Founder Spotlight: Venessa Stonehouse (Mindful FÜD)
Meet Venessa Stonehouse:
Mindful FÜD is a sustainable plant-based food company turning rescued Canadian apples into innovative vegan honey alternatives. Our BeeMindful Hunnie products reduce food waste, protect bees, and support local farmers—delivering conscious sweetness without compromise.
Location:
Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada
When did you launch the business?
2021
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Startup Stage?
Bootstrapped
What led you to where you are today?
A pile of rotting apples and a burned-down business—literally. After an arson fire destroyed my vegan meal service, I moved to orchard country and stumbled on the idea of turning unwanted apples into something sweet and sustainable. That spark became Mindful FÜD, and I’ve been on a mission ever since to fight food waste, protect bees, and shake up the sweetener aisle.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
I wish I knew that building a business would feel like therapy—with spreadsheets. It’s not just about products and profit; it’s about unlearning perfectionism, embracing chaos, and trusting your gut even when everything’s on fire (sometimes literally). Oh, and that sleep is non-negotiable—burnout doesn’t make you a hero.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
One of the hardest decisions was choosing to rebuild from scratch after the fire—walking away from a brand I’d poured my heart into and starting over with nothing but an idea (and a lot of apples). It meant risking everything again, but I knew I had to bet on myself. Letting go of the old version of my dream was the only way to build something even better.
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
I can help fellow Vegpreneurs turn big, messy ideas into bold, beautiful brands—especially when it comes to storytelling, product development, and navigating the (sometimes wild) world of food startups. From upcycled ingredients to pitch decks, I’m always happy to share lessons learned the hard way so others don’t have to. Let’s build the future of food—together and with fewer wipeouts along the way.
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
I’d love to connect with fellow founders, retailers, and investors who believe in the power of plants, purpose, and a good origin story. Whether it’s swapping supplier tips, collaborating on a campaign, or cracking new markets together—I'm all ears (and apples). Let’s trade wisdom, cheer each other on, and grow something amazing.
Fun fact about you:
I dropped out of high school in grade 10 and started my own food truck that blasted 90s hip hop. That rebellious spirit never left; now I turn rescued apples into hunnie and still believe good food should have a great soundtrack and an even better mission.
Anything else you would like to share?
Just this: entrepreneurship isn’t always glamorous—it’s sticky, scrappy, and sometimes held together with late nights and sheer willpower. But if you’re building something that matters, especially in the plant-based space, you’re already part of the change. I’m here for the long haul, the big ideas, and the messy middle—so if you ever need a hype woman, a gut check, or just someone who gets it, I’ve got you.
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