Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Hernandez.
Hi Karla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved animals, especially dogs, probably because I’ve had dogs since I was about a year old. My mom (Veronica, cofounder) always loved animals, and clearly, that impacted how much I love and care for them. I remember us rescuing all kinds of animals while I was growing up, like dogs, bunnies, birds, even squirrels that had been displaced from their nests after hurricanes. My mom would nurse them back to health and release them, and she’d do it with so much love and compassion. That’s just who she naturally was, and in many ways, that’s where my story begins too. I’m a dog mom and chef to three sweet, big ol’ girls: Sophie, a 12 year old American Bulldog; Zoee, a 6 year old Pitbull; and Stella, a 2-year-old Doberman. While they’ve each shaped my journey, Sophie was the one who changed everything. She’s our inspiration and our testimony.
When Sophie was around 9, her health began declining. She struggled with obesity, joint issues, poor gut health, and chronic ear infections. We spent hundreds, way beyond what we could afford, at the vet, trying prescription kibble for weight loss, steroid shots for allergies, and so much more. But nothing truly helped. Sophie was struggling, and I felt so sorry for her. I started questioning everything: the medicine, the injections, the costs, and finally, the food we were feeding her. I realized I had no idea what half of the ingredients in her kibble even were. I couldn’t even read or pronounce most of them. That was my wake-up call.
Around that time, Sophie started refusing her prescribed kibble, which was really costly. So, my mom started topping her meals with homemade chicken soup. It enticed Sophie to eat, and it became a Sunday tradition. Around that time I saw more and more videos of raw feeding. I was disgusted but curious, so I started diving into research on canine nutrition, learning about dog-friendly ingredients, raw diets, gently cooked meals, and the pet food industry. What I found was shocking. So much of what’s marketed as “healthy” for pets is highly processed, misleading, and taking years off our pets’ lives.
For the past 2.5 years, we’ve fed all our dogs a balanced, human-grade diet. We make everything from scratch, including their treats. After getting certified in pet nutrition, I wanted more pet parents to know the truth about what they were feeding their pets, so I started sharing what I was learning on social media. What started as a way to help Sophie turned into a growing community of curious, loving dog parents who wanted better for their pets too. People started asking for recipes, tips, and eventually, they asked me to sell the food and treats we were already making for our girls. And that’s how Epochal Paws was born.
You know, sometimes your purpose is right in front of you all along—it just takes the right moment, and in my case, a very special dog to help see it. I’m so glad I found my purpose in the pet food industry, and I’m loving the beginning of Epochal Paws. I know there’s so much more to come, so much of a greater impact to be made. I’m very hopeful for our future. We will lead a new era for many pet parents, and every step of the way will be epochal.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a scenic one, if you will lol. We didn’t have a roadmap for any of this. Learning pet nutrition, balancing formulas, sourcing quality ingredients, building trust, and doing it all while working, being a dog mom, buying a home, and laying the foundation for a business all at once can be overwhelming. My mom’s support has been instrumental in our success. I couldn’t do this without her. But the beauty is in the moments where we see dogs and cats experience human-grade treats for the first time, witnessing our growth, shipping products to a new state or island, feeling the support of our community, and hearing from people who’ve completely changed their pets’ diets because of what we share – that’s been the most rewarding part of it all.
We’ve been impressed with Epochal Paws, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Epochal Paws, we specialize in nutrient-dense, single-ingredient, species-appropriate treats for cats and dogs. We’re a Latina-owned, family business, and we’re proud to be creating space for women, especially women of color, in the pet industry.
But more than just a treat brand, Epochal Paws is also a growing educational platform. Our goal is to make pet nutrition feel less intimidating and more accessible – no misleading labels, sketchy ingredients, or outrageous prices. I understand firsthand what it’s like to prioritize cost over quality, not out of choice but necessity. While many pet parents want to do better for their pets, they may feel discouraged by the high costs of human-grade ingredients. Our brand aims to bridge that financial gap. We are committed to putting education, accessibility, and community first. We hope to educate and empower pet parents to feel confident in their choices.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people know me as a mama’s girl, dog mom of 3, travel enthusiast, and business owner. But what most don’t know is that I didn’t come from a business background — I have a B.A. in medical humanities, minored in biology, and completed a premed track at UTSA in 2020. I actively work in healthcare as a medical interpreter. I actually just celebrated 4 years in the field. As a first-generation Salvadoran American, this work has brought me a lot closer to my community, giving me a direct, meaningful way to serve them. As an interpreter, I’ve seen how access to information or lack thereof can completely shape individual experiences and overall quality of life. That’s why education and empowerment are the heart of everything I do, whether it be as an interpreter helping patients understand their care or as a business owner, helping pet parents understand what’s really in their dog’s food.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.epochalpaws.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epochalpaws
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574240674576#
Image Credits
@adventue.with.mabel
@reignstormpit
@sugarrushtails
