Building Your Horse Business in Our Modern World, with Industry Icon Patti Colbert

What are the top things equine business owners should be doing to grow our business? How do we convert mildly interested non-horsepeople into enthusiastic riders? Wondering if you should move your hobby farm into a working farm, but not sure how to do it? Get a pen and lots of paper to take notes as the legendary Patti Colbert shares the wisdom and insight her marketing clients went on a waiting list to access, but you get free on Because of Horses!   An icon in the horse world, a senior leader in some of our most respected organizations, and a wildly successful marketing executive specializing in equine businesses -- few can match Patti's level of expertise and the generosity with which she shares her knowledge.   Internationally renowned for her leadership and tireless efforts in developing programs to attract new people and grow the industry, just a few of Patti’s accomplishments include: Extreme Mustang Makeover creator; Senior Director, AQHA Foundation; Executive Director, Mustang Heritage Foundation; board member for the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, American Quarter Horse Association, and the American Stock Horse Association; recipient of the Equine Industry Vision Award; named one of “The Top 15 Westerners to Watch” by American Cowboy magazine — and so much more!   In this fascinating episode, Patti details how equestrians can enhance their own horse business  by going beyond the over-used reliance on horse-crazy kids and reaching out to newcomers and non-horse people alike — and the importance of connecting within their communities to partner with one another. She also talks about her behind-the-scenes – often hilarious – experiences with the Extreme Mustang Makeover, the TV show “Project Cowboy,” creating the American Horse Council’s “Time to Ride” initiative, and many others.   Topics of Discussion: [:19] Elise introduces her guest, Patti Colbert. [1:32] Patti tells the story of how she got started down this path and how her love of horses began. [5:11] Patti’s efforts to make the horse world more accessible and help bring more people in. [13:06] Patti’s recommendations to equine business owners that not only want to survive but thrive in this increasingly modern and technological world. [18:48] How Patti translates our passion for horses to non-horse people so they can enjoy and understand it, too. [25:17] The Extreme Mustang Makeover and some amazing stories that have come from it. [32:01] About Elise’s book, A Parent’s Guide to Riding Lessons. [33:03] About the Bureau of Land Management. [34:56] The challenges and opportunities for horse-related businesses to connect (and market to) the three types of potential clients: baby-boomers, millennials, and Generation X. [43:11] Meaningful experiences from Patti’s stellar career. [49:08] About next week’s episode of Because of Horses with Elizabeth Letts. [50:40] What it has been like for Patti to be riding lately, instead of her usual behind-the-scenes work. [55:20] Parting words and advice from Patti. [55:43] Resources Patti recommends.   Know Someone Inspirational, Whose Life Has Been Forever Changed Because of Horses? Because of Horses would love to get to share their story! To recommend someone please send an email to [email protected].   Mentioned in this Episode: Extreme Mustang Makeover AQHA Mustang Heritage Foundation National Cowgirl Hall of Fame American Stock Horse Association Texas QHA American Cowboy magazine American Horse Council American Horse Council’s Time to Ride initiative Equine Industry Vision Award Dale Evans (actor) Elizabeth Taylor (actor) National Velvet (film) OPI “Instinct of Color” (nail polish horse commercial) Extreme Home Makeover Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Because of Horse’s Lufthansa Cargo’s Frankfurt Animal Lounge episode with Sabine Grebe Lufthansa Cargo’s Frankfurt Animal Lounge A Parent’s Guide to Riding Lessons: Everything You Need to Know to Survive and Thrive with a Horse-Loving Kid, by Elise Chand Next week’s episode of Because of Horses with Elizabeth Letts Stock Horse Association of Texas The Right Horse Initiative Because of Horse’s episode with The Right Horse Initiative’s Christie Schulte Kappert   Like what you hear? Because of Horses would love to hear your feedback! Please email [email protected] to send Because of Horses your thoughts.   To Support the Podcast: ● Donate on Paypal to help keep Because of Horses running — all amounts are welcome! ● Subscribe: RSS Feed, iTunes, Google Play, TuneIn, Stitcher, and Player FM