Building a Startup with Values, Resilience, and Purpose

The Birth of Bridl: How a Pandemic Sparked a Startup

When COVID hit, everything changed—especially in the horse world. Suddenly, no one could travel to see or buy horses, but online auctions were exploding. It felt like the perfect time to bring my long-brewing idea to life finally. I wanted to create more transparency and innovation in the horse market, which had been missing for too long.

So, I did the thing—I quit my job, went back to my parent’s place, and dove headfirst into the entrepreneurial hustle. I spent countless hours researching the market, talking to potential customers, and figuring out how to turn my vision into a reality. After a summer of hard work and learning how to prototype, I launched the first version of Bridl in February 2021. Oh, and did I mention? I had to fund the whole thing by selling horses myself—because when you're building a startup, you do what you’ve got to do.

Fast forward, and after endless phone calls, demos, and persistence, my first sale came through—thanks to someone in my co-founder’s network. That moment? It was proof that the hard work was starting to pay off. From there, it was all about pushing forward and growing the business.

The lesson? Sometimes, the best time to start is when everything else seems uncertain. Leap and trust that the hustle will get you where you need to go.

Building a Startup with No Cash: The Real Talk

Let’s be real—starting a business with no money is no joke. In the early days, I had zero cash flow. I pitched investors left and right, but no one was biting. For some reason, I thought my parents might swoop in and hand me $100,000 to get things going. Spoiler alert: That didn’t happen. Because the reality of entrepreneurship? It’s not a handout—it’s a hustle.

If you’re thinking about launching your own business, you’ve got to start with a rock-solid foundation. What’s your “why”? What drives you? For me, it was knowing I had a real problem to solve. Every day I wake up, I’m focused on fixing that problem, building a better product, and growing a stronger team. That’s what keeps me going, even when the money isn’t rolling in at first.

It’s not just about having a cool idea—it’s about solving a real problem for real people. If you’re crystal clear on your purpose and the values you want your business to stand for, the journey—though tough—becomes a lot more rewarding. And trust me, it’s always about the journey. So, keep your focus, stay motivated, and remind yourself that even when it feels impossible, you’re building something that matters.

Building a Legacy: Staying True to Your Values

One of the most important things I’ve learned on this journey is that everything—everything—needs to be built around your core values. For me, honesty and transparency, especially when it comes to horse sales, have been non-negotiable. These values don’t just shape how I run my business; they shape who I am. Bridl isn’t just a company—it’s an extension of me. I’m not just here to be an agent; I’m here to build a brand, a legacy, something that can inspire generations.

If you’re thinking about starting your own business, ask yourself: what makes you tick? What problem are you passionate about solving? You’ve got to know your “why” inside and out because that’s what will drive you, even on the hardest days.

And here’s the truth: entrepreneurship is all about resilience. You’ll learn to build confidence and grit as you go. Don’t stress if you don’t have everything figured out by some arbitrary age—no one does. What matters is that you start dreaming and start acting on that dream. And hey, if you ever need advice, a brainstorming session, or just someone to bounce ideas off of, I’m here to support you. Drop a comment and let’s talk about your goals. Let’s build something amazing together.

Let's Brainstorm

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Let's Brainstorm 〰️

If you're thinking of starting your own business but aren’t sure where to begin, take some time to reflect on these key questions. They’ll help you define your purpose, goals, and next steps as you embark on your entrepreneurial journey:

1. What is your “why”?
   What is the driving force behind your desire to start a business? What excites you enough to make you want to commit for the long haul?

2. What problem are you passionate about solving?
   Every great business solves a real problem. What’s the issue in your industry or community that you feel compelled to address?

3. Who is your target audience?
   Who are you creating this product or service for? How well do you understand their needs, pain points, and desires?

4. What are the core values that will guide your business?
   What principles do you want your business to stand for? Think about honesty, transparency, innovation—what matters most to you?

5. What resources do you already have, and what do you need?
   Take stock of your current resources—whether it’s financial, skills, or networks—and figure out where you need more support or knowledge.

6. What is your MVP (Minimum Viable Product)?
   What’s the simplest version of your product or service you can launch to test the waters? What features are essential, and what can be added later?

7. How will you fund your business?
   Do you have personal savings, will you pitch to investors, or will you fund through sales (like I did with horses)? Be clear on your financial strategy.

8. What’s your long-term vision?
   Where do you see your business in 5 or 10 years? How will you scale, and what impact do you want to make in your industry?

9. How will you stay resilient through the challenges?
   Entrepreneurship is tough, so how will you maintain motivation and grit when things get tough? What’s your personal strategy for staying strong?

10. What’s the first step you can take today?
    What’s one small action you can take right now to get closer to making your business a reality?

Conclusion: Turning Your Dream into a Business

Starting a business is a journey full of challenges, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You don’t need a mountain of cash to get started, but you do need a clear sense of purpose and a lot of hustle. Focus on what drives you, because your “why” is what will keep you going when the going gets tough.

Always build your business on solid values—whether it’s honesty, transparency, or something else that defines you. These values become the foundation not just of your company, but of the legacy you’re building. And finally, remember that entrepreneurship is all about resilience. You’ll grow stronger with each setback, and you’ll learn how to thrive in the face of uncertainty.

So, if you’re not sure where to start, that’s okay. Start with your dream and the problem you’re passionate about solving. Take the leap, embrace the hustle, and always stay true to yourself and your values. And hey, if you need some advice or just want to brainstorm ideas, I’m here to help!