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Tired of trying to make money in the horse
business the old way? I help professional
horsemen find new and better methods to add to the
profitability of their businesses.
| Horse Businesses are Built from the Ground Up |
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The horse owner said to me, “He’s a handsome horse
with a lot of potential, but I’ve got to spend some
time working on the basics. He’s got no foundation to
build upon.” In the reference to foundation, the
owner meant that the horse had missed out on boot
camp and basic training and went directly to the
front. Basic skills like: stop and stand, move over,
respect the handler’s space, lower the head for
halter and bridle and lift up your foot for the tired
farrier had not been taught to the horse. Many
horse trainers advise creating a foundation of ground
skills for a horse to make advanced training work
much easier. Unfortunately, some trainers can’t wait
to go directly to “the fun stuff’ first.
The basic skills taught to a horse through ground
work are important for keeping the frustration out of
advanced work. Just like a concrete wall supporting
a house, foundation work with a horse creates a solid
base for learning.
Equine businesses need to have a stable foundation,
too. The foundation for a profitable horse business
includes:
- A reliable bookkeeping system that is
easy to
follow by anyone, preferably using accounting
software like QuickBooks or specialized software for
the horse business.
- A standard price sheet lets your
customers know
you are consistent with your pricing and have put
thought into setting your prices. Clients don’t want
to hear prices like “about three hundred bucks” or “
I don’t know, what is it worth to you?”
- A plan and vision for the business for the
next
thirty six months that answers the questions: Where
am I going, why am I going there, how am I going to
get there and who is going with me?
- A support team of part time or full time
help that
is trained and tuned in on the goals of your
business. You can’t do it alone.
- A marketing program that will keep your
name
and product in front of your customers using a
methodical approach for frequent contact.
- A customer service plan focusing on
delivering
WOW! customer service
- A well balanced life that includes time for
rest
and play.
The success of your business is a function of the
foundation you have constructed under it. If your
business’s foundation is as shaky as a “house of
cards” it’s time to work on the basics. An excellent
resource for business basics is Michael Gerber’s “
E
Myth Mastery”. If you haven’t read it, do it.
My
copy is filled with pencil notes and ideas in the
margins. It is the perfect place to start to review
the basics of your business structure.
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| Others have said |
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"Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan
a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the
foundation of humility." -- Saint Augustine
"The loftier the building, the deeper must the
foundation be laid." -- Thomas Kempis
"A successful man is one who can lay a firm
foundation with the bricks that others throw at
him." -- David Brinkley
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| Back at the Barn |
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We have had some bad luck with car and truck
problems lately. With two out of three vehicles in
the family “laid-up” for repair, sharing one vehicle for
three drivers was a project last week. Back on the
road again with three vehicles this week, life is much
easier.
Because automobiles are close to impossible to repair
on your own, I don’t bother even thinking about it
anymore. The best method for repair is to know a
good mechanic; the cars are just too complicated to
keep up with.
Our faithful Ford tractor, a “2000” (model, not year),
is a joy because I still can fix most of the problems
myself. Built in simpler times, just like me, I can
repair it and get moving quickly.
I will admit I get new tractor envy from time
to time.
This usually happens when I’m stuck in the mud up to
the axle while longing for four wheel drive.
Life is short.
Ride hard.
Doug
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| More Profit in Less Time |
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I show Professional Horsemen how to use 8 key
strategies to build a business that creates
more profit in less time.
Call me and we can
talk about how your business can benefit.
If you know other horsemen who would enjoy this
newsletter, please forward it to them! I am on a
quest to tell 1000 people what I do and I need your
help.
The purpose
of this publication is to help professional horsemen
also be Profitable Horsemen.
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| Getting to the Point |
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I write another weekly newsletter about the business
of life. Curious? Click here
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Looking for a Speaker about the Business of Being in the Horse Business? |
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Have Voice, Will Travel. I am available to
speak to your horsemen's group
about making money in the horse business. With a 39
billion dollar industry, there are plenty of
opportunities to make a profit.
I speak to horsemen's groups about ways to improve
profitability in the horse business.
I'm also available to present a half or full day
workshop for groups interested in making money in
the horse business.
Call or email me today about your meeting needs.
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