Loving Hut in San Francisco Sunset Grand Opening

That's it, picture says all!  I enjoyed it =D 

Also took picture with the Board of Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, and the Loving Hut Owner Lien. 

 Ross helped to push the plastic bag ban in San Francisco, now it's just a matter of banning meat! 

union is like mafia

Because they will charge up everything they can! literally everything, such as moving your stuff for you? What? Do we not have hands? 


I guess sometimes there just require some "paper" works... 

FAO Food Price Index

What is That?

Honestly, I didn't think I was gonna get into all these details, until I got into it. 
Basically it tells you how much each type of category of products fluctuate throughout historical time


You can either Monitor or understand the Hunger Map and decide what course of actions to take: Be Vegan!

Vegan Business

Ok, I guess I am not that sad any more; 


I knew either Tofu Yu or Hodo Soy was going to be sold to.. you know who, and when I used to work in Emeryville I tried to go to their little cafe once a week to support them and their delicious food too! 


Now, I wish you best of luck because I see you in Whole Foods too, and may all the vegan business be so successful and bountiful that everyone eats no animals!




*****
Apparently tofu is a big hit now because all the retailers I spoke to also had some other tofu companies approaching them too!  Good job Tofu! 

I am so crazy!

Honestly, I am probably one of the craziest person I know... 


Why? I stalk our competitor which I just found at Whole Foods in Blossom Hills, (where we did demo and all sold out) and found out their physical address is like in the forest.  Not only that, even though their website is cute and all that, if it cannot be viewed on iPhone or my not very smart phone because of the flash, then it wont be as effective.  So my recommendation to my dear competitor who also promote vegan products: 


1. When building website, use html not flash 
2. If you are Peta Business Friend, make sure that can be searchable. 
3. I guess everyone has a story, whether their name is Amy, Helen, or Sophie. 


Okok, I know I am not that nice here; what can I do?  I feel strange when I see "Product of Taiwan" and I guess all the standard claim of "vegan", "non-GMO", "0g trans fat", "high in protein/fiber" and that made me really think about why we are different, and what is our story to share and connect with our dear customers.  Maybe, maybe I will come out with a story about my sponsored children and how they are short of food, daily supplies, safe & sanitary place to live, or much to eat, if we, the people who lived in a developed country continue to grow crops to feed the animals but not the human.  Sike, there is much education needed and love and patience for things to move toward the ideal direction; till then, we do our best, and you do your best!  


Here we go!  Cheers to All!  

http://www.ecovegan.com/company.html

ecoVegan mentioned in the reviews

Welcome To The Motherhood 

http://www.tothemotherhood.com/2011/01/ecovegan-review.html 

"As a former seafood lover, it is a bit hard to find a seafood alternative on the market that has a tasteful "fish" flavor. The Ocean's Delight is closest to the real thing without being too fishy. Serve it over rice and / or with vegetables and you'll have a delicious meal!" 

 ***** 

An Apple A Day

http://blueskyworld.wordpress.com/2011/01/21/ecovegan/

"Spicy Bits was my favorite. It wasn’t as spicy as I expected but it went really well mixed as a stir-fry. I mixed this with red onion, bell pepper slices, and broccoli. Then served the mix on top of quinoa. YUM!"

*****

Vegan Mainstream

http://www.veganmainstream.com/vmnewsletter/veg_hot/1.15/index.html

"Another recently-introduced product from ecoVegan is Orientals' Joy. These tender meat-free nuggets are vegan, made from soy protein and lightly seasoned. They can be used in stir fries or chopped up in a salad. Orientals' Joy nuggets are also free from genetically modified ingredients."

*****

I have a lot more wounds now.. both physically and mentally, for what's been going on; and I hope things will go smoother soon too. 

Sharing/ Lesson

Just some sharing from our lovely Lisa to me while I was experiencing some frustration.. Thanks again Lisa for your love and wisdom! 

"Why do humans not have patience ? Master said it is because we have not yet developed true loving hearts and not yet reached to the absolute loving hearts like God and Buddha. When Jesus was nailed to the cross, at his last minute, he still prayed to the God to forgive those who had made him suffering.

I understand your frustrations from the manufactures. The gap of priority in the perspective does existed. Until they visit US and learn the demands from the environment, they will not change their perspective. They do what they think is the best and take action on their priorities. They don't see the same issue as we do; it doesn't mean they do improperly.

Learn the acceptance and appreciation  It is through a meditative inner focus that we will not be rigid and will not be affected by our outer environment. Good things will come. It just needs to be patience in the process. "

Virginia Tech Magazine

It might sound cheesy... but I was featured in the Virginia Tech Magazine Winter 2011 Edition. (Not sure why, but if ever you want to download)  Ha, Ha, Ha. 


Va. Tech was a wonderful school I attended and enjoyed very much those years.  I can go on and on and on for how much I had learned and how many good friends I have made, and the activities I participated, that built to be who I am today, and I am sure many Hokie Alumni would also agree too.  


I studied International Studies my first seminar, little did I know what it was about; and then moving into Interior Design, which I thought I could use my creativity but later didn't feel I was talented enough; so at last I finished my degree with Industrial & Systems Engineering, 


Ok, I don't need to go on about my whole personal life, just need to know it was a great experience at Tech. And when I submitted my class notes, I got contacted to be feature in the alumni magazine. Awesome.  Thanks Chad for taking the time to interview, and you actually get to see ecoVegan and myself on the web edition on the first page! 

On a separate note, Michelle Krusiec also did theatre training at Virginia Tech, and that was when I first saw her one person show Made In Taiwan. Truly fabulous and funny!  

I am blessed.

Let me just say, I am super grateful for this experience.
It's like my first post, words cannot express my gratitude of this journey that I am experiencing.

There is so much love, if you can just open up your heart to receive.
I don't want to forget about this path I am walking on, daily.

I thank God for the opportunity, for the heavenly love, and for all the Angel's help.
I thank the saints that I get to work with (thanks Lisa!), to learn from them and to work toward common direction.
I thank the people that gives me trouble, so I may review myself and gain strength and knowledge to deal with certain situations, and
I thank my beloved Supreme Master for letting me learn about who I really am and what I am capable as my highest potential.

Intention Cookies by Bountiful Vegan

I am very heartbroken today to know that our dear friends at Bountiful Vegan had made a very tough business decision to discontinue the Intention Cookies.

Honestly, ever since we started distributing the Intention Cookies, God knows how many pounds I have put myself and that tells you how delicious these cookies are!  

I am surprised and sad to know such outcome, as Terry and Mary have also been a part of the ecoVegan growing movement & support.  Terry & Mary are the most energetic people you will ever meet; whenever they are around, there is always laughter non-stop.  They are so loving, dedicated, and committed to this delicious cookies.  I truly wish them the best in their next endeavor!  For those of you who missed it. you really missed it big time.  Perhaps in the future, we will keep you posted!

Naming Convention- Oriental's Joy

do you ever question your life?
do you ever wonder why?
do you ever see in your dreams,
all the castles in the sky...

oh tell me why...
do we build castles in the sky...
oh tell me why...
are the castles way up high...
please tell me why...
do we build castles in the sky...
oh tell me why...
are the castles way up high...

Castle in the Sky by Ian Van Dahl

*******

Honestly, the song has nothing to do with the title of naming convention... I would just like to quote "oh tell me why..." oh please please tell me why, how can we come up with a name that says all (with minimal or few marketing expenses) and represents the products, while catches everyone's attention without infringing someone else trademark or being called out "offense"? 

Fast Company had some names they loved, and loved to hate, in 2010!

*And this is an updated article that's more applicable - How to pick the perfect brand name.

Seriously, does "Orient" or "Oriental's Joy" offend you?  Not me, especially, quoting from Wiki,

"The adjectival term Oriental has been used by the West as a term to describe cultures, peoples, countries, and goods from the Orient. "Oriental" means generally "eastern". It is a traditional designation (especially when capitalized) for anything belonging to the Orient or "East" (for Asia), and especially of its Eastern culture."

That's it!  And I hope you enjoy "Oriental's Joy"

Nobody said it was easy

In general, nothing is easy; not even just the starting, but also the journey. 

There are a lot of comments we receive from the general public, and we appreciate those so it helps us to grow; at the same time i want us to focus on things that's more important and will drive to greater results. 

I will just leave as if when we say nothing at all because no simple words can describe. 

The goal is simple: fill the map with dots!

we want to fill the maps with dots, indicating where the ecoVegan products are available either through retail or restaurant resells!  Help us to achieve this one!

ecoVegan products expanding to Seattle now!

How exciting, how exciting!! Let me just repeat again, how exciting!! 


Our products are moving to the first our of California state actual retail store- Sidecar for Pigs Peace (by the way, what a cute name!).  Sidecar is the only 100% V-E-G-A-N store in Washington State, and that is very very rare in the nation.  Besides some of the online vegan retailers, it is rare to have an actual physical location for selling only vegan, how i love that! 


Doh is awesome, and let me just express my gratitude again, how exciting! We hope it will do very well!  

Inventory Control, and tips

Let me just say, it is not E-A-S-Y


1: make sure your placed PO matches with the inventory you received; and vice versa; always consolidate them when you receive goods
2: track your inventory diligently and accordingly; never delay or put off. 
3: have inventory count every once in a while (say, approximately 3 months or 6 months depending on how many different variety of items you have)
4: Always monitor your inventory flow and make sure you don't over stock 
5: Pay off inventory on time, and make sure you also have sufficient cash flow
6: For items you do'nt believe that can be sold, get rid of them quickly either by donating or give-aways to generate publicity. 


Will update as i think of something new! 

Happy New Year 2011

What is your resolution?


For us, it's keep going!  =D