Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Areu
Hi Nicole, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve loved animals since I can remember. My grandfather gave me my first cat when I was 3 and I was just in love. He actually loved cats and wanted one but my grandmother was terrified of them and didn’t want one in the house. So he brought me one – as a surprise to my parents – who after seeing how happy I was (and his promises to help care for the cat) could not turn the cat away. After that, any animal that I would see, I wanted to pet and I had a room of stuffed animals. By the time I was seven, I made the connection between meat and animals and was horrified. That moment changed me forever. In my early teen years I learned about animal testing and began writing letters advocating to end the cruel testing. I’ve spent a lot of time rescuing animals and volunteering at rescues and sanctuaries. This whole process led me to first become vegetarian, and eventually, vegan.
A lot of my working experience has been in retail and e-commerce and I really enjoy working in these realms and had quite a bit of experience. A couple of years ago, I found myself at a major crossroads in my life and wasn’t really sure how I was going to move forward. I thought that I could could at least continue to learn in these industries, which are ever changing. I wasn’t sure what else to do and learning is always productive. I also coninued to have faith that I would be guided to the right path. I meditated every day to be guided on where to go and what to do. I started attending my spiritual community regularly to help keep myself accountable to this process. I very much believe that we must all be the change that we want to see in the world, but I just wasn’t sure what action to take on that regarding a business. During this same time, I also began getting back into animal rescue and advocacy because that is also my passion and knew that this was important work.
Then suddenly I found myself needing a new vegan leather bag, one that was small and would be easy to access when I was walking my dog – my kids and I had just adopted her. She didn’t want to walk so I needed to carry treats, and of course poop bags, plus keys and sometimes I would have to pick her up. I was dreading having to find a vegan bag that was nontoxic, durable quality – yet conversely not a crazy high price – that was also cute, stylish and could be used for something other than dog walking. This was really tall order, I know! I actually had just been using my kids backpack, which is not convenient and way too big. I’ve always had a really hard time finding high quality vegan, sustainable and nontoxic products that are also affordable. I mean, this goes from vegan handbags, belts, and shoes to self care products. It’s just been a major headache most of my life and this was no exception. At some point during meditating, I thought “Wait a second, maybe this is what I should do because I can’t be the only person having this problem”. But I struggled with this idea and kept trying to push it away. I actually told myself that this can’t be the thing that I do. But the thought kept coming back over and over and I just had this continued push to look into this. Then I began to think, what if all of these things that I have had so much trouble finding my whole life weren’t so hard to find? What if they were all in the same place, in one easy to find, easy to shop online store and people like me could just go there and feel confident buying products? Imagine how much time would be saved! So this is how I started my store, which I am still in the process of growing and developing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have had a lot of struggles along the way. For my business, getting a business started is really hard and takes a lot of time and effort. There is a lot of trial and error along the way. Finding vegan handbags that are also sustainable and ethically made is not an easy mission either and it can be very exhausting and overwhelming. When you add in that I am picky with quality and I have to search to make sure that there is no leather, or any other animal products anywhere in the company, it is really time consuming. I then, after all of that work, have also had some really great suppliers close. Another struggle has just been introducing plant based fashion to the US, some of the bags that I sell are plant based and this is not as common here in the US as it is in Europe so people don’t know what to expect. People have been amazed by them when they see in person but it’s just not something that consumers here are used to yet because its not as easy to find. I think that having a business is constant problem solving and I don’t think that this ever goes away.
Personally, juggling everything is very difficult. I’m a single mom with two boys so its is a constant balancing act. For example, right after I was asked to do this interview, both of my kids got very sick back to back. I have rescue kittens and a dog. It’s just nonstop.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business was built on the belief that products should never come at the expense of animals or the planet. Green Vegan Bags is 100% vegan and 100% style. We want to make conscious choices accessible to everyone and make cruelty free, sustainable products the default in society, starting with vegan leather bags, and every purchase supports the mission of creating a kinder, more sustainable world. The focus is on offering vegan bags that are not just cruelty-free, but also stylish, durable, and environmentally responsible at a reasonable price.
One thing that sets us apart is that we have a variety of different styles and materials so that people don’t have to spend hours going from site to site to find what they like. At Green Vegan Bags, they might even see something that they didn’t know existed before. Everything is in one, easy to shop and compare place. We also do not sell anything from any company that carries any animal products or has questionable transparency. Customers can feel confident in the company that they are buying from. Another thing that makes us unique is our deeper mission. We’re not just selling vegan handbags; we’re actively supporting animal rescue and environmental advocacy. A portion of our profits goes directly to animal rescue efforts, our shipping is carbon neutral and we’re involved in grassroots activism. Our customers aren’t just buying a bag—they’re contributing to a movement.
I’m incredibly proud that Green Vegan Bags is showing that sustainable, ethical fashion can be luxurious, stylish, and practical. This past year we were honored to be PETA’s gifting partner at the Latin GRAMMY® Gift Lounge, and it was amazing to see the overwhelming enthusiasm the vegan bags received and as I expected, many people did not know that these types of vegan bags existed.
I really want people to know that choosing ethical fashion doesn’t mean giving up style or quality. I also want people to know that every purchase has a purpose. When you buy from us, you’re supporting a brand that actively contributes to making the world a better place. It’s fashion with a mission, and together, we can make a difference.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
For Green Vegan Bags, I do plan on adding some new and exciting products this year, so stay tuned and make sure to follow us.
Aside from business, I also volunteer with Florida Animal Rescue Alliance, an organization that helps care for and find homes for abused and neglected animals. There are so many unwanted, abandoned and abused animals in our state that it is extremely overwhelming for rescues and shelters. Animals are a lifelong commitment and I wish that more people understood that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.greenveganbags.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenveganbags
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenveganbags
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@greenveganbags
