Douglas Emerson Profitable Horseman
Profitable Horseman Newsletter 
 
April 30, 2009

Save Your Back-Hire A Bookkeeper To Do the Heavy Lifting

 
Our barn has an automatic waterer-it's me.  I automatically start refilling water buckets during chore times. 

buckets
Depending on a person's ambition level, a full bucket of water weighs between thirty five and forty pounds. 

 

Forty pounds isn't much of a lift for a guy six feet- two, approaching two hundred pounds.  But if you're five feet- two at half my weight, it's a job you want to outsource as often as possible.  Ask my wife.
 
Because even if you have biceps and triceps of steel from riding, heavy lifting is not your specialty and should be delegated.
 
In the business half of the horse business, there are some tasks that are a lot like carrying buckets of water.  It's hard work and often no fun, but can't be ignored.
 
Bookkeeping is similar to carrying buckets of water.  Essential work, but a task that should be delegated to others when you don't have the skill, attention span or time to do it.    And even if you're good at bookkeeping, is it the best use of your time as a business professional?
 
I've found many professional horsemen reluctant to use a bookkeeper for these reasons:
  •   Can't find one. (But, never looked)
  •   Too expensive. (why pay when I can do it myself,         when my other work is done, after 10:00 P.M.)
  •   Can't trust my numbers to an outsider to leak. (as if  you're earning millions)
  •   Bookkeeper will steal.  (If they don't handle cash, deposit checks or sign checks, highly unlikely)
The reasons are lame.  Get a bookkeeper to do that heavy lifting.  There are many part-timers available for the bookkeeping job.  Ask around in your sphere of influence in your community; you can't find what you're not looking for.
 
As an alternative to conventional bookkeeping, I suggest you check out Jennifer Foster's on-line bookkeeping service EQBookeeping.com

I spoke with Jennifer recently about her business.  Here is what she told me,  "We take the stress and frustration out of managing the paperwork and details, and allow you to focus on your horses and clients.  We own and breed horses, compete in shows, and overall understand the challenges you, as a business owner, have to face.  Our goal is to make things easier for you (and help you avoid problems with the IRS.)

She went on to say, "Most importantly, our services are priced at an affordable rate that won't cut into your profits.  Running a horse business can be difficult so we price our services at rates that make the decision to get help a "no brainer."
 

You input your data-let them worry about debits,credits and balances.  Bookkeepers love the heavy lifting of buckets of numbers.

 I "met" Jennifer Foster on twitter. While some people think the twitter exercise is a waste of time, the microblog gets results for people in business.  Her twitter name is @equineaccountng and she is followed by many horsemen. 

I suspect that our conversation would never have happened without the ice breaker effect of twitter.

Even though the horseman's world is entrenched with tradition and leather bound, you can't ignore technology for results.
Others Have Said 

"You can delegate authority, but not responsibility."--Stephen Comiskey


"Don't throw away the old bucket until you know if the new one holds water"--Swedish Proverb


"Let silence do the heavy lifting"--from "Fierce Conversations" by Susan Scott

Back At The Barn


The media has been reporting an off year for this year's Kentucky Derby.  Discounted hotels with vacancies, cut rate limo service and all kinds of promotions to push business on Derby Week.

For Churchill Downs' sake, I hope the excitement of the Derby, assisted by  a mint julep or two, will keep the wagering at the track at pre-recession levels.


Pasha long
I help professional horsemen and horsewomen struggling with the business half of the horse business. 

Not enough time, not enough money or not enough of the right people working for you?

Is your horse boarding business unprofitable?

Contact me to see if I can help.  You will benefit from outsourcing for help with the heavy lifting required in your business.

Until next time,
 
Doug

Doug Emerson
Profitable Horseman Deewochagall
Quick Links
 
Join Our Mailing List