Episode 58
Brand Story Podcast

Brand Purpose Before Profit

featuring Miyoko Schinner

Founder of Miyoko's Creamery, Activist, and Author

Miyoko Schinner, Founder of Miyoko's Creamery, Activist, and Author, discusses the importance of having an authentic mission and how that impacts brand success with our president, Steve Gilman.

How do you prioritize your brand’s mission? Was it developed as an afterthought of your company idea, or do you make strides toward it every day? Does it inspire change and help others, or is it inauthentic? Too many times have companies been built on an idea alone when instead we should be building from an authentic mission.

In this episode of Brand Story, Miyoko challenges us to reevaluate our brand’s mission and prioritize purpose over profit. She shares her journey of building a successful CPG brand, Miyoko’s Creamery, and provides her perspective on the power of emotional decision-making. You’ll hear about the battles she fought, the importance of standing strong in your core beliefs, and why she believes that placing purpose before profit is integral for success in business. It’s an episode that will not only inspire you to rethink your approach to business, but also leadership and personal success.

About the Guest

Miyoko Schinner

Founder of Miyoko's Creamery, Activist, and Author

Miyoko is an American vegan activist, author, entrepreneur, chef, and the founder of Miyoko’s Creamery. For over 30 years she has dedicated her time to affecting social change and sustainability through veganism and activism. After recognizing the demand for delicious dairy products made from plants, she launched Miyoko’s in 2014 and worked to redefine the categories of “cheese” and “butter”. She is the author of five cookbooks, including the best-seller Artisan Vegan Cheese and The Homemade Vegan Pantry, and also co-founded Rancho Compasión, a farmed animal sanctuary in Nicasio, California.

Quickfire Q&A

How do you define success for yourself?

Miyoko: We live in a country where we define happiness according to financial success. We wake up not thinking “how am I going to be happy today” but “how do I earn another dollar”. I think the question needs to be — how do I become happy and how do I help others become happy? And that may be in conflict with what we define as personal success.

What’s something you’ve changed your mind about as you’ve gone through your journey?

Miyoko: I was of the mindset that the only way we could get people to change how they ate was to change what was sold. And it isn’t true. To make a long-term change, we also have to provide the reason.

If you could give your younger self any advice, what would it be?

Miyoko: Don’t lose your authenticity. Don’t give it away to the so-called experts. My last business is when I began to finally have the courage to really be my authentic self.

Related Links

Miyoko on LinkedIn

About The Host

Steve Gilman

As the President of Gravity Group, Steve is passionate about helping brands reach their goals through honest, creative marketing and powerful brand stories.

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