| Tell us about your company: |
| A Better Treat is the first and only organic and single ingredient dog and cat treats. We use premium sourcing (wild caught, grass fed & finished, USDA organic), all made and sourced in the US. The freeze-drying process retains the most nutrients and keeps ingredients in their recognizable form, so pet parents can feel confident that they are feeding their fur families the best. |
| What inspired you to start your business? |
| My first dog Emi has had the biggest impact on my life, from the simple joy of watching her excitement when she sees me, to a deeper connection with expressing emotions. While I was growing up in an Asian household, parental affection was colder and less expressive; we wouldn’t say “I love you” to each other. Emi’s excitement and affection made it effortless for me to say “I love you” to her all the time. While on the phone with my mom, inspired by saying “I love you” to Emi, I decided to try to say it to mom for the first time. She paused and responded “thanks, bye,” before hanging up. After the first hiccup, we’ve been able to say “I love you” and be much more expressive thanks to how Emi has helped me grow. I want to keep Emi by my side as long as possible. When she had stomach issues with every brand of “healthy” food I tried, I sought out to create a product with her allergies, health, and happiness in mind. Even with her being 60 lbs, she’s had diarrhea from accidentally eating one blueberry. With our organic, single ingredient treats I know exactly what Emi is consuming and that it will be safe for her to enjoy. With pumpkin being a natural stomach soother, I became annoyed with throwing out half used cans of puree, as well as the mess on the spoon, bowls, floor, and her snout. Our freeze-dried pumpkin provides the same health benefits in a mess free form, as well as being shelf stable. Emi has inspired so many elements of who I am and many other pet parents have felt the same, wanting to provide the best possible life for their pets. |
| What are your proudest achievements so far? |
| Growing up in a traditional, frugal Asian household, my family only bought the essentials. Shopping meant hunting for manager specials, clipping coupons, and finding the best deal. This mindset shaped me as a consumer—I prioritized price over quality. But as I got older, I saw how food quality affected health, especially as family members were diagnosed with chronic illnesses. I knew I wanted to avoid these issues for my “fur baby” Emi, it further proved the value in nutrition over cost for a long, healthy life. |
| What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs: |
| With my experience at Procter & Gamble among other CPG start-ups, I founded A Better Treat to create organic, single ingredient products that I could not find in the market. Choosing an idea you believe in that you can’t find on the market can make the process incredibly rewarding as well as fruitful. |
| Please share a memory or thought about your alma mater: |
| I loved my time at UCLA! |
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