Your interests, creativity, and talents can be the foundation for a business that makes a splash, as CPA entrepreneur Dayna Rogowski found out when she turned a simple idea into something more.
“My career has taken me in a few different directions,” she notes. “The CPA program opened far more doors than I expected and led to opportunities in education, mentorship, and business ownership that I never anticipated. I started off working at Ernst & Young in Vancouver before transitioning into facilitation roles within the CPA profession. Today, I work as an independent contractor in a variety of capacities, including facilitating and supporting CPA candidates through the CPAWSB PEP Program.”
On top of her consulting work, Dayna owns Loveyloos, a business she launched with her sister in 2021 that creates specialty, limited-ingredient dog treats for pets with food sensitivities.
The inspiration behind her business
“It was definitely an unexpected career turn,” Dayna says of launching her company. “Loveyloos was inspired by my sister’s late dog, Zoey, a Havanese with food sensitivities and allergies. We struggled to find treats with simple ingredients that we felt good about feeding her, so we developed a recipe with a short list of simple, healthy ingredients and shared the treats with friends and family who had pets.”
The positive feedback they received encouraged them to take the next step and launch Loveyloos. “Having so many dogs enjoy the treats we create is a daily reminder of why we started this journey in the first place,” she shares. “To date, we've fulfilled more than 2,500 customer orders across Canada and the United States, and our treats are now carried in six independent pet stores and veterinary clinics.”
As the business grew, Dayna found herself learning about product development, marketing, e-commerce, and customer relationships. “What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed building something from the ground up and seeing customers connect with it,” she reflects.
How entrepreneurship aligns with her mindset and values
“I’ve always enjoyed problem solving, continuous learning, and building things that create value for others,” explains Dayna. “Entrepreneurship provides an outlet for all three.”
“Running a small business requires wearing many hats and adapting quickly when things don’t go as planned (which they rarely do!). While challenges are inevitable, they also keep the work interesting. I enjoy finding practical solutions, improving processes, and connecting directly with customers.”
Applying a CPA skillset to a small business
“The CPA designation has been incredibly valuable in ways that extend far beyond accounting,” says Dayna when asked how her education supports her business. “One of the biggest skills I draw on is critical thinking. Whether I’m evaluating new opportunities, pricing products, managing inventory, or making strategic decisions, the ability to analyze information objectively is invaluable.”
Financial literacy is another advantage. Understanding budgeting, cash flow, profitability, and long-term planning has helped her make informed decisions and grow the business sustainably.
Perhaps most importantly, says Dayna, “the CPA program taught me how to approach unfamiliar problems, research solutions, and exercise professional judgment. As an entrepreneur, you’re constantly facing situations you’ve never encountered before, and that mindset has proven incredibly useful.”
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The biggest challenge – and the best part – of being a small business owner
A big challenge Dayna has faced is balancing competing priorities while managing limited time and resources.
“In a small business, there is always more that could be done, and it’s easy to underestimate how much work happens behind the scenes,” she says.
However, where there are challenges there are also rewards. “The best part is seeing something you created resonate with people (and their dogs!),” notes Dayna, “It's also rewarding to watch a simple idea evolve into a real business and to see the progress that comes from consistent effort over time.”
The main takeaway so far
Dayna’s biggest learning as an entrepreneur has been the importance of perseverance and adaptability. “When people see a finished product, they often don't see the countless adjustments, experiments, and lessons that happened along the way,” she reflects. “Running a business has reinforced that success rarely comes from getting everything right the first time. More often, success comes from learning, adapting, and continuing to move forward.”
Advice for future CPA entrepreneurs
“Don’t let the pursuit of perfection prevent you from getting started,” says Dayna when asked what advice she would give to CPAs who are dreaming of starting their own business. “Many CPAs are naturally analytical and want to have every detail figured out before taking action. While planning is important, entrepreneurship often involves learning as you go. Start small, stay curious, and be prepared to learn along the way.”
Most importantly, she encourages people to choose something they’re genuinely passionate about. “Building a business takes time as well as persistence, and having a meaningful connection to what you’re creating makes the journey much more rewarding!”
All photos courtesy of BBZ Productions.
Leah Giesbrecht is a communications specialist at CPABC.
