Small businesses are such an important part of what I do – in fact, the vast majority of equestrian and country businesses I work with are what you’d call a small business.

The definition of a small business does tend to vary a little (it’s usually based on number of employees as well as turnover!), but I work particularly closely with micro and small businesses in the coaching and Mastermind programme, and have worked for a number of medium equestrian and country businesses too.

In this section of my blog, you’ll find tips, tricks and hints connected to small business – mostly the promotion of which through pr, social media and content, but you might also find interviews with small businesses that are inspiring.

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Starting a dog food brand in a global pandemic with Lucy Millar from Run Dog Food

Starting a dog food brand in a global pandemic with Lucy Millar from Run Dog Food

lucy millar run dog food

What a treat you’re in for today- pun intended!


Starting a dog food company at the start of a global pandemic might not have been in the plan, but Run Dog Food continues to go from strength to strength despite its challenging start!

On today’s podcast, I chat to Lucy Millar, the lovely lady behind Run Dog Food, which is a cold pressed dog food brand for working and pet dogs that launched at the start of the pandemic.

Lucy’s dedication to creating truly exceptional food for dogs is inspiring, and as you’ll learn from our chat, it wasn’t an easy road. Lucy talks about what cold pressed dog food is, why she created a dog food, her highs, lows, successes and stresses. And we get a preview of what’s to come too!

This is a brilliantly honest chat about starting a business when the world was falling to bits, how she overcame obstacles, the positives of planning and much more besides. Enjoy.

To find out more about Lucy and Run Dog Food, make sure you have a look at the website and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

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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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Ask A Masterminder- stand out experiences on social media

This article was first published in Absolute Horse Magazine– to read this issue and any of the others, go to the Absolute Horse website

stand out experiences on social media

Ask a Masterminder – stand out experiences on social media

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…

‘We ask the Masterminders – explain one amazing stand-out experience that you have had with equestrian social media’

Dr Diane Adamson aka All The Kings Horses

Like it or loathe it, it’s here to stay. I’ve found it’s an amazing platform for education. I use lives and my Rider Clinic to help equestrians deal with all sorts from describing your fall when you arrive at hospital, specialist equestrian physio, basic life support refreshers, inspiring guests, and so much more.

Social media is also fabulous for networking, and it’s helped to raise my profile in the equestrian space, which has led to me becoming the Chief  Medical Officer of BETA, meaning I’m now in a position to make our sport as safe as possible in both the equestrian and medical spaces.

Be brave, you never know what opportunities or friends may come your way. www.facebook.com/medicalmare

 

Ruth Chappell, Dressage Anywhere

My social stand out moment is a video of Alice Oppenheimer, International Grand Prix Dressage Rider, ‘riding’ a Grand Prix dressage test with a hobby horse! It was to promote our Hobby Horse Online Dressage Competition, which went on to raise £4k for charity but the video itself had just under 80,000 views and really helped to raise awareness.

www.dressageanywhere.com/

 

Amanda Marshall, 3 Donkeys Clothing

I have had the pleasure of meeting some amazing ladies through equestrian social media. Many have gone onto become friends and this in turn has opened many doors for my own business, especially our lovely sponsored rider. Had it not been for equestrian social media I would not have had this opportunity.

www.3donkeys.co.uk/

 

Eleanor Lelliott, SpiceMule

100% the best thing about social media is the connections you get, ones that just don’t happen in real life. In what world can you get a like minded bunch together, and most amazingly working together. The most exciting thing that’s happened to SpiceMule is our recent collaboration with Emily Cole. Not only am I a massive fan of her work, but it’s just fab when two business have products that are just meant to be together. I mean decadent mug cakes and beautiful mugs. DREAM TEAM. I just need her to bring out a full range of crockery so we can work together with our Simple Suppers range too!

www.spicemule.co.uk

 

Donna Case, The Horse Feed Guru

My biggest stand out was being booked to travel to the USA as a result of social media. Not only was my airfare paid for, but my accommodation and food etc for the whole time I was there. My client had never commented on my social media posts, but apparently had been following me for months.

www.thehorsefeedguru.com/

 

Zoe Kiff, Honest Riders

I think the ongoing thing for me is when someone messaged us and tells us they’ve changed something to be more sustainable as a result of one of our posts. Or have been promoted to make bigger changes. That’s always lovely.

www.honestriders.co.uk

 

Emily Cole, Emily Cole Illustrations

I owe most of my business to the power of social media. One of the most exciting opportunities has been teaming up with Equiboodle to design a bespoke Emily Cole edition vixen. Seeing customers wearing something with my design on never ceases to be surreal!

www.emily-cole.com

 

To find out more about the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group, see that page on the website.

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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

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.

www.muddymare.co.uk

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.

www.traceycolenlp.com

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.

www.dressageanywhere.com

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.

www.paddockapparel.co.uk

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.

www.3donkeys.co.uk

 

To find out more about the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group, have a look at the Mastermind page!

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Influencers behaving badly

This article – Influencers behaving badly- first appeared in Absolute Horse Magazine – view this fabulous publication online and all previous issues of Absolute Horse on the website- and they’re all FREE to view too!

Influencers behaving badly

For many riders, it’s a dream to bag themselves a sponsor. Being aligned with brands that you love working with, whose products you adore, who can help support you in your equestrian dreams is huge. But that’s really just the start. Bagging yourself a sponsor isn’t the easy bit as such, but with it comes a responsibility to promote the brand correctly and well, ensure that you remain the kind of person that brand wants to be associated with, and so much more. So here we are going to look at a few things NOT to do if you want to keep the brands you’re working with happy…

Absolute Horse Equestrian Influencers

  1. Promote other conflicting brands. There are few brands that would expect you to only talk about them, because most brands tend to specialise in one area. But, let’s say your sponsor sells supplements, it wouldn’t be a great idea to actively promote a product from a competitor of theirs when they do an equivalent. If, for whatever reason, you need/want/are advised to use a product that could be a conflict, SPEAK TO THE BRAND. They may understand, they may ask you not to actively promote it on your socials, they may suggest their version and give you a good reason why.
  2. Disregard what they have asked for. If you’re sponsored or even working with someone on a one off basis, you’ll know what they expect from you in terms of what kind of coverage that are hoping to gain. If you’re not sure, ask. But when you know, please deliver on what has been agreed. If you’re struggling to do this for whatever reason, speak to them. Explain the situation and work on a solution.
  3. Prevent them using your content. Let’s say you’ve taken a pic of you in their kit, looking amazing, and posted it on your social. The brand asks to use it. You say no. Now, if you had the image taken by a professional photographer, you will need to get their permission of course, but unless there’s a good reason, I would advise being as obliging as you can be. Quality imagery that brands can use has a real value, and this can help to make you even more valuable as a brand ambassador or sponsored rider.
  4. Have no knowledge of their products. It’s worth doing the work and making sure you really do understand what makes their products special. You don’t need to be an expert, but knowing enough so you can produce valuable content will really help.
  5. Don’t communicate with them, don’t think of any ideas around the promotion of the brand or products. Keep in touch. Think of things you can do that help them and will appeal to your audience.
  6. Start swearing, being rude, breaking the law, and behaving in a way that’s very different to how you were when you started working together. Now, if you were swearing before, don’t worry too much(!), but when brands assess brand ambassadors, they usually look to see how that ambassador will fit with their audience, brand ethos, and a lot of other values too. If you’ve gone from quiet and collected to swearing and drunken vomiting in ditches overnight, that will (quite rightly!) unnerve a brand.
  7. Be controversial, just because. If you believe in something wholeheartedly, then that’s different, but if you’re a bit bored one day and decide to pick a fight with someone on social, be aware that this could really backfire.
  8. Don’t label things. It is REALLY important that you label any sponsored content correctly so you don’t mislead your audience. The ASA and CMA have rules around this (search ASA Influencer Guidelines for more on this). It’s important for you and the brand.

Of course, there are other ways you can upset a brand(!), but communication is key, in all things, to ensure you’re happy, the brand is happy, and that the audience is too. You’ve got this!

Read the article and see Absolute Horse Magazine here.

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5 ways to show your clients you love them

5 ways to show your clients you love them

Getting clients to buy your product or service shouldn’t be where the process ends. Nope. Not even a bit. If you want to go the extra mile, to help build a connection and loyalty , and really delight your clients like bigger businesses can’t and don’t… well, this blog is for you. It’s all about ways to show your clients that you love them… and most are free… good, hey!

Handwritten notes

Have you ever received a parcel with a handwritten note? Oh my – it’s something else. From a business point of view, there is clearly a time factor, and I’m not going to pretend that there isn’t, but the delight your customer experiences should, hopefully counter this. Huge businesses can’t really do this (I mean, they could, but they don’t!), but smaller businesses can. And it can be one really amazing way to shine out against the big boys. It’s seen SO many posts on Instagram particularly of handwritten notes people have received in their parcels. See it as a marketing and client retention expense. It’s a really easy way to show your customers you love them.

Free gifts

Gifts have to be in here- but if you have a customer who’s spending good money with you, why not send them a little thank you? It doesn’t have to be a huge thing – far from it – something thoughtful can be so much more valuable. Maybe a few Lindt balls to orders at different times of the year, a product, a notebook, the list goes on. Think about the customer, what they would like, and go from there. There are very few people who aren’t delighted when they receive a tasty something in a parcel when they didn’t expect it.

Say thank you

Oh- ground breaking. No, in all seriousness, saying thank you is so underrated. Whether you include a thank you on your handwritten note, you say thank you on your order confirmation, or you just say thank you in person, don’t forget it. Yes, you have provided a product, but your customer has chosen you, out of everyone else. Whether you sell a product or a service, it’s a competitive world out there, so say thank you – THEY CHOSE YOU!

Promoting them on social media

If you have clients who show your products or say nice things about you on social media – can you return the favour? On Instagram, reposting from grids or sharing to your Story are great ways to do this, or retweet on Twitter, or share in Facebook. If you’re reposting on Instagram, don’t forget to ask permission. It’s not just polite but the photographer (often your customer) owns the copyright so you do need permission. From a PR point of view, asking to use something that your client has created, and saying how lovely it is, can further strengthen a bond.

Engage

Yes, that old chestnut. When customers (and potential ones) comment on your social media, please, PLEASE do your best to engage back. If you have a crazy busy account, you might not have enough hours in the day to comment on each post… but you could definitely do some. It shows that you care and appreciate them and their support. And that isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s excellent for building relationships too.

As you’ll see, none of the ideas above are rock science – far from it – they’re really obvious, aren’t they? I think we all spend a lot of time being absorbed in tech, automation, software and cleverness… and this means that sometimes we overlook the obvious.

It’s also a well known fact that it costs you a LOT less to keep an existing customer happy and loyal than to find a new one. So how can you show your clients you love them? And what could that mean for them, for you, and your business.

Rhea Freeman Newsletter
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How to sniff out time wasters… 5 ways to spot one | Rhea Freeman

how to sniff out time wastersI know that most people have to deal with time wasters in their business… and I guess it’s part of it all. To be honest, I can usually spot them a mile off, and I don’t always mind. I regularly take calls from people who just want to pick my brains. I get it. I have questions pop through on social media and I don’t mind answering them when I can. But proper time wasters are different.

Are we thinking that time is money?

I would like to note here that it’s not about money. It might be for you but, for me, it’s a bit different. I have a number of lovely PR  social media and coaching clients who pay me. They have paid for my time. And I am sure you’re the same – you have people who pay for the service you offer, or frequent your shop/store regularly and purchase from you. These people, our customers, allow our businesses to exist and allow us to do what we love. So we need to treasure these people. So why should some people have to pay and others not? Is that showing our customers a lack of respect? Is it a bit like being an insurance company and offering a HUGE discount for a new customer as you shaft your old ones and don’t offer them the same discounts and rewards?

On top of this, it’s our time that is being used. Time is one resource we can’t buy more of. If it’s my time, I could be working on my own business, I could be walking the dog, playing with the children, keeping the house in order, doing some ‘life admin’… but this doesn’t seem to figure on some people’s radars. I, like the vast majority of the population, am a very busy person. And I like to be busy. I go above and beyond for my clients and I enjoy doing this. I love my job and the work I do. And I don’t want you to think otherwise. But as with any resource, time needs to be protected and looked after…

It’s more about respect… and it’s rarely deliberate or malicious

I appreciate that the goal posts change and that life moves on. And the lack of respect for your time or knowledge from the time waster is rarely deliberate. If ever, actually. But I’m going to share five ways to spot time wasters so you can conserve your most valuable resource and spend it where you want…

How to sniff out a time waster…

  • They’d like to work with you but…  I work with some of the most incredible people in this equestrian and country industry and one of the things that comes through time and again is the importance of honesty. If you want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, that’s absolutely fine too… just be straight with people. It saves everyone a lot of time.
  • They forget your sessions/appointment… they book, it’s sorted… and then you call at the allocated time and they’re not there. A while later it becomes apparent that they have completely forgotten the session/appointment. I’m lucky that this doesn’t happen very often at all, and I also charge for missed sessions when less than 24 hours notice is given.
  • There’s always a crisis… and you feel you need to help. As a people pleaser when someone sends me a ‘help’ message, I tend to respond. Well, at least I did. For clients, I’m all over it and I will help them solve it if I possibly can, but for people that have never even bothered to comment on a social media post? Umm. They’ll happily use my time and then carry on with their lives. Umm.
  • They start off chats with ‘I don’t have any money, but…’. That’s completely fine… I get that 100%. But maybe have a Google? I also have a lot of free resources out there – blogs, podcasts, free groups – use them as much as you like. Please. That’s why they’re there.
  • They don’t do as they say. One of the things about coaching is that if you don’t put the effort in – if you don’t do the work- nothing will change. And that’s true of life. The sad thing about this is time wasters aren’t just wasting your time, they’re wasting theirs too. Making progress isn’t just in the theory – if only- it’s in the action. Also be aware that if someone hasn’t done the work before and they’re promising you the moon on a stick, but a bit wary.

See, time wasters don’t just eat into my time, or your time, they’re eating into theirs as well.

Why have I shared this blog? Is it a rant?

No, it isn’t. These are things I have observed over the years. Some have happened to me, some haven’t, but they have to friends. The thing is, if you sharpen your identification skills when it comes to time wasters, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and stress. Being aware of what’s happening is half the battle. And if you want your year to be the most amazing ever, and to achieve your biggest goals, you’re going to need every space second to make that happen.

5 easy ways to use Instagram Stories

 

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Running an online only business with Ruth Chappell- Small & Supercharged Podcast

You’re in for a treat today! On this episode of the Small & Supercharged podcast we catch up with Ruth Chappell, the lady behind Dressage Anywhere. In addition to being a huge part of Dressage Anywhere, Ruth has a lot of strings to her bow. She’s an absolute superstar and is also a ‘tech wizard’. In this episode, we chat about how Ruth got to this point, the difficulties with running a digital, online equestrian business and more.

Let’s talk about online equestrian businesses and how to create a digital business, with Ruth Chappell – Dressage Anywhere

Show notes for the Small & Supercharged Podcast – Episode 8 – online only equestrian businesses, how to deal with competition, cyber security and making a connection with customers…

  • Ruth talks about how she came to Dressage Anywhere, the online dressage platform
  • We talk about competition and how to deal with being the only online dressage company to how it is now.
  • We spoke about where the idea for Dressage Anywhere came from.
  • The benefits of an online business, the international appeal and global reach the business has.
  • How Dressage Anywhere actually works.
  • The limitations of being an online/digital business and how this can be quite challenging.
  • The opportunities that social media has presented for digital businesses.
  • Particular highlights including the Riding for the Disabled Association.
  • Some of the tools that Ruth uses to help run Dressage Anywhere effectively.
  • Social media content for digital businesses and how this can be used to help promote connection and business.
  • Finding friends and amazing connections through social media.
  • We talk about cyber security and data protection, and how that even a small business needs to be aware of this and understand the responsibilities connected to it.
  • And we talk about user experience, customer journey, automation, and balancing tech with usability… because they have to work together.

It was an absolute joy chatting to Ruth – not only do I love Dressage Anywhere, but I am a huge Ruth fan. She is a fountain of knowledge on ‘techy’ things and has helped me out on more than one occasion when I’ve had a tech based ‘why does everything hate me’ meltdown. OK. That happens quite a lot!

To find Ruth and Dressage Anywhere online, follow the links below…

Dressage Anywhere website

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Beautiful image provided by Karen Bennett Photography

Subscribe to the Small & Supercharged podcast on iTunes

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How to know… when to make a business leap

when to make a business leapThis was a question I was asked a few weeks ago. The question I was asked was actually connected to tradestands at big events, and knowing when to invest in these – when to make the leap, if you will. However, the advice I gave can be applied to any ‘business leap’. Hence why a blog that started off as a very tradestand focussed blog has now somewhat morphed into something general – how to know when to make a business leap.

What’s a business leap?

In this blog, a business leap is something out of the ordinary, unusual and a comfort zone demolisher. It’s a decision that feels scary and daring. It might not be to anyone looking from the outside in but, to the business’s founder, it does.

Are all business leaps huge?

No – and that’s a very important point. Some business leaps are HUGE and cost a lot of money and time – and there’s a lot on the line if it goes wrong. Moving to an amazing new warehouse to increase the size of your operation is a big leap, for example. But the good news is that there are many, many ways you can test the water first, to make sure that your decision is founded on strong evidence and results. This makes the leap a lot more calculated, which should help to reduce any anxiety surrounding it. Yes, it might still be a big leap and it might still be risky, but you can take the sting out of the tail… let’s work through a few examples.

Starting your own business. To some people this means quitting the day job and going all in. There is nothing wrong with that. But if you’re a little more cautious or want to test an idea first, start the business in your spare time. It’ll mean your weekends and evenings will evaporate… but running your own business can be like that when you’re full time too. This way, you can test the market, see what people want, and not compromise your income. You might find the idea is a roaring success and you need to stop your day job to meet demand. And that’s brilliant. But at least when you hand in your notice you can be excited about the next chapter. Don’t get me wrong – it’s STILL scary, but less so.

Taking a tradestand at big events. For many business owners, this is seen as a beacon for how well you’re doing. But if you want your business to survive, you need to care a LOT less about what other people think. Sod the beacons of greatness, just be great! However, there’s no doubt that some events are great for business – from a sales, a marketing, a social media and a market research point of view. Now, a word of warning… even if you have the money, brand and great product, this does not mean you will get the stands you want at big events. It just doesn’t work like that. The more prestigious ones require you to apply and be considered… but with so many people after a limited number of stands, a lot of people end up disappointed.

However, there is another way.

At many of the big equestrian events there are larger tents, like Rural Crafts, World of the Horse, etc. These are still in very high demand but with smaller spaces and more retailers sharing the space, it can be a very cost effective test. Another idea (if allowed by the event in question) is to work with someone who has an existing stand that your brand complements. I’ve seen this done a few times and it can be good for all concerned – as long as you’re not in breach of the venue’s Ts and Cs.

Calculated risks are good

Calculated risks are good. They help us to feel a lot more confident in what we’re about to undertake. However, there is still that moment when you do have to jump (or leap!). But if you do the groundwork, it’s not a jump into the unknown…

 

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Behind… the Small & Supercharged giveaway! | Rhea Freeman

Small and Supercharged Giveaway

The Small and Supercharged giveaway bundle

Have you seen the Small & Supercharged giveaway? This AMAZING competition has recently launched on my Facebook page and the prize bundle is INCREDIBLE. I want to say a ginormous thank you to all the businesses who have donated prizes (I’m going to walk you through them all below) – the winner is going to have a very good day when this bundle of joy arrives!

What’s the Small & Supercharged giveaway?

The Small & Supercharged giveaway is a simple competition with a few purposes. First of all, it’s to celebrate my Small & Supercharged Facebook group getting over 1000 members. To me, that’s just plain crazy. It’s such a fab group and I am SO proud of it, but I didn’t imagine it would grow at such a rate and do so much good. To get to over 1000 fabulous members is amazing to me. And I wanted to celebrate.

So – I posted in the group and asked if anyone would be interested in donating a prize to the prize bundle. The idea would be to promote S&S and this milestone, of course, but it would also be to promote some of the amazing members inside the group. The remit was that anyone could donate a prize as long as it didn’t cross over the path of someone else who had already agreed. I didn’t want have a prize bundle made up of, I don’t know, 20 saddle pads, for example. As great as saddle pads are, that wouldn’t work as a prize. But luckily the diversity of the group shone through and an amazing bundle was created. Here are the prizes in the bundle – in alphabetical order by company name for fairness!

Hiho Silver Friendship Bracelet

Hiho Silver Friendship Bracelet

Who has donated to the Small & Supercharged 1k giveaway bundle?

Black Nova Designs has given a USB stick and a year’s hosting

Bling in the Show Ring has given a stock pin with pink, pearl and white elements

Doris & Co has given a lovely British creamware ‘Hold Fast’ Half Pint Mug

Equestriman has given a branded baseball cap

EvoEquine has given a tub of natural leather balm

Haynet has donated a lovely branded mug and pen

Hettie Company has donated a beautiful tweed iPad case. Made in Britain and soooo pretty!

Hiho Silver has given a stunning Exclusive Sterling Silver Horseshoe Friendship Bracelet

Hoofprints has donated a Small & Supercharged branded mug and coaster

Mackenzie and George

Mackenzie and George

Horse Riding With Confidence Scotland has donated a gift voucher for a session

Horsemanship Magazine has donated a magazine subscription

Horseshoe Hearts & Gifts has given Linked Horseshoe Hearts

Huf Designs has given a beautiful turquoise SKUP

Inkpot & Press has donated a Kikki K Goals Journal – ideal for stationery lovers!

Loch Leven Equine Practice has given an extensive equine first aid kit. Not only are first aid items included, but it comes in a great bag with a handy guide.

Lois Rose Fine Art has given one colouring book

Lotte Simons Photography has donated a stunning equine photo print

Mackenzie & George has given a handmade feather brooch by Wendy Goode, and a new leather keyring with branded brass rivet

Mother Bee has given a bundle of goodies for horse (Soothe & Protect), human (Soothing Lip Balm & Yard Hand Rescue) and tack (Leather Balm)

NKC Equestrian has given TWO places on an equine first aid course

My Dogs Deli has donated a box of canine goodies

Rowan & Ruby has donated a gorgeous tweed keyring

Safe Care Equine has donated two bottles of Total Body Wash

Super X Country has given a pink bobble hat from its current collection

Safe-Care Equine, The Herbal Horse, and Lotte Simons Photography

Safe-Care Equine, The Herbal Horse, and Lotte Simons Photography

Tail End Jewellery has given a £40 gift voucher

The Collar Club has give a subscription box for dogs

Tidy Tack Rooms Ltd has donated two saddlepad storage bags

The Equine Business Assistant has donated a pen, horse paperclips and a voucher for a hour of services

21st Century Rider has donated a Back On Track saddlepad

White Horse Leather has donated a leather headcollar

Wimpy Eventer has given two books: How To Get Your Leg Over and How To Stay On Top

 

I’ve added Arianna Huffington’s book, Thrive, and a Project Book notebook

How can you enter AND find out about all the amazing prizes above?

Well, that’s simple! In order to enter, just pop on over to my Facebook page. The post is pinned to the top of the page and you can find out more about ALL the companies involved and tagged there too. Please give them a little social media love and support. Without their generosity, this giveaway would be, well, non-existent, if you can show them a little love that would be fab.

And what if you want to join Small & Supercharged?

Wimpy Eventer, Haynet, and Hoofprints

Wimpy Eventer, Haynet, and Hoofprints

Then be my guest – just come on over and ask to join the Small & Supercharged group on Facebook. Just one thing, PLEASE answer the questions. At time of writing this blog, I have 94 requests pending approval. Why? Because most of them didn’t answer the questions and I can not see from their profile if they’re a good fit for the group. I know. I take my role of creator and admin a *bit* too seriously.

Anyway, a HUGE thank you to the Small & Supercharged group for their help with the giveaway. And best of luck to you if you enter… entries close at the end of May ’18.

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