2019

The first thoughts

The BOGGL® business was still a long way off. I was still in the middle of the restaurant business, my life was hectic – but I knew: Soon there would be something just for dogs. I was already telling customers with dogs that there would soon be something very special for dogs. The problem had long been recognized:

Dogs need sustainable, healthy activities with thoughtful added value! But what exactly? I didn't know. Only one thing was clear – it had to be something unique .

2020

Corona: The dream of the food trailer business is over

Everything stood still. Suddenly, there was time. Time to spend intensively with my Smilla. Thoughts: Sustainable activity toys? The market was—and still is—oversaturated. But it was full of mediocrity. I began researching, experimenting, and making the problem my topic of discussion. I complained, so to speak, about all the things people constantly throw money away on.

You know it's going to happen, but you still buy it – simply to give your dog a little joy and keep him busy. I wanted something for my Smilla that was truly amazing – not just another run-of-the-mill toy, but something special . I searched, researched, and experimented.

2021

The journey continues

The coronavirus pandemic continued to keep the world on edge. Things had to go on somehow, so Smilla and I traveled through Southern Europe, working in hotels and restaurants. Especially in the hotter countries, the topic of dog training became increasingly important—after all, Smilla was constantly waiting for me while I worked—so it was becoming increasingly stressful.

September 2021 – this moment. I was in South Tyrol. This time without my Smilla. Finishing work in a truly beautiful hotel at over 2000 meters above sea level. Alone with a drink in hand, gazing into the dark emptiness toward the mountains. All the doubts swirled. All the voices: "There's already so much on the market, what do you want with yet another toy? And at the same time: You'll regret it if you don't try it!" The conclusion: I'm doing it. ALL OR NOTHING.
From that moment on, there was no turning back. I didn't even have anything tangible in my hands—just (a touch of nothing) a few miniature prototypes and a picture in my head of what it would roughly look like. Crazy, yes, even if it's just the most expensive toy in the world for my Smilla—from that moment on, that thought and the WILL were deeply ingrained in me.

2022

Setbacks, decisions and the accolade

In February, Smilla's unwanted and completely unexpected pregnancy occurred. At the ripe old age of ten, she gave birth to six puppies. It was a very, very tragic time—almost all of the babies died (except for Dr. Fleck and Professor). My Smilla was in very poor health—I was desperate and had my back against the wall. It was a time when I thought: This isn't going to get better. From morning until night, for days, weeks, months... it just wouldn't stop. Working was hopeless.

How could I manage with three dogs? I was desperate and had no way out. And yet I still didn't want to give the dogs away, even though others kept saying, "How am I going to manage it all?" I won't give up on these dogs - come what may. The pressure to finally make BOGGL® a reality became overwhelming. My passion for the restaurant industry was there - but with three dogs it was simply no longer feasible. My focus had completely changed. From now on, with three dogs , I had to start over from scratch.
Then a lucky coincidence: In the fall, I was given the opportunity at short notice to participate in a pitch for a startup grant. I barely had time to prepare for a pitch in front of an unknown jury – the grant was almost irrelevant to me. What was much more important was presenting my idea to strangers who would seriously consider whether the idea had potential. After all, it was about money. Would they believe in BOGGL®? Then the decision: Acceptance! The accolade. I wasn't crazy – BOGGL® had potential! The prototype looked completely different back then than it does today. Now the search began for engineers who could turn the idea into a real product.

BOGGL auf der Dogs & Fun Dortmund – erste Hundemesse mit innovativem Schleckspielzeug für Hunde
2024

The first big appearance

The end of May 2024 – we were exhibiting at a trade fair for the first time. That was quite a big experience. The drive with a fully packed car to the exhibition halls, then setting everything up for the first time: the counter, logos, roll-ups… simply everything. Ahhh , the excitement was immense! Then the next day: PRODUCT LAUNCH . The drive, the lines of cars in front of the trade fair… phew , it was all a total OVERLOAD!!!

We had never experienced it before – a dog show! And suddenly, we were exhibiting at a dog show . Dogs as far as the eye could see – everywhere! So many breeds at once – it was INSANE. And suddenly we were standing there: five minutes of peace – and then they came. They asked: "What is that?" "How does it work?" "Why is it like that… and that?" And for the first time, we began speaking to real potential buyers. And people listened. They were curious. Their dogs were allowed to try and test things on site… and suddenly I heard a dear colleague say: "Would you like one?" And you watch as the first BOGGL® is sold . The very first BOGGL® sold. After all these years. After all the ups and downs. An indescribable feeling – almost sad and tired with exhaustion, and yet so beautiful at the same time. The JOURNEY. The struggle. Over and over again.

And then a complete stranger buys a BOGGL®! This purchase wasn't just proof that we sold with conviction. The first buyer understood the system behind the BOGGL® – and was thrilled. In the end, she bought it. That fills us with so much JOY. And we do it again and again. First and foremost: PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEM BEHIND IT!!! The BOGGL® is an investment with added value . And every purchase sends a message: The BOGGL® is WORTH its price.
Thank you for your support.

Here we lick until the algorithm glows – follow us!

@boggl.official