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November 5, 2024 • 29min
Rapid fire fun: Slutty Vegan’s Pinky Cole + ocean educator Philippe Cousteau Jr., live from the Masters of Scale Summit
Masters of Scale
This special two-part episode features conversations with two dynamic leaders recorded live at the Masters of Scale Summit in San Francisco:
Part 1: Pinky Cole, founder of Slutty Vegan, discusses how she built a viral brand and national restaurant chain through authenticity and joy.
Part 2: Philippe Cousteau Jr., grandson of Jacques Cousteau, makes the case for why oceans deserve more investment attention than space exploration.
Rapid fire fun: Slutty Vegan’s Pinky Cole + ocean educator Philippe Cousteau Jr., live from the Masters of Scale Summit
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Key Takeaways
- Pinky Cole (Slutty Vegan)
- Success comes from keeping it real and being vulnerable with customers
- Joy is universal and can bridge divides across race, class and background
- Brand names and identity should grab attention but align with core mission
- Balance personal celebrity with focus on core business fundamentals
- Philippe Cousteau Jr. (Ocean Investment)
- Ocean investment is severely underfunded compared to space exploration
- Climate change is fundamentally an ocean problem that requires ocean solutions
- Oceans offer massive economic opportunities across industries
- Need to shift from sustainability to regeneration of ocean ecosystems
- Ocean health directly impacts global security and stability
Introduction
This special two-part episode features conversations with two dynamic leaders recorded live at the Masters of Scale Summit in San Francisco:
Part 1: Pinky Cole, founder of Slutty Vegan, discusses how she built a viral brand and national restaurant chain through authenticity and joy.
Part 2: Philippe Cousteau Jr., grandson of Jacques Cousteau, makes the case for why oceans deserve more investment attention than space exploration.
Topics Discussed
Building an Authentic Brand (03:21)
Pinky Cole explains how she came up with the provocative "Slutty Vegan" name and built a brand that transcends typical vegan food stereotypes:
- Brand origin story came from merging "two most pleasurable experiences in life - s*x and food"
- Controversial name gets attention but serves larger mission of making vegan food accessible and cool
- Philosophy: "Either you gonna love me or you gonna leave me alone"
Marketing Through Authenticity (06:07)
Cole shares her approach to creating viral moments and building customer loyalty:
- Keep it real - authenticity resonates more than formal marketing
- Meet people where they are - create safe spaces for all backgrounds
- Show vulnerability - being real builds stronger connections
- Make it fun - create party atmosphere in stores
Balancing Personal Brand and Business (07:37)
Discussion of managing celebrity status while growing the business:
- Dual identity as both person and brand requires careful balance
- Personal brand can drive traffic to business
- Must define core business as priority
- "The business is what matters the most"
Creating Social Impact (10:27)
Cole explains the deeper mission behind Slutty Vegan:
- Bridge racial gaps in hospitality industry
- Universal joy brings people together across divides
- Food as connector across demographics
- Met husband during George Floyd protests helping his business
Ocean vs Space Investment (19:25)
Philippe Cousteau Jr. makes case for ocean over space exploration:
- Only 20% of oceans explored vs complete mapping of Mars
- Space colonization faces massive hurdles
- Technological
- Economic
- Biological
- Limited impact of space exploration on saving humanity
Oceans and Climate Change (21:02)
Explanation of oceans' role in climate crisis:
- Climate change is fundamentally an ocean problem
- Oceans absorb 60% of world's carbon vs 25% by Amazon rainforest
- Mangroves absorb 6-8x more carbon than terrestrial forests
- Ocean protection critical for humanity's survival
Economic Opportunities in Oceans (24:12)
Overview of business potential in ocean-related industries:
- Seafood markets approaching $1 trillion by 2030
- Materials/construction innovations from seaweed and carbon-negative concrete
- Pharmaceuticals derived from marine organisms
- Financial markets around coral reef protection
Public Perception and Storytelling (26:20)
Discussion of challenges in ocean advocacy:
- Ocean exploration only really began 70 years ago
- Space gets romanticized through fiction
- Oceans remain "out of sight, out of mind"
- Need better storytelling about ocean potential
Call to Action (28:25)
Cousteau's closing argument for ocean investment:
- Focus on current/future generations over space fantasies
- Sustainability insufficient - need regeneration
- Nature shows resilience when protected
- Ocean health crucial for:
- Climate stability
- Food security
- Global peace
Conclusion
This episode presents two different but complementary perspectives on building impactful businesses. Pinky Cole demonstrates how authentic branding and universal values like joy can create successful enterprises while bridging social divides. Philippe Cousteau Jr. makes a compelling case for redirecting investment attention from space to oceans, highlighting both the existential importance and economic opportunity in ocean health. Together, they show how business can be a force for positive change when aligned with larger missions of human connection and planetary regeneration.
