We recently connected with Monica Kim and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for SourDog started with our dog Ziggy. When my family and I adopted him, we quickly found out he is a picky eater with also a sensitive stomach. Conventional treats/food were making him either vomit and have inconsistent poop. Around the same time, I had been baking sourdough bread every week – a hobby I picked up during the height of Covid – and always had extra sourdough starter in my kitchen.

One day, it hit me: “What if I baked treats for Ziggy using my sourdough starter?” Sourdough fermentation has been great for my digestion, so I thought it might help with his digestion too. I added his favorite veggie, sweet potato, some flaxseed, and a bit of peanut butter, and that’s how the first recipe was born. (Our sweet potato flavor is called The OG for this reason.) Ziggy loved them, and for the first time, he could enjoy treats without any tummy issues.

Of course, one batch made way too many for just Ziggy, so I shared them with my neighbors. Their picky dogs loved my treats too! My neighbors began asking about how to buy them and encouraged me to start selling. My family also agreed, so I decided to try turning this idea into a business.

I realized there wasn’t anything like these treats on the market—something that catered to both picky eaters and dogs with sensitive stomachs. And when it came to naming the business, my dad suggested SourDog – sourdough without the “u” and “h”. At first, I laughed at how silly it was, but the more I thought about it, the more it grew on me. It was playful, memorable, and perfectly reflected what made our treats unique.

That’s how SourDog was born: thanks to Ziggy, my sourdough starter, and the encouragement from my wonderful family and neighbors!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi my name is Monica, and I’m the founder of SourDog. I’m proud to have created the first brand to offer gut friendly dog treats using sourdough fermentation.

For those unfamiliar, sourdough starter is a culture of wild yeast and probiotic bacteria created by fermenting any type of flour and water. We make our starter using organic rye flour sourced from Central Milling.

Incorporating sourdough fermentation – aka activity from the wild yeast and probiotic bacteria – is what makes our treats especially great for dogs with sensitive tummies. The low pH of the sourdough starter and using it as a fermentation agent partially breaks down the ingredients in the treat dough, giving them a “head start” on digestion.

We currently have 3 flavors: sweet potato, banana, and apple + carrot. Blueberry and pumpkin are our seasonal flavors for spring and fall. When you turn our treat package around, you’ll find a short and simple ingredient list. No chemicals and preservatives!

The best part of this small business journey is hearing from our customers who, like me, struggled to find treats that work for their dogs with sensitive stomachs and picky palates. Knowing that our treats make a difference to both dogs and dog parents brings me so much joy.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

The dog treat market is undeniably saturated, but I believe our one-of-a-kind concept backed by many paws of approval helps set us apart. SourDog is the only brand using sourdough fermentation in dog treats. I think our unique identity was key to the successful launch of our wholesale program in September 2024. As of now (December 2024), you can find SourDog treats in 20+ retail locations across the U.S.

We have also built a strong positive reputation among our customers, with above-average return rate and glowing reviews. Connecting with our customers and their dogs is my favorite part of running my business. I still keep in touch and send orders out to folks who have been with us since our early days at the Long Beach Sunday farmers market, where their real-time feedback gave me the confidence to keep going. Their ongoing support has helped grow SourDog into what it is today.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was around finance. In personal finance, I’ve been taught to always prioritize saving before spending. However, when it comes to running a business, this mindset can’t always apply. To grow and scale a business, you need to make strategic investments upfront—whether it’s in inventory, ads, or infrastructure—before you see the results. Separating the mindset of personal finance from business finance was challenging at first.

Cash flow management was another unfamiliar concept I had to grasp. Unlike the steady and predictable income stream from a 9-to-5 job, running a business means navigating fluctuating cash flow. Some months might bring in a surge of revenue, while others require careful planning to cover expenses. Learning to balance these highs and lows while planning for the long term has been a steep learning curve but crucial skill to develop as a business owner.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sourdogtreat.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourdogtreat/

Image Credits

IG accounts: @miamiandmarina, @wagginwes, @thespottedcorgisofstl, @destineechin, @luca__bear, @matildarosegoldendoodle, @therufflifeofbelleandpepper, @toddodoggo