Apr 30, 2026
Ramon Vela sits down with Mahsa Vazin, PhD, Founder & CEO of PawCo, for a conversation that's as much about love and purpose as it is about pet nutrition.
Mahsa didn't set out to disrupt the pet food industry — she set out
to take better care of her dog, Paco. What follows is a story of
science, conviction, and a growing movement of pet parents who
believe their dogs deserve a whole lot more than a bowl of
kibble.
* A founder story that starts with a dog named Paco. After her PhD
in nanoscience and time as an early scientist at Impossible Foods,
Mahsa couldn't find a single pet food she felt good about. PawCo was born from that
search.
* The next generation of pet food. Fresh, plant-based recipes
formulated with probiotics, postbiotics, and targeted health
toppers for gut health, joints, skin, coat, and heart, treating
dogs the way health-conscious pet parents treat themselves.
* Genius Dog:
beyond food, into the bond. Launching in May with a NASDAQ Tower
announcement, Genius
Dog is a monthly subscription box built around the idea that
dogs thrive when they experience new things. Popcorn. Champagne.
Games. Things your dog can't find anywhere else.
* Don't wait until you're ready. Mahsa's most hard-won lesson:
launch before it's perfect, build a team that believes in the
mission, and let the customer feedback shape what comes next.
* Impact as the north star. From shelter donations to customers
whose allergic dogs finally found food that works, Mahsa measures
success one dog at a time.
Join us in listening to this episode for a warm, genuine
conversation about building a brand from the heart and why pet
wellness is just getting started.
For more on PawCo, visit: https://www.mypawco.com/
For more on Genius Dog, visit: https://geniusdog.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a
rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on
Apple and
Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
*
Today’s Sponsors:
Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo
SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.