We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rachel Park a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

The name of our brand, Woo U, means “milk” in Korean. My dog, Ansel, loved milk so much that it inspired me to start making treats with milk as a primary ingredient. At first, I created treats that were more than 90% milk, so it felt essential to include “milk” in the name. As this homemade treat gradually developed into a business idea, I adjusted the recipe to align with commercial standards. To enhance the treats’ shelf life, I needed to reduce the milk content, so the current treats contain less milk than the original recipe. At one point, I considered changing the business name to reflect this adjustment. However, the concept for these treats began with milk, and although the milk content is lower than in the first batches, it remains one of the primary ingredients in our current treats. Most importantly, Ansel’s love for milk inspired the entire idea, so I chose to keep the name.

From the start, I wanted a unique brand name that would capture our brand’s image. And as a Korean, I wanted to incorporate a Korean word that would also be easy for non-Koreans to remember and pronounce. The word “Woo U” (milk) embodied everything I was looking for—uniqueness, simplicity, a connection to Korean language, and a direct link to the main ingredient. That’s why I ultimately decided to name the brand “Woo U.”

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hello, I’m Rachel, the owner of Woo U, a New York business where I create and sell treats for dogs. After getting married, I moved to the U.S., where I met Ansel, our beloved dog who is now in heaven. Ansel was my first dog, and he brought endless love and happiness into my life. Experiencing this immense love inspired me to share it with other dogs.

One day, I discovered that Ansel had severe allergies and couldn’t enjoy just any treat. I carefully checked the ingredients and origins of various treats, but it was challenging to find one that met my standards. So, I decided to make treats for him myself. Later, I learned that a neighbor’s dog had a sensitive stomach and was picky about treats. I shared some of my homemade treats, and the dog enjoyed them without any stomach issues. That rewarding moment inspired me to start a business to share these healthy, high-quality treats with more dogs.

At Woo U, we are committed to providing honest, wholesome treats for dogs. While there are many treats on the market, it’s often difficult to verify all the ingredients. For instance, my dog was allergic to chicken, so I bought a fruit-flavored treat that supposedly contained no chicken. Yet, Ansel still had an allergic reaction, and upon closer inspection, I found chicken meal and egg in the ingredients list.

We use only ten carefully selected ingredients of the highest quality. Our homemade treats contain four vegetables (beet, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato) and six base ingredients (chickpea, coconut flour/oil, lactose-free milk, honey, apple cider vinegar). With a low-calorie content, our treats allow dogs to enjoy delicious snacks without the worry of weight gain. Also, Our cookies are soft, so they’re easy for older dogs with dental issues to enjoy. Additionally, they’re not only healthy but also visually appealing. In Korean, there’s a saying, “Food that looks good tastes good,” which I believe applies to our treats, too. I have put a lot of time into the design because I think a treat’s appearance is just as important as the quality of its ingredients. I believe all of the above are what set us apart from other products.

I’m most proud of providing natural, high-quality products for dogs that truly prioritize their health and well-being. My main goal is to create products that pet parents can trust, knowing they’re using only the best ingredients for their furry friends. I want clients and followers to see Woo U as a brand dedicated to quality, transparency, and a love for pets.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Just as I was about to open the business, my beloved dog Ansel passed away suddenly in an accident. Since Woo U was created for Ansel and with Ansel, I felt that running the business without him had no meaning. For two months, I lacked motivation, felt lost, and seriously considered giving up.

Then, one day, it felt as if Ansel, watching over me from above, was encouraging me not to give up but to work even harder for his friends. I knew he would be proud if I carried on and honored the business we built together. With that in mind, I decided to resume the business, this time with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication.

Initially, the goal was simply to make healthy, delicious treats for dogs. However, after going through this difficult period, a deeper purpose emerged: I wanted Woo U to give back to dogs in need. I decided that a portion of the profits would go toward helping dogs in shelters, offering free treats, and supporting charities. The more the business grows, the more I can help, and that clear purpose fuels my passion.

This experience transformed my life’s purpose into one devoted to dogs. For the first time, I have a sense of direction so clear that work doesn’t feel like work—it’s fulfilling. Although I miss Ansel deeply, Woo U keeps me connected to him, and I am grateful to have a business that helps other dogs. Looking back, if I had given up during those challenging times, I would have missed the opportunity for personal and business growth.

If you’re facing a tough period personally or professionally, remember that this moment can be a pivotal one. Please don’t give up. It may lead to something greater than you ever imagined.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

After moving to the U.S. in my 30s, I knew almost nothing about running a business, and my English wasn’t at a native-speaker level, so I often wondered if I could really prepare a business in America. It took me longer than others to get started because I had so many doubts and challenges along the way. At first, I thought about hiring an agency to handle everything from A to Z. But then I realized that if I couldn’t do this initial part myself, it might not benefit me in the long run. So, I decided to research and handle everything step by step, eventually establishing my own LLC.

After that, I faced additional hurdles like registering as a pet food company, dealing with taxes, etc. For every task I completed, it seemed another one popped up, and it felt endless. Reading through all the official documents took a lot of time, especially since they were difficult for a non-native speaker like me. However, I decided to approach each challenge with a learning mindset, believing that as a business owner, this was something I needed to tackle myself. While it took a bit longer, I gained confidence by completing everything on my own.

There were other challenges too—building a website, designing labels, ordering containers, managing shipping—but each step became easier than the last. Looking back, I feel proud to have built this business with my own hands. For immigrants like me who may feel a language barrier, I believe that if we approach it with patience and a desire to learn, we can succeed.

Once you decide to start a business, the hard work is worth it. It builds a deeper sense of responsibility and love for what you’re creating. I know I’ll face more challenges ahead, but I plan to keep learning and moving forward with each one. If you have a clear goal and keep your confidence, you can overcome anything. If I—a non-native speaker and immigrant—could manage this alone, I’m confident you can too. If you’re on the fence, I encourage you to take the leap and give it a try.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.woo-u.com
• Instagram: woou.nyc