horse business

#58 - If you're feeling overwhelmed and frustrated because you can't find the right assistant for your equestrian small business, you are not alone! 

In this episode, Tista Wicklow (The Equestrian Assistant) will help you:

• Delve into the immense value that delegation brings to the table 
• Learn how to find an assistant who complements and enhances your team
• Better understand Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and why you need them

HIGHLIGHTS:

00:01:18 - What does an equestrian business assistant do?

00:04:28 - Challenges of delegation for equestrian entrepreneurs

00:06:00 - Steps to hiring the right assistant

00:13:10 - Don't Be Afraid to Part Ways

00:23:01 - Creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

CONNECT WITH TISTA WICKLOW:

+ Website
+ Instagram
+ Facebook

FOLLOW THE LEADLINE PODCAST:

+ Website
+ Instagram
+ YouTube

#34 - Christa Myers is an equestrian bookkeeper and financial coach who is hell-bent on debunking the all-too-common belief that there's no money in horses. 

In this episode, you'll hear tips about: 

• The proper amount you should be paying yourself out of your business
• Bank account structures / why they're important
• Various bookkeeping software to try (especially if you don't enjoy using QuickBooks)

Connect with Christa and let her know you heard her episode on The Leadline! 

Website: christamyers.com
Instagram: @bookswithchrista
Facebook: /equestrianbookkeeper

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This episode is brought to you by GGT Footing, offering world-class footing blends for every arena and discipline. Whether you are in need of an arena makeover or you just need to freshen up your footing, GGT's expert team can help you design exactly what you need. Learn more at ggtfooting.com.

How do you feel about reels? More specifically, how do you feel about doing reels for your horse business? While they were technically created from an entertainment perspective, Instagram and Facebook reels are a great opportunity for you to connect with your ideal customer.

But, where do you start? And, how do you know what to share in order to make the most of reels? That’s what we’re diving into in this episode. You’ll learn …
What are reels?
Why should you use them as a business?
How can you use them with purpose?

Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/73

#021 - Jamie Samples of Yellow Barn Media has been hustling as a business owner for the past 15 years. Despite her drive and passion, there was one goal she always seemed to miss year after year: earning a 6-figure salary.

Like many entrepreneurs, Jamie believed that doing everything herself was the key to saving loads of money and achieving success. She chased all of the things that everyone says you SHOULD do as a business owner, but still struggled to produce the results she was after. What was she doing wrong?

Tune in to hear the changes that this passionate equestrian professional finally implemented in 2021 to reach that big $xxx,xxx goal and permanently transform her mindset.

Connect with Jamie at the links below:

Website
Instagram

Click here to see Jamie's Instagram post that we reference during this episode.

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This episode is brought to you by EquiDirectory, an online horse business directory and marketplace. List your business for free today by downloading the EquiDirectory app or visiting EquiDirectory.net.

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#019 - Tara Moore is the CEO and creative director for Farm and Fir Co., a photography, branding, and web design agency that serves equestrian small business owners. In 2016, Tara said farewell to city life and her corporate PR job to follow her passion of working in the horse industry. Today, she manages a growing team of five and serves clients who have been featured in equestrian media publications like Horse Illustrated and The Plaid Horse.

Tara joins The Leadline to offer insight to horse business owners who struggle to find the time or know what kind of content to share with their audience online. We'll talk all about brand pillars, repurposing content you've already created, and humanizing your brand voice in a way that resonates with potential customers and leaves you feeling more confident the next time you hit that "share" button.

Download the free PDF guide to accompany this episode, prepared by Farm & Fir Co. exclusively for our listeners: theleadlinepodcast.com/brandpillars

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This episode is brought to you by EquiDirectory, an online horse business directory and marketplace. List your business for free today by downloading the EquiDirectory app or visiting EquiDirectory.net.

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Enjoying this podcast? Join The Leadline Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded equine business owners and other podcast fans!

#17 - Brittney Chambers (Brittney Chambers Horsemanship and CBC Therapeutic Riding Academy) first opened her riding lesson program in 2015 with only one client and one horse. 

Today, she serves over 100 lesson clients with more than 30 on a waiting list - an accomplishment she never could have foreseen back in the days when her car trunk was serving as her mobile tack room. 

Given her amount of substantial growth over the years, Brittney began to realize that she could help the many lesson program managers and barn owners who were approaching her for help. This prompted the launch of her latest service: lesson program consulting. 

In this episode, you'll hear from Brittney:

• The processes she wished she had implemented earlier on in her lesson program
• How she was able to GROW her business during 2020, even during a shutdown
• Why it's so important to pace your growth when working with limited funds

If you're ready to build the streamlined, stress-free lesson program of your dreams, click play now! For the full show notes and links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit our website at http://theleadlinepodcast.com/episode17.

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This episode is brought to you by EquiDirectory, an online horse business directory and marketplace where more than 5,000+ other equestrians have already listed their horse business. Basic business listings are totally free, so sign up and list your business today by downloading the EquiDirectory app or visiting EquiDirectory.net.

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#16 - Have you ever found yourself feeling overwhelmed by the smallest of tasks in your job or business? You may be experiencing burnout.

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest and motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place. (Ref: HelpGuide.org)

Whatever the root cause, burnout is very real and so are the feelings of overwhelm and even dread or panic that can accompany more severe situations.

Trigger Warning: This interview contains references to PTSD, alcohol use, and emergency situations.

In this episode, equestrian and former emergency services worker Amiee Cupitt shares the raw and vulnerable story of her experience with burnout, workplace trauma, and her recovery from PTSD.  

You'll hear from Amiee: 

• The red flags that were the warning signs for burnout
• How she took action and began to pursue recovery
• Why it's so important to leave any and all feelings of failure behind

If you've been feeling like you may be experiencing burnout in your business, job, or personal life, tune in to hear this equestrian's inspirational story of reinvention and recovery.

For the full show notes and links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit our website at http://theleadlinepodcast.com/episode16.

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Thank you to our episode sponsor, Hillcrest Bookkeeping Solutions! Have you been struggling to keep up with managing your books, tracking business expenses, or understanding your bookkeeping software? Hillcrest Bookkeeping Solutions can help! Schedule your free consultation with Sharnette Atkinson at www.hillcrestbookkeeping.com to learn how to streamline your bookkeeping today.

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#15 - You’ve probably heard the saying, If you build it, they will come.

But what if you build something that you believe to be absolutely incredible and nothing happens?

Florida native and Babson College alumnus Nick Bourdon launched three other business models prior to landing on his final product: an email-based horse matching service called Artemis Horse Match. 

In this episode, Nick shares with listeners why it was so important to listen to his target audience and prioritize their needs - even when it meant interviewing literally 100 people to figure out what he was missing. ⁠
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(And yes, he actually talked to a hundred - we asked!)⁠

If you’ve been struggling to land on that winning offer or service for your business, click play now to tune in to what Nick has to say about perseverance and always putting the customer's needs before your own.

For the full show notes and links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit our website at http://theleadlinepodcast.com/episode15.

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Thank you to our episode sponsor, Hillcrest Bookkeeping Solutions. Book your free consultation at www.hillcrestbookkeeping.com to learn how to streamline your business bookkeeping today!

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#12 - Bookkeeping is a skill that every small business owner should have in their entrepreneurial arsenal, whether handled internally or outsourced to a professional. Don't just ignore your books and hope for the best! (Hint: It won't work out for the best...)

Sharnette Atkinson of Hillcrest Bookkeeping Solutions joins us to share why bookkeeping is an often-overlooked necessity in many equine businesses and how to start addressing the need right away.

In this episode, you'll learn more about: 

• Tracking your expenses electronically using QuickBooks
• How a professional can help you stay up to date on current tax laws and write-offs
• The best methods to backup your data in the event you're audited

For the full show notes and links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit http://theleadlinepodcast.com/episode12.

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#11 - In 2016, equestrian and adult amateur Tara Swersie was a busy working professional who was overwhelmed by the amount of time it was taking her to track and manually fill out the paperwork required to compete in local horse shows. Determined to find a solution, she set out to create what is now known as Strider, the #1 equestrian event platform for people to find, book, and pay for top equestrian opportunities.

Today, over 90,000 equestrians are using her platform to find and register for horse shows, masterclasses, and more.  In this episode, Tara along with Strider COO Natasha Sprengers-Levine join The Leadline Podcast for a great conversation about how equestrians can utilize technology to increase their revenue and improve overall customer experience.

If you’re a business owner looking to streamline your processes and increase revenue, or a rider looking for a better way to find and register for equestrian events, this is one you won’t want to miss.

For the full show notes and links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit http://theleadlinepodcast.com/episode11.

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#08 - Have you been aimlessly sending your products out to equestrian influencers with the hope that offering up a few freebies will help your brand will go viral? STOP RIGHT NOW and listen to this episode before you send out your next shipment!

Meet Robyn Volkening of V Strategy, an expert on all brand development and sponsorship. After getting a master's degree in Integrated Marketing at the University of Colorado, Robyn has worked with some of the biggest western brands including Cinch/Cruel, Twister Trailer Bob's Custom Saddles, as well as celebrity horse trainers and rodeo athletes like Clinton Anderson and Trevor Brazile. 

In this episode, Robyn speaks on a topic that she believes every equine retailer needs to hear - how to STOP throwing your money down the toilet on influencer marketing. You'll learn: 

• Why influencer marketing needs to be more than "people seeing your stuff"
• The reasons you shouldn't start sending product out without a game plan
• How to choose the right influencer for YOUR brand (and why that's not just any influencer)
• The importance of having a goal in mind and tracking the outcome 

For the full show notes and links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit http://theleadlinepodcast.com/episode8.

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#06 - Working a full-time job while trying to run a business on the side can be quite the undertaking for even the most motivated entrepreneur. 

In this episode, we talk with guest Leah Kaufmann of Dapplebay who shares her story of how she put her dream on hold to the point of selling her business and how she later bought it back to return stronger than ever. 

You'll hear: 

• Why Leah sold her business in 2014 only to buy it back years later
• How she got serious on the 2nd attempt and when she knew it was time to leave her day job
• Why hiring a business strategist was the best investment she made in her business to date

For the full show notes and links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit http://theleadlinepodcast.com/episode6.

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#05 - Have you been aimlessly throwing money at advertising with the hopes that it will attract droves of paying customers to your business?

Sadly, most advertising efforts result in disappointment. Why?!

Tune in as Denise Alvarez (Stormlily Marketing) shares 3 questions to ask yourself as a business owner before you open up your wallet and sign that next ad contract. Stop wasting your hard-earned dollars and start using the advertising methods that actually work for YOUR audience! 

You'll also learn which three types of ads we recommend considering in 2021, such as: 

• Equine Association & Membership Advertising
• Social Media Advertising
• Podcast Advertising
• ... plus one bonus advertising method that Denise mentions near the end of the show!

For the full show notes and links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit http://theleadlinepodcast.com/episode5.

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#04 - Guest Heather Wallace wears many hats, including Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (ESMT), Certified Canine Sports Massage Therapist (CCMT), Certified Equine Ergonomist, and Aromatherapist.

She has also written on natural health and wellness for horses and dogs for a variety of publications including Horse Illustrated, Good Dog Magazine, Holistic Horse Magazine, and Equine Info Exchange, and is the bestselling author of Confessions of a Timid Rider and Girl Forward. Heather additionally co-authored and published a new release in 2021 called Body Conditioning for the Horse & Rider.

(We weren't kidding when we said she wore MANY hats!)

In this episode, Heather shares how writing a book is a great way to build your brand and establish authority in your field.

You'll hear:

• Why a book is better than a business card
• How to combat your fears and overthinking when it comes to writing
• Why she takes a 1-month break in between her final book drafts
• What kind of money you need to set aside to publish your first book

For the full show notes and links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit http://theleadlinepodcast.com/episode4.

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#03 - Lisamarie Johnston of Full Stride Solutions started building websites as young as age 13, but it wasn't until years later - when pursuing a dream to work from home to be with her dog more often - that she finally decided to convert her side hobby into her primary source of income.

In this episode, Lisamarie talks about why building your own website is easier than ever for the DIY entrepreneur. You'll learn: 

• How to select and buy a domain name
• Which website builder platforms are best for beginners
• What page every website should have

For the full show notes and links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit http://theleadlinepodcast.com/episode3.

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#02 - Alyssa Mathews of DiscoverTheHorse shares how she has organically grown her Facebook following to over 40,000 fans since the launch of her brand in 2017 - without the use of paid Facebook advertising!

You'll also learn:

• Why you should upload videos directly to Facebook
• What to do when you get stuck with your content
• Best practices for planning ahead

For the full show notes and links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit http://theleadlinepodcast.com/episode2.

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