What made you want to do the work you do? Please share the full story.
I went to school to become an engineer! When I was in my 3rd year, we were challenged to create a sustainable innovation. I didn’t know how to use tools, but I loved food, so I made a high protein waffle that used up-cycled juice pulp from a juice bar on campus. Little did I know that poster presentation was going to be the beginning of my career in CPG. I started and scaled a profitable, nationally distributed waffle brand while in University.
After graduating from the University of Guelph, I took a post-grad trip to Croatia which changed the trajectory of my life. I contracted a parasite that led to long-term digestive issues. I tried everything doctors, medication, diet changes and nothing was helping, until I was eventually introduced to bone broth. Bone broth changed everything for me – it was the first thing that actually helped me feel better. That experience made me realize two things: first, that gut health is so deeply connected to our overall well-being, and second, that the wellness space needed more products that were not only functional but also simple and comforting.
That’s when I met Beckie at a local farmers market, she had started Beck’s Broth and was selling bone broth out of jars. I was instantly drawn to what she was doing, and the mission behind it. One conversation turned into many, and eventually I came on as partner and COO. Now, every day, I get to work on something that’s both deeply personal and widely impactful. We’ve built a product that supports people’s health in a way that feels cozy and familiar through our bone broth coffee, matcha, and hot chocolate. That’s what drives me, turning a personal healing story into something that can help other people feel good, too.
Tell us 3 surprisingly easy and 3 surprisingly difficult things about your job.
Three surprisingly easy things about my job:
1. Talking about our products.
I genuinely love what we make. It’s easy to talk about bone broth based beverages when you’ve felt the difference they make in your own body and see how they’re helping others too.
2. Having fun.
When you love what you do and feel aligned with your mission, every challenge feels like a fun project.
3. Wearing a lot of hats.
Surprisingly, I love it. Some days I’m in operations, others I’m in customer service, R&D, or community events. It’s chaotic sometimes, but I thrive in variation.
Three surprisingly difficult things about my job:
1. Letting go of perfection. When you’re building something with your whole heart, it’s hard to release things that feel even slightly unfinished. But I always remind myself – fail fast and iterate!
2. Facing shiny object syndrome. As a food product developer I have sooooo many ideas, but we need to know when and how to stay focused.
3. Protecting my own energy. When your work is mission-driven and deeply personal, boundaries can blur. I’ve had to learn how to pause, rest, and refill my own cup so I can keep showing up fully.
What are the 3 things you like best about your work and why?
1. Seeing people feel better because of something we made.
Nothing beats the messages from customers saying our ready-made drinks have helped with their digestion, energy, or even just gave them a comforting daily ritual. That impact is what it’s all about and it never gets old!
2. Building something with meaning.
I love that Beck’s Broth isn’t just a product – it’s a movement around gut health, simplicity, and redefining what “wellness” looks like. Every decision we make ties back to a deeper purpose, and that gives my work so much meaning.
3. Working with best people
From my business partner Beckie to our small but mighty team, I get to work with people who are kind, creative, and driven. There’s such a shared sense of care for our product, the mission, and each other and that makes even the hardest days feel worth it.
What are your greatest 3 skills and how have they helped you succeed?
1. Systematic Thinking
Thanks to my background in engineering, I’m a natural problem solver. I have an innate ability to take an idea and completely design how we will get there, from the finance, to the ops, to the team building. That’s been a huge asset in operations and finance. Whether we’re scaling production, or launching new products, I’m always thinking about how the pieces fit together in the most sustainable way. It’s helped us scale without losing the essence of what makes Beck’s Broth so special.
2. Storytelling
I’ve learned that the why behind a brand matters just as much as the what. Through sharing my personal health journey and Beckie’s as well, it has helped us to connect with customers on a human level. It’s not just bone broth based beverages, it’s about helping people feel good, and our ability to communicate that message clearly has been essential.
3. Resilience.
Startup life is not linear. There have been so many moments where things didn’t go according to plan; shipping delays, cashflow traffic jams, growing pains, etc. But I’ve learned how to adapt, problem-solve quickly, and just keep moving. Resilience has allowed me to stay grounded on our journey even when the path gets messy.
Tell us about a time you were dead wrong about something.
I grew up in a fitness-focused era where the loudest messages were all about maximizing protein and minimizing sugar. I truly believed that the key to health was found in protein powders, bars, and artificial sweeteners, if it had 30 grams of protein and zero grams of sugar, it had to be good for you.
I was dead wrong.
It wasn’t until I stripped my diet back to real, whole foods, things like steak, fruit, and broth, that I started to feel like myself again. My energy improved, my digestion stabilized, and I stopped obsessing over macros.
As someone who now leads a food company, this experience completely shifted how I think about product development. I learned that food isn’t just about the numbers, it’s about how it makes people feel. That mistake made me a better leader and creator. It’s why everything we make now at Beck’s Broth has to taste good, feel good, and come from a place of nourishment, not just nutrition panels.
How do you get yourself out of a funk? Please share the details.
When I’m in a funk, the first thing I try to do is slow down and check in with myself. I used to push through and “just keep going,” but I’ve learned that doesn’t actually help – it just delays the crash.
So now, I start by asking: What do I actually need right now? Sometimes it’s rest, sometimes movement, sometimes just stepping away from screens and reconnecting with nature. Pretty much, moving my body, getting fresh air, and eating good food solves 90% of my problems.
What is a habit you try to stick to and how has it helped you?
My morning routine is everything. It sets the tone for the day and gives me so much clarity. Once I start work I don’t really stop, so carving out some time for myself first is magical. I make breakfast, go for a walk (rain or shine) with a BB coffee in hand, and then either hit the gym or get to work! The sunlight and fresh air sets a tone for the day – it reminds me that productivity isn’t about rushing, it’s about showing up with intention.
How do you celebrate your victories?
I celebrate small wins just as much as the big ones because in startup life, they’re all worth acknowledging. What I’ve come to realize is that celebration doesn’t have to be loud or elaborate, sometimes it’s something as simple as sending a fun message to the team. It just needs to be intentional, I try to encourage our team to pause and really feel proud – not rush past it! Whether it’s a successful product launch, retail partnership or a message from a customer saying our product changed their life, those are moments I acknowledge, savor, and let fuel me forward.
What is your favorite movie and why?
Interstellar – I could watch it a zillion times and always learn something new!
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
Be yourself and your people will love you!
I used to try to fit into a box and would filter myself. I slowly started to come out of my shell and I realized that my friends loved me just the same, if not more, when I showed up as ME (silly, goofy, nature-loving Dom, who is also not afraid to be a serious hard working gal when she needs to be!)
When you’re surrounded by people who love you, everything feels like fun.
Who has been your biggest mentor in life (personal or professional) and how have they helped you?
My Nonna. She taught me that my community is the most important thing in my life. She welcomed everyone with a huge smile and a silly joke. At her funeral, hundreds of people left notes saying some version of: when she was in the room they felt taken care of.
Work is important but she put her people first. She said as long as she could feed her family she would always be happy. But she was very successful!
As an introverted extrovert and engineer, it’s easy for me to hide behind spreadsheets and work work work. But when your community wants you to win, you’re unstoppable!
Just for fun, what is your favorite food?
Sea salt dark chocolate!!!!!!! I’m a salt LOVER!