The Money Series: The Journey of Entrepreneurship

Here’s the thing — your business is going to change you. It won’t just change your schedule or your bank account. It will change who you are, on a deep and profound level.

That’s because you’re not just building a business. You’re building and growing yourself, as a person and as an equestrian entrepreneur. This journey will create an entirely new person, a version of yourself that doesn’t hold back. You’ll let go of the self-sabotage, the excuses, and even the doubt. You’ll let go of the person you used to be.

The person I was before I began building my business doesn’t exist anymore.  There were layers of money wounds, limiting beliefs, and repeating cycles that I had to peel off and discard. These wounds kept me stuck in situations where I would give my all while receiving very little in return. 

I had to grieve the horse girl I was. I’m no longer in the barn every single day, competing during the warm months, or cuddling into the necks of my horses. I had to welcome the horse girl I am now: the one who encourages and empowers equestrian entrepreneurs to chase their dreams.

I had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I’ve had meaningful conversations with people I considered my idols while literally shaking in my boots. Stepping outside of your comfort zone shouldn’t be reserved till you feel ready. And while I was nervous, there’s been a huge payoff: being an equestrian entrepreneur has created friendships and relationships that I wouldn’t have found in my comfort zone.

I invested so many hours into myself so that I could build my business, which paid off when I left my corporate job just nine months into entrepreneurship. But this single-minded focus cost me friendships with people who didn’t understand my goals or support my path.

To help you envision what obstacles you might hit on your journey, here’s a list of the challenges I’ve faced and the greatest lessons learned as an equestrian entrepreneur. 

1. Create a healthy financial and organizational foundation for your business. Build in room for growth and structure your systems so they can support the business you want to have, not just the business you have now. If you get a big influx of leads or new clients, will you be swamped, or will you be ready to jump on the opportunity?
2. Protect yourself legally, emotionally, and physically. Client agreements, contracts and insurance are key. Create and enforce boundaries even with “chill” clients so your downtime is your own. And take care of your health so you aren’t sidelined by an illness or injury. 
3. Mindset matters. Read self-help books and work on your limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome. Work with a mindset coach if you can, to help you minimize your resistance to growth. 
4. Plan to make a profit. Businesses that don’t plan to make money don’t make money. Businesses that plan to make money do make money. It’s as simple as that, horse industry or not. Educating yourself on budgeting and bookkeeping and setting your prices wisely is essential. 
5. Consistency is what creates results. If you’re not able to be self-accountable, get creative to find out what helps keep you on track. This could look like working with a business mentor or having a friend check-in. Human accountability is harder to ignore than a to-do list on paper. 

We’re not here to gallop into business and chocolate chip the fence. Let my journey help you be strategic in your course walk, execute a well-thought plan, and feel prepared for the obstacles and limiting beliefs that might arise.

Written by Christa Myers exclusively for On Course Equestrian.

Christa Myers is a professional bookkeeper specializing in the equestrian space, and an On Course Equestrian instructor teaching courses on financial management, bookkeeping, budgeting, QuickBooks, pricing strategy, and more. 

You can connect with Christa at https://christamyers.com.