'aBillion' Ways To Inspire Real Change - Interview With Vikas Garg / Episode 77

The Plant Based News Podcast

This week's podcast is supported by our friends over at Nuzest. You can get 20% off their amazing vegan protein by visiting nuzest.us/pbn20! Joining us on the PBN Podcast today is Vikas Garg, CEO and founder of abillion–an online platform and app that helps people around the world live more sustainably and change the world one vegan dish and product at a time. Born in India, raised in New York, and currently based in Singapore, Vikas has been influenced by the various cultures, mindsets, and international encounters he’s had throughout his life. He was a lifelong vegetarian, before becoming vegan in 2008. After a successful career in finance, instead of going down the traditional route, Vikas decided to put his skills and expertise towards a pursuit that aligned beliefs with his personal beliefs –a product that would do good and inspire social change. That’s how in 2017 the idea for abillion was born and the platform was launched soon after in 2018. abillion has as its mission to change the world one vegan dish or product at a time, making it easier for people around the world to live sustainably. Users post reviews of vegan options at their favourite restaurants or of vegan products they use, creating a direct feedback loop with those businesses and manufacturers, encouraging them to make more sustainable choices. Since its inception, it has grown to include reviews of all kinds of vegan products including sustainable fashion, cosmetics, and more. We’re sitting down today with Vikas to discuss how an app like abillion can change the way businesses interact with their customers and ultimately how that can lead to impactful social change on a global level. Sign up to aAbillion here https://abillion.onelink.me/CNPE/pbn The PBN Podcast is presented and produced by Robbie Lockie. Edited by Phil Marriott Researched by Antonia Georgieva. Junior Social Media Manager Darrell Sawczuk Show Notes 00:00 Nuzest Promo 02:10 The beginning of Vikas’s plant-based journey 05:45 The impact that Earthlings had on Vikas 10:00 The role of the cow in Indian culture 13:00 The development and popularity of animal-free foods in India 15:00 How do people in India look at the removal of animal products from your lifestyle? 20:41 Building the Abillion business 40:20 The Social Dilemma - the horrifying behaviours behind social media 46:29 Social change: how can you make more of an impact with your ideas? 57:10 Stranded on a desert island