I'm a startup founder who allows a dog in the office. It's become our best productivity hack.

Sophia Kianni says having a dog in the office helps balance out the "grind culture" of her early-stage startup.

Sophia Kianni

• Sophia Kianni is a founder who says her startups' secret to productivity is their "office dog."
• Ollie, a Shiba Inu, belongs to one of Kianni's coworkers and comes to the office most days.
• Kianni says Ollie gives her team a mood and productivity boost, and has even helped with hiring.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sophia Kianni...