and there will be many doubts. The doubts should never stop, a healthy amount of suspicion is a good thing. My advice would be to listen to the universe… some red and yellow lights are fine, but you need those green lights to keep you going. Also, try to keep the dinner table business talk free… it’s good for you and for your family!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Head down to Waikiki Beach. Hop on a late afternoon catamaran ride. Head over to Dukes for a Mai Tai and pupus. The next day we head up to the North Shore where the beaches are endless and, depending on the time of year, there will either be incredible waves and a surf competition or a glassy ocean inviting you in for a swim. Sunset dinners at Barefoot Beach Cafe, every night. Of course you have to stay for the weekend because Saturdays are for the Kaka’ako farmers market with over 100 stalls of local fruit, vegetables, and artisans.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this shoutout to my husband, my mother and my father. I never would have kept pursuing my business if it weren’t for their support and encouragement. They say that you shouldn’t base a business on what your family thinks, but at the end of the day, it’s the people you surround yourself with whose opinion matters most. Surround yourself with positive people and that in itself can be the key to a successful, healthy life.

Website: www.thevegancheeseshoppe.com

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Facebook: thevegancheeseshoppe