The Story Behind UNIMIN: Where the Twin Sister’s Passion and Vision Begun
The Story Behind UNIMIN: Where the Twin Sister’s Passion and Vision Begun
Welcome to the very first blog on our UNIMIN journey! We’re beyond thrilled to share the story of how a dream—born from our shared love for pets and our family’s commitment to care—turned into a brand that strives to make both the pet's and owner's lives happier and healthier.
We’re Ashley and Erin, identical twins and co-founders of UNIMIN, a name that represents not just us but our united vision: United + Mins = UNIMIN. Alongside our big brother Lyan, we’re proud to introduce a brand that combines innovation, care, and sustainability.
A Tale of Two Sisters
Born in Korea and licensed in veterinary medicine in both Korea and the USA, we’ve always shared a deep passion for helping animals. While we both work in the same field, our personalities couldn’t be more different! Ashley is more of a planner, focusing on strategy, profit analysis, and staying fueled with healthy snacks like yogurt, green tea, and oatmeal. Erin, on the other hand, is the creative one—she thrives in design, sales, and marketing, though she’d rather skip Ashley’s snacks!
Despite our differences, we’ve always found joy in our common interests, like working out, and, of course, our shared commitment to making pets’ lives better. One of our most memorable twin moments? On April Fool’s Day one year, we switched places and fooled everyone by attending each other’s classes. No one noticed—it was the perfect twin prank!
A Family United by a Mission
Our big brother, Lyan, is another vital part of the UNIMIN story. With over 20 years of experience in sourcing and a childhood spent between Korea and China, Lyan brings unmatched expertise to his role as our Chief Director of Sourcing. His dog, Bappool (Korean for “grain of rice”), is always by his side, just like Simba, Erin’s cat and UNIMIN’s beloved Chief Meow Officer.
Simba, the most extroverted member of the UNIMIN family, is a true star. Whether he’s joining video calls, showing off tricks, or going on walks in his UNIMIN harness, Simba reminds us every day why we started this journey: to create products that pets love and owners trust.
The Birth of UNIMIN: United + Mins
The idea for UNIMIN began with Ashley asking Erin to move to LA from Houston and join forces. We both believed we could make something special—gear that prioritizes pets’ comfort and safety while making life easier for their humans. Running our first Kickstarter campaign while working full-time was challenging, but the results exceeded our expectations by 350%. It was humbling to see that so many people believed in our vision, even when we weren’t sure anyone would like our harness and leash designs.
That success came with a sense of responsibility: to keep creating thoughtful, dog-centered products that reflect our values as veterinarians and animal lovers. Today, all our products are crafted with care, crafted from sustainable materials like REPREVE® fibers, and certified Fear Free™ to ensure pets are happy and stress-free.
A Shared Vision
As veterinarians, every aspect of our work is rooted in veterinary medicine, compassion, and a deep understanding of pets’ physical and emotional needs. That’s why we’re so proud to share this journey with you, our UNIMIN squad. Your trust and support inspire us to continue creating innovative products that make every walk, cuddle, and adventure better for pets and their people.
Stay tuned for more stories, tips, and updates as we grow UNIMIN together. Let’s make the world a happier place for our furry friends, one paw at a time!