Healthier and Happier Furry Friends

The pet food industry has experienced a significant transformation in recent years, reflecting changing attitudes towards pet nutrition and a growing awareness of the importance of providing high-quality, wholesome diets for our furry companions. One of the most notable trends in this evolving landscape is the shift towards raw food diets for pets.

In today's exclusive interview, we had the privilege to sit down with Jason Wang, the visionary leader at the helm of BOM BOM leading the charge for more species-appropriate, customized fresh meals  for our furry friends.

What is Bom Bom?

In 2017, BOM BOM was founded and AVS-licensed in order to serve the countless pets that required an individualized diet. BOM BOM’s popularity far exceeded expectations and outgrew its former central kitchens to form the island’s largest, modern pet food manufacturing facility. With every upgrade and expansion phase, BOM BOM has pushed standards higher for the industry with regards to individualisation options, R&D capabilities, and food hygiene.

How did it all start? 

The origin of BOM BOM has its roots in a personal experience involving my Shiba Inu, Kyubi. In his early years, Kyubi faced significant health challenges, including joint problems, fur loss, incessant scratching, and malnutrition, despite his pedigree. Veterinary assistance and conventional allopathic treatment yielded limited results. After weeks of elimination and research, I realized that Kyubi's diet might have been the underlying issue to his deteriorating condition.

Leveraging my background in research and analytics, I delved into canine anatomy and nutrition, discovering a disconnect between veterinary recommendations and what I believed was best for Kyubi. My exploration extended to the evolution of companion animal  diets, highlighting the contrast between traditional diets and the modern prevalence of processed kibble and rising cancer rates in pets.

This journey prompted a careful adjustment of Kyubi's diet, focusing on macronutrient intake and formulation  balance. The results were striking, with Kyubi's health and coat improving, even addressing a knee issue (luxating patella) and demodex (an immune system deficiency manifesting itself as atopy and dermatitis).

What began as a personal endeavor soon gained attention from fellow pet owners who observed Kyubi's miraculous transformation. Initially, I volunteered to help others create customized diets for their pets. One morning, it became clear that this was my true calling - to enhance pet well-being through nutrition. I recognized that proper nutrition could ease not only pet suffering but also the financial burdens on pet owners. Thus, BOM BOM was born, a platform dedicated to offering personalized and holistic pet nutrition solutions.

My childhood aspiration of working with animals and ensuring they receive the care and nutrition they deserve had come to fruition through BOM BOM. This venture allowed me to assist numerous pet owners in providing their furry family members with the nutrition essential for their well-being, much like I did for Kyubi.

Can you discuss a specific project or achievement that you are particularly proud of at BOM BOM?

I'm most proud of BOM BOM's journey - from a passion project to a thriving international player in pet nutrition. It's not just about financial growth, but the support we've garnered from pet parents who believe in our principles. Initially seen as a fad, we've won over both pet owners and progressive vets who now recommend our diet to address chronic health issues. Convincing academia and consumers in the industry has been a significant achievement, and the positive impact we've had on thousands of pets is something that always drives me to do better still.

Startups often encounter scalability challenges as they grow. What obstacles did you encounter while scaling up, and how did you address them?

Scaling up presents a constant and multifaceted challenge. We're always navigating financial priorities, time constraints, manpower limitations, and balancing the demands of hardware and software improvements to serve our growing customer base. Manpower is particularly crucial. While it may be less of a concern for pure software companies, for a manufacturing company like BOM BOM, our people are a cornerstone of our business which was the biggest difficulty for us as we scaled.

As a leader, what strategies do you employ to keep your team motivated and engaged

I believe that job titles like CEO or manager don't confer superiority. I actively engage with all, including regular lunches with managers and interactions with staff. I value every individual, regardless of their role, as crucial to our company's success. Those who may perceive their work as mundane are among our most vital team members, without whom our company can't function.

It's important for these team members to know that I not only support them but also look after their well-being. I've maintained this approach over the years, rejecting any high-and-mighty attitudes. Being an entrepreneur or CEO isn't about a big paycheck (in fact, I was unpaid for years and the lowest-paid employee); it's about serving and supporting the team.

This mindset empowers my staff to conquer challenges. Knowing that the owner and founder are fully invested is essential for business growth and a strong company.

When you look into the future, what legacy do you hope BOM BOM will leave in the pet food industry, and how do you measure the company's impact beyond financial success?

Our goal is to positively impact pets through holistic health and nutrition. We measure success by reach, not just finances. We prioritize science and truth, adapting recommendations based on research. Our legacy is defined by our commitment to improving pet welfare and longevity through new technology and superior global sourcing for ethical produce.

Our vision for BOM BOM is long-term sustainability in the pet food industry, focusing on lasting improvements in pet health and happiness. So far, no other company has come close in maintaining a database as large and valuable as ours when it comes to pet nutrition.

What advice would you give other entrepreneurs that are thinking of expanding to another country?

Expanding a business, especially in Asia with its diverse geography, poses unique challenges. Unlike the relatively homogeneous culture across states in the U.S., Asia exhibits vast cultural and consumer behavior differences, both within and across countries. Therefore, thorough due diligence is paramount and an ongoing process even after market entry.

Assess whether your product aligns with the target geography. Consider the financial resources required and your expansion strategy's scalability across borders. Language barriers also require careful consideration, both internally and externally.

While these challenges can deter entrepreneurs, I encourage them to be brave and base decisions on logic and data. Many entrepreneurs are discouraged by the extensive effort involved in internationalization, but if the numbers make sense, and you believe it's feasible, go for it. However, maintain financial and manpower buffers, avoid unnecessary risks, and remain diligent about compliance with local regulations.

Respecting local cultures is essential. Marketing messages that work in one country may not resonate in another, making each new country expansion akin to starting a different business. Treat it as such, and navigate the intricacies with care and respect.

What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs seeking investment or starting their own company?

1. Bootstrap or Secure Adequate Funding:  In the early stages, consider self-funding, contributions from family or friends, but avoid taking bank loans, as they add interest costs without revenue generation. Debt isn't advisable until your venture is generating income.

   Ensure you have enough capital to sustain your business without taking any income, especially if your company isn't yet profitable. You need to plan for three to five years, depending on validation and product development cycles. Financial stability is crucial.

2. Passion and Belief: Being passionate about your venture is vital. You'll face moments of doubt and sacrifice, so believing in what you're doing is essential. The journey can be emotionally challenging, especially when you're not taking a paycheck.

3. Understanding Cash Flow: Comprehend your business's cash flow dynamics, drivers, and future needs. Budget not only for present expenses but also for reinvesting profits into future growth. Prioritize reinvestment for future scalability.

4. Seeking Investors: If you can prove your product or service's value and find like-minded believers, investors will come. Rejections are part of the journey; don't let them deter you. James Dyson faced numerous rejections before achieving success.

5. Persevere and Listen to Feedback: Perseverance is crucial. Be resilient and open to feedback. Rejections often come with valuable insights. Every customer and investor may offer useful input to refine your business.

6. Financial Prudence: Don't overspend or let ego drive your decisions. Survival should be your priority. Focus on nurturing and understanding your business's needs. Think about how to provide better service and provision for risk to hedge against uncertainties."

What kind of advice would you give your younger self? 

• Emphasize the importance of staying authentic to yourself, understanding your likes, dislikes, passions, and goals as the foundation for resilience in challenging times.

• Stress the value of setting aside ego, recognizing that titles like CEO or manager don't make you superior to others, and the significance of listening to and supporting everyone within the organization. 

• Highlight the importance of seeking and embracing feedback, acknowledging that even amidst irrelevant input, valuable insights can be found to improve decision-making. Focus on REAL, proven facts and numbers via mosaic theory (putting pieces of the facts together yourself and reaching your own independent conclusion). 

• Select business partners with care, underscoring their potential impact on the success of a venture. Encourage a thorough understanding of their motivations and alignment with your goals, advocating for thoughtful consideration over impulsive decisions to ensure trustworthiness and shared vision.