Am I passionate about equestrian business? OH YES! I love business and I get plenty of opportunity to work with some of the most incredible equestrian businesses out there. In this section of my blog, I write about tips for equestrian businesses, speak to people behind the brands that we all know and love in the equestrian world, and get to help equestrian businesses thrive on their social media, in terms of their content… and these ideas can help them succeed from a profit point of view too.

The equestrian business tag is added to quite a bit of content – whether I am talking about tips and skills to help support your business, or I’m talking about businesses and sharing their story.

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Let’s talk about BETA International

Let’s talk about BETA International

BETA International is the UK’s trade show for equestrian and country businesses. It takes place in September, is held at Stoneleigh, and is a great place to network, see new products, and speak to the people behind the best known brands in the equestrian and country community. On this episode of the podcast, I caught up with Claire Williams, Executive Director of the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), the association that owns BETA International, to find out what the 2023 event has in store for anyone attending.

BETA International Claire Williams

BETA International- the equestrian industry’s UK trade show

Did you know that BETA International has been running for over 40 years?! No, I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t either. Claire shares lots about the trade show in this episode of the podcast, so let’s dive in, shall we…


Background of the Trade Show:

BETA International is a real staple of the equestrian and country trade sector, being the only one of its type in the UK. We talk about the evolution of the show over the last 40 years, and why and how the trade show moved and adapted during Covid-19.

Transition to Stoneleigh Venue:

BETA International used to be at the NEC, but moved to the NAEC at Stoneleigh a few years ago. We talk about why Stoneleigh works so well for exhibitors and visitors alike, and how it’s a familiar venue for equestrians and country folk due to the other shows, societies and more that are based there.

Importance of Networking:

Networking is a crucial aspect of any trade show, and we talk about the amount of opportunities to connect with industry peers and stay updated on developments that BETA International provides. We also talk about the relaxed atmosphere at Stoneleigh and how this continues to create really great interactions with visitors and exhibitors alike.

Understanding the Trade Show:

The role of BETA International, in fact, any trade show, has evolved as time has passed. Now, it serves as a platform for suppliers to showcase their products to retailers and industry professionals, to network and consolidate relationships, rather than to solely gather forward orders for the next season. For attendees, they can explore new launches, innovations, and participate in educational seminars. It’s not just about placing orders.

It’s all about the exhibitors

Exhibitors and their stands make up a key part of the show and offer insights into new products and innovations, sharing best sellers, and catching up with their customers. Claire also talked about some memorable stands from past events as well as innovative equestrian products.

Role of Sponsors:

BETA International is sponsored by Neue Schule, and we talk about how sponsors support and benefit from association with the show. We look at things like alignment and why sponsorship should be mutually beneficial to ensure maximum value for all concerned.

Horse & Rider New Product Showcase:

The New Product Showcase, sponsored by Horse and Rider magazine, showcases innovative products and technologies and is a real hub of the event. New products are placed into relevant categories and then are judged by retailers and industry experts for their market potential. The designated area also means that visitors can come and see what’s new up close and read about it before heading over to the relevant stand for more information.

CPD Opportunities:

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) seminars offer attendees opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge and are part of BETA International’s programme that attendees can enjoy for free. Speakers cover a range of topics relevant to equestrian retailers, providing valuable insights. Every year, the schedule is carefully planned to deliver variety and value, so there’s something (well, many things!) for everyone. And it’s all absolutely free!

If you’re an equestrian, country or pet business, make sure BETA International is firmly in your calendar. I’m lucky enough to work with this fab organisation, so I am a bit biased, but it’s THE place to be this September- you won’t regret it…

To find out more about BETA International- look into getting a stand, register to attend, to anything else, make sure you check out the website here.

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Music, modelling, TV work and a new equestrian brand with Nermina Pieters-Mekic

Music, modelling, TV work and a new equestrian brand with Nermina Pieters-Mekic

In our latest podcast episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the multifaceted Nermina Pieters-Mekic, founder of the groundbreaking new brand, Equidae London. As we chatted about her diverse background, from singer and songwriter to TV star and model, Nermina shared the exciting journey that led to the creation of her equestrian fashion brand.

A Journey Through Chapters

Nermina’s life has unfolded in various chapters, each marked by different passions. From growing up in the Netherlands and studying law to pursuing modelling and music, she eventually found herself in the UK, where she became a cast member of the Real Housewives of Cheshire. However, her deep love for music and horses remained constant throughout these diverse experiences.

Inspiration for Equidae London

One of the significant inspirations behind Nermina’s venture is none other than Princess Anne. Nermina found herself drawn to a particular image of Princess Anne riding in a red jacket. This image sparked the idea for a signature piece in her collection, which is a jacket with embroidery on the back, combining a high end look with technical features.

Lockdown project

Equidae London grew as a concept during lockdown. Nermina wanted to bring something fresh and different to the equestrian market, something that blended fashion with function and comfort. She realised that she spent the vast majority of her life in equestrian clothing, so set about designing pieces that embraced current trends that were also sustainable and had ethical production at its heart.

Performance and Sustainability

A crucial aspect of Equidae London is its commitment to performance wear. Nermina collaborated with a factory in Portugal that is renowned for its performance fabrics. These fabrics undergo testing for rubbing, sweating, and have antibacterial properties. Not only did Nermina do the research, she also visited Portugal and handpicked the fabrics to tick all the boxes for each design. The Equidae base layer is a great example as it is made with a brushed fabric for warmth and sweat absorption-  every piece  in the collection is designed with the rider’s comfort and functionality in mind.

Building the Equidae London brand

The brand didn’t come to life overnight, and to ensure she was on the right track, Nermina did a lot of research, seeking advice from friends in the fashion industry and building a team of experts. The process involved trial and error, with Nermina actively testing prototypes, riding in them, and even washing them in various conditions to ensure durability.

Equidae London is not just about fashion; it’s a conscious choice. Nermina envisions her brand’s pieces not just looking good, but aligning with the sustainable and ethical values of her customers. She’s very aware that, with Equidae London, she has the ability to make a positive impact.

Challenges Along the Way

Embarking on the journey of building a brand is never without its challenges. Nermina shares the surprises and obstacles faced during the two and a half years of establishing the brand. From working closely with designers to navigating factory changes, each step in the process presented unique challenges. However, Nermina emphasises that the feedback from users makes it all worthwhile. The highs come from witnessing individuals appreciating the quality, colours, and intricate details of Equidae’s products.

What’s to come from Equidae London?

Moving into 2024 and beyond, Equidae London will be focusing on expanding the collection, collaborating with diverse athletes, and creating a team to propel the brand forward. Nermina wants to grow a brand that resonates with riders and non-riders alike

To find out more about Nermina and Equidae London, find them on Instagram, or through the Equidae London website.

 

 

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8 ways to achieve your dreams in 2023

8 ways to achieve your dreams8 ways to achieve your dreams in 2023

Big title, hey? Well, it’s 2023 and on the very first episode of the New Year I’m sharing eight tips to help you achieve your dreams in 2023. And spoiler alert, it doesn’t involve New Year’s resolutions, because I don’t believe in them and rarely see them succeed without a proper plan.

From sacking off resolutions to finding a supportive community, I’m hoping this podcast will be a helping hand for the start of 2023.

Why I’m against New Year Resolutions…

In short, I think they set you up for a fall! Usually, New Year Resolutions aren’t set properly (as in, through proper goal setting), and there’s no plan, which leads me to my first point…

8 ways to achieve your dreams this year

1- Set goals, not resolutions (there’s different, honestly)

2- Make a plan around how you’re going to get to this dream and break it into small steps (break them down, that’s a plan, a big goal is just a wish!)

3- Find a community to support your endeavours (yep- shameless plug for Small & Supercharged Mastermind right here!)

4- Don’t worry if you don’t know how to do everything along your journey, that’s OK! (no one does, but there are loads of opportunities to learn out there)

5- Celebrate your micro-wins (big goals take time, and celebrating the little wins along the way will help keep your motivation up)

6- Push that comfort zone (comfort zones are cosy but not places for growth. The stretch zone is the dream)

7- If something goes wrong, don’t throw in the towel (there’s no point, things will go wrong, just look for the learning, pick yourself up, and crack on)

8-It’s OK to change course (if your learning and the steps you’ve taken change your goal, embrace it- you’ve learnt and grown along that journey and it’s good to adapt)

Hopefully you’re feeling rested and excited after Christmas and the New Year, and this episode might just help you along your way to achieving your big goals and ambitions in 2023…

Small & Supercharged Book

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It’s the final Podmas! With Zoe Kiff, Claire Williams, Jessica Thatcher and Becky Kew

BETA zv textiles honest riders q dressage

It’s the last Podmas for 2022, and I am so excited to be sharing some of the brilliant people from inside the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group with you.

It’s the final Podmas! With Zoe Kiff, Claire Williams, Jessica Thatcher and Becky Kew

On this episode, I catch up with Claire Williams – Executive Director of BETA, Zoe Kiff – founder of Honest Riders, Becky Kew – founder of Q Dressage, and Jessica Thatcher from EQCO and ZV Textiles.

We chat all Christmas from lots of angles- who hates Christmas lunch? Who turned up to the recording in a Christmas jumper? Who did really badly on the quiz? Who gets soap every Christmas? It’s all answered in this episode!

Enjoy!

Music credit: “Jingle bells” by scottholmesmusic.com

To find out more about Claire Williams and the British Equestrian Trade Association

Jessica Thatcher and ZV Textiles

Zoe Kiff and Honest Riders

or Becky Kew and Q Dressage, just click on the name and you’ll be taken to their websites.

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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It’s Podmas #10! With Ruth Chappell and Donna Case

the horse feed guru dressage anywhere

Podmas is back for 2022, and I am so excited to be sharing some of the brilliant people from inside the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group with you.

It’s Podmas #10! With Ruth Chappell and Donna Case

On this episode, I catch up with Donna Case aka The Horse Feed Guru, and Ruth Chappell who you might know better as the lady behind Dressage Anywhere.

We chat all things, not just Christmas, including cantankerous cobs, being mistaken for a child, themed trees, and so so much more!

Enjoy!

Music credit: “Jingle bells” by scottholmesmusic.com

To find about more about Donna Case or The Horse Feed Guru

or Ruth Chappell and Dressage Anywhere, click on the names and you’ll be taken to the relevant websites.

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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It’s Podmas #9! With Carly O’Brien, Cathy Wright and Rachel Philpott

cathys chocolates COBS equine little margate equestrianPodmas is back for 2022, and I am so excited to be sharing some of the brilliant people from inside the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group with you.

It’s Podmas #9! With Carly O’Brien, Cathy Wright and Rachel Philpott

On this episode, I catch up with Carly O’Brien from COB’S Equine Services and COB’S EVA, Cathy Wright from Cathy’s Chocolates and Cakes, and Rachel Philpott from Little Margate Equestrian.

We chat all things Christmas from chocolates to pony days and there’s a hefty dose of quiz questions too!

Enjoy!

Music credit: “Jingle bells” by scottholmesmusic.com

To find out more about Cathy Wright and Cathy’s Chocolates and Cakes,

Carly O’Brien and COB’s Equine Services or COB’S EVA

or Rachel Philpott and Little Margate Equestrian, just click on the name and you’ll be whisked off to the relevant website!

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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It’s Podmas #8! With Liz Daniels, Maeve Sheridan and Hermione Perry

activate your seat the little feed company equiteam

Podmas is back for 2022, and I am so excited to be sharing some of the brilliant people from inside the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group with you.

It’s Podmas #8! With Liz Daniels, Maeve Sheridan and Hermione Perry

On this episode, I catch up with Liz Daniels- part of the Equiteam trio, Maeve Sheridan from Activate Your Seat, and Hermione Perry from The Little Feed Company.

We chat ponies under the tree, turkeys wearing boots, heated socks, poultry porridge, and plenty more besides.

Enjoy!

Music credit: “Jingle bells” by scottholmesmusic.com

To find out more about:

Maeve Sheridan and Activate Your Seat

Hermoine Perry and The Little Feed Company

or Liz Daniels and EquiTeam, just click on the name and you’ll be whisked off to the relevant website.

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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It’s Podmas #7! With Amanda Marshall, Tracey Cole and Faye Harlequin

horseshoe hearts tracey cole nlp and 3 donkeys

Podmas is back for 2022, and I am so excited to be sharing some of the brilliant people from inside the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group with you.

It’s Podmas #7! With Amanda Marshall, Tracey Cole and Faye Harlequin

On this episode, I catch up with Amanda Marshall from 3 Donkeys Clothing, Tracey Cole from Tracey Cole NLP, and Faye Harlequin from Horseshoe Hearts & Home.

We chat Pegasus, cows, fire, aggressive turkeys, Barker & Sloane, freezing time and SO much else too. Sounds like a festive chat, doesn’t it?!

Enjoy!

Music credit: “Jingle bells” by scottholmesmusic.com

To find out more about Amanda Marshall and 3 Donkeys, visit the website.

To find out more about Tracey Cole NLP, visit the website.

To find out more about Faye Harlequin and Horseshoe Hearts, click on the names and you’ll head off to the relevant website!

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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It’s Podmas #6! With Kelly Ude-Martinez, Claire Barker & Louise Towl

knights of middle england barker and sloane ready to ride physio

Podmas is back for 2022, and I am so excited to be sharing some of the brilliant people from inside the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group with you.

It’s Podmas #6! With Kelly Ude-Martinez, Claire Barker & Louise Towl

On this episode, I catch up with Kelly Ude-Martinez from The Knights of Middle England, Claire Barker from Barker & Sloane, and Louise Towl from Ready to Ride Physio.

We chat Baileys hot chocolate, day skippers, indoor arenas and the joys of bread sauce…

It’s a good one- lots of laughs, leather and festive cheer.

Music credit: “Jingle bells” by scottholmesmusic.com

To find out more about Kelly Ude-Martinez and the Knights of Middle England, see the website.

To find out more about Claire Barker and Barker & Sloane, see the website.

To find out more about Louise Towl and Ready to Ride Physio, click on the names and you’ll head off to the relevant website!

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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Ask A Masterminder- it’s the little things

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… it’s the little things…

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…

It’s the little touches…what do you do to go above and beyond your customer’s expectations?

Joanna Wood, Joanna Fair Photography  www.joannafairphotography.co.uk

Surprising my clients with little extra details after booking a shoot with me and beyond is very important to me. I always send out a save the date card to pop on their fridge so they are reminded every day about their upcoming shoot. One I have brought in this year (and one thing they do not expect) is three fine art printed images as a gift a couple of months after their image viewing and we have said our goodbyes. Such a simple gift for my fabulous clients but one they will cherish forever.

Tracy Ormrod, Dressage Test Pro www.dressagetestpro.com

With our app we are not directly involved with the purchase as the Apple and Google Play stores handle everything. We are always available to support customers if they have a technical issue in some way. It is not uncommon to receive a late night message via social media from someone due to compete the next day and they are having problems with their phone! There have been occasions when I have sat on a beach answering a support call!

Helen Goddard-Watts, Fetlox, www.fetlox.com

At Fetlox we love to make our customers feel special when they receive their order.

Carefully wrapping them in tissues paper, enclosing a thank you card, some Look Book cards and finishing them off with a sweet treat.

When the customer opens their package, we want them to feel wowed…it’s the little things that matter.

The orders are then sent out in recycled packaging with a little sticker saying – ‘Love It, Share It, #Fetlox’

Amanda Marshall, 3 Donkeys Clothing www.3donkeys.co.uk

Adding that personal touch is very important to me and 3 Donkeys®. I personally package every order and apart from our coveralls which have their own bag including a hand signed card, they are wrapped in craft paper tied with rafia. I want every order to be ‘gift giving’ ready.

Tracey Cole, Tracey Cole NLP www.traceycolenlp.com

I always offer my full support after certifying NLP and hypnotherapy coaches. Graduates can contact me to chat about business set up, client cases or how to run their latest mindset workshop. In fact, my virtual office door is always open!

Chelle Mullen, Storm & Grace www.stormandgrace.co.uk

We aim to exceed our customers’ expectations with every order – we can custom make designs with stones/metals/initials/hearts etc to suit.  Complimentary cleaning cloths and advice, handwritten dispatch notes, horsehair returned in a card, and the option for gift wrapping and sending direct to the recipient if required.  Oh, and free postage!

Emily Hamlett, Glorious Grouse www.gloriousgrouse.com

The act of a handwritten note or card seems to be a dying art, however, we all appreciate it, today more than ever as it shows effort and thought over and above an email or a text. I think as a small business I feel I need to provide something that the larger businesses can’t always do, and that in my opinion is the personal touch and show you are buying from a real person! I really appreciate people purchasing from me and I like to show that by way of a little note hoping that they are delighted with their purchase. The note always seems to be the first thing people mention in their feedback! I also offer to write out greetings cards and send their gift to the recipient direct, which saves the purchaser time and further postage costs, so they receive a beautiful country themed gift with a personal handwritten card. Isn’t it the best when you get a package from someone and it’s packaged up beautifully and inside there is a little note, and you know that as well as receiving a lovely item you are also supporting a small business!

To find out more about the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group here.

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