We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather Denton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Heather with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic has come from watching my parents growing up and I found that in myself as I got older. They worked so hard growing up and I watched that. My mom worked her entire life, even through her fight against lung cancer. She was a receptionist in a toy business and was allowed to take home all the samples. Several times a year, she held ‘toy sample’ sales and they used that money to take us on a once a year vacation. My dad worked a full time job and then came home and ran his own lawn mowing and power washing business (only him, no employees) to bring in extra money to help us play sports and pay the bills. They were never handed anything and neither were we as kids. They worked for everything they ever had and never waited for someone else to give it to them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I started Bark N Fetch because I found that there was a need for what we offer and gap to fill as there was nothing like us here in Frisco. However, my desire to start a business around pets has long been a passion of mine. I was always coming up with ideas that started out of something I couldn’t find or felt could be improved. It just took me a while to get to where I am now. But, I never ever stopped dreaming and I tell everyone that. Don’t let someone else’s ‘no’ or ‘you can’t do that’ stop you. There are always going to be obstacles and roadblocks. You just have to find a way to get around, over, under or knock them down!
Fast forward to where I am now with Bark N Fetch and what I see for us….I have a lot of goals and desires for what we are and what we will become. I want us to continue to focus on the health of pets and be the go to spot for food and supplements and for finding everything you won’t find anywhere else. I want Bark N Fetch to be your favorite small business to shop because you the love the store, the people and our purpose. I want to be an advocate for adoption and rescue and to continue educating the public and supporting all the amazing organizations around us. Lastly, I want to be an example to my two boys and to anyone else to always work hard and show them that it does payoff. It might not be immediate. You might get knocked down. People might not support you. There likely will be blood, sweat and tears (and yes, I have had experienced each of those), but if you want it….work for it and make it happen.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three things that have been most impactful on my journey? Passion. Listening, and educating myself and my team.
My advice to someone embarking on their journey? Follow your heart and your gut. Do not think you know everything because we can always learn from others. Be resilient and keep pressing forward weather that’s education, financial or anything in between.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I am overwhelmed, which has absolutely happened in my life…I have my go to people that will listen to me vent, let me cry and not say a word or listen and support however they can. I think that it is so very important to have an army around you. It doesn’t have to be a big army, it just needs to be a strong one.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.barknfetchfrisco.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/barknfetchfrisco
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BarkNFetchFrisco
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hdenton/
Image Credits
Giggles Photography Natalie Catherine Photo
