Exploring Life & Business with De’Ja Monae of Da Vegan Guru and 3Generations

Today we’d like to introduce you to De’Ja Monae.

Hi De’Ja, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Since I was a child, I’ve always seen big things for myself and have always been intrigued about business. Every job I worked at I enjoyed what I was doing at that moment but always had an interest in daily operations of the business. From being 14 years old working and organizing the church summer programs in South Central LA to the age of 23 being trained alongside Celebrity and President of the LA Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. John Diaz in Beverly Hills.

At 19 years old I decided to take that official leap into entrepreneurship and created and opened by 1st business, A Part of the Family & Co. a Los Angeles-based nanny service company that serviced over 40+ families from the South Bay area to The Valley. We operated from 2016 to 2020, unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic had caused us to put a pause on operations.

In the past seven years since the opening of my 1st business, I have opened or assisted in the build-up of seven businesses in total. Five of them are still open and operating. A Trading Company, a Vegan Hollywood-Miami based Restaurant, a Plant-Based Food Service Business and my Family Owned Child Day Care and Gourmet Flavored Cracker Company.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road, especially as a young woman. As a “younging” in my field of business I deal with a lot of older men who feel that since I am younger and a female, I don’t know what I am talking about, inferior to them and/or assume I have no experience in the business. Yes, I may not know EVERYTHING but that is why I come into every endeavor eager to not only learn but to apply my previous knowledge to what is happening now.

One thing I have learned that nothing comes easy in business and failure is a part of the process. Once you accept this, you will be more at peace when doing business. Personal feelings should never be mixed within the business as problems will only arise not solutions.

My advice to all the young entrepreneurs out there, especially my young boss women. Never give up. Never doubt yourself. Remember your worth and why you are where you are and the journey you took to get there.

When it gets really tough, pray. Praying is meditation but also a way to release your emotions and connect with God, The Most High. When you thought you failed. God will never fail you. Take your “L”esson and move on with positivity and grace.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Da Vegan Guru LLC. and 3Generations LLC.?
Currently, I am CEO and Director of Operations of a thriving plant-based brand in which I work alongside Celebrity Chef and Restauranteur Da Vegan Guru. Where we open and operate vegan restaurants, private chef services, provide meal plans, host healing missions and provide consultation for individuals or owners that would like more information on the plant-based lifestyle. I am currently in New York City establishing a plant-based entity in Brooklyn and holding pop-ups on the weekends at Coney Island Art Walls with music, games and celebrity performances.

I’ve also taken a leap into my business consulting company, 3Generations LLC. where I help inspiring or established business owners on creating a business strategy that takes their brand and profits to the next level.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love LA! Being born and raised in Los Angeles, CA has really helped mold me into the businesswoman I am today. The LA hustle is what gave me this drive. So how can I not love my city! Also, living in LA is not cheap.. so the moment I turned 18 I knew I had to get to it and I went straight into what am I good at and what I like to do and turned that into a legitimate business. Lastly, the diversity of the city allows me to adapt to different environments and individuals with ease no matter where I travel to.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/dejaaavu