Mayumi Bae, Co-Founder of The Plant Based Workshop, is driven by a passion for wellness and flavorful food, inspired by the loss of her father to illness at a young age. Specializing in Asian-inspired plant-based meals, the business began as the Workshop Vegetarian Cafe in 2016 and has since expanded into a consumer packaged goods line.
What is your business called and what does it do?
The Plant Based Workshop – We specialize in Asian-inspired plant-based meals. We believe that becoming plant-based is the key to living an abundant lifestyle.
What made you want to do this work?
A relentless focus on growth and wellness started when we lost our father to illness at a young age.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
Delicious, flavourful food being the centre of the family growing up, we recognized the need for more diverse choices in the plant-based world.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
Opened up the Workshop Vegetarian Cafe in 2016. As we watched customers devour delicious meals at our flagship cafe, we aspired to expand the reach of conveniently packaged, quality meals. A couple of years back, we created a consumer packaged goods line, The Plant Based Workshop. Currently, our products are distributed to many grocery stores and retailers throughout Canada. Our shelf-stable products are also shipped out directly to consumers within Canada as well. We also have a food service line which is distributed to post-secondary institutions like UBC, SFU, BCIT etc.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
We are an inclusive community. We know that no single approach is the right one for everyone. No matter your current diet, flexitarian, or plant-based, we simply create undeniably delicious meals. After all, good food is good food!
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
Entrepreneurship is always a learning, and growth journey. That’s the best part. Knowing that you can do hard things and overcoming obstacles in business to get to the next level. I’ve become a better person during this journey. Not to mention food is camaraderie, bringing people together, what’s not to love about that?
The worst part is being bootstrapped and all the challenges that come with that. Slower growth, financial constraints, work-life balance, access to resources, etc.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Cafe Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
I’m a true supporter of Women in business. We have so many women-founded BC businesses that I’d love to see showcased more.
Nuez Acres (a skincare line made from pecan oil). Nancy Wingham is the founder and she’s become a very good friend. Oome (smoked tofu brand), Miki Talebi is the founder and also a great friend.
