Interview with Jess - Cruelty Free Shop

It doesn't matter if you follow a vegan lifestyle or not you're going to love The Cruelty Free Shop! It's full of cruelty free goodies from shoes to chocolate and everything in between (including KOJA Toppers) that are good for you and the planet!  We caught up with founder and owner Jess, to find out all about the store and hear her top tips for living a vegan lifestyle. 

Tell us a bit about The Cruelty Free Shop and how you got started…

I started The Cruelty Free Shop online 15 years ago. I'd just gone vegan and was having trouble finding the types of food I wanted to eat and figured that others must have the same problem. I started the CFS with the goal of helping people become and stay vegan by making it easier for them to access a wide range of vegan products. We now also have physical shops in Sydney and Melbourne and are currently working on our 4th shop.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone wanting to transition to a vegan lifestyle what would it be?

Just do it! Being vegan is such a wonderful thing to do for animals, the environment and your health and it's easier now than ever before with so many amazing vegan products available and new vegan restaurants opening all the time.

What’s the one ingredient you can’t live without and why?

The one ingredient I always have in my pantry is Savoury Yeast Flakes, they add a great cheesy taste to any dish, I sprinkle them on everything!

What inspires you?

I'm inspired by people who strive to make positive change in the world. This doesn't have to mean you're a full time campaigner, every person can make a difference by making small changes in their lives. I think we have a responsibility to our planet and the people and animals we share it with to do as much good as we can.

How do you start your day?

I start my day with a big bowl of muesli with loads of fresh berries and fruit topped with my favourite KOJA Breakfast Topper: Fig & Hazelnut. Then I ride my bike to work, this means I start my day feeling energised and ready for whatever the day throws at me.

To find out more about the Cruelty Free Shop, head to their Facebook page here

To grab your box of Jess' favourite KOJA Fig & Hazelnut Breakfast Topper, head into the Cruelty Free Shop in Melbourne or Sydney or order right here.