Innovative Inder Bedi
For anyone who needs inspiration to start a vegan business, look to Matt & Nat founder Inder Bedi.
Ever daydreamed of owning your own, vegan business? Of course! Who wouldn’t want a career in line with the call to be passionately committed to the veg lifestyle? By following your ethics as well as your bliss, business can really boom. Case in point? How about Matt & Nat, the ultra-hip, totally glam accessory line that can be seen on A-listers all over, and proves once again that living a veg life does not mean sacrificing. With a new sister line, Samsara, just launched earlier this year, you might say that the company has success in the bag. Inder Bedi, founder of Matt & Nat, chatted recently with VegNews about starting vegan company, building ethics into every aspect of a business, and how success enables him to give back.
VegNews: How has being a vegan company—and one that promotes veganism—affected your business?
Inder Bedi: Very rewarding on a personal level, but difficult sometimes in fashion circles in the past when you have to explain how the quality of synthetics are comparable to leather, etc. They are more open minded these days as veganism is starting to be recognized as a green movement and many retailers are seeking eco-responsible products.
VN: Would you say that the majority of your customers are attracted to the fact that your bags are cruelty-free, or are they simply interested in the high-fashion look?
IB: Our customers are more interested in the look, however they do appreciate the fact that the company stands for something beyond dollars and cents.
VN: How do you see your role in the business world, as someone who is actively making eco-friendly, vegan products high-fashion and highly desirable?
IB: I often take on the role of marketing spokesperson, educating all different partners of the business—especially retailers—the importance of balancing fashion with social responsibility. This is important to myself on a personal level first and it has also become our niche approach.
VN: Matt & Nat seems to be thriving, to what do you most attribute your success?
IB: People recognize the positivity in our company and products, our customers have been the biggest ambassadors of our brand, our approach has been grassroots and underground, and we also have a great team for all aspects of business from design to logistics.
VN: As a successful business, what kind of responsibility do you have to give back to the community?
IB: We give back to many different types of charities all over North America and Europe, from animal-rights to battered women’s shelters to feeding 400 homeless people a vegetarian meal twice a year in Montreal. An example of all this is a new brand we just launched, Samsara. One dollar for every bag sold goes to the charity of your choice. In three months since the launch, we’ve already committed more than $16,000!
For more tips from the experts on how to make your veg dream job a reality, check out the July+August issue of VegNews, which hits newsstands everywhere July 1.
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Posted: Jul 08 2009 18:27PM By Anonymous
I'm sure he can afford to give donations- he's charging $150-$200 for bags that cost $10 to make in China.
Posted: Jul 14 2009 13:33PM By Su
As well he should - if people are willing to pay it. It's still a fraction of the price of other designers who also manufacture offshore.
Posted: Jul 15 2009 00:43AM By Candy@VeganBride.com
I can shop at Target like the rest of them, however $150-$200 is N-O-T- a lot for an artistically crafted, designer bag!! It's not very often you find a business that pumps out a great product, is animal-friendly, AND has such a big heart & is so bent on charitable giving/giving back!! Do you PERSONALLY know what his bags are made for (perhaps you are somehow all-knowing??) Anyway, I say bravo!! The next time you have a sample sale Matt & Nat, sign me UP!!! :) Candy
Posted: Jul 15 2009 09:29AM By Viky
Loved the bags. I've never heard of the label until I read this article, went to the website and fell in love. It's awesome to find beautiful vegan accesories. Thanks!!
Posted: Jul 17 2009 16:38PM By tina
I was silly to think that vegan meant sweat shop free. Just beware. Their stuff is very cute and trendy but the stuff I bought was made in China (and I didn't know until it was at my house--maybe label the stuff on the website as imported or US???) for consumers who care about that kind of stuff.
Posted: Jul 23 2009 20:41PM By Letty
I appreciatte all the info.I am a new vegan and I am learning a lot still.These are tough times for me to spend on a 100+ bag, but since I love fashion and cruelty free products, I hope to be able to support their work soon!. In the meantime, I am careful about what I buy and where my money is supporting. I buy a lot through the Peta.org website Thank you
Posted: Aug 09 2009 11:16AM By Sanjay Jain
To many people vegan means non exploitation of animals, including human animals. If it's not fair trade, it's not vegan. Having said that, this business may not be exploiting people, I have no idea what they pay their suppliers/manufacturers and what they in turn pay their workers. We could question the society where people are willing to pay so much for designer stuff, but not pay more for organic, locally grown food (and other goods/services). But that's a bigger question. Before people get upset and say that they in fact do pay for all the above, and still have enough left to by designer stuff, my hat off to you.
Posted: Aug 12 2009 08:36AM By moni
I have approximately 10 bags and love all of them!! I have noticed some boutiques don't sell them anymore because the prices have almost doubled.
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