Work It: A UVic career exploration podcast

Building a sustainable future: an interview with Joni founder Jayesh Vekariya

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On the first episode of season 2, hosts Katy and Emma speak with Jayesh Vekariya, a UVic MBA graduate who is the CEO and one of the founders of Joni, a Victoria-based company that produces organic, sustainable menstrual products.

 

Jayesh is also one of UVic’s 2024 Emerging Alumni.

 

Join us as we talk with Jayesh about: 

  • how growing up in Gujurat, India inspired him to launch a business that tackles sustainability and poverty reduction
  • what it was like pivoting from a career in pharmacy to pursue his third graduate program at UVic
  • tackling the issue of period poverty
  • finding a business partner in Linda Biggs, who previously served as chief operating officer at Victoria-based reusable food wrap company Abeego

…and much more! 

 

Resources from this episode

·       Joni

·       Emerging Alumni Award

·       The UVic Co-op Program

·       Accessing career support 

 

Contact us

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  • (00:00) - Intro
  • (00:32) - Welcome to today's episode
  • (01:39) - Introducing Jayesh Vekariya
  • (02:12) - What does Joni produce?
  • (03:38) - Addressing sustainability and accessibility in menstrual care
  • (06:24) - How do you develop an idea you had as a student into a viable business for community?
  • (09:34) - How did you choose menstrual products as a business focus?
  • (10:38) - How did you tackle branding?
  • (12:13) - Why was it important to find a business partner?
  • (00:15) - How did your co-op experience help you develop your business?
  • (18:34) - How do co-op students help you as an employer?
  • (20:26) - Why did you choose UVic?
  • (21:51) - What advice do you have for students interested in entrepreneurship?
  • (25:00) - Rapid fire questions about Jayesh's time at UVic
  • (26:18) - If you could do it all again, what would you do more of?
    • ...more
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    Work It: A UVic career exploration podcastBy University of Victoria Co-op and Career Services