“We believe the Internet can change people’s lives … if done right.” This is the philosophy driving Happy Dog Web Productions, a business created by owner and founder Ryan Boog six years ago. And with the recent asset acquisition of a Florida-based company, things are certainly changing quickly for what began as one man doing freelance work.
Flashback to 2008: The economy was doing poorly, and thousands were being laid off, among them, Boog. “I finally said, ‘Enough’s enough, I’ve got to start my own business,’ ” recalls Boog. He built his portfolio by doing web design for businesses in White Bear Lake and beyond. As he started getting referrals, Boog was able to turn Happy Dog into an LLC, hire another person and move into the Birch Lake Professional Building.
Now with six employees and a new space in downtown White Bear, Happy Dog is “known as the agency in the northern suburbs,” according to Boog. The company specializes in custom website building and digital marketing, with a client list featuring big names like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Xcel Energy and Restonics Mattresses.