How to Market Your Horse Business with Denise Alvarez

Hosted by Denise Alvarez

Business Entrepreneurship Sports

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Episodes

240

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

How do I build a horse business so I can keep doing what I love to do? Do I need a website—and if so, what do I even put on it? How can I get my social media following to grow? Does email marketing really work? Welcome to How to Market Your Horse Business where you’ll get all of these questions answered and more! Each week, host Denise Alvarez from Stormlily Marketing breaks down marketing into bite-size bits and gives you actionable and doable tips and strategies that you can apply to your horse business. Plus, you’ll hear from your fellow horse business owners who are in the trenches with you as they share specifics of what’s working for them. And Denise will help you see how you can take it and do it in your business, too! If you’re too overwhelmed by the tech to get started on what you know needs to be done to market your horse business, this is the place for you. Through a mix of step-by-step strategies, basic how-tos, and simple formulas and methods, Denise will not only help you see what’s possible for your business but she’ll also guide you through the process so you can make it happen. Sound good to you? Then hit subscribe and let’s do this! Podcast Website + Show Notes: HowToMarketYourHorseBusiness.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 15, 2026Episode 2341 hr 2 min

How Your Mission Gives Marketing Meaning with Brandee Gallagher [Rockstar Reins + SmarTack]

What if your marketing didn’t always have to feel like selling? Brandee Gallagher started Rockstar Reins by lacing a pair of reins for her daughter, a purpose-filled reminder that she was enough as she went out to run the barrel pattern. Today, she’s a full-time school administrator running Rockstar Reins and SmarTack from her garage, celebrating her first $1 million in total sales. But she’ll be the first to say she’s not chasing a number to measure her success. She’s focused on the mission while delivering excellent products. If you’ve ever felt like success only has one path, or perhaps you’ve been chasing someone else’s version of success and veered from the original heart behind your business, this conversation will get you back on YOUR path and give you the tools to make it happen. Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/234 ✨ FREE The Equine Entrepreneur’s Roadmap to Grow a Sustainable Business Without Burning Out → Stormlily.com/map 🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins 🐴 60-minute Clarity Coaching Call → Stormlily.com/clarity

October 8, 2026Episode 23319 min

My Biggest Takeaways from 6 Years Hosting an Equestrian Podcast

Six years of podcasting in the horse industry. Six years of showing up, mostly weekly, sometimes not. And a handful of lessons I’ve learned along the way. For this anniversary episode, these takeaways are really all about you. I'm sharing five takeaways from hosting How to Market Your Horse Business that will help you market and grow your equine business whether you podcast, create YouTube videos, post on social media, or are still figuring out where to start. We'll talk about why there are really no rules for what works (and the one exception), what "podfading" tells us about consistency, why quality content beats quality production, the story you already have, and why knowing your why and your capacity matters. Let’s dive in! Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/233 ✨ FREE Leads Over Likes Training: Get Consistent, Qualified Leads for Your Equine Business (Without Chasing Likes or Copying Everyone Else) → Stormlily.com/training ✨ FREE The Equine Entrepreneur’s Roadmap to Grow a Sustainable Business Without Burning Out → Stormlily.com/map 🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins 🐴 60-minute Clarity Coaching Call → Stormlily.com/clarity

October 1, 2026Episode 23224 min

Where to Focus in Q4: Equine Entrepreneurs Edition

Q4 doesn't have to feel like a scramble to the finish line. In this episode, you’ll get four key questions to journal, ponder, or talk through with a trusted business friend so you know exactly where to put your focus in the home stretch. Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/232 (LINK) ✨ FREE The Equine Entrepreneur’s Roadmap to Grow a Sustainable Business Without Burning Out → Stormlily.com/map 🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins 🐴 60-minute Clarity Coaching Call → Stormlily.com/clarity

September 18, 2026Episode 23145 min

How Building in Stages Took Christy Zweig from 3 Stalls to 3 Barns [Always August Farms]

Christy Zweig didn't start Always August Farm as the 24-acre facility it is today. She started with less than 8 acres and a 3-stall barn. Tune in to hear how she built business experience through a corporate career before making the leap to full-time horse professional at 35, and why reinvesting steadily beat rushing to scale. We dig into building a strong barn culture, navigating social media as a trainer, and the money mindset so many equine professionals struggle to shake (the belief that you're not supposed to make money doing this). Christy also gets candid about pricing herself fairly, setting boundaries with clients, and why knowing your numbers is non-negotiable if you want to grow without burning out. If you need a reminder that the slow, intentional build is a strategy, not a compromise, this is for you. Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/231 ✨ FREE The Equine Entrepreneur’s Roadmap to Grow a Sustainable Business Without Burning Out → Stormlily.com/map 🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins 🐴 60-minute Clarity Coaching Call → Stormlily.com/clarity

September 10, 2026Episode 23014 min

Before You Burn Out: 3 Non-Negotiables for a Sustainable Equine Business

Burnout isn't a "someday" problem in the horse industry. It's the reason so many talented trainers, riders, photographers, bodyworkers, and more walk away from businesses they once loved. After listening to two horse trainers unpack why they believe burnout is so common in this industry, I couldn't stop thinking about three things every equine business owner has to get and stay clear on as they build and grow. So that’s what we’re diving into today! If you want to do what you love for the long haul, don’t skip this one. Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/229 (LINK) ✨ FREE Leads Over Likes Training: Get Consistent, Qualified Leads for Your Equine Business (Without Chasing Likes or Copying Everyone Else) → Stormlily.com/training 🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins 🐴 60-minute Clarity Coaching Call → Stormlily.com/clarity

September 3, 2026Episode 22949 min

Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid to Niche Down with Madison Ruddy Sanders [Elite Equine Marketplace]

Madison Ruddy Sanders spent almost a decade in tech sales surrounded by companies like Amazon and Airbnb that made finding what you want effortless. Then she'd go horse shopping and land back in scattered Facebook groups and outdated classifieds. That disconnect became the seed for Elite Equine Marketplace, a niche hunter/jumper buying and selling platform she built herself. In this episode, Madison shares her journey from side hustle to full-time founder, how niching down shaped her product, how she works with (not against) her perfectionism, and the marketing lessons — from SEO and GEO to old-fashioned barn-to-barn flyers — that have driven real growth. If you've lost your spark or you need to be reminded that growth is possible, this conversation is full of practical lessons. Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/229 ✨ FREE The Equine Entrepreneur’s Roadmap to Grow a Sustainable Business Without Burning Out → Stormlily.com/map 🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins 🐴 60-minute Clarity Coaching Call → Stormlily.com/clarity

September 1, 202627 min

BONUS: 1:1 Coaching FAQ: What You're Really Wondering Before You Invest

Thinking about 1:1 coaching but still have some questions you need answered first? This episode answers the questions actually on your mind, from "what if my business isn't big enough yet" to "what if I've tried coaching before and it didn't work." If you’ve been here a while, you know you’re not going to find pressure from me. Just honest answers so you can make a clear decision for the season of business you're in right now. When you’re ready, here are the links to get started with coaching: 🐴 Take the Reins [6-month 1:1 Coaching Program] → Stormlily.com/reins 🐴 60-minute Clarity Coaching Call → Stormlily.com/clarity ✨Book Your FREE fit call → Stormlily.com/fit

August 28, 2026Episode 22826 min

Is DIY Marketing Actually Hurting Your Horse Business?

You built your horse business on grit and hustle, and DIY marketing was a part of that deal. Good job! But as you continue to grow, could it actually be hurting your business more than helping it? In this episode, we're digging into the real cost of going it alone: the time, the energy, and the ROI that so many equestrian entrepreneurs don't realize is missing until they're stuck. I'll walk you through the three marketing options every horse business owner has (yes, DIY is only one of them), plus the three signs it's time to trade "figuring it out" for real strategy and support. Hear me loud and clear: this is not a dis to DIY marketing. It’s an applause for what you’ve created to get you to this point, and an invitation to take your equine business to the next level. Whether you're just starting out or ready to scale, this episode will help you get honest about where you are and what's actually going to move the needle. Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/228 ✨ FREE The Equine Entrepreneur’s Roadmap to Grow a Sustainable Business Without Burning Out → Stormlily.com/map 🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins 🐴 60-minute Clarity Coaching Call → Stormlily.com/clarity

August 21, 2026Episode 22741 min

Are You the Bottleneck in Your Equine Business? 5 Mindset Shifts That Build Resilience With Aoife Leggett

Sometimes the biggest obstacle to growth isn't something outside of your control. Sometimes, you are the bottleneck. That doesn't mean you're doing a bad job. It means that as the business owner, your mindset, habits, decisions, and capacity can either help your business move forward or keep it stuck. That's exactly why I wanted to have Aoife Leggett on the How to Market Your Horse Business podcast. Aoife is a mindset and performance coach who works with riders, trainers, and business owners, helping them build confidence, manage pressure, and develop the resilience to navigate challenges. Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/227 ✨ FREE The Equine Entrepreneur’s Roadmap to Grow a Sustainable Business Without Burning Out → Stormlily.com/map 🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins 🐴 60-Minute Clarity Coaching Call → Stormlily.com/clarity

August 12, 2026Episode 22654 min

How to Leverage a Book to Grow Your Equine Business with Lee Baucom, PhD

Whether you’re exploring the idea of a book or you’re already a published author, this conversation is for you. As you’ll learn from author and business coach Lee Baucom, PhD, leveraging a book for your equine business is much bigger than focusing on book sales alone. Lee has written seven books and built an entire business around his expertise. Along the way, he’s worked with other authors to help them grow their business while focusing on one key principle: the book itself can be the starting point for much more. In my conversation with Lee, we talked about how equine entrepreneurs can think beyond simply selling copies of a book and instead use their expertise to create more opportunities within an existing business. A book may never become your primary source of income. And Lee would actually encourage you not to make that the entire goal. But it can become something much more valuable: an asset that showcases your expertise, communicates your message, attracts the right audience, and opens the door to new opportunities within the business you've already built. Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/226 ✨ FREE The Equine Entrepreneur’s Roadmap to Grow a Sustainable Business Without Burning Out → Stormlily.com/map 🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins 🐴 60-minute Clarity Coaching Call → Stormlily.com/clarity