Heidi Ganahl is one of Colorado’s most well-known entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Her story is outlined by extraordinary adversity in her life. Beginning with the loss of her husband at the age of 27, then losing a million-dollar insurance settlement, Ganahl picked up her entrepreneurial spirit and channeled her leadership skills to help get back up and ultimately become the “Top Dog” and founder of Camp Bow Wow, Fight Back Foundation, and her latest project: SheFactor.
Ganahl is the founder of Camp Bow Wow, the largest pet care franchise in North America and one of the largest women-led franchises. She opened the first camp in Denver in 2000. Three years later she started franchising the concept. Today, Camp Bow Wow boasts more than 170 franchises, is the largest pet care company in the world, and is one of the fastest growing brands in the pet industry.
Ganahl has been named one of Fortune magazine’s 10 Most Promising Entrepreneurs, and Parade magazine included her in their list of the top women entrepreneurs in the country. Her love for dogs led her to Camp Bow Wow, which was named to the Inc 500/5000 fastest growing company list five years in a row. In 2014, she sold the Camp Bow Wow $100 million brand to turn her attention to philanthropy, politics, and other endeavors.
One of her passions is to find ways to give back. In 2016, she was elected as a University of Colorado Regent, where she continues to serve, and she serves on various other boards focused on entrepreneurship and education. Ganahl founded the Fight Back Foundation to positively tackle the most pressing issues facing our kids today, and in 2019 launched SheFactor, a national multimedia platform for young women that helps them navigate life after college.
Ganahl is a sought-after public speaker and often speaks about her journey and her commitment to keeping the American dream alive and well for future generations. In 2015, she was invited to speak at Tedx Mile High: The Art of the Comeback.
She is the proud wife of Jason Ganahl, one of the top BBQ cooks in the country, and owner of GQUE BBQ restaurant near Boulder, Colorado. Together, they have four kids – Tori, Hollie, and twins Jack and Jenna.
