From Pathology to Purpose: How Dr. Angela Zeng Built Karviva and Redefined Wellness Drinks
When Angela Zeng immigrated to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in pathology, her life was supposed to follow a traditional trajectory. She would become a researcher, contribute to medical science, and spend her career in labs and institutions. Instead, her journey took an unexpected turn.
Angela is now the founder and CEO of Karviva, an award-winning wellness beverage company that combines Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern nutritional science. Her products have earned national recognition, her company has been spotlighted in Bon Appétit, and she has emerged as a voice for women, immigrants, and innovators in an industry that often resists change.
Her path has not been straightforward. It has been marked by risk, resilience, cultural pride, and a deep commitment to the belief that food is better medicine.
A Childhood Steeped in Traditional Wisdom
Angela grew up in China surrounded by the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herbs, teas, and natural remedies were not occasional treatments. They were an everyday part of life. As a child she was fascinated by the way herbs smelled, tasted, and worked. “To me, those remedies were magical,” she recalls. “Not only did they smell great, they could actually do amazing things.”
That early immersion planted a seed that would shape her later work. Even when she pursued her doctorate in pathology at St. Louis University and later earned an MBA, Angela never lost her respect for the wisdom she grew up with.
A Career in Science and a Growing Discontent
Angela spent years in medical research, focusing on heart disease and cancer. She later moved into the pharmaceutical industry, where she contributed to projects that could improve lives. But she began to notice the gap between intention and practice. Pharmaceutical companies often spoke about saving lives, yet decisions were consistently driven by profits.
“I was frustrated because there were times when I saw decisions being made that prioritized profit over patients,” she explains. “It was not that the products did not work, but the way business was run left little room for true care or innovation.”
Angela realized she wanted to build something different. She wanted to create products that supported health in a way that was both effective and ethical.
Building Karviva from the Ground Up
In 2016 Angela founded Karviva. She knew she was entering a crowded and difficult market. The food and beverage industry is known for high failure rates, limited access to funding, and a reliance on entrenched distribution systems.
She began with a vision: combine her scientific training with the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She wanted every ingredient to be intentional, every recipe to support health.
Finding a partner to produce her formulations turned out to be one of her first major hurdles. Most co-packers refused to take on her recipes. They were complex, required careful handling, and did not fit into standardized production systems. Others insisted she change her formulations to fit their processes, which would have compromised the health benefits.
Angela refused to compromise. Instead, she built her own factory in St. Louis. It was a bold decision that required investment, long hours, and a willingness to take risks. But it gave her control over quality and allowed her to bring her vision to life without dilution.
In 2017 Karviva launched its first products.
Early Struggles and the Reality of Bias
Launching a brand is never simple, but for Angela the challenges were compounded by her identity as an immigrant woman of color. She noticed the way investors and buyers responded to her compared to her male peers.
“Many times I would walk into a room and feel that I was not seen as a CEO,” she recalls. “People compared me to their wives, their mothers, their daughters. They did not always see me as a business leader.”
Data supports her observation. Women founders, and particularly women of color, receive only a small fraction of venture capital funding. In retail, many buyers remain hesitant to support innovative products that come from outside the mainstream.
Angela did not allow those barriers to stop her. She focused on educating consumers and building relationships. She knew her mission was not simply to sell drinks, but to help people reconnect with the healing power of food.
One of her most motivating moments came when a customer showed up unannounced at her factory to say thank you. The man explained that her drink had made a huge difference in his life. Stories like his continue to fuel Angela’s commitment.
Recognition and Momentum
In September 2025 Karviva was featured in Bon Appétit, one of the most influential voices in food and lifestyle media. The article, “This Wellness Drink Is the New Pilates-Class Staple, and It’s Not What You Think,” spotlighted the brand’s growing presence in fitness studios and wellness communities nationwide.
Unlike many functional beverages that emphasize extremes, Karviva’s drinks are designed to feel restorative. They balance the wisdom of Eastern traditions with the rigor of modern science.
Some of the highlighted products include:
Karviva ACE Sport: A post-workout recovery drink with marine collagen, sea buckthorn berry, and sesame seed electrolytes, available in flavors like Watermelon Rush and Bold Berry Lemonade.
Karviva Energy: A clean alternative to pre-workout supplements, featuring green coffee beans, ginseng, and antioxidant-rich fruits for steady focus without the crash.
Karviva Detox: A gentle reset with mung bean sprouts, aronia berries, kiwi, and aloe to support digestion, skin, and recovery.
“Functional wellness should not be about extremes,” Angela explained in the article. “It should be balanced, restorative, and rooted in nature.”
This recognition is only the latest milestone. Karviva previously earned a 2021 MidAmerica Emmy Award for innovation, has been distributed through Amazon and Walmart Marketplace, and is available in organic grocers across the country.
Angela herself has been named to USA Today’s Top 10 Women Leaders to Watch, the St. Louis Titan 100, and has been recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal and the Women’s Business Development Center.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Angela’s story is full of lessons for entrepreneurs in any field.
Expect rejection. She emphasizes that founders should be prepared to hear no more often than yes. Sometimes rejection is not personal. It may be a matter of timing or fit.
Do not give in to victim mentality. Angela acknowledges the unfairness of bias and systemic barriers, but insists that dwelling on injustice does not move a business forward. Instead she advises asking how to make progress with the resources available.
Stay true to your mission. She warns against abandoning the philosophy that makes a brand unique. When companies lose sight of their core values in pursuit of mass appeal, they often alienate their most loyal customers.
Think creatively about distribution. Traditional pathways are not always the best option. Farmers markets, college campuses, and online channels can provide access to the right consumers without the same barriers.
Learn continuously. Angela sees education as a lifelong pursuit. She urges women, especially those in midlife, never to stop learning. “The world changes so fast,” she says. “Staying curious and informed is how we stay relevant.”
The Broader Landscape of Wellness
Angela’s work also raises important questions about the wellness industry as a whole. For decades the U.S. market has been dominated by products promising quick fixes and extreme results. Diet fads, artificial supplements, and sugar-laden “energy” drinks have become the norm.
Karviva represents a different philosophy. Its drinks are not designed to shock the body but to support it. Ingredients are selected for both cultural wisdom and scientific validation. The result is a brand that stands apart in an industry often driven by marketing more than substance.
Angela also sees her work as part of a broader cultural shift. Just as yoga and sushi were once unfamiliar in the U.S. but are now mainstream, she believes Traditional Chinese Medicine will become more accepted and integrated into daily life.
“We are always curious about new things,” she says. “At first people are hesitant, but over time they become part of the culture. I believe ancient healing wisdom has a place in the future of wellness.”
Beyond Business
For Angela, entrepreneurship is not only about building a company. It is about creating impact. She views her role as both innovator and educator. She creates products, but she also produces short videos and educational content to help people understand the science and tradition behind them.
Her hope is that Karviva will inspire people to see food differently—not as a trend or a product category, but as a source of healing.
A Message of Empowerment
Angela often shares one key message: your story is your power. She believes that leaders do not need to fit into traditional molds to make a difference. By embracing their roots and staying aligned with their values, women and underrepresented founders can create extraordinary impact.
Her journey from pathology labs to national media recognition illustrates that point. She did not follow the standard path. She built her own. And in doing so, she has created a brand that is not only reshaping wellness but also challenging what it means to succeed as a woman and immigrant in business.
Looking Ahead
Karviva continues to expand nationally, gaining traction with fitness communities, organic grocers, and online shoppers. Angela is optimistic about the future but realistic about the challenges ahead. She knows the industry is competitive and unforgiving, but she remains grounded in her mission.
She sees Karviva not only as a beverage brand but as part of a cultural movement to reconnect people with nature, tradition, and balance.
“Your story, no matter where it starts, is your power,” she reminds other women. “You can build something meaningful. You can create impact beyond profit. You can carve your own path.”
Learn More About Karviva
Website: karviva.com
Instagram: @karvivawellness
Facebook: Karviva Wellness
LinkedIn: Angela Zeng
TikTok: @karvivawellness
