Vanessa Pham

Vanessa Pham is an entrepreneur and brand builder recognized as the co-founder and former CEO of Omsom, an Asian food company she launched with her sister Kim. Before founding Omsom, Pham advised Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods companies on growth and retail strategy as a management consultant at Bain & Co., and previously managed a $3 million e-commerce business while studying sociology and economics at Harvard. This combination of analytical rigor and entrepreneurial experience contributed to the foundation of Omsom, a food brand known for its impact on the Asian food industry.

Omsom was established to bring restaurant-quality Asian cuisine to American home kitchens. The brand aimed to reimagine the ethnic aisle and to honor and celebrate the diversity within Asian cuisines and communities. Its name, rooted in the Vietnamese word for rowdy, reflects this ethos. By partnering with executive chefs from acclaimed restaurants, the Pham sisters introduced pantry shortcuts called Starters, transforming the home cooking experience. Originally launched as a direct-to-consumer business, Omsom expanded into national retail, with significant growth in grocery channel revenue.

The brand launched nationwide in Whole Foods, Target, and Sprouts, selling over 5 million units before being acquired by DDC Enterprise, Ltd. (DayDayCook), a multi-brand Asian consumer food company. Omsom received over 20 billion press impressions and was recognized as the "Best New Food Business" by Food52. Its product lines, "Cooking Sauces" and "Saucy Noodles," became staples in households across the United States.

Pham's leadership and influence have been acknowledged through honors such as Forbes 30 Under 30, serving as a judge for the same program, being featured in Fortune Magazine, and inclusion on the Inc. Female Founders 250 list and AdWeek Young Influential. She has appeared on CNN Primetime, CBS Mornings, The New York Times, Vogue, The Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company. Pham has also served as a judge for Forbes 30 Under 30: Food & Beverage alongside industry leaders.

Following the acquisition of Omsom, Pham has focused on coaching and advising entrepreneurs, leveraging her experience in brand building, consumer packaged goods, and leadership. She is a keynote speaker at organizations including Nordstrom, Pepsi, and Anheuser-Busch, addressing topics such as entrepreneurship, leadership, and AAPI identity. Pham's experience in building a culturally resonant and commercially successful brand positions her as a knowledgeable voice in the food and consumer goods industries.