Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Harney
Hi Ana , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Ukraine and grew up in a very poor and broken family. By the time I was six, I was placed in an orphanage as my parents struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. Life in the orphanage wasn’t easy and even at a young age, I knew I wanted a better life for myself and my family. I dreamed of giving my future children the stability and security I never had. Both of my parents passed away from alcohol poisoning when I was ten. While this was a heartbreaking loss, it led to my sister and I being adopted by a wonderful family in San Marcos, Texas where I’ve been based out of since. I’ve always loved animals and dreamed of working for myself, so I could spend more time at home with my children. After graduating from Texas A&M with a Communications degree and a minor in Russian, I married my high school sweetheart. Not long after, I started Howdy Doodle, my dog breeding business. While working full-time at Windemere Farm Weddings, a local wedding venue. That experience taught me so much about running a business and helped me make important connections in the community. After having my daughter, Georgia, I took the leap to start another business, Hill Country Dance Floors. This move gave me the flexibility to stay home with my daughter while still building something I’m passionate about. My husband, who is a firefighter, has been a huge support through my business launches. His schedule, two days on and four days off, gives him the opportunity to spend a lot of time with our family and even help with the business. Together, we’ve created a life that revolves around teamwork and family, which allows us to stay involved in our kid’s lives while pursuing our dreams. We praise God for the prayers answered and opportunities given.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For my dance floor business the hardest part has been getting my name and business information out in public and its been evident to me that it is always the hardest challenge of any start up business. The same goes for my Bernedoodle breeding business. Having worked in the wedding industry certainly made it easier to pick up on what’s needed to succeed.
We’ve been impressed with Howdy Doodle & Hill Country Dance Floors, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Howdy Doodle:
At Howdy Doodle, I breed premium, family raised, health tested F1b and multigeneration mini/medium Bernedoodles. Our puppies range in a variety of coat colors some including merle, tri, chocolate, chocolate merle and red. Our dogs achieve the ideal traits in temperaments, health, color pattern, low to non shedding hair, as well as being hypoallergenic. We live on a ranch in San Marcos, TX allowing our puppies grow up in an ideal environment for nurturing their socialization. This comes in the exposure to horses, cows, bison, other dogs, lots of children, and adults.
Hill Country Dance Floors:
At Hill country Dance Floors, I specialize in delivery and setup of luxury dance floors for weddings, quinceañeras and any other event needing my service. I think what sets us apart here is our fair pricing. We don’t charge for delivery, set up, break down, or taxes our company covers those expenses the client only pays for the floor and subfloor itself.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Howdy Doodle:
I’m currently renting a home that has plenty of acreage for my puppies to thrive on as they are born and up to their 8 week selling age. This year, my husband and I are planning on moving to my family’s ranch down the road from us. Here, we will build our home and a dedicated dog facility capable of housing four dogs comfortably, so that they have a healthy and happy living environment. We plan on expanding and getting two more dogs for our breeding program. That piece of property we’re moving to also has horses, cows, dogs and our extended family so the puppies will still be gaining plenty of socialization as they mature.
Hill Country Dance Floor:
My husband and I are planning on making this more than just a dance floor business. We will be expanding into other rentals including arches for the ceremony, chairs, lounge rentals, and party supplies such as bouncing houses.
Pricing:
- checkered floor 21by 21 $2000 18 by 18 $1750
- maple floor: 18 by 18 $1200
- merle puppies: $3700
- tri puppies: $3200
- chocolate tri puppies: $3300
Contact Info:
- Website: https://howdy-doodle.com/puppies-available
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_howdydoodle_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556095553269
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/howdy-doodle-san-marcos
Image Credits
Images are mine of the puppies.
Dance floor: white floor Savannahbphotos
