Currently immersed in the world of 5-star Lodge Management, Hayley’s commitment to staying abreast of hospitality and tourism trends sets her apart.
In January 2017, she embarked on a remarkable entrepreneurial venture by founding Wild Dreams, headquartered in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park. Her lodge-based experience grants her an unparalleled understanding of the intricate logistics of reserve and hospitality operations.
Not just a businesswoman, Hayley is a trailblazer in veganism and sustainable tourism. As the first certified vegan hospitality consultant in Africa, she offers a comprehensive range of vegan services, including consulting packages. Her authored work, the ”Your Vegan Bestie ebook,” available on the vegan consulting page, attests to her dedication to promoting a cruelty-free lifestyle.
As the COO of veganhospitality.com, Hayley’s influence extends globally, having collaborated with clients in Europe and the United States. Her expertise also spans general Food & Beverage assistance, HR admin services, and consulting for new or restructuring lodges, contributing to the commercial success of these establishments.
Driven by values and a commitment to making a positive impact, Hayley created the vegan Jobs division within Wild Dreams. Her passion and enthusiasm for helping people, animals, and the environment shine through in every endeavor. A certified career coach, she offers personalized 1:1 career and business coaching, as well as group programs like ”Aligning Dreams: Career Clarity.”
Beyond her professional pursuits, Hayley is WILD ABOUT rehabilitating animals, a core motivation behind the inception of Wild Dreams. Her motto, ”saving an animal won’t change the world but it will change the world for that animal,” encapsulates her unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of those she touches.
Tell us more about yourself, please
We all matter & should all go out of our way to spread kindness not only today but every day
Hayley 🙋♀️ Vegan Hospitality Consultant
I am originally from the UK but I have lived in South Africa for over 15 years, I moved here because I feel in love with the African nature & animals & I am lucky enough to live in Kruger National Park, so I have Elephants & Lions literally ”in my garden”.
I work as a lodge manager but I also own 2 businesses one called Wild Dreams & the other is Vegan Jobs Africa. Then I am also the COO of a company called Vegan Hospitality. (I know its a lot of things!)
Going vegan was the BEST decision I have ever made & I have no doubt that it will be the best decision of my life
Hayley 🙋♀️ Vegan Hospitality Consultant
I was mostly plant-based for 7 years before I went vegan, & I have been vegan for 6 years. Prior to officially being vegan I didn’t really think much about why I wasnt eating many animal products (although I still ate a lot of cheese & eggs) I went 100% vegan overnight after watching ”what the health” but my reasons are mostly ethical because animals deserve to live, but of course also for my health & for the planet.
The feeling of knowing I am not contributing to the pain & suffering, of knowing I am making the biggest positive impact you possibly can on the environment & the added bonus that I am eating in the healthiest way is the BEST feeling
Hayley 🙋♀️ Vegan Hospitality Consultant
One notable experience occurred when I transitioned to a vegan lifestyle. I was actually rehabilitating a Bushbuck which is a type of antelope (like a deer). We were very close & she would sit on the sofa with me. When she was a baby, I had bottle fed her & she meant the world to me. She had such a crazy & funny personality & it was only when I went vegan that I realized the insane level of cognitive dissonance I had had because here I am raising an animal like she is my child & yet I am still supporting industries that are doing such horrific things to animals & ultimately killing them. I do believe that my connection with her was also critical in my move to veganism & I am incredibly grateful for our time together.
What difficulties do you encounter when seeking vegan food or dining out with friends?
Well I work as a vegan hospitality consultant so I am literally on a mission to try to change hospitality businesses which is very exciting. Overall though it really depends on where we are going, I also live so far in nature & the closest town has very few places to eat so get-togethers with friends tend to be at their houses & I have very supportive friends who go above & beyond to cater for me.
I believe you overcome most challenges by just communicating with people.
How would you tell someone who’s not yet vegan/vegetarian to try meatless food?
The best things in life are vegan & cruelty free
Hayley 🙋♀️ Vegan Hospitality Consultant
It is very dependant on who they are as some people relate more to animals, others to sustainability or some to health so I would first ask questions to find out which aspect they are most aligned to which is normally easy to do as its rare that a total stranger asks you for advice. I would then share my own reasons & relate it back to what would get them thinking the most.
3 of my great pleasures in life.
Hayley 🙋♀️ Vegan Hospitality Consultant
🥑 Vegan food
🤗 Friends
🐾 Nature
There are a couple of places in South Africa but unfortunately we have very few 100% plant-based restaurants. A couple of my favourites are Kaylees in Johannesburg & Nourishd in Cape Town.
Food wise, South Africa loves to BBQ (or as we call it braai) & we have some fantastic mock meat options to choose from so taking these along to a gather is always a great idea & when meat eaters try them they are always totally blown away. Frys is the most common one but we have many smaller suppliers such as urban vegan. Its also about veganizing dishes, for example we have a stew dish called a Potjie here which is cooked in a cast iron pot on an open fire so I make one with Jackfruit instead of meat which blows everyone’s minds.
I personally have always loved a traditional mac n cheese & I make mine with butternut which is one of the staple vegetables here so a great option.
What are some misunderstandings commonly associated with being vegan or vegetarian?
Thats they don’t get enough protein. In these cases I will refer them to watch the game changers but I also will often talk about my partner who is an ultra marathon runner, since he went vegan his recovery & times have gotten better so I can share from personal experience.
Also, in general I think a lot of people believe it to be expensive which I can easily debunk as vegan foods are the cheapest in the world – rice, potatoes, beans, veggies etc & I also explain that although yes, if you purchase a mock meat or cheese for example it will be a bit expensive but so is the meat & cheese that they are buying & often when you compare kilo for kilo there is very little difference.
I dream of the day where all animals are seen as equals & we end speciesism forever
Hayley 🙋♀️ Vegan Hospitality Consultant
Throughout your journey of becoming vegan, remember your why. This will help you if you are ever struggling. Have your why written down or as an image somewhere you can always see it such as your phone or on your fridge.
Hayley 🙋♀️ Vegan Hospitality Consultant
🌱 Certified Vegan hospitality cosultant
🌱 25 years of hospitality industry experience
🌱 Author of ‘Your Vegan Bestie’
https://www.instagram.com/wilddreamsvegan/
https://www.instagram.com/wilddreamsrehab/
https://www.instagram.com/veganjobsafrica/
https://www.instagram.com/wilddreamshospitality/
https://www.instagram.com/vegan.hospitality/
all images courtesy of Hayley 🙋♀️ Vegan Hospitality Consultant