our name
what does hoboberry mean?
short story:
hobo '好補' (pronounced hou2 bou2) in Cantonese means to 'repair' or 'replenish'.
berry refers to Headmaster Haku - the inspiration for all our creations.
long story:
My cultural background heavily influences my actions and decisions. This name encompasses all things important to me. It's a reminder of how my Chinese heritage is just as deeply woven into me as my American side. Hobo is a reminder that our mind, body, and spirit are always striving to find balance. We may need to repair our mental health, replenish nutrients in our body, or restore different parts of our spirit's energy. It's about caring for ourselves as a whole.
Back in the day, the term 'hobo' was used to describe hardworking American nomads traveling to find their next job. I aligned with this because the past several years consisted of me moving across the country, trying different jobs, and finding my way.
'bou' is a homonym in Cantonese. So while one character means 'repair' (補), another character means 'protect' (保). Not only do I want my skin protected, but also my mind and body to be protected from external stressors. And of course, I want the same protection for Haku, you, and your pets.
Berry is Haku's main nickname. He's the inspiration behind all of this because caring for him is a huge part of my life. I wanted to see him enjoy all our outdoor adventures. Part of that meant maintaining healthy paws to continue these activities. There was also one year when a rash would sporadically appear and disappear on his belly. It reminded me that he has very delicate, sensitive skin and I had to be mindful of what I put on it. From then on, I was dedicated to researching and creating a clean, safe product that would be gentle and moisturizing for his paw pads and skin.