Pet Tech in Action: Dog DNA, AI & the Future of Pet Health with Erin Morrow

In this episode of The Healthy Enterprise, host Heath talks with Erin Morrow, Director of Product Management at Embark Veterinary, about how genetics and AI are transforming pet health. Erin shares her journey into product management, the role of dog DNA in better care decisions, and the challenges of building products in a fast-moving startup. She also dives into the integration of AI at work, the power of customer feedback, and creative marketing strategies—including collaborations with Disney. The conversation wraps with advice for aspiring professionals and a look at the future of technology in pet care.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Embark Veterinary and Its Mission
03:04 Erin Morrow's Journey and Background
05:57 Understanding Dog DNA and Its Impact on Care
09:03 The Role of Technology in Pet Care
12:00 Future Innovations in Pet Health and AI
14:59 Challenges in Product Development and Strategy
17:55 The Value of Fractional Leadership
20:49 Customer Feedback and Engagement Strategies
26:49 Embracing AI in the Workplace
30:12 Navigating Marketing Strategies
38:41 Innovative Collaborations in Pet Care
43:50 Advice for Aspiring Professionals

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name: Erin Morrow 
• Guest's Title/Position: Director of Product Management
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-morrow-68336829/
• Company / Affiliation: Embark Veterinary https://embarkvet.com/
• Guest's Bio: Erin Morrow is the Director of Product at Embark Veterinary, where she combines her passion for animals with cutting-edge technology to revolutionize pet care. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in taking innovative products from initial concept through commercialization across SaaS, biotech, and educational technology sectors. Erin has a proven track record of building high-performing teams that consistently deliver products that users genuinely love. Her unique background includes a Bachelor's in Animal Science and Master's in Conservation Biology, giving her both the scientific rigor and deep empathy for animals and their caretakers that drives her customer-focused approach to product development.

Takeaways:

• Embark Veterinary focuses on using genetics to enhance dog health.
• Erin Morrow has a diverse background in product management and animal science.
• Understanding a dog's DNA can significantly impact care decisions.
• The company has tested over 2 million dogs worldwide.
• AI and genomics are key to future pet health innovations.
• Customer feedback is crucial for product development.
• Fractional leadership can provide valuable insights and direction.
• Engaging with customers through social media enhances feedback.
• The importance of transitioning to a product-led organization.
• Continuous improvement in product offerings is essential for growth. 
• We're starting to use AI internally and for customer-facing features.
• If you're writing an email, use ChatGPT for assistance.
• You still need to check your work; you are the subject matter expert.
• Finding the right tools is complex; experiment with different options.
• Word of mouth is still our strongest marketing engine.
• We collaborated with Colossus for our commercials.
• Our partnership with Disney was a significant campaign.
• We track brand awareness through customer feedback.
• Collaborations in the pet care space are yielding positive results.
• Follow your passion, but stay open-minded in your career.