TIME FLIES. I cannot believe it is almost the end of the year and also that it has been SO LONG since I’ve last did a blog. Entrepreneur life is no joke. Things move fast, and sometimes even the best intentions (like consistent writing) take a back seat. But here I am, ready to catch you up.

As many of you may have seen, I sold my dear Crosby Street (to a loving new mom who happens to be in my barn!) and started leasing a new girl, Elluminate aka Lulu.

Now, leasing is a bit controversial in the horse world. Similar to leasing a car or renting a house, the concern for ‘equity’ always pops up. And I totally get it. We want to spend money on things that ultimately have value based on the money we’re spending.

If there's one thing I've learned on my journey as an entrepreneur, it's this: don't let the fear of hearing "no" hold you back.

I've always been someone who loves pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities. But I am also a people pleaser and a "kind-of" perfectionist. Which means my boundary-pushing tendencies and other tendencies are often at odds.

My personal leadership style revolves around clarity and setting clear expectations for my team. I firmly believe that effective communication is huge. When I assign tasks or projects, I make it a point to clearly articulate what needs to be accomplished, how it should be done, and the timeframe for completion. This ensures that everyone is aligned and understands their roles, minimizing misunderstandings and maximizing productivity.

Want to know what one of my favorite things about running my own business is? The power to change its course whenever I want.

One of the things that was so challenging for me when working for someone else or in a corporate environment was that fact that there were many elements that I did not have control over.

Let's dive into a moment that perfectly captures the rollercoaster of emotions we experience while pursuing our dreams. Picture this: I'm helping a young rider prepare for her walk/trot classes. Her pony's a bit spirited, the ring's buzzing with activity, and she's feeling overwhelmed. The situation's safe, but she's on the verge of tears.

Let’s have a real talk about something that's often overlooked but absolutely crucial for our success: finding and embracing our business superpowers.

Now, I get it – buzzwords like "zone of genius" and "superpowers" can sound a bit cheesy. I used to roll my eyes at them too. But once I dug deeper and truly understood what they meant for me and my business, it completely transformed the way I operate – and I know it can do the same for you.

Lately, I have been doing so many deep dives into what it takes to really succeed in business,in riding and especially in the world of equestrian entrepreneurship. And I keep ending up at the same place. This is NOT easy. All of it takes grit, determination, and a no-nonsense approach to getting things done.

Let's talk about conflict. Yep… we’re talking about it.

Conflict – that uncomfortable, often avoided aspect of business that tends to make us squirm in our seats. But here's the thing: conflict is not something to be feared or avoided. In fact, it's an integral part of the process of building a strong and resilient business.

When building a business… conflict is bound to arise. Whether it's disagreements with team members, clashes with clients, or challenges within our own minds, conflict is inevitable. But here is what is important: having conflict doesn't mean that something is wrong. In fact, it's often a sign that progress is being made.

If you know me, you know I ask an inordinate amount of questions. I have always been this way- it's how I navigate the world, gather information, and unlock creative solutions.

And because of this, I FIRMLY believe that asking questions is not a weakness – it's an incredible strength.

I’ve shared my perspective on the rush to scale… and you know I don’t believe in that.

Knowing when it's time to scale or figure out scalability solutions is crucial for the growth and sustainability of your business. Here are some indicators that suggest it might be time to consider scaling:

Let's talk about scaling. It's a buzzword that's been thrown around a lot lately, especially in the online space. Everywhere you turn, there are promises of building businesses with digital products that can scale effortlessly, allowing you to make boatloads of money while lounging on a beach with only a few hours of work a week.

And I am REALLY not into that narrative.

While it's an admirable goal, the work it takes to get there is real, strategic and something you CANNOT be in a hurry to pursue.

As a small business owner and equestrian entrepreneur, you understand the importance of setting goals and envisioning the future of your business. You're the visionary, the dreamer, the driving force behind your equestrian venture. But let's be real – sometimes, all those ideas and goals swirling around in your head can feel overwhelming.

So no one really asked for this, and it's a bit of a departure from my ‘normal’ content. But reading is a big part of my life. I realized I wanted to make more room for reading this year, so I made it my goal in 2023 to read more. Specifically 25 books this year. This was a new habit I was trying to build, so I did not get hyper-focused about what kinds of books. The goal was simply to read more. << This is the business lesson in case you’re looking for one. Keep your goals simple to start.

2023 has been a year that has profoundly changed me and the way I run my business. There were MONTHS of intense self-doubt. Like sobbing in my car questioning ALL my life choices. There were even moments where I seriously even considered going back to work for a company full time and that SCARED me. I refused to let this dream die and it made me even more determined to make this work. 

I will admit that I was a little reluctant because as someone who likes to “do it all” and by myself (aka the hard way) I thought I didn’t need it. And I couldn’t be more wrong.