Norway, the World Cup, and the Story Behind Solgave
With Norway advancing in the World Cup, I’ve found myself paying a little more attention than usual, okay, a lot more attention! LOL
In a few weeks, I’ll actually get to watch a match with my son Neo, who lives in Norway, (on the swedish side of the fjord, but crosses border every day for school and life) and that has me feeling nostalgic about where this little business came from.
Many of our clients have asked over the years:
“What does Solgave mean?”
The answer takes us back more than a decade.
In the spring of 2012, the mother of my son and I were living in Sweden, about 500 meters from the fjord that separates Sweden and Norway. At the time, our vision wasn’t primarily pet sitting or dog walking, it was about helping humans, at risk youth, those with autism and maybe had a rough hand of cards dealt to them.
We believed animals, nature, and meaningful work could help people heal and grow. We operated a small working farm and partnered with Norwegian and Swedish social services, (two specific kommunes in each country) providing mentorship experiences for young people who needed support, structure, and connection.
That vision eventually led us back to the United States.
During a visit to Arkansas in the summer of 2012, we decided to create a business that could generate reliable income while still staying connected to the values we cared about most: animals, nature, relationships, and community.
That business became Solgave.
The name itself comes from Norwegian.
Sol means “sun.”
Gave means “gift.”
Together, Solgave roughly translates to “Gift of the Sun.”
I loved the name immediately because almost nobody in America knew what it meant. It was unique, memorable, and carried a little piece of the place where the dream began.
When we officially launched in 2013, we honestly did a little bit of everything.
We attended community events, farmers markets, festivals, and neighborhood gatherings. We experimented with different services and tried to figure out where we fit in, a business competition we entered called the Startup Cup that year had us gain a lot of mentorship, free publicity, and eventually 5000$ in winnings because of being first runner up and streamlined the services you see today.
In those early years, pet sitting and dog walking were only part of the business. We also offered behavior consultations and educational workshops. Over time, however, our clients showed us where we were needed most.
Families wanted dependable, professional care for the animals they loved and the simple and tried and true services were gaining traction all over the country.
Eventually, pet care became our focus.
Like many small businesses, the road hasn’t been straight. Along the way, Solgave was sold to longtime staff members, and years later I had the opportunity to purchase it back following an amicable divorce. Through all the changes, one thing remained constant…the belief that animals improve people’s lives.
Today, Solgave is entering its 13th year.
What began as a dream near a Scandinavian fjord has grown into a local team serving hundreds of families throughout Northwest Arkansas.
And now, in a funny full-circle moment, Norway is back in the World Cup, my son will be visiting Arkansas again this summer, and there’s a good chance we’ll be watching a knockout-round match together. 8 days in fact till they land, they are here half of July and I will cherish every moment.
Life has a way of connecting chapters you never realize belong together until years later.
Thank you for allowing us to be a small part of your pets’ lives and your family’s story.
And if you’re looking for an underdog to cheer for this World Cup…
You know who we’re rooting for.
🇳🇴
— Jared Ritter
Founder, Solgave Animal Solutions
