Turning Your Passion Into a Business: The Real Journey
Let’s talk about turning your passion into a business idea. I’ve always been the type of person who needs to feel like I’m working toward something meaningful—something that lights me up. For me, that’s horses. Horses have been my obsession since I was a kid, and I wake up every day driven by a deep excitement for what I do because it’s so closely tied to who I am. But let’s be clear—turning passion into a business isn’t as simple as deciding to “go for it.” It’s a messy, emotional process filled with ups and downs, and you must be ready for that journey.
So, if you’re like me and dream of starting a business in the equestrian industry but aren’t sure where to begin, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and you’re not far from turning your love for horses into a profitable, purpose-driven business. It all starts with idea generation, and this post is here to guide you through that.
Explore and Test Your Ideas
It wasn’t like I woke up one day with a clear business idea. I explored a ton of different things before I landed on my business. I worked for various companies, travelled a lot, and got exposed to other industries and ideas. That exploration phase is crucial. It allowed me to see what was out there and what opportunities existed.
At some point, I realized that working for other people—no matter how much money or comfort came with it—wasn’t enough. There’s more to life than a paycheck. I wanted to chase a dream. My dream? To build the biggest platform for selling show-jumping horses. Wild, I know, but it’s something I truly believe I can achieve.
Interestingly enough, one of the first steps in my entrepreneurial journey was to think about the values I wanted for my company. Things are a little more sophisticated now but not much has changed, I really believe that we're still building a business which has the values of honesty and transparency at it's core. What value do you want to build your business around?
Since the beginning, I’ve wanted to create a brand that resonates 100% with my person. I spent a lot of time thinking about how I wanted it to look, feel, and look visually. Like anything, there were a lot of trials and errors, but the journey has been super fascinating. So, one creative tip: go on Pinterest, google other websites you like, and create a mood board—it’s going to be so useful.
Why Start a Purpose-Driven Business in the Equestrian World?
The horse world is a niche, but it’s also a community of passionate, dedicated people. Whether it’s improving the lives of horses, helping young riders get started, or developing new products that will enhance barn management, the equestrian industry offers endless opportunities for innovation. The key is finding the intersection between your passion for horses and the problems that need solving.
But here’s the thing: if you’re deeply connected to your business idea and feel it aligns with your values, you’re far more likely to stay motivated, overcome obstacles, and find fulfilment. Building a purpose-driven business is not just about making money—it’s about creating something meaningful that resonates with you and the people you serve.
Finding the Problem and the Solution
Here’s the deal: every successful business solves a problem. If you’re passionate about something, that’s great, but it has to be paired with a real need in the market. For me, that came during COVID. People couldn’t travel to buy horses, and I’d always known there was a lack of transparency in the buying and selling process.
So, I found my problem: the buying process wasn’t transparent or accessible. Then I focused on how I could create a solution. I brainstormed and researched like crazy, and I started talking to people to get their feedback.
Discovering Your Purpose: Skills, Interests, and Impact
So, how do you start figuring out what kind of business to create? It begins with discovering your purpose. I break it into three key elements: Skills, Interests, and Impact. When you combine these elements creatively and intentionally, you’ll uncover where your passion and purpose meet—and that’s where your best business ideas will come from.
Step 1: Assess Your Skills
Start by asking yourself: What am I good at? You may even want to call or text some friends and family to get their thoughts. In the equestrian world, your skills could range from technical expertise (like horse care or training) to business skills (like marketing or management).
Here’s how you can approach this:
My friends say I’m good at: (Ask your friends or family for their input.)
I’m interested in getting better at: (What skills are you looking to improve?)
I’m above average at: (What do you naturally excel at?)
Knowing your strengths is critical because these will be the tools you use to build your business. Plus, when you’re operating in an area where you’re already confident, you’re more likely to thrive.
Step 2: Explore Your Interests
Now, think about what you love. What parts of the equestrian world get you excited? Is it working with horses, designing innovative gear, or creating rider training programs? The hustle feels lighter when you align your business with something you genuinely care about.
Here’s a simple exercise:
My friends say I always talk about: (What do you constantly chat about?)
If I didn’t have to worry about money, I’d spend my time doing: (What would you do purely for the love of it?)
Step 3: Define Your Impact
Finally, let’s talk about impact—what kind of difference do you want to make in the equestrian world? Identifying the change you want to create will help guide your business.
Questions to get started:
Groups of people I’m interested in helping: (Who do you want to support—riders, barn owners, or trainers?)
Local problems I’m interested in helping with: (What issues in your community need improvement?)
By aligning your skills and interests with a desire to create positive change, you can identify a business idea that feels truly purposeful. When you find that sweet spot where passion meets impact, that’s where the magic happens.
Market Research: The Critical Step
I started a resource folder I built in Google Drive when I started Bridl. I'm a firm believer that you can find most answers online. Studying your market and understanding your number is not just lovely. It's critical. You must know it from the tip of your fingers! I spent hours reading papers, studies, articles, blogs, etc.
It's likely the first step of your journey!
At this point, I wasn’t just dreaming—I was digging into market research. I called people, conducted interviews, and gathered information about what was really happening in the market. It wasn’t just about the numbers but understanding people’s experiences and needs. You have to validate your idea by talking to real people. And yes, there will be people who tell you your idea won’t work, but not every “no” is worth listening to.
Take Action: Combine Skills, Interests, and Impact
Now that you’ve explored these three elements, it’s time to look for overlaps. Where do your skills and interests intersect with the kind of impact you want to make? When you combine these, you’re well on your way to discovering a purpose-driven business idea that feels right for you.
Starting a business isn’t just about finding any old idea—it’s about finding something that aligns with who you are and the difference you want to make in the world. The more connected you are to your purpose, the more likely youwill succeed and stay motivated through the inevitable challenges.
Starting Small: Building Your First Product
Once you have an idea and a solution, it’s time to start building. I quickly learned that building a product is expensive—and I didn’t have the capital to hire developers. So, I taught myself how to use no-code tools to create the first version of my platform. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.
CREATING A DEMO OF YOUR PRODUCT / VISION
Once I had a solid prototype, I realized I needed something tangible to present to potential sellers. So, I created my very first demo of Bridl. This was a critical step—not just because it was the first time I could show off my idea, but because it helped me organize my thoughts and clarify my vision for the platform. Creating the demo allowed me to see the product from the seller’s perspective, refining the user flow and experience in a way I couldn’t have done with wireframes alone.
The demo also became a powerful tool for getting feedback. I would send it to sellers and walk them through how the platform would work, collecting their reactions and suggestions. This process didn’t just validate my ideas—it helped me identify gaps, improve functionality, and understand the most important features to users.
Developing this demo was like creating the first draft of a book. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave me a tangible version of my vision, making the concept real. With each iteration, the product became stronger, more aligned with the market's needs, and better positioned to serve both buyers and sellers. It helped me turn abstract ideas into something concrete, and from there, I was able to build out the first working version of Bridl.
That demo served the product and me as an entrepreneur, forcing me to think through every detail and laying the groundwork for future development. Discover the first seller’s presentation I did to source horses.
Why a Presentation or Pitch Deck Helps
Building a presentation like this wasn’t just about selling my idea but organising my thoughts.
Creating a pitch deck forced me to clarify my vision, understand my target market, and refine the key features that would make Bridl stand out. It’s a process that every entrepreneur can benefit from, especially when starting out. You’ll find that a well-crafted deck isn’t just for investors or partners—it’s for you, too, to build a more straightforward path forward.
Putting together a presentation can serve as the first draft of your product strategy. It helps you identify gaps, address potential challenges, and see your business from an outsider’s perspective. By the time I had my seller presentation ready, I felt much more confident in Bridl’s potential and how to communicate that to my audience.
Why Passion Matters
Your passion is what keeps you going. It’s the fuel that helps you push through the tough times. There will be hard days, but if you’re building something you love, it’s worth every challenge.
