ALLY
ALLY Shoes: Your SmileCare System™ is rooted in wellness, not just hygiene. How do you think oral health connects to overall well-being—and how are you helping shift that mindset for consumers?
Chrystle: Having worked with thousands of patients, I’ve seen firsthand how oral health is intimately connected to overall well-being. Poor oral health doesn’t just lead to cavities or gum disease—it’s linked to systemic issues like heart disease, diabetes, and even cognitive challenges. A healthy mouth supports confidence, self-esteem, and better nutrition, which ripples into physical, mental, and social wellness.
Our SmileCare System™—featuring Cocofloss, Cocobrush, and Cocoshine—uplifts oral care by making it a joyful, holistic ritual, not a chore. We use innovative products like our textured Cocofloss, which effectively removes plaque with 500+ threads and soothing coconut oil, and nano-hydroxyapatite-powered Cocoshine to remineralize and whiten teeth. These products deliver results while being fun and flavorful, with MoMA-worthy designs that inspire daily use. We’re not just about clean teeth — we’re here to disrupt the dental care game and make every smile brighter, every day.
ALLY Shoes: In honor of AAPI Heritage Month: How has your cultural background influenced your journey as a founder and healthcare professional?
Chrystle: Growing up Chinese-Filipino American in the San Francisco Bay Area, I only began to recognize the significance of my heritage as a newcomer to public middle school. I retreated into the comfort of the Asian stereotype as a classical pianist with relatively good grades. I took the opportunity to conform to the contours of my Asian American identity, allowing the stereotype to reinforce a quieter demeanor and less-assertive but studious behaviors. While doing so didn’t help me build self esteem socially, thankfully my musical and academic achievements fueled me with confidence in my strengths. With plenty of unsolicited encouragement from my immigrant parents, I gravitated towards the sciences and finished college with a Chemistry degree, which led me to dentistry and then to Cocolab.
ALLY Shoes: What AAPI voices—past or present—have inspired your path in medicine, entrepreneurship, or beyond?
Chrystle: Cat and I come from a family of entrepreneurs. All four of our grandparents immigrated to the Philippines as young adults, working their way up to small business ownership. Paternal grandpa James Cu Yek Chim started out importing goods like textiles to Manila, then went on to run t-shirt and label manufacturing businesses. Our maternal grandpa George Young started out as an assistant, then worked his way to owning a copra, or coconut, business. It was also our Kong Kong George who “assigned” dentistry to his daughter, our mom Dr. Dely Young! When they moved to California, our dentist mom and entrepreneur Dad opened up our mom’s dental practice in San Mateo, California. And we all know what happened after that!
ALLY Shoes: Who is your ally?
Chrystle: My ALLY is my sister and co-founder, Catherine Cu. Cat always challenges me to think big, and to never take “impossible” as an answer to anything. Whether we’re brainstorming new products or jumping hurdles in company building, her relentless pursuit of excellence pushes me to dream without limits and turn our vision for Cocolab into reality. She’s more than a business partner—she’s my greatest supporter in building a brand that helps people achieve brighter smiles every day.
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