Exclusive Interview With People She Reveals Resilience, Reinvention, and a Big Future Ahead
Pinky Cole Hayes, the visionary founder of Slutty Vegan, has always been known for her bold entrepreneurial spirit, but her journey has taken some unexpected turns. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Cole opened up about a life-changing car accident, the loss of her multi-million dollar business, and her plans for a fresh start — both personally and professionally.
In February 2025, Cole was involved in a freak car accident on an Atlanta highway, when a mattress flew into her car’s windshield while she was driving at 70 mph. “It was like Final Destination,” Cole recalled. “I’m not the person to get in accidents, and I wasn’t on the phone. I wasn’t texting.” The incident left her hospitalized and forced to take a break from her demanding business endeavors. It also gave her a chance to reflect deeply on what truly matters in life. “In life, we always worry about the things that really don’t matter until your life is on the line,” she said, describing the accident as a wake-up call. “I’ve had a newfound perspective on what I prioritize now.”
This accident came during a challenging period for Cole, who had already suffered financial setbacks with her company, Slutty Vegan, which led to a restructuring in early 2025. Despite the chain’s immense popularity, with its long lines and devoted customers, Cole revealed that high corporate overhead — reaching $10 million — and unsustainable financial practices had ultimately pushed the business beyond her control. “I was chasing something that I couldn’t catch,” she explained, admitting that she had initially stepped away from day-to-day operations, only to realize that “you can never take your hands off the wheel” as a business owner.
In February, Cole made the difficult decision to give up ownership of Slutty Vegan to an assignee. While this was a tough and public decision, she chose not to make a spectacle of it. “I didn’t want to face the public scrutiny. I didn’t want to face the opinions of others,” she said, emphasizing that despite the setback, she would not adopt a victim mentality. Instead, she turned to resilience — something she has learned from years of overcoming personal and business challenges. Her journey through hardships, from the loss of her first restaurant in a grease fire to car repossessions and evictions, has made her an expert in embracing failure. “Somebody’s going to throw a mattress at you — but that’s not reason enough to give up,” she said, referencing her book I Hope You Fail, where she encourages entrepreneurs to embrace setbacks as part of their growth.
After the restructuring of Slutty Vegan, Cole entered “strategy mode,” eventually purchasing the company back under a new entity, “Ain’t Nobody Coming to See You, Otis LLC” — a name inspired by a famous quote from The Temptationsmovie. Now, she’s reinvigorating Slutty Vegan with a new focus. “People love Slutty Vegan because they love me,” she said, acknowledging the unique bond she shares with her customers. She’s also planning to expand Slutty Vegan globally, with potential ventures in Dubai, Africa, and beyond. “Global expansion is big for 2.0,” Cole shared.
Alongside her work with Slutty Vegan, Cole is branching out into the hospitality industry with her husband, Derrick Hayes, who owns Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. The couple is developing the Hayes Hospitality Group, a venture aimed at building a large food empire. Cole’s vision is clear: she wants to connect people and communities through food, creating a legacy of successful, inclusive brands.
