We're excited to introduce you to Caitlin Shoemaker, the PNW-based, vegan blogger behind From My Bowl. We collaborated with her on our latest seasonal flavor, Chocolate Pecan Turtle.

Tell us a little about you!

Hey there, I’m Caitlin! I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband Dylan and our pets Lily, Maya, and Dave. I’m happiest when I’m making something in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, or curled up with a great book.

What do you do for work? Tell us about your professional journey.

I am the creative behind From My Bowl, a vegan food and lifestyle brand that aims to make plant-based recipes more accessible and enjoyable for all eaters. I originally started the @frommybowl Instagram in college as a way for me to express myself creatively and make more wholesome choices in my meals. My account grew pretty rapidly, and I then branched out to create my own YouTube channel and my blog. I actually decided to leave my graduate program to pursue From My Bowl full time - and I am so glad I did, because it’s now my full-time job and I couldn’t love it more!

How do you stay motivated?

I don’t think it’s possible to stay motivated all of the time, so I do try to listen to my body and rest when needed. I often feel most inspired when I’m away from the kitchen– usually when I’m listening to some of my favorite music or walking outside. I keep a spreadsheet of all of my good ideas, so when I am feeling a little stuck I have something to come back to :) 

Do you have any advice for someone who is interested in starting a business?

Find your authentic voice. It’s easy to look at businesses A, B, and C and think that you now need to do A, B, and C to be successful. In reality, you need to do D - your own thing! While I think it’s great to take inspiration from other people, your audience will really start to resonate with your content once you find your niche. 

What are your favorite ways to #spreadgood in your community?

Every action and decision we make has the power to create positive change, so I try to keep that in mind as I go throughout my day. I also donate to several non-profit organizations close to my heart on a monthly basis, since I don’t have a lot of free time.

Who is one person who inspires you and why?

All of my friends inspire me in their own ways, but I really admire my friend Meg for her genuine kindness, resilience, and grounded energy. She’s always inspiring me to be the best version of myself and I feel lucky to call her my best friend :) She’s also a therapist too - you can check out her work on her instagram profile! 

How do you work to stay centered and practice self-care in your busy day-to-day reality?

The hardest thing about working for yourself is knowing when to stop! For me, I had to get really honest about the goals I have for my business and how much time I want to spend working on them. Once I set clear boundaries, it became easier to designate “me” time and my daily non-negotiables. I like to wake up early enough to have time to get a good workout in and start the day with a good breakfast, and I also like to have enough down time at the end of the day to relax and read a bit before bed.

What do you like to do for fun, when you aren't working?

When I’m not working I love to dive into a good book, get great food with friends, play outside with my dogs, or work on some DIY home-improvement projects around the house! 

What are some of your favorite recipes with Ground Up?

Honestly, my favorite way to enjoy Ground Up is straight out of the jar! I love how every flavor is complex enough to stand on its own. My second favorite way to enjoy it is spread on toast with some sliced fruit – sometimes simple is best!