How Venessa Wood Built a Mission-Driven Business with Ag Women Connect

If your horse business feels like it’s hitting a ceiling, this episode will show you why. And because you know I’m all about the practical application, you’ll also learn exactly what to do about it.I’m breaking down the crucial shift from operating like an employee in your business to stepping into the role of CEO, even if you’re a company of one.This is about a crucial shift in how you lead your equine business.With that shift as our foundation, you’ll discover 5 CEO habits that drive consistent growth, including:The numbers you actually need to trackWhat to measure in your marketing for real resultsHow to build simple systems that create consistencyAnd how to use your time in a way that moves your business forwardIf you’ve been feeling stuck, plateaued, or unsure what to focus on next to grow your equine business, this will give you clarity on your next step.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/210🐴 The Business Barn Collective  [curated small group coaching] → Stormlily.com/collective🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins- - -FREE  Spring Clean-up Workshop Mini-seriesLet’s get your business ready for the busy season so you can soak up the good things this summer without feeling completely behind.🌱 Sign up today!  Stormlily.com/spring 

Looking for new clients and customers? Smart move. Because every sustainable equine business requires a steady pipeline of leads. New people discovering you, learning about your work, and eventually becoming paying clients.That’s true whether you’re booked out with a waiting list or you have openings you’re doing your best to fill.And while there isn’t one magic button that suddenly fills your calendar overnight, there are several reliable ways to get in front of the right people.In this episode, I’m walking you through seven lead sources you can use to attract new clients to your equine business.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/209  (LINK)🐴 The Business Barn Collective  [curated small group coaching] → Stormlily.com/collective🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins- - -FREE  Spring Clean-up Workshop Mini-seriesLet’s get your business ready for the busy season so you can soak up the good things this summer without feeling completely behind.🌱 Sign up today!  Stormlily.com/spring 

Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes inside Take the Reins, my 6-month 1:1 coaching experience for equestrian entrepreneurs.You’ll hear directly from two clients — Susan Friedland (equestrian author & speaker) and Susan DiFelice (equestrian artist & illustrator) — about where they started, what shifted, and how clarity and strategy helped them move forward with confidence.If you’ve been wondering whether 1:1 coaching is right for you, this episode will help you identify what kind of support you actually need in this season of your business.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/208 🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins🐴 The Business Barn Collective [curated small group coaching] → Stormlily.com/collective- - -FREE  Spring Clean-up Workshop Mini-seriesLet’s get your business ready for the busy season so you can soak up the good things this summer without feeling completely behind.🌱 Sign up today!  Stormlily.com/spring 

AI is everywhere right now — ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc. And, as an equine business owner, you’ve probably heard, “If you’re not using it, you’re falling behind.”But what if that’s the wrong way to think about it?In this episode, we’re talking about how to use AI for your equine business without losing your voice and giving up your power as the owner and strategist of your business. I’ll walk you through a proactive approach to using AI as your marketing assistant. Plus, you’ll get three practical ways you can use it beyond just “write me a caption.”It’s the same mix of strategy + mindset + practicality you’ve come to expect from me on this podcast. 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/207🆓 FREE 4 Steps to Successfully Market Your Horse Business (Even If You Get Horses More Than Marketing) → Stormlily.com/success🐴 Take the Reins {1:1 Coaching} → Stormlily.com/reins🐴 The Business Barn Collective {Curated Small Group Coaching} → Stormlily.com/collective- - -FREE  Spring Clean-up Workshop Mini-seriesLet’s get your business ready for the busy season so you can soak up the good things this summer without feeling completely behind.🌱 Sign up today!  Stormlily.com/spring 

What does it really take to build a mission-driven business that aligns with your faith, values, and season of life?In this conversation, Venessa Wood, founder of Ag Women Connect, shares the real, practical lessons she’s learned while growing a purpose-centered community. From getting involved in rooms that stretch you, to letting go of the pressure to always be “on,” to trusting that not everyone is meant to stay in your circle, she gets real about what building from the ground up looks like.We talk about leadership, perspective, boundaries, and why sometimes the most powerful move you can make is simply getting back in the saddle.If you’re building an equine business that’s meant to make an impact — not just income — you’ll love this conversation. 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/206🐴 The Business Barn Collective → Growth-focused coaching circles for equestrian entrepreneurs ready to leave striving behind and build from a place of purpose.   → Stormlily.com/collective🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Personalized 1:1 business coaching program for equestrian entrepreneurs ready to ditch the marketing overwhelm, overcome the roadblocks holding you back, and grow an equine business that meets your version of success. → Stormlily.com/reins- - -FREE  Spring Clean-up Workshop Mini-seriesLet’s get your business ready for the busy season so you can soak up the good things this summer without feeling completely behind.🌱 Sign up today!  Stormlily.com/spring 

Even as a marketing strategist, not every launch or sell hits the mark. And today I’m pulling back the curtain on one that didn’t.In this episode, I’m sharing the honest truth about why my recent “Sell with Confidence” sales workshop didn’t sell the way I hoped, and what I learned from it. You’ll hear three key reasons it missed the mark (including one that might surprise you), plus three simple things you can do this week to strategically plan your 2026 sales rhythm so you can hit your revenue goals for the year.If you’ve ever tried to sell something that didn’t go as planned, or if you want to avoid that feeling in the future, this one’s 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/205 🐴 The Business Barn Collective → Growth-focused coaching circles for equestrian entrepreneurs ready to leave striving behind and build from a place of purpose.   → Stormlily.com/collective🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Personalized 1:1 business coaching program for equestrian entrepreneurs ready to ditch the marketing overwhelm, overcome the roadblocks holding you back, and grow an equine business that meets your version of success. → Stormlily.com/reins- - -FREE  Spring Clean-up Workshop Mini-seriesLet’s get your business ready for the busy season so you can soak up the good things this summer without feeling completely behind.🌱 Sign up today!  Stormlily.com/spring 

How do you hold feeling unsettled by what’s happening in the world around you while also trying to run a business, care for your family, and show up in the barn like normal?In this episode, we’re talking about what to do when the world feels heavy and your usual motivation just isn’t there. I’ll walk you through a simple, practical process to help you pause, reset, and move forward with clarity, without ignoring what’s going on around you or within you.If you’ve been feeling the weight of it all and wondering how to keep leading your equine business well, I hope you’ll give yourself some time to apply what’s in this episode. I had you in mind as I hit record.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/204🐴 The Business Barn Collective → Growth-focused coaching circles for equestrian entrepreneurs ready to leave striving behind and build from a place of purpose.   → Stormlily.com/collective🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Personalized 1:1 business coaching program for equestrian entrepreneurs ready to ditch the marketing overwhelm, overcome the roadblocks holding you back, and grow an equine business that meets your version of success → Stormlily.com/reins- - -FREE  Spring Clean-up Workshop Mini-seriesLet’s get your business ready for the busy season so you can soak up the good things this summer without feeling completely behind.🌱 Sign up today!  Stormlily.com/spring 

If you’ve ever felt like sales doesn’t fit your style or personality, this episode is for you.Sales strategist and ranch gal Sausha Davis shares a refreshing, psychology-based approach to selling in your equine business.You’ll learn how to handle objections without pressure, create buying environments that feel natural, and shift your mindset so you can close more sales with confidence.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/203🐴 The Business Barn Collective → Growth-focused coaching circles for equestrian entrepreneurs ready to leave striving behind and build from a place of purpose.   → Stormlily.com/collective🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Personalized 1:1 business coaching program for equestrian entrepreneurs ready to ditch the marketing overwhelm, overcome the roadblocks holding you back, and grow an equine business that meets your version of success → Stormlily.com/reins- - -FREE  Spring Clean-up Workshop Mini-seriesLet’s get your business ready for the busy season so you can soak up the good things this summer without feeling completely behind.🌱 Sign up today!  Stormlily.com/spring 

Whether you’ve seen the movie or not, P.T. Barnum offers a great example of both what not to do and what to do when you’re trying to convert someone to make a buying decision. In this episode, I’m taking you beyond the move to highlight two common mistakes equine entrepreneurs make when selling (you might not even realize you’re doing them). Plus, we’ll uncover three powerful shifts to help you sell with more confidence, clarity, and connection. 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/202✨ NEW Sell With Confidence: A Strategic 2026 Sales Planning Workshop for Equine Entrepreneurs   🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins- - -FREE  Spring Clean-up Workshop Mini-seriesLet’s get your business ready for the busy season so you can soak up the good things this summer without feeling completely behind.🌱 Sign up today!  Stormlily.com/spring 

Thinking about launching an affiliate program for your horse business, but not sure where to start or if it’s even worth it? In this episode, I’m joined by affiliate marketing expert Jamie Birch to explore how equine brands and businesses can create affiliate programs to grow their revenue and amplify their reach. You’ll learn what makes an affiliate program successful in the horse industry, common mistakes to avoid, and how to start building yours today. 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/201  (LINK)NEW  Sell With Confidence: A Strategic 2026 Sales Planning Workshop for Equine Entrepreneurs   →  stormlilymarketing.com/sales  🐴 Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching → Stormlily.com/reins- - -FREE  Spring Clean-up Workshop Mini-seriesLet’s get your business ready for the busy season so you can soak up the good things this summer without feeling completely behind.🌱 Sign up today!  Stormlily.com/spring