Founder Spotlight: Lauren Montgomery (Montys)
Meet Lauren Montgomery
Company:
Montys
Monty's is dedicated to creating delicious, clean, and vibrant plant-based essentials, starting with cream cheese and butter.
Location:
Los Angeles, California, USA
When did you launch the business?
Self Funded, Bootstrapped
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Startup Stage?
Self Funded, Bootstrapped
What led you to where you are today?
My love for food, fermentation, clean ingredients & living optimally led me to start experimenting in my own kitchen (& eventually going to culinary school), trying to recreate the foods I loved without compromising on quality or integrity. What began as a personal obsession over the best plant-based butter & cheese turned into Montys- a slow-built brand rooted in craftsmanship, simplicity, and doing things the right way. I have followed curiosity over hype, letting the product and process I love so much lead every step of the way.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
I wish I had known how nonlinear growth really is- and that progress often looks like patience, restraint, saying no. Building something meaningful takes longer than you expect, but it is time and experience that create depth, resilience, and an exceptional product. Longevity & sustainability > speed.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
Choosing to grow slower & more intentionally rather than chasing rapid expansion. Turning away from opportunities that didn't align with our values or production standards was hard, especially early on, but protecting the integrity of my product and my own energy has been essential. That decision shaped everything that followed.
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
I can offer an honest perspective on building a food brand from the ground up- from formulation and fermentation to manufacturing, retail, and finding profitability & success while self-funded. I am passionate about helping founders trust their instincts, prioritize product quality & build businesses that are sustainable, creatively & financially, and personally aligned.
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
By continuing to champion high-quality, thoughtfully made plant-based products & spread the love for our Monty's butter! I'd love to connect with retailers, chefs, bakers & fellow founders who care deeply about craftsmanship and want to raise the bar for what plant-based food should be.
Fun fact about you:
I love singing while I cook- it's how I focus & unwind. Also, proudly an introvert, which surprises people given how public my work can be.
Anything else you would like to share?
I believe food carries energy & how we make it matters just as much as what's in it. My hope is that Monty's helps create more consciousness & love around what we eat and reminds people that nourishment can be both intentional and joy-filled.
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