Building a sustainable future: an interview with Joni founder Jayesh Vekariya

On the first episode of season 2, hosts Katy and Emma speak with Jayesh Vekariya, a UVic MBA graduate who is the CEO and one of the founders of Joni, a Victoria-based company that produces organic, sustainable menstrual products. Jayesh is also one of UVic’s 2024 Emerging Alumni. Join us as we talk with Jayesh about: how growing up in Gujurat, India inspired him to launch a business that tackles sustainability and poverty reductionwhat it was like pivoting from a career in pharmacy to pursue his third graduate program at UVictackling the issue of period povertyfinding a business partner in Linda Biggs, who previously served as chief operating officer at Victoria-based reusable food wrap company Abeego…and much more!  Resources from this episode·       Joni·       Emerging Alumni Award·       The UVic Co-op Program·       Accessing career support  Contact usSign up for our weekly e-newsletterFollow UVic Co-op and Career on social media (00:00) - Intro (00:32) - Welcome to today's episode (01:39) - Introducing Jayesh Vekariya (02:12) - What does Joni produce? (03:38) - Addressing sustainability and accessibility in menstrual care (06:24) - How do you develop an idea you had as a student into a viable business for community? (09:34) - How did you choose menstrual products as a business focus? (10:38) - How did you tackle branding? (12:13) - Why was it important to find a business partner? (00:15) - How did your co-op experience help you develop your business? (18:34) - How do co-op students help you as an employer? (20:26) - Why did you choose UVic? (21:51) - What advice do you have for students interested in entrepreneurship? (25:00) - Rapid fire questions about Jayesh's time at UVic (26:18) - If you could do it all again, what would you do more of?