Art: Nat Damm
Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart
Founder, Vaute Couture
Chicago, Ill.
Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, 27, launched Vaute Couture last year with a line of chic, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, ethically and locally produced coats that are warm enough for Chicago winters. As a vegan, model, and MBA, she brings a unique perspective to her work—and strong values too; all profits from one of her styles are donated to Farm Sanctuary, a haven for rescued farm animals. Vaute Couture also sells vegan-themed T-shirts and jewelry. Hilgart tells you about it all on her blog.
Watch Hilgart talk about her business:

Berlin Reed
Janine Yorio
Hai Vo
Severine von Tscharner Fleming
Bryant Terry
John and Julie Stehling
Sammy Slade
Cameron Sinclair and Kate Stohr
Benjamin Shute and Miriam Latzer
Selim Sandoval
Mike Mathieu
Alan Salzman
Gerod Rody
Elena Rivellino and Dennis Stein
Patti Moreno
Irma Muñoz
LaDonna Redmond
Steve Price
Brenda Palms-Barber
Jack Newman
Chandrasekhar “Spike” Narayan
Erika Allen
Ambrose Carroll
Robert Cialdini
Valerie Casey
Leslie Christian
Jim Cochran
Cisco DeVries
Matt Golden
Zakiya Harris
Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart
Rob Jones
Dorothy Le
Anita Maltbia
Ambessa Cantave
Valerie Martinez