What does vegan entrepreneurship look like when it is shaped by travel, family, culture, and a deep search for purpose?
In this episode of The World Vegan Travel Podcast, Brighde talks with Noriko Shindo, a mind and business coach, entrepreneur, and vegan mum of three. Noriko was born in Japan, grew up partly in the United States and the United Kingdom, studied at INSEAD in France, built a corporate career, and later moved into entrepreneurship and coaching.
Her story is not only about business. It is also about identity, family, mindset, and learning how to follow a path that feels true, even when it does not look like the path everyone else expects.
Meet Noriko Shindo
Noriko Shindo is a mind and business coach who supports people, especially women, as they explore business, mindset, and life purpose.
Before becoming a coach, Noriko worked in sales, management strategy, and product management for global companies, including Citi and Amazon. She also completed an MBA at INSEAD and went on to co-found businesses of her own.
Today, her work focuses on helping people think more clearly about what they want to build, why they want to build it, and what might be getting in their way.
For Noriko, vegan entrepreneurship is not separate from mindset. It is connected to how we see ourselves, how we make choices, and how we create a life that feels more aligned.
From Japan to Israel: Vegan Life Across Cultures
Noriko has lived in several countries, and in this episode, she shares what it has been like to be vegan in different cultural settings.
When she first became vegan, veganism was still not widely understood in Japan. Some people around her did not know what to make of it. Was it a religion? Was it a cult? Was she being influenced by someone else?
These questions may sound surprising, but they show how different veganism can feel depending on where you are in the world.
In Japan, Noriko found that vegan options were growing, especially in Tokyo, but it could still be hard to explain veganism clearly. In Israel, she noticed a different food culture. With foods like chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, salads, falafel, and pita, many everyday meals already have vegan-friendly parts.
That does not mean everything is simple, but it does show how location can change the vegan travel experience.
Vegan Entrepreneurship and Career Reinvention
Noriko’s career did not move in one straight line.
She began in the corporate world, moved into business school, worked at Amazon, and then explored entrepreneurship. Her first business steps were connected to veganism and sustainability. Over time, that path shifted into coaching.
This is one of the most interesting parts of Noriko’s story. From the outside, the journey may look like many different chapters. But for her, each step made sense because it was part of a deeper search for purpose.
That is an important lesson for anyone interested in vegan entrepreneurship.
Sometimes the path changes. Sometimes the project changes. Sometimes the business changes. But the values behind the work can stay the same.
The Mindset Side of Vegan Entrepreneurship
Noriko believes that mindset is a huge part of business.
In the episode, she shares a powerful idea: people do not always change because someone gives them good advice. They change when something inside them clicks.
That is why mindset coaching can be so important. It is not just about telling people what to do. It is about helping them notice what they already know, what they are afraid of, and what they need to try next.
Why Advice Does Not Always Work
Most of us have received advice we did not follow.
That does not always mean the advice was bad. It may mean we were not ready for it yet. Or it did not connect with what we really needed.
Noriko’s coaching work is based on helping people find their own answers. Instead of giving a fixed formula, she helps people look at their own blocks, ideas, and patterns.
Why Trying Matters
One of Noriko’s key messages is simple: you often have to try something before you know if it is right for you.
This is especially true in entrepreneurship. You can read, plan, and compare yourself to other people for a long time. But at some point, the only way to learn is to take a step and see what happens.
That does not mean taking huge risks. It can mean starting small, testing an idea, or noticing what feels right and what does not.
Raising Vegan Children in Different Countries
Noriko is also raising three vegan children.
In the episode, she talks about what it has been like to raise vegan kids in Tokyo and now in Israel. She shares how schools, daycares, and family members can respond differently depending on the culture.
For vegan parents, this part of the conversation will feel very relatable. It touches on practical issues, like food and childcare, but also emotional ones, like how to talk to non-vegan family members.
Noriko’s approach is thoughtful and realistic. She is not trying to force everyone to think the same way. She is finding ways to live according to her values while still having real conversations with the people around her.
Vegan Travel Tip for Families
Noriko’s practical vegan family travel tip is very simple:
Carry your own food.
This may sound basic, but when traveling with children, it can make a big difference. Hungry kids need food quickly, and vegan options are not always available when you need them.
For vegan families, snacks and simple backup meals can make travel smoother, calmer, and much less stressful.
Vegan-Friendly Places Mentioned in This Episode
Noriko also shares a few places connected to her vegan life and travels.
Meshek Barzilay in Tel Aviv
Meshek Barzilay is a vegan restaurant in Tel Aviv. Noriko speaks warmly about its food and the way it creates plant-based dishes that feel thoughtful and full of flavour.
Kitchen Watarigarasu in Tokyo
Kitchen Watarigarasu is a vegan-friendly restaurant in Tokyo. Noriko describes it as a place with nourishing Japanese-style food and a calmer, more health-focused feel.
FARO in Ginza
FARO is a fine dining restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo, that offers a vegan set menu. Noriko mentions it as a special place where the vegan option is not treated like an afterthought.
The Myth of One Right Path
A big theme in this episode is that there is no single correct path.
This applies to veganism. It applies to business. It applies to family life. And it applies to personal growth.
Noriko’s story reminds us that a meaningful life may not follow a perfect plan. It may involve changing careers, moving countries, starting over, and trying new things.
For anyone thinking about vegan entrepreneurship, this is a helpful reminder. You do not need to copy someone else’s path. You need to understand what matters to you and take the next honest step.
Final Thoughts
Noriko’s journey shows that vegan entrepreneurship can be about much more than starting a vegan business.
It can be about asking better questions. It can be about creating work that feels aligned. It can be about raising children with your values. And it can be about learning to trust your own path, even when it changes along the way.
If you are interested in vegan travel, vegan family life, mindset coaching, or purpose-driven business, this episode offers a thoughtful and honest conversation.
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- Vegan Wellness Retreat Ohio | Nature, Art & Healing
- Karina Inkster on Embracing Fitness and Veganism
- Maxime Sigouin’s Guide to Holistic Health on the Road
