Meet Anna MacDonald | Vegan Food Business owner

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

Hi Anna, how does your business help the community?
Happy Maki supports two amazing charities, Marys Meals and Eden Reforestation Projects. This means that for each meal we make we plant a tree and feed a child. We are really passionate about environmental regeneration and this is why we are a vegan company that uses green energy and eco packaging. I think also providing healthy fast food is a big service to the community, how we eat and look after ourselves has a huge impact on our well being so we like to think we are nourishing the souls of our local community.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Was it easy… lol no it was not and it is still not but most of the time I dont mind that. It is constant challenges they just change overtime in their nature. I have learnt so much and always find that my business provides constant opportunity for learning, creativity and personal growth. My biggest lessons are about communication and managing people.

At Happy Maki we make vegan sushi burritos, bowls and bento. We are a healthy fast food company that plants a tree a feeds a child for each meal we make and we have a big focus on being as sustainable as possible. What makes us stand out from the crowd though is that we’re really passionate and fastidious about ethical business, we’re a financially transparent not for profit company and for the past 3 years we’ve been operating on gift economy where customers choose how much to donate for their food. Which has been a huge social experiment around free will and how people value freedom of choice and others time and effort.

I’d love people to know how amazing vegan food can taste and how much a vegan lifestyle really makes you happier rather than making you feel like you’re missing out.

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?
Ok so for Brighton England my version of a wholesome sober weekend would be :

1. Saturday morning, sauna and sea swimming to start the day
2. Wander round “the laines” a collection of small streets with lots of independent shops and cafes.
3. Lunch at Happy Maki because I am biased.
4. Massage at about balance
5. Dinner at Botanique

1. Sunday morning walk up on devils dyke which gives you lovely views over the city
2. Lunch at Purezza for delicious vegan pizza
3. Check out a gig or comedy show in the evening
4. Dinner at Bonsai Plant Kitchen

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?
What a great question. Firstly I’d like to shoutout the documentary “End of the Line” watching this film which was so ahead of its time was the start of the Happy Maki idea. I have such a huge place in my heart for documentaries, I became vegan because of Cowspiracy and the cove and blackfish all helped in my growing awareness of our exploitation of animals. At Happy Maki we focus a lot on business ethics such as transparency and kindness, I have learnt so much from the divine truth teachings online. The way the business is run today, which a lot of people feel a connection with is thanks to the insights and guidance of the divine truth teachings. And of course to all the staff who have worked with us along the way, hospitality is a hard job, without passionate and hard working people the business wouldn’t have been able to grow.

Website: www.happymaki.co.uk

Instagram: @THEHAPPYMAKI