The Launchbox Podcast with Anjelli

Join Anjelli in this cozy conversation with Jasmine – founder of Be Mine Healthy Friends restaurant in Helsinki, Finland. Be Mine Healthy Friends is a tiny restaurant that serves healthy, nourishing vegan food inspired by Asian cuisine with Thai hospitality. In this episode Jasmine shares her story about starting a business without any previous experience in this field and the challenges she encounters running a restaurant on her own. Check out Be Mine Healthy Friends here – https://beminehf.fi/0:28 Jasmine’s background and the initial idea of Be Mine Healthy Friends2:44 Why plant-based?4:01 On opening a restaurant during the Covid-19 pandemic5:11 On effects of energy crisis on the restaurant7:15 General feel of the restaurant9:38 What is a star menu?11:03 Be Mine Healthy Friends customers and dealing with food regulation laws16:43 What is the deciding factor on what goes to the menu?18:11 On customer demographics19:22 Benefits of being a cold kitchen22:37 On working alone and navigating being new in business23:47 Future plans for Be Mine Healthy Friends24:56 An importance of having a purpose to keep things going26:29 What was the biggest lesson?28:28 Dealing with bad comments from customers32:32 On managing administration, marketing and restaurant alone33:15 The importance of word of mouth and smiley hospitality35:22 Where to find Be Mine Healthy Friends and working hours36:44 Advice for people who want to open their kitchen37:44 What keeps you going?

Join Anjelli in this uplifting conversation with Ivars Rutkovskis – founder of Nata Cafe in Riga, Latvia. Nata Cafe is a small vegan cafe and a food brand located in Riga's city center in the same building as a dance school and it is loved by kids and their parents who come to eat before or after the dance classes. Get to know the Ivars and Nata Cafe’s story from professional bartenders career, lifestyle changes after switching to veganism and quitting alcohol, to creating a vegan cafe and turning it into a food brand that provides meat and fish substitutes which taste surprises vegans, non-vegans and professional chefs alike.Check out Nata Cafe here – https://natacafe.lv/0:31 Introduction to Nata Cafe and Ivars background3:20 On perception about veganism in Riga, Latvia and cafe’s growth5:55 Who are Nata Cafe’s customers?7:20 How many vegan restaurants are in Riga?8:13 Who creates the food menu?9:42 Ivars move to Ibiza and switch to veganism11:38 How long did it take to fully switch to veganism? And the importance of educating people about it13:08 On Ivars passion to share his knowledge with people14:37 Changes in health after switching to veganism15:28 On Nata Cafe’s customer reaction to their food17:03 On Ivars catering business18:50 Ivars family and friends reaction to his lifestyle changes20:16 Food in Nata Cafe and the idea to start a food brand and its products24:45 Chia caviar and creativity with a team26:06 Soyshlyk as meat alternative and how people react to it32:41 Current challenges in times of energy crisis and plans for the future36:30 On plans to expand Nata products to the world and criticism to other food brands in supermarkets40:21 What keeps you going?

Join Anjelli in this uplifting conversation with Ginte Kuraite – founder and owner of RoseHip Vegan Bistro located in the old town of Vilnius, Lithuania. RoseHip is a bright neon pink bistro not afraid of experimenting with food innovations and offering a variety of foods for everyone’s taste – from burgers, sushi to veggie bowls – loved by vegans and non-vegans alike. Get to know the restaurant's story from the initial idea to their expansion plans to other countries and Ginte’s thoughts on the importance of veganism. We are hoping that this episode will inspire you to go after your dreams too!Check out RoseHip Vegan Bistro here - https://www.rosehip.lt/0:29 Introduction to RoseHip and Ginte’s background7:01 What made you decide that RoseHip has to be vegan?8:18 Vegan scene in Lithuania9:02 The recipe for success10:52 What is the main principle of deciding the food on the menu? What are the menu best sellers?15:07 On RoseHip customers and lunch deals16:23 On European Energy Crisis, inflation and its effects on business20:39 What are the future plans for RoseHip?24:19 Challenges with employees and the importance of good work relationships31:31 Balancing work and marriage33:39 What keeps you going?34:49 When the restaurants are open?35:21 Tyler the dog – a star of the restaurant36:13 Social media presence36:49 Message to the listeners and the importance of veganism41:01 An advice for those who want to start a plant based kitchen and Ginte’s ideas on how RoseHip could evolve44:33 If you want to open RoseHip in your country - reach out Ginte!

Join Anjelli in this uplifting conversation with the restaurant's “Vieta” founders — Monika and Romanas. “Vieta” is a cozy charming vegan place, located in Vilnius old town and loved by a diversity of people that come there to eat. Get to know the restaurant’s journey from Island to the website and to today's world, the specifics of the menu and just enjoy the conversation by beautiful people coming together and sharing their challenges, dreams and good moods.   Check out Vieta out in: https://vieta-restaurant.business.site/0:43 Shortly about “Vieta”2:30 A story behind buying business from the website: party, Island, common dreams and love5:30 The process of taking over a restaurant business in the beginning7:43 About a funny process of jumping into the kitchen business11:50 On transition & Monika as an amazing hostess13:47 The covid and its effect on the restaurant’s and Monika’s and Romanas life17:08  Post-covid situation, the challenge of finding employees & “you are not alone with this experience”20:15 The benefits of switching to a day’s menu 22:42 The vibe of the place, the menu and the best compliment ever30:04 Monika’s and Romanas outlook into the future 31:04 On actively supporting Ukraine as a restaurant35:07 How can people support you at the moment? 36:10 What keeps you going?37:14 Where can people find you?37:47 The special meaning of the name "Sv. Vieta"

Join Anjelli in this conversation with Adomas Dzedulionis — one of the founders of the family run café “Chaika” in Lithuania. Together with his wife Ona, they’ve created “Chaika” — a small chain of cafés, which specializes in vegan desserts, good specialty coffee and teas, has an interesting interior and nice laid back vibe. Get to know the story of the almost 10 year old café in Vilnius, its creation process and franchise plans, Adomas thoughts on the best marketing tool ever and his approach on the local and international collaborations.Check out “Chaika” out in: https://chaika.lt/lt/0:41 What “Chaika” is all about2:30 How did it start and it’s philosophy5:49 Inspiration behind vegan desserts7:50 Adomas perspective on plant-based scene in Vilnius, recommendations and vegan restaurant’s friendship9:26 About the experience when first launching the café, challenges, strengths and marketing14:31 About franchise and working with the close ones17:46 Post-covid situation18:55 Challenges and price increase in regards to the war21:02 About the space22:52 Teaser on “Chaika’s” menu25:37 What keeps you going?26:20 A piece of advice for someone that is starting up26:58 Are you interested in the “Chaika” franchise in your city? Contact Adomas!

Join Anjelli in this cozy conversation with Mikk Mägi  — a pioneer of the vegan scene in Estonia and a founder of the greatly known Vegan Restoran V, located in the old town of Tallinn. In this episode Mikk shares the story of the restaurant, his sources of inspiration for the international style menu and thoughts on the importance of the strong team. During this online recording, Mikk is in the middle of the forest, 85 km from Tallinn, where he owns a house and dreams big dreams. Listen and get to know them before they come true!Check out Vegan Restoran V: https://www.veganrestoran.ee/1:07 Introduction to “V” and Mikk1:25 Before the restaurant and 24/73:32 Plant based scene in 2014 and animal activism4:51 Challenges in the beginning of the “V”5:22 Restaurant type, starting it without experience, professional aims8:48 Menu in the beginning and a 9 years old “Star dish”11:32 “V” restaurant’s vibe and the benefits of being a customer in your own place13:39 About the international menu and it’s creation14:38 Strong kitchen team and its relation to the cure for the burn-outs, living in the forest, festival food truck and the future dream18:23 The main thing about “V” and it’s success20:33 Thoughts on the “V” future and festival food truck21:59 What keeps you going? 24:30 Where to find Vegan Restoran V

Join Anjelli in this engaging conversation with Amy Gardiner — a founder of Humble Coffee — a roastery, café and co-working space in Durban, South Africa, which won the best country's café award in 2021. Amy shares the journey of the Humble Coffee and gives a glimpse into the future vision for it. Listen and get inspired by her passion for empowering local women and community, admiration for the Durban city and excitement for the tasty, plant-based food.Check out Humble Coffee: https://humblecoffee.co.za/0:54 About Amy and Humble Coffee 4:13 Challenges back then5:44 Strong team as a key and South Africa’s unemployment problem7:13 Empowering young women to enter a career8:20 Thoughts on social entrepreneurship & offering Humble as a community space10:25 About the space12:50 Creating a sanctuary — plants, tiles and afternoon sun 14:26 Moving to communal space15:23 Menu inspiration & the importance of variety 24:04 Perspective on the price increase29:56 “Putting off fire every 5 minutes” - the nature of running a café business32:06 “What keeps you going?” & the future dreams35:33 Where to find Humble Coffee

Join Anjelli in this engaging conversation with Buddha Browett — a founder of Flax Café, Los Perros Urban Farm and breathtaking chili sauce Pepper Pepper Deli in Malmö, Sweden. Buddha shares his thoughts on starting a business without a business plan and his passion for a better world that carries things throughout the times of difficulties up to the unexpected public awards.  Check out Flax: www.flaxmalmo.comCheck out Los Perros Urban Farming: https://www.losperrosurbanfarming.com/00:47 Why Sweden?22:59 Flax — a beautiful mistake of life04:01 Home made chili sauce dream06:03 Business without a business plan07:06 Collaboration with a local coffee roastery9:16 Menu inspiration and design10:08 The beauty of growing kids in a farm11:55 More about the passion for chili sauce12:52 Direct connection with the garden and customers15:03 Recurring an online farm19:51 Advice on how to start an urban farm23:52 Collaborations with other restaurants26:52 Biggest challenges so far31:29 Malmö’s best café award in 202132:54 Region Skånes Miljöpris // Environmental Prize in 202033:50 It's a labor of love, but it’s a business in the end36:26 Advice for those on the same journey37:18 Life's mantra: what's the worst thing that can happen?38:23 Where can people find you?

Join Anjelli in this engaging conversation with Karina Nayja Bruun, a pioneer of the plant-based scene in Copenhagen. She candidly shares the journey of The Organic Boho from Ibiza, Spain to Copenhagen, Denmark. Hear more about Karina’s bohemian adventures, the first experiences in Roskilde festival, having business in the area next to Christiania, her thoughts on branding and the importance of being consistent in your business.Check out The Organic Boho: https://theorganicboho.com/Part 1 0:47 From a big life moment to having a business in Ibiza, Spain; The bohemian lifestyle & the story behind the name9:48 Further journey from Ibiza to Denmark, Roskilde festival and Christiania14:30 From a “small” story to a front page in Børsen17:00 Calling dishes like mantras25:30 Concept and branding goalsDuration: 28:39Part 20:10 Flagship Store and The “grown up” Boho 1:47 Space, atmosphere & vibe3:33 The Menu5:30 Thoughts on meat substitutes8:50 Dealing with the price changes12:24 Insights from coming back to Roskilde festival after 5 years15:17 The benefits of starting over and doing it simply16:20 “What keeps you going”?18:15 Collaboration with IRONMAN19:50 Importance of being consistentDuration: 24:32

Join Anjelli in this engaging conversation with Karina Nayja Bruun, a pioneer of the plant-based scene in Copenhagen. She candidly shares the journey of The Organic Boho from Ibiza, Spain to Copenhagen, Denmark. Hear more about Karina’s bohemian adventures, the first experiences in Roskilde festival, having business in the area next to Christiania, her thoughts on branding and the importance of being consistent in your business.Check out The Organic Boho: https://theorganicboho.com/Part 1 0:47 From a big life moment to having a business in Ibiza, Spain; The bohemian lifestyle & the story behind the name9:48 Further journey from Ibiza to Denmark, Roskilde festival and Christiania14:30 From a “small” story to a front page in Børsen17:00 Calling dishes like mantras25:30 Concept and branding goalsDuration: 28:39Part 20:10 Flagship Store and The “grown up” Boho 1:47 Space, atmosphere & vibe3:33 The Menu5:30 Thoughts on meat substitutes8:50 Dealing with the price changes12:24 Insights from coming back to Roskilde festival after 5 years15:17 The benefits of starting over and doing it simply16:20 “What keeps you going”?18:15 Collaboration with IRONMAN19:50 Importance of being consistentDuration: 24:32