Meet Michelle Cehn

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Cehn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
I was adopted as a baby, so I’ve always been acutely aware of the power we each hold to change and improve lives, and also became highly sensitive to the feelings and needs of others. My life, and many of the opportunities and privileges available to me, exists as it is today only because my birthmother bravely asked for help and found the best option for me, and the warm, loving hands of my parents reached out to me when I was in need. Now I dedicate my life to preventing unnecessary suffering, standing up for those who can’t advocate for themselves (like animals held captive and exploited in factory farms), and being of service to others. I crafted my entire career around empathy, which is the heart of World of Vegan.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a mama on a mission to inspire kindness and compassion, help people tap into their empathy, and ultimately eliminate as much suffering as I can in the world.

Animals are among the most abused in our society, so my focus has naturally zoned in on the area with the most unnecessary suffering—animal agriculture and factory farming.

I’ve been an animal advocate since I was very young. I became vegetarian at age 8, started animal right and ethics groups in high school and college, and went fully vegan in college after reading the book Animal Liberation by philosopher Peter Singer.

After volunteering and working for several nonprofit organizations, in 2015 I founded World of Vegan, a website and online platform focused on helping people adopt a vegan lifestyle. The mission at World of Vegan is to make kind living easy, accessible, and fun. We create content that educates, inspires, and empowers people to make compassionate food and lifestyle choices—from delicious plant-based recipes to informative videos. Our platform reaches millions of people who are interested in eating more plants, making a difference in the world, or evolving in a more compassionate, sustainable, or healthy direction.

I believe small changes lead to big transformations, and being part of that journey for people is really special.

One of the beautiful things about our world is that doing good doesn’t have to be a sacrifice. People often think that “going vegan” or “living more sustainably” involves giving something up. But what most people discover is that they get so much more than they give. And going vegan opens up a whole new world of delicious delicious plant foods that they never would have discovered otherwise.

Since founding World of Vegan I’ve published The Friendly Vegan Cookbook, hosted over 100 episodes of the Plant-Powered People Podcast, offered virtual cooking classes, amassed a community a million strong on Instagram (@vegan), reached millions through our YouTube videos, and more. Whether you’re a long time herbivore or a die hard meat lover, I invite you to join the plant-powered party!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities that truly made a difference are perseverance, empathy, and continuous learning.

Firstly, perseverance was essential. Building a platform like World of Vegan required overcoming obstacles and staying committed even when faced with challenges. There were moments when progress felt slow, but the determination to create positive change kept me moving forward. To those starting out, I’d say embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, and stay persistent in pursuing your goals.

Empathy also played a significant role. Empathy is what started it all, because I simply couldn’t ignore the wildly unfair and unjust treatment billions of animals are forced to endure at the hands of humans. But beyond that, understanding the diverse perspectives and experiences of our audience helps me create content that resonates deeply. That is what as molded me into a “Friendly Vegan” rather than an “angry vegan.” Empathy fosters connection, and when you genuinely care about others, it shows in your work. For newcomers, I recommend actively listening to your community, understanding their needs, and tailoring your efforts to meet them where they’re at in order to make a meaningful impact.

Lastly, continuous learning was key. My quest for knowledge on many frontiers propelled me into my life’s work, helped me refine my focus and approach to be immeasurably more effective, and enabled me to embrace new technologies and outlets to amplify the reach of my messages. To those at the start of their journey, I encourage a thirst for knowledge. Continuously read books, watch documentaries, take courses, seek mentorship, and expand your mind. Embrace learning as an ongoing process.

In essence, cultivating perseverance, empathy, and a hunger for knowledge can propel you forward. Every step, no matter how small, contributes to your growth and the positive impact you can have on the world.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
As an entrepreneur who ran a “company of one” for many years, which can feel very lonely at times, connecting with other animal advocates and entrepreneurs doing similar work was essential. It provided both the camaraderie that is so essential in a positive work environment, and has been immeasurably helpful in overcoming obstacles and propelling World of Vegan to new levels.

I connected with my dear friend Toni Okamoto, founder of Plant-Based on a Budget, early in my entrepreneurial journey, and together we have launched numerous projects, learned from each other, set goals, held each other accountable, pushed each other, and cheered each other on. We leaned on each other as we built our platform from the ground up, learned how to run our companies, grew our teams, and endured the roller coaster of both business and life.

I’m not sure where I would be, or where World of Vegan would be, if I didn’t have Toni as a trusted friend and business parter, but I do know that finding “that person” who you can trust, share ideas with, and go through the journey with is one of the best things you can do for your business and your own mental health.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our

Productivity
Perspectives on Staying Creative

We’re beyond fortunate to have built a community of some of the most creative artists,

Confidence
Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move