Slutty Vegan changing Minds and Appetites across the South!

Owned by 33-year-old fuchsia-loc’d maven and philanthropist Aisha “Pinky” Cole, Slutty Vegan has three locations in the ATL, with more in the works. Her menu reads more like a list of offerings at a bordello than a restaurant, with the “Ménage à Trois,” “One Night Stand,” and the “Super Slut,” and the atmosphere is more like a night club. It’s not the cheeky names of her burgers or the idea of plant-based fast foods that have customers literally lining up at every location. It’s the atmosphere she has created. Slutty Vegan goes beyond a restaurant. It’s also a culture. Cole is the heart of this community, helping to build a community that supports Black entrepreneurs, gets involved in politics, gives back, and is mindful about what she puts into her body.

Cole was at home with D. Ella, her one-month-old daughter when Upworthy interviewed Cole. The restauranteur, now worth seven figures, spoke with Cole while she was at home with her one-month-old daughter, D. Ella. She talked about her childhood as the daughter of a Jamaican Rastafarian mother and her experiences with Harlem’s jerk chicken restaurants.

Upworthy: What is the origin of the name?

Cole: I was a TV Producer for more than 10 years. One thing I do well at is making people pay attention. I know that sex is a big business and that food and sex are the most enjoyable experiences in life. If I could blend these two experiences without making it mucky but still sexy, educational, and sexy, it would be big, especially in the South. I am incorporating this idea into culture, music, entertainment. Even if you don’t like pies, fries, or burgers, I will show you how to eat better. I wanted the name to be so catchy that you would notice. You can then start to drop the gems. We have been able to bring people together for the cause of food. And to help people reimagine food, especially “flexitarians,” — meaning people who are meat-eaters.

Upworthy: How did you feel being honored by PETA as one of their “Most Beautiful Vegans?”

C: I love what PETA represents. They have been there for me from the beginning. It’s a great feeling to be with so many amazing vegans. It means I stand alongside people who believe in something. It feels great to be connected with people who make a difference in their communities.

Upworthy: Let’s talk about The Pinky Cole Foundation.

C: In 2019, I founded the foundation. However, it was only a formalization for what I had done for years. I was always a good steward of people. I saw my mom do it. She always helped everyone she could. She was willing to take her clothes off for others. The foundation is the core of who we are. The philanthropic side of Slutty Vegan is essential. I want the generational wealth gap to be bridged. I want people to understand that a young woman can create a business and make a difference in the lives of others. Money is not what moves me. It’s my ability to use my resources to help others.

* Cole has supported 30 Clark Atlanta University students in clearing their balances. When Rashard Brooks was shot and killed by Atlanta police in a Wendy’s parking lot, Cole provided life insurance for Brooks’ family, a new car, and $600K in scholarships for them to go college. She partnered with TV host Steve Harvey and his wife, Marjorie’s foundation to pay the electric bills for 100 Atlanta residents. She has donated thousands upon thousands of pounds of produce to families in need. Cole along with Derrick “D” Hayes, CEO of Big Dave Cheesesteaks, provided life insurance to all Black men in Atlanta who make $30k annually or less, and she partnered with the Department of Juvenile Justice to employ ex-juvenile offenders at Slutty Vegan, and so much more.

Upworthy: How do you encourage and inspire all of your thousands of customers to do something in their own communities?

C: Lead by example. So many people can benefit from my speaking. I speak to many people, including women, minorities, children of immigrants, mothers, and small-business owners. I also speak to middle-class people. People feel represented when they support Slutty Vegan. People see me as a representative. You can achieve it as long as you continue to set an example. You can come from East Baltimore, or like we say, “around the way,” and be everything you dreamed of. Pinky Cole did it. I can do it too. They see the power in it.

Upworthy: What’s your philosophy on being vegan as it relates to health, the environment, the Black community, and neighborhoods with obvious food deserts.

C: I don’t push my agenda on anyone. My audience includes people who aren’t vegan. It’s similar to Christianity and Islam. Believe what you believe. While I can help you find the right way, I won’t force you to drink the water. The experience is what I value most. I want people to feel good. Feeling good includes eating well and thinking well. Mentally, spiritually, as well as emotionally. You can make that happen with food. Do I need to carry a sign saying “Eat Vegan or Die!”? No. However, I will tell you a different way.

Upworthy: Did you feel like you had to recreate traditional fast food, but vegan-style to assure you had customers? Particularly in the South.

C: My father said that success is like mud. Throw something on the wall and it will stick. This is what made it stick. I was aware that I needed to appeal to my audience. My approach was to combine food and culture. The brand has seen a lot of celebrity endorsements, which is why Slutty Vegan has grown so quickly. We have been able to use the platforms of celebrities and other people to grow the brand. You’re likely to follow your favorite celebrity and eat or do something you love. This is me meeting people right where they are. The entertainment, secondarily the food. Southern comfort food is the heart of Southern living. How can I make vegan food more accessible in the South? Include it in your music. It should be in the entertainment. It’s the things people are most interested in. Megan Thee Stallion is a Slutty Vegan eater, so people who love her will want to try it. People want to know what all the fuss is about.

Upworthy: Have you seen a difference in her customers’ tastes and acceptance of veganism as a concept since opening in 2018?

C: None of the major chains offered vegan options at the time we opened. Now all of them have. We are, I think, the reason for this — humbly. We were the guinea pigs. We made sure they wouldn’t have to. This is the ultimate goal: To get more people to plant-based eats. This is a win for both the plant-based community as well as people who are looking to improve their lives.

Upworthy: What do you say when people say being vegan is too pricey for me?

C: It’s more expensive. You pay for your own health. If you choose to eat badly your whole life, you will have to pay for medicines. You can either pay now or later for your health. It doesn’t matter how you look at it. COVID was a way to get us thinking about our health. This is why Slutty Vegan was even more popular during the pandemic. People wanted to live a better life.

Upworthy: What are your tips for becoming a successful entrepreneur?

C: I make mistakes all the time. I make lots of conscious mistakes. While I make good decisions, they sometimes don’t make sense. However, it helps me to grow. I was severely ill in my first restaurant when it caught fire. However, it taught me to ensure my paperwork was correct and to have fire insurance. Alignment is also a key aspect of the business. It is important to ask yourself some questions. Why did I start this business? Who will it support? Who will help me if I’m not there? Only pure intentions will win. Everything I’ve done was done with pure intention. That’s why I always win. Because I know that I won’t do anyone wrong, that I’ve done my best and helped others along the way, I feel confident about that.