5/31/2024 | 6 minute read

My name is Bryan MacDonald, and I’ve been working at Oma’s Pride as the Director of eCommerce for about a year.

Before I share more about my experience at Oma’s Pride, I’ll share a little about myself!

I was born and raised in the “Windy City” of Chicago, Illinois. My love for animals goes way back—I grew up with two labs and a cat; in college, I adopted a shepherd mix.

When I moved to Connecticut to attend Springfield College and play football, I fell in love with marketing and sales. Before starting this position at Oma’s Pride, I was the Chief Marketing Officer for an e-commerce tactical supply company. Working on my craft and developing new marketing strategies is something I look forward to attacking on a daily basis.

In my free time, I run and operate a social media account called @anythingbutasalad, where I post recipes and comedy skits. I’ve loved being able to implement my social media expertise and background to amplify our customer experience at Oma’s Pride.

I currently live in Connecticut with my wife and three children. In my free time, you can find me cooking up delicious meals in the kitchen (not salads), watching football or basketball, playing outside with my kids, ranting about traffic, heading to Disney World, or taking my wife out to a nice weekend dinner.

I’ve had a wonderful year growing as a marketer, leader, and pet food expert at Oma’s Pride.

As the Director of eCommerce, my daily responsibilities include establishing and overseeing all marketing, social media, and affiliate efforts.

What does the nitty gritty look like? Well…

Other activities include updating and designing new website implementations, managing and overseeing our customer service department, strategizing about new customer acquisition, assisting our shipping and fulfillment department, implementing new product development and launches, and acting like a madman supporting anyone who needs supporting.

In a single day, you might find me in the office creating content with Nina for social media, meeting with various coworkers in person and online, doing some heads-down work in a corner of the office (gameplan time), and trying to implement as many activities as humanly possible in a day (of course…with time for lunch).

In this day and age, there are hundreds and thousands of e-commerce sites and businesses—but I have chosen to call Oma’s Pride “home.”

Why?

Oma’s Pride is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated business rooted in tradition, quality, and family values. While other companies might hide behind clever marketing tactics, Oma’s is the real deal with the highest-quality sourcing, ingredients, and products on the market.

I love working for a company with values and a product that stands the test of time. It brings me fulfillment to participate in the company’s mission to feed pets the best so they can live long and healthy lives.

Although I’m just one employee, I can speak to the fact that everyone at our company is extremely passionate about providing pets with the best nutrition possible. We are a group of dedicated pet advocates, animal lovers, and nutrition nerds.

Working at Oma’s is more than just a “job”; it is a way to help animals across the USA thrive. I love pushing this family business and legacy into the next generation, expanding our customer base, and discovering more and more ways to make our customers the happiest possible.

Have you heard the story about how Oma’s Pride began? It’s a heartwarming story of trial, triumph, and tradition.

At the heart of Oma's Pride lies a rich heritage passed down through generations.

Oma’s Pride is named after our beloved matriarch, Margaret “Oma” Miller. Rooted in humble beginnings in Connecticut’s Farmington Valley, we began selling eggs door-to-door. Over the next several decades, we evolved into a turkey farm, raising and processing human food for the local community. Through the 1970s, we transformed into a USDA poultry processor and regional food distributor, serving the entire New England area.

A tradition of healthy pets living on the farm and a sick family dog cured by the emerging raw food movement in the 1990s led to the creation of Oma’s Pride.

Oma’s daughter, Sandi, driven by a trailblazing spirit and passion for animal wellness, partnered with animal nutritionists and veterinarians to formalize decades-old family raw food recipes for pets everywhere.

Over the last several decades, our product offering has evolved into AAFCO complete pet diets, exotic proteins, natural supplements, freeze-dried treats, chews, and more. Our commitment to pure, human-grade ingredients sourced from local farms and relationships of trust has not and never will change.

Speaking firsthand, quality and transparency are non-negotiable at Oma's Pride.

Every ingredient that goes into our raw pet food recipes is carefully selected and meticulously tested to meet the highest standards. From sourcing fresh meats and vegetables to ensuring optimal nutrient content, no shortcuts are ever taken.

This is something that no company should ever have to “market.” It is something that should never have to be talked about. It should be the standard across the board…however, sadly, that’s not always the case.

When we talk about being transparent, we aren’t just using buzzwords to persuade consumers to make a purchase with us. We show you exactly what we’re made of.

Pet owners deserve to know exactly what is in their dogs’ or cats’ meals. That’s why we strive to provide complete transparency at every step of the process.

Our commitment to transparency extends beyond just our products—it’s ingrained in our culture and helps guide every decision we make.

That’s why it’s been my pleasure to share behind-the-scenes manufacturing videos at our USDA facility in Connecticut. If you don’t follow us on social media, here’s your reminder to do so!

We put time and effort into showing you the entire pet food manufacturing process, from how ingredients come in, how they are mixed, how they are packaged, and more.

My personal experience at Oma’s Pride has been nothing short of fantastic.

As cheesy as it might sound…walking through the doors of Oma’s Pride, you’re not just entering a workplace; you’re stepping into a family.

The feeling of camaraderie and mutual respect among employees is unmatched. Whether you're a family member who has been in the business for decades or a new hire (like myself), everyone is treated like family.

Everyone feels empowered to reach their full potential, encouraging creativity, innovation, and personal development. We all share a common passion for providing pets with the food we know they deserve, and that shared purpose unites all of us.

At Oma's Pride, customers aren't transactions—they're valued members of the extended family.

We take extreme pride in building long-term relationships based on trust, transparency, and world-class customer service. That’s why we have customers who have been buying our raw food for over 10 years!

Let me give you a specific example of our customer-centric approach in action:

A few months ago, a customer contacted us on a Friday afternoon to inform us that FedEx delivered her monthly Large Dog Subscription to the wrong address. We were closing soon and the next FedEx pickup day at our distribution facility was on Monday.

She was going to run out of food, and the only option she had was to drive to a local retail store and buy another brand. We looked up her address, and she lived only an hour away.

Our fulfillment team repacked her order and put it in my car. And guess what? We were able to drop off her new package in under an hour! She couldn’t believe it. Her jaw was essentially on the floor.

We go the extra mile for our customers on an individual and company level. This culture perfectly fits my hospitable, go-getter personality!

If you haven’t picked up on it by now, I’m proud to work for a company like Oma’s Pride. The legacy of quality, tradition, and family values will continue to guide us strongly into the future.

It’s my privilege to work every day honoring the company’s legacy while simultaneously getting the opportunity to help shape our future. With each passing generation, the company remains committed to the standards set by its founders while adapting to meet the needs of an ever-changing world.

From selling brand-new products like Portion Packs to launching an enhanced blog to unveiling a brand-new website (still to come!)...we are proud of our momentum to make Oma’s Pride even stronger.

We have many plans in the works (most of which are shaped by customer feedback!) to make the Oma’s Pride experience better, faster, and stronger than ever before. We can’t wait to continue serving pet parents and pets around the USA the best possible raw food.

As pet owners increasingly seek out natural and healthy alternatives, Oma's Pride stands ready to pave the way, ensuring that every pet can live a happy, healthy life as nature intended.

Working at Oma's Pride is more than just a regular job. It’s an honor, privilege, and a responsibility. It's about being part of a family that values tradition, embraces innovation, and always puts the well-being of pets first.

Whether you're an employee of the Oma's Pride team or a loyal customer, one thing is for sure: you're part of something truly special. Thank you, from all of us at Oma’s Pride, for being part of the family!

Here’s a selection of some of my favorite Oma’s Pride products! Check ‘em out!