VBT 033: Interview with Alicia Lai of Bourgeois Boheme

In this episode I interview Alicia Lai, founder of luxury shoe brand Bourgeois Boheme in London, UK. After a career as a podiatrist, Alicia, who’s originally from Australia, moved to London 10 years ago to start a vegan footwear company. Originally selling a range of lower-priced shoe brands, along with accessories, she took a break from the business and relaunched it as a high-end, luxury, aspirational brand, focusing solely on her own shoe designs. The company has built up loyal fans among the vegan and vegetarian communities for its quality, bespoke products and is currently expanding to attract conscious consumers interested in fairly made and sustainable fashion. In response to its popularity with American customers, Bourgeois Boheme launched a US website earlier this year. In this interview Alicia talks about: •    The importance of doing research before launching a business and not rushing into it •    Giving yourself permission to rebrand and relaunch if necessary •    Ensuring you don’t underestimate the costs involved in running a business (including the one area many business owners fail to factor in) •    The challenges involved in convincing non-vegan retailers to take vegan products and how to overcome these •    The benefits of celebrity endorsement – and the essential strategy to get it without using a PR agency •    And much more Visit the Bourgeois Boheme website Brands mentioned in vegan business news roundup: Tofurky Vendy Awards Monk’s Meats Jerk Shack Mysttik Masala Vegan Bandwagon Yeah Dawg Bamboo Bites Cinnamon Snail Detroit Vegan Soul Make, Believe Cinnaholic  RESOURCES: My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business Follow Vegan Business Media on: Facebook   Twitter  Instagram  Connect with me personally at: Facebook  Twitter  LinkedIn