Stepping Into Sustainability and Mindful Shopping Habits with Desirée Dupuis of Voes & Co.

Have you ever wondered how your everyday shopping decisions could help create a more sustainable world? Or felt overwhelmed trying to make more conscious choices in a world designed for instant gratification? In this episode, I sit down with Desirée Dupuis, founder of Voes & Co., a global vegan footwear brand revolutionizing fashion with next-generation plant-based materials. Having followed a vegan lifestyle for 17 years, Desiree shares how she turned her frustration with the lack of stylish vegan footwear into a mission-driven brand. We dive deep into practical strategies for mindful consumption, from the simple "24-hour rule" before making a purchase to researching brands that align with your values. Desiree opens up about her journey of creating beautiful designer shoes from innovative materials like cactus and corn leather, while we explore how every purchase is essentially a vote with your dollar for the kind of world you want to see. Whether you're just beginning to think about sustainability or already committed to conscious living, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and inspiration for making more intentional choices. Key Talking Points:In this episode, we discuss… How Desiree's 2008 transition to veganism evolved from animal welfare concerns to environmental awareness, ultimately inspiring her to create Voes & Co. to fill the gap in stylish vegan footwear. Simple strategies like the 24-hour purchase rule, researching brand values, maintaining a "one in, one out" wardrobe approach, and considering a product's complete lifecycle. The concept that every purchase is a relationship with brands, and how supporting independent, women-led, mission-driven businesses creates meaningful impact at scale. The evolution from plastic-based vegan materials to natural alternatives like cactus and corn leather, prioritizing timeless designs over trends. Embracing progress over perfection, giving yourself grace while maintaining a long-term vision, and building community around shared values. Time Stamps: [2:30] Desiree explains how her vegan journey began in 2008 and evolved into a mission to create stylish, ethical footwear [5:15] Discussion on mindful consumption and taking time before purchasing to consider a product's end-of-life [9:40] The concept of waiting 24 hours before making purchases to avoid impulse buying [12:20] Strategies for maintaining a minimalist wardrobe, including the "one in, one out" rule [18:35] The importance of supporting independent, women-owned, mission-driven brands [22:10] How every purchase is a vote with your dollar for the world you want to see [24:50] Desiree shares the story behind Voes & Co. and her innovative use of plant-based materials [28:15] The long game of building community around conscious values [35:20] Discussion on spiritual practices that help maintain alignment with values [41:15] Insights on leveraging PR to share sustainability stories with major publications Connect with Desirée Dupuis and Voes & Co: Website: Voes & Co. |Social(s): @voes_and_co Connect with Ashley Graham: Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more expansive content and stories here. Follow Ashley Graham (@simplyashleygraham) and The Conscious Publicist (@theconsciouspublicist) on LinkedIn. If you loved this episode and want to further support the show, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcasting platform!Apple | Spotify | Blog | Business Copyright 2026 – The Conscious Publicist® – All Rights Reserved