Meet Heer Parikh | Vegan health coach & hospitality consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heer Parikh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heer, what should our readers know about your business?
After going vegan almost a decade ago, I developed a passion for cooking and enjoyed veganizing my favorite meals and recipes. I realized that I could make a huge impact by sharing my expertise and passion with others that were interested in bettering their health along with the hospitality industry. I launched ConsultAVegan in 2019 after I became a certified vegan health coach and graduate of the High Impact Hospitality Consulting program from Vegan Hospitality, founded by Meredith Marin. For my health coaching clients, I provide an extensive review on food and lifestyle and teach them how to thrive on a vegan diet. For my hospitality clients, I provide services in delicious, customized, and healthy vegan menu creation and interactive employee professional development. In addition to developing vegan menu options, I implement eco-friendly practices that will ultimately improve the health of the customers and the environment.

I think what sets me apart is that I personally live a vegan lifestyle and have prepared hundreds of vegan meals. Best of all, I know exactly what vegans like to eat because I am your ideal customer! Throughout the years, I have faced resistance and even some backlash from individuals questioning my lifestyle and beliefs. Behavioral changes are the most difficult for humans, so it has been an uphill battle, and to make this change happen on a massive scale, is a pretty tall order. But giving up is not an option since the alternative is just not acceptable. Restaurant owners/chefs were also a bit apprehensive in the beginning about adding vegan options to their menus. This was not a deterrent for me because my persistence eventually paid off, and they realized that a vegan lifestyle and diet is the future as they had already seen an increase in the demand for vegan food and drink.

I am committed to showing the world that a vegan diet is possible for anyone, regardless of their current dietary and lifestyle choices. I believe that this is my calling and my purpose in life, and I am steadfast in educating and spreading the vegan message. My mission is to reach, inform, and inspire others to live a compassionate lifestyle and I want to transform Houston so that it becomes a top vegan-friendly city.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are vegan festivals and events being hosted monthly here in Houston, so I would coordinate so that we could attend these events together. I would also take my friend to Verdine for the most epic vegan brunch on Sunday. If the weather permits, I would also take my friend to Eastern Glades and the Botanic Garden and even make a quick stop to my parent’s place to visit their veggies and herbs garden.

What do you attribute your success to?
My passion for this cause and my persistence has been the key to my success. There is a conviction that comes from within, and I know that I am on the right path in pursuing this. To bring about changes at a social level is not going to occur overnight, it will take time to change society. With strong people skills and an open-minded approach, I am confident and determined to bring about much needed immediate changes for the betterment of mankind. I realize that it is not an easy path, but persistence always pays!

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?
I would like to thank my mom, dad, my grandmother, younger brother, and my husband for their unwavering and continued support in all my endeavors. In my very early cognitive years, I learned to respect all life forms and be emotionally aware of them. I was fortunate that those values and emotional sensitivity towards other living beings were instilled in me, and it has had a profound impact on who I am today. I am also very grateful that my immediate family members have fully transitioned after being inspired by me and are joining me on this vegan journey!

Website: www.consultavegan.com

Instagram: consultavegan

Image Credits
A&A Photo & Video