We had the good fortune of connecting with Colin Easom and Roy Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Colin Easom and, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Colin: I became a vegetarian in the 1990s on ethical grounds. Then, after seeing what goes on behind the scenes in slaughterhouses and farms, I decided to go fully vegan in 2010. I didn’t want to be part of a food system that deliberately causes abuse and suffering purely so I could put meat on my plate. It was a very ethical based decision in those days.
Since then, I’ve undertaken lots of research into plant-based diets, and I’ve been enjoying watching the vegan movement unfold, I’ve come to realize that there are huge environmental and health benefits to not eating meat too.
When I met my partner, Roy, who had just had a heart attack, we began discussing the benefits of plant-based diets, and Roy was all in. I helped guide him to a whole foods plant-based diet, and he’s seen significant improvements in his health since then.
When we mention the multiple benefits of plant-based diets to people, there’s a lot of interest, but people don’t know where to start. We decided to become certified vegan lifestyle coaches and educators with Main Street Vegan Academy, followed by a plant-based nutrition certification from Cornell University and a Vegan Chef certification with Forks Over Knives. Our goal is to simplify the process for people and help them move towards more plant-based options in their life.
Not long after we got together, we bought a 1970s ranch house on four acres. It needed a lot of work, but it’s been a labor of love, and we converted part of the house into a bed and breakfast. We now run a plant-based B&B alongside the coaching business. So if you want to learn more about a plant-based lifestyle and take classes over a weekend, or if you want to relax in a peaceful environment and wake up to a tasty, healthy breakfast, we have somewhere for you to stay.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We’re just launching our business venture as vegan lifestyle coaches and plant-based bed and breakfast hosts, but I think what sets us apart from others is that we’re very hands on. We’re fortunate to have an old ranch house on four acres – Rancho Vegano! – and we welcome clients to stay with us at the ranch and work with us over a weekend. We’ll take them to the supermarket and give them guided tours of where to find cheap and healthy plant-based alternatives, we’ll choose ingredients and cook them together in our kitchen, and we’ll help them develop meal plans to make cooking for a family or the week super easy. We’ll even help introduce them to environmentally friendly household and personal products, including vegan clothing. Some clients want to learn more about animal rights and advocacy, and we’ll work with them on that too.
We’re also aware that not everyone wants to do face-to-face coaching given the pandemic situation or their location, so we’re also able to deliver most of our coaching sessions online via Zoom or over the phone.
I think with Roy having gone through significant health issues and seeing his health rapidly improve by following a plant-based diet, we have first-hand experience of how lifestyle can have a significant impact. We’re excited to spread the message and help those who are looking to improve their health through lifestyle and diet. Colin is also a certified personal trainer with a specialty in fitness nutrition, so that’s another aspect we can bring to the table if clients are interested in the fitness aspect of plant-based lifestyles.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Wow, where to start? There are so many places we recommend. We live right next door to the Saguaro National Monument East, so that’s an absolute must. We also like to take people to Sabino Canyon, Mount Lemmon, and Tanque Verde Falls. We also like to take visitors to the Desert Museum and the Biosphere 2. We love the outdoors; these areas provide amazing views of the unique desert landscape.
As for eating, there are several excellent vegan restaurants in town, so Midtown Vegan Deli, Lovin Spoonfuls, and Urban Fresh are all essential visits in our opinion!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been so many sources of inspiration along the way. For Colin, the ethics of animal rights have always been the driving force behind the lifestyle and business concepts. For Roy, the inspiration has been more about making healthy choices for both the body and the environment. Some famous vegans have also been inspirational include Robert Cheeke and Victoria Moran, as well as Drs Neil Barnard, Michael Greger, and T. Colin Campbell. Our friends and family have been incredibly supportive of our business ventures, and we couldn’t have gotten as far as we have launching the business without the support and love of our best friend, Bob Rowland.
Website: www.ranchoveganoaz.com
Instagram: @ranchoveganoaz
Facebook: @ranchoveganoaz