Making good choices a little easier

Plant-Based R.H.N. is owned and operated by Emma Levez Larocque,

Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Plant-Based Chef and Food for Life Instructor with the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Emma is passionate about helping people live their best lives and realize how empowering it can be to take charge of their own health by eating more whole, healthy, plant-based foods. She normally teaches plant-based cooking and nutrition classes and workshops and offers private nutrition consulting.

She has been operating Plant- Based R.H.N. as a solopreneur since January 2016. Find out more at plantbasedrhn.com.

What concerned you most about your business as the pandemic began?

Emma • Most of my classes were in person, and it was evident very early on that I wouldn’t be able to teach cooking or gather people into groups for nutrition classes for an unidentified amount of time – so it basically shut my business down overnight.

What opportunities did you see?

Emma • I had been thinking about how to provide affordable support to people on an ongoing basis for about a year at that point, and I saw this as my opportunity to design and start the Plant-Based Eating Support Network Group, which is a subscription-based group that costs $25 a month with a minimum 6-month subscription. Each month there is a different theme and participants get delicious whole foods plant-based recipes, with live (and recorded) weekly online cook-along and nutrition classes, challenges, and lots of cooking and nutrition tips – and most importantly, ongoing support and inspiration for healthy plantbased living.

What have you been doing that you haven’t done before the pandemic?

Emma • The Support Network Group is the big thing, but I have also started the Plant-Based Eating Online Speaker Series in which I feature a monthly guest – and this is possible because it’s online! We have had guests from around BC and as far afield as Chicago. I would say there has been a wonderful response to the changes in my business. I know some people miss the live classes, as I do – but this still gives us a chance to stay in touch and see each other’s faces – and the ongoing nature of this program is a huge benefit, as opposed to my live classes which were typically 5-6 weeks long.

Which pandemic-response government programs have been helpful to you? What do you wish was provided?

Emma • For the first couple of months the CERB benefit was very helpful because it allowed me the time and space to design and get the Support Network Group platform up and running.

Have you received support?

Emma • I am very lucky to have ongoing support from my husband, sisters and some close friends, especially encouragement. It’s scary to make these changes sometimes, but they are always there to buoy me up – and to bounce ideas off of, which is very important when you’re a solopreneur! The people who have been part of the Support Network Group are a constant source of inspiration to me too – their courage, interest and successes are why I do what I do!

How has the pandemic impacted your customers?

Emma • I think it’s been more difficult for people to make healthy choices in this stressful time, and that’s one of the reasons I think coming together in a support group like this one is so powerful. People share recipes, questions and ideas – I think it helps them to stay inspired as well!

How has it impacted you and your family?

Emma • We have had our struggles, like everyone. But mostly we have been reminded of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful natural environment where we can get outside. It has been a very busy, strange year, but we feel more grateful than ever to be in Powell River!

If you could go back to January, what advice would you give yourself?

Emma • Be brave, be creative, and go for it. Fortunately I had others giving me that advice when the pandemic hit!

What changes will you retain?

Emma • I look forward to teaching in person again, but I will also keep the Support Network Group and the Speaker Series going online because they have allowed me to reach and involve people outside of Powell River. Also, the Support Network Group provides an affordable way for people to get support with this healthy lifestyle change.

What’s surprised you during this time?

Emma • I was surprised at how easy it was to put the Plant-Based Eating Support Network Group together, and how well it was received, too. It has been a saving grace for me because it gave me something positive to focus and work on. It helped me stay connected to others in the community, in a distanced way.

What are you looking forward to most about getting your business back to normal?

Emma • Being able to share food with people who participate in my live classes.