Home, Safe Home
Ana Cantell, ’06, launches home watch business.
Ana (Isaksen) Cantell, ’06, discovered a business opportunity in an unlikely situation—frequent check-ins at her parents’ home during their winter absence. After managing two major furnace malfunctions, Ana started to wonder, “What would they have done without someone checking in?”
In places like Florida and Arizona, “home watch” services are common for seasonal homeowners. Yet, in Minnesota, this concept was virtually unknown. “I didn’t even know home watch was a thing,” Ana said. “But I realized there was a really big opportunity because we have so many snowbirds in the Twin Cities area.”
Ana connected with the two national home watch organizations, got trained and certified, and launched Snowbird Home Watch in 2023. The business quickly started to fill a niche in the state. “It’s an up-and-coming business,” Ana said, explaining that she gets many calls for her services and from people around Minnesota looking for guidance to start their own watch businesses.
Home Watch 101
In addition to people going South for the winter, Ana’s customers include families with elderly relatives in assisted living homes and professionals temporarily relocated for work. Many seek her service because of increasing concerns over crime, or after hearing disaster stories about water damage or pests. Most search for “house sitters” or “property managers,” not realizing they need a home watch service.
Ana provides regular exterior and interior checks and accommodates special requests like stocking the fridge before homeowners return and scheduling painters. “It’s just making sure I’m the eyes and ears of the house. If work needs to be done, or something does come up, I can oversee it and communicate with the owner.”
Ana securely stores all information on an app and communicates with homeowners when issues arise. “My day stops if there is an issue and I get a company to come and figure out what’s going on.”
I tell everyone about the UND program. I think it is a best-kept secret.Ana Cantell
Game Changer
Before Snowbird, Ana and her dad, John Isaksen, ’68, worked together importing shoes from Sweden and selling them to businesses across the country. Her dad served as her entrepreneurial role model.
Through both business ventures, Ana has leaned heavily on her education. “UND had such a strong entrepreneurship program,” she said. “The Center for Innovation was a game-changer; it opened my eyes to what’s possible. I tell everyone about the UND program. I think it is a best-kept secret.”
