Creativity Fuels Ravi DeRossi's Vegan Hospitality Revolution
- Creativity Fuels Ravi DeRossi's Vegan Hospitality Revolution Devin Thorpe 25:54
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Devin: What is your superpower?
Ravi: I don’t know if you call it a superpower, but I think one of the things that has led me and my company to become so successful is creativity.
Ravi DeRossi, founder and CEO of Overthrow Hospitality, has mastered the art of transforming culinary experiences while championing sustainability and ethics. Despite a background steeped in art and design rather than hospitality, Ravi’s journey into plant-based dining began with a singular goal: crafting extraordinary food that satisfies every palate—vegan or otherwise.
When he opened Avant Garden a decade ago, Ravi partnered with an emerging chef to develop a menu that delivered the same rich, satisfying experience as meat-based dishes. “You want the same satiation… and the heat and salt,” Ravi explained. The gamble paid off, drawing critical acclaim from mainstream reviewers and diners alike. For Ravi, the triumph of Avant Garden marked the beginning of a larger mission to bring exceptional vegan dining to the forefront.
Today, Overthrow Hospitality operates 10 unique restaurants—nine in New York’s East Village and one in Los Angeles. The business is poised for expansion, fueled by Ravi’s vision and community-driven support. Through a regulated Crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine, Ravi is inviting customers to invest in a movement that aligns dining with climate action and animal welfare. “You can invest a minimal amount and join a community serving millions of vegan meals,” Ravi said, emphasizing the collective power of small actions.
Ravi’s approach underscores a fundamental belief: the choices we make, from the fork to the wallet, can redefine industries and address global challenges. As Overthrow Hospitality prepares to extend its impact beyond Manhattan, Ravi’s blend of creativity, ethics, and entrepreneurial drive continues to inspire.
tl;dr:
* Ravi DeRossi built Overthrow Hospitality to redefine vegan dining with creative, satisfying cuisine.
* Avant Garden’s success proved exceptional plant-based food appeals to both vegans and non-vegans.
* Ravi’s StartEngine crowdfunding campaign empowers communities to support sustainable dining solutions.
* Creativity drives Ravi’s journey, from artist to restaurateur, transforming ethics into impactful action.
* Turning Overthrow Hospitality fully vegan was a bold move rooted in Ravi’s personal awakening.
How to Develop Creativity As a Superpower
Ravi DeRossi’s superpower is creativity—an innate ability to envision and execute unique ideas. This trait has guided his transition from artist to restaurateur, driving the success of Overthrow Hospitality’s innovative concepts and plant-based mission.
One powerful illustration of Ravi’s creativity is the transformation of his hospitality empire to align fully with his ethics. After a personal awakening sparked by his rescue animals and a desire for alignment with his values, Ravi turned all his restaurants vegan. This ambitious overhaul took two years and reflected a profound commitment to both sustainability and animal welfare.
For those aspiring to cultivate creativity, Ravi’s story offers actionable insights:
* Explore Diverse Interests: Ravi’s background in theater, fine arts, and writing enriched his ability to think outside the box.
* Follow Your Passions: Pursuing what excites you can ignite innovative ideas.
* Take Bold Risks: Ravi’s decision to revamp his business was courageous and rooted in strong beliefs.
* Solve Problems Creatively: Apply unique perspectives to challenges, as Ravi did when designing his restaurants.
* Align Actions with Values: Integrating personal principles into your work fosters authenticity and inspiration.
By following Ravi’s example and advice, you can make creativity a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Ravi Derossi (he/him):
CEO & Founder, Overthrow Hospitality
About Overthrow Hospitality: Overthrow Hospitality is an award-winning plant-based food and beverage hospitality group with ten unique venues offering elevated dining and drinking experiences to the socially-conscious consumer.
Website: www.overthrowhospitality.com
Company Facebook Page: fb.com/overthrowhospitality
Other URL: startengine.com/offering/overthrowhospitality
Biographical Information: Ravi is the CEO & Founder of Overthrow Hospitality. He was twice nominated as Outstanding Restaurateur by the James Beard Foundation and featured in thousands of media publications. He is an outspoken voice on climate change issues and animal welfare. He is also the founder and co-owner of Death&Co, one of the world’s most influential cocktail bars.
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ravi-derossi-a5a16a282/
Instagram Handle: @raviderossi
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