In 1994, Heidi and Bion were like a million other newlyweds—working, saving, planning and, of course, dreaming. They had this crazy notion of opening a day care for dogs—Camp Bow Wow it would be called—where people could drop their pets for the day or an extended stay. Since the dogs would interact and play in an open area, there would be none of the guilt and sad eyes associated with caging in kennels. They knew it would work. In fact, they wrote a business plan and were scouting locations.
But then the unthinkable happened. Bion was killed in a plane crash, and Heidi’s life for the next 6 years became part of the wreckage. Although she received a million dollars in legal settlements, the 28-year-old widow squandered most of it. A rebound marriage ended in divorce and she was unhappy with her career in pharmaceutical sales. Then her brother suggested they dig up that old bone of a dream.
“I was still very passionate about it,” says Heidi, “so I took the $80,000 that I had left and said c’est la vie.”
A decade later, Heidi Ganahl is the Top Dog or CEO of one of the 500 fastest-growing businesses in America, according to Inc. magazine. There are 107 Camp Bow Wows, 44 Home Buddies franchises (her new in-home, pet-care business), and a Bow Wow Buddy Foundation that’s working to cure animal cancer.
Looking back, Heidi credits her dogs, her daughter, and Bion’s memory for helping her survive. “I made bad decisions and went through emotional turmoil, but I knew Bion wouldn’t have wanted me to give up. Plus, I wanted to build a great life for my daughter and show her I was still ambitious and innovative.”
When Heidi, now 43 and living in Boulder, CO, addresses women’s groups, she talks about passion. Find what you’re passionate about, she advises, and then build a business around it. Or, if you’re just out for personal peace, simply find a way to make it a bigger part of your life.
Sure, sure, you’re probably thinking; I have lots of ideas and interests but no time for any of them. Wrong, says Heidi: “There aren’t any shortcuts, but there are baby steps. Every day you choose how to live. You can choose to do the same old thing or to find one hour to make it happen. You just need discipline.”
And if you fail, it’s no big deal. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned from my dogs,” she says, “is to live in the moment and forget about yesterday. It’s all a journey, a process, a big learning experience…so accept it for that and be kind to yourself.”
Comments from Members
HOW SWEET!
What an encouraging story. A great idea can go a long way!
thank god for real talk keep people from staying lost in there nightmares
You came a long way from such a very devastating loss. I know, I just lost my husband this past October. I sometimes can't see one foot in front of the other but I have an 11 year old daughter to look after all alone now. Thank you for your story. It gives me some hope for the future for myself.
Wow!! A job you love after disaster!
Cool
Wow, that was awesome...finding something positive after such a loss. 
A very inspiring story. How great to make a living doing something you are passionate about!
We all are faced with a lot of turmoil in our lives and I’m glad that thinks worked out well but they don’t for some people no matter how hard that the try and is inspired by great stories as this one.
What an inspirational story - I love that she pursued her dreams and kept Bions' memory alive!
That's absolutely right - dogs don't dwell on the past or keep beating themselves up for mistakes. We should all learn to do that!
It is amazing to me when someone can put aside their own grief and turn something negetive into such a wonderful positive. So many times we are inclined to hide our heads in the pillow and just give up. This women represents a little piece of all of us, if we all could find this strength, which we all have, can you imagine what this world could accomplish? We would be creating a positive and strong future for our children and insureing a stong foundation for them! Congratulations Heidi, for pulling yourself together and making a difference!
There's a reason they say having a pet can increase the quality of your life!
I agree so very much! we can learn so much from our pets! It is a shame more people aren't like our pets! believe me I know this because of the problems I have been having with my daughter in law, I have bent over backwards and for who knows what reason she sure has my son's mind warped. It is sad I have accepted I will probably not see my Grandchildren until they are old enough to find me, or their birth mother is stable enough to fight for visitation. All I do is Pray!
wow. So inspirational.
An excellent story & model to encourage others! You go girl!!! See what the love of animals can do?!!?!??
Excellent idea! I love stories like this one. What a great idea.
Sometimes the only way to get through the sorrow and pain is to push right through it. Rainbows too come after the worst storms.
Good article.
