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Gia Ghanbari is the founder and product officer at Barks & Boops, a company focused on canine health. Having studied social sciences, Ghanbari was set to head down a very different career path. It wasn’t until she met her dog Charlie that her journey took a turn. Charlie had recently been abandoned by a breeder and was struggling with multiple health issues.
Ghanbari soon realized that Charlie’s story deserved to be shared and set out to turn her vision into reality. He also became the namesake of the company.
“My dog loves to bark, and he likes boops on his nose. That’s where the name comes from,” Ghanbari shared.
He came with a very specific set of needs that Ghanbari was eager to address.
“It was really the bond that I had with him that made me realize that there are a lot of people like me out there who have dogs that they may not know a lot about, or that they want to take better care of,” she said.
This insight laid the groundwork for Barks and Boops, guiding their mission to enhance pet wellness and create cleaner, chemical-free product formulations.
“The field research started when I realized that there's a big gap in the market and a demand to address those needs,” Ghanbari said.
She views formulation not just as a technical process but a craft. She describes her approach as both scientific and intuitive, striking a balance between innovation and care.
Looking back, Ghanbari always carried a passion for creation. She thrived in environments where she could fully immerse herself in her work.
“I really enjoy hands on experiments, I think that is where my interest for formulating comes from,” she explained.
Ghanbari grew up in a scientifically motivated family with her sister having a PhD in chemistry. She acknowledges her family and their support as a key motivator in her journey as they continue to encourage her endeavours.
For her, collaboration expands beyond her family, and she credits Biohubx for helping her in the early stages of establishing her company.
“Being at a highly regulated facility with all the procedures in place and having very reputable neighbors at our lab, has allowed us to get multiple approvals from franchises. It also gives us a space that we can rely on and trust,” said Ghanbari.
She recognized that Canada’s pet care industry lacks sufficient regulation and values Biohubx’s in-depth approach to quality systems. She appreciates their collaborative culture and is thankful for the credibility her brand has earned through their partnership.
Ghanbari values the presence of other women in science, especially with it being a typically male dominated sector.
“I always think that having other women in the field that formulate their own products, run their own productions and do their own research is very inspiring,” she stated.
Ghanbari is optimistic about the future of science and urges the next generation to be curious and seek resources that can help them expand their knowledge. She also advises them to stay motivated and to embrace both the challenges and successes that come with growth and discovery.
“Every failure is a step closer to successfully reaching your final destination,” Ghanbari said.
As she looks ahead, she hopes that resources such as Biohubx will become more accessible to more young companies to help further innovation.
“I hope that people can globally access facilities like Biohubx. They allow people to not just have a vision but to execute it,” she said.