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In this episode of the Half Betty Podcast, Founder and Host Andrea Rathborne and Producer/ Co-host Krista Gruen connect across time zones - from Vancouver to Bali - with Desiree Dupuis, founder and vision-keeper of Voes & Co, a vegan fashion and design brand rooted in sustainability and soul.
Desiree opens up about the wild, beautiful path of entrepreneurship - from leaving Vancouver to building a life and business in Bali, and what it means to find belonging far from home. She shares her honest reflections on growth, partnership, and the power of knowing when to invite others in. Through her story, we explore what happens when we stop believing we have to do it all alone and begin to trust collaboration, community, and intuition as the most essential parts of success.
Enjoy this candid conversation about redefining strength, leading with heart, and staying grounded, in business, in life, and in the stories we tell ourselves along the way.
Bio
With over two decades of experience in brand development, storytelling, and purpose-driven marketing, Desirée Dupuis is a force for conscious change. As a social entrepreneur, author, and speaker, she is redefining industries through sustainability, ethics, and innovation.
Desirée is the founder of Voes & Co, an iconic global vegan footwear brand on a mission to revolutionize fashion with next-generation materials - proving that style, comfort, and sustainability can coexist without compromise. Beyond business, Desirée is deeply committed to global impact and education. As Chair of Ruben’s Shoes Society, an international NGO she co-founded, she helps provide high-quality education to over 600 students in the Dominican Republic, breaking the cycle of poverty through learning.
A passionate vegan advocate since 2008, Desirée is on a mission to challenge the status quo, amplify conscious consumerism, and inspire others to create lasting change. She's the author of "Consciously Chic: A Playbook for Ethical Fashion" and is proud to share and discuss her thoughts about the future of fashion beyond animals and plastic. Desirée’s insights, experience, and unwavering commitment to impact make her a guest you don’t want to miss.
Instagram Voes and Co
Desiree’s Five Words - ambitious, kindhearted, fun, intuitive, and curious, intentional, loyal
Sponsor Information
We love Voes & Co because they are the perfect mix of style, comfort, and sustainability. Designed to effortlessly complement any outfit—from casual to chic—they’re as versatile as they are timeless. Made with next-generation vegan materials, their footwear is soft, breathable, and built to last—without any cruelty. We want you to step out in style and comfort so that’s why we’ve partnered with Voes & Co to bring our subscribers 50% off any pair of shoes!
Please use this link to purchase https://voesandcompany.com/discount/BettyLovesVoes
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Founder/Host: Andrea Rathborne
Creative Producer/Co-Host: Krista Gruen
Editors: Andrea Rathborne & Krista Gruen
Audio Engineer: Ryan Clarke
Episode sponsors: Voes and Company
Creators and Guests
Host
Andrea Rathborne
Andrea Rathborne is a connector, listener, and a passionate storyteller with over 25 years of professional experience in leading brand strategy, creative production, and communications. Her expertise shines in guiding hyper-local and global brands through transformative storytelling that resonates worldwide. Andrea has held pivotal roles at organizations like lululemon and ARTICLE, where she crafted compelling brand narratives to align with organizational visions and strategies. In addition to her professional prowess, Andrea's life is deeply influenced by her role as a mother and a mentor. These roles have enriched her understanding of the dynamics of personal growth and resilience, qualities she brings to her latest venture, Half Betty Productions, Inc. As the founder, she is set to launch – and host – The Half Betty Podcast in January 2025, which will explore the rich, transformative experiences of women in their midlives. This project is a celebration of midlife women, offering candid, honest, and inspiring conversations that delve into the catalysts of transformation this life stage offers. Andrea is dedicated to building a community through Half Betty, where stories of challenge, change, and courage are shared. Her approach to storytelling is deeply human-centric, always leading with heart, kindness, and trust, aiming to connect listeners through shared experiences and empower women to embrace their second scene with confidence and grace.
Guest
Desiree Dupuis
With over two decades of experience in brand development, storytelling, and purpose-driven marketing, Desirée Dupuis is a force for conscious change. As a social entrepreneur, author, and speaker, she is redefining industries through sustainability, ethics, and innovation. Desirée is the founder of Voes & Co, an iconic global vegan footwear brand on a mission to revolutionize fashion with next-generation materials - proving that style, comfort, and sustainability can coexist without compromise. Beyond business, Desirée is deeply committed to global impact and education. As Chair of Ruben’s Shoes Society, an international NGO she co-founded, she helps provide high-quality education to over 600 students in the Dominican Republic, breaking the cycle of poverty through learning. A passionate vegan advocate since 2008, Desirée is on a mission to challenge the status quo, amplify conscious consumerism, and inspire others to create lasting change. She's the author of "Consciously Chic: A Playbook for Ethical Fashion" and is proud to share and discuss her thoughts about the future of fashion beyond animals and plastic. Desirée’s insights, experience, and unwavering commitment to impact make her a guest you don’t want to miss.
Producer
Krista Gruen
Krista Gruen is an award-winning producer with over 15 years of experience in film, television, and audio storytelling. A dynamic force behind the scenes, Krista has built her career on crafting impactful narratives that resonate with audiences across mediums. As co-founder of Yellow Heart Pictures, Krista has spearheaded a series of acclaimed projects. Her feature film Re: Uniting, funded by Telefilm, had its world premiere at the Austin Film Festival, followed by a Canadian theatrical run and sold-out screenings in LA and NYC. Garnering six Leo Awards in 2024, including Best Film and Best Writing, the film highlights Krista’s ability to bring powerful stories to life. Krista's portfolio extends to celebrated short films like Nature Entwined, which premiered at the Whistler Film Festival and now streams on CBC. Her earlier co-production, Grand Unified Theory, gained international recognition, winning multiple awards and screening at prestigious festivals such as Beijing International. Committed to fostering talent and innovation, Krista was selected for the GEMS Emerging TV Producer Program in 2023, where she worked alongside industry leaders at Lark Productions. Her creative accomplishments also include STORYHIVE-funded projects, such as the short film Lead & Follow and a music video for Alexz Johnson. With a passion for meaningful storytelling and a proven track record of success, Krista Gruen continues to push the boundaries of creative production, bringing her unique perspective and expertise to every project she undertakes. Finally, as a mom, a partner, a daughter, and a woman in the full glory of “mid-life,” Krista brings skill, compassion, and vital perspective to the Half Betty community.
What is Half Betty?
Podcast founder Andrea Rathborne and the iconic Betty White share the same birth date - January 17th. In 2022, as Betty would have celebrated her 100th birthday, Andrea turned 50—Half Betty’s age. This milestone sparked a powerful reflection: Betty White achieved more between 50 and 100 than in her first 50 years, suggesting that midlife is not an end but a bold, new beginning. Inspired by Betty’s legacy, Andrea saw turning 50 as the gateway to a second, even greater life chapter - one full of possibility, reimagination, and purpose.
This vision gave rise to Half Betty, a bold and vibrant community where midlife women come together to feel supported, inspired, informed, and deeply valued. It’s a space where the stories of their next chapter take shape and the extraordinary potential of their second scene unfolds.