Ask a Masterminder- pandemic business and life lessons
This article was first published in Absolute Horse Magazine– to read this issue and any of the others, go to the Absolute Horse website
Ask a Masterminder- pandemic business and life lessons
Small & Supercharged Mastermind is an online group supporting small equestrian and rural businesses and, as such, is bursting with amazingly knowledgeable people with lots to share. In each issue of Absolute Horse, we’ll be asking them a question and members will be sharing their top tips… this issue’s question is…
What’s been your biggest life/business lesson over the last year (i.e since the start of the pandemic)?
Kelly Baddeley – Knights of Middle England
The biggest business lesson I have learned through this last year is that you need to be willing and able to adapt to survive! We had to create new products and services that worked within restrictions and we got online as much as we could! Without adapting there is no way we would still be going and feeding our horses throughout this winter!
www.knightsofmiddleengland.com
Amy Pridige – Muddy Mare Clothing
Personally this year has taught me, like many others, to appreciate the small things in life. Business wise launching my brand five months before the pandemic started has meant I do not know my full potential and so it has made me more determined to succeed.
Tracey Cole- Tracey Cole NLP
Being able to run my coaching and trainings 100% remotely has been an eye-opener. It’s been super convenient for everyone. Clients and trainees have mentioned that having greater flexibility in scheduling sessions, no travel to think about and no need to leave their horses has helped them immensely.
Carly O’Brien – COB’s Equine Shop & Services
Bring a freelance groom and instructor, my business has been affected with the COVID-19 pandemic. Being furloughed from the riding school and some of my holiday freelance work cancelled, I found I had spare time on my hands.
With this I spent time doing some online training. I completed mini courses on the British Groom Association website, an online horse management course and attended webinars about growing social media.
It has made me realise that I don’t need to be running around trying to get to all clients and being in a rush. I can work successfully without the hectic schedule. Work smarter not harder.
www.facebook.com/cobsequineshopservices
Ruth Chappell- Dressage Anywhere
In 2020 I started and completed the Couch to 5K programme and what it taught me is that consistency pays off. Just getting up and showing up when I really didn’t feel like it meant a positive step in the right direction towards my goal. I apply this thinking to everything I do now.
Jane Brindley- Horse Riding With Confidence Scotland
My biggest lesson during this period has been the need to be on my guard for any self limiting beliefs and to challenge them in order to fully thrive in challenging circumstances. Continue to develop, seek help and support where needed and then get on and give it a go!
www.horseridingwithconfidencescottland.co.uk
Emma Halliday- Paddock Apparel
Seize the moment, life is short! Quite quickly into the pandemic I realised that this would be like nothing I had ever experienced and that the world as we know it would be changed forever. So, after years of deliberation I launched Paddock Apparel, an equestrian clothing brand with a conscious.
Amanda Marshall – 3 Donkeys
Adapt and evolve have been my ‘Go To’ words for the last year. With a positive mindset and a tweak here and there, it has been possible to keep focused. As a community we are stronger together, support and kindness has been and essential factor during these turbulent times.
To find out more about the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group, have a look at the Mastermind page!
