What can really happen to your home when no one is there to notice something has gone wrong?
In this episode of **Best For Your Nest**, Bea Bonte and Anya Bergland sit down with **Ana Cantell of Snowbird Home Watch** to talk about the hidden risks of leaving your home unattended, especially during Minnesota’s extreme winters.
Ana shares how the idea for her business started after a real-life disaster at her parents’ home. Just three days after checking the house, she returned during a brutal cold snap to discover that the furnace had stopped working and a pipe had burst. That experience made her realize how quickly a small problem can turn into major damage when no one is there to catch it.
The conversation dives into what a professional home watch service actually does, why relying on a neighbor or family member may not always be enough, and the small precautions homeowners can take before leaving town.
Ana also shares her journey into entrepreneurship, growing up around family businesses, her family’s unexpected history in the Swedish clog business, and how becoming a business owner allowed her to create a career that fits her life.
Later in the episode, the conversation shifts into motherhood, learning to say no, protecting your time and energy, and an honest discussion about perimenopause, hormones, and why more women are finally talking openly about changes in their health.
**In this episode, we talk about:**
• How a furnace failure and burst pipe inspired Snowbird Home Watch
• What can happen to a home in just a few days
• Why professional home checks are different from asking a neighbor
• Simple ways to reduce the risk of water damage
• Why turning off your water before leaving can make a huge difference
• Home security risks when a property looks unoccupied
• Insurance, documentation, and professional home watch services
• Ana’s journey into entrepreneurship
• Growing up in a family of business owners
• The unexpected Swedish clog family business
• Learning to say no and protect your energy
• Perimenopause, hormones, and recognizing when you don’t feel like yourself
• Taking a more proactive approach to your health
Whether you travel frequently, spend winters somewhere warmer, own a second home, or simply want more peace of mind when you’re away, this episode offers practical advice and real stories every homeowner should hear.
Don’t forget to **like, subscribe, and share** the episode with someone who travels often or leaves their home unattended for extended periods.
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