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May 2021
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05/05/21 22:06

5 Tips To Help Your Equestrian or Pet Business Thrive Despite Competition



What if another equine or canine therapy business opens up close to you? Do you worry if there's enough business for both of you? Would your natural reaction be to feel deflated?

If you do then that is natural to have a second thought! So don't be too hard on yourself. But also there's no need to panic.

Of course if your new "competitor" has a large advertising budget. Or larger than yours. Then it can be daunting. Taking practical steps is best. "Control the contrallables"! You can't (and shouldn't try to) control other people's behaviour. But you can take positive action yourself.

I love this quote:

"Action is the foundational key to all success" (Pablo Picasso)




But here are 5 tips to help you feel less overwhelmed.

  1. Review what you're offering. I don't mean that you necessarily need to change what you're offering. But be very clear on what your services are. Be objective. Pretend you don't know your business - would you know what you do? Is your service offer the best it can be?

For instance if you have a canine hydrotherapy pool, what's your equipment like? Are you able to help all the dogs you want and need to? It maybe what you're offering is now all fine. But be prepared to refine what you're offering.

If it helps ask a friend who can be objective if they think what you're offering makes sense.
  1. How are you marketing your service? How are your customers finding you? Hopefully you have an idea of where your customers are getting your details. But if you don't know, please ask them! This can help you decide if you can do more of one marketing method, or if you need to try something different.
  1. Do local veterinary practices and pet care businesses know about you? When did you last make contact with them? If you contacted them several months ago, then why not remind them you're here! This can be friendly and conversational. You don't need to be sales-y. This is a good idea, as people do forget. Or at least may forget the range of services you offer. You could share a case study of a recent success story or talk about any long-term clients who you see regularly to help maintain their health.
  2. Reflect on what you are doing well. You can't stop people deciding to change services away from you. But that doesn't mean you're not doing a great job! Take stock of what you are doing. Appreciate the customers you do have. Appreciate all the great work you have been doing. Do this all day every day. Keep up your positive self-talk!

This quote is a good reminder:

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Melody Beattie



Be consistent with your appreciation. Positive psychology is an increasingly popular way of living and operating businesses too. It helps you to gain clarity, confidence and not to be a victim of your circumstances. And help you to decide what you want to do more of.

  1. Avoid distractions! Leading me from the previous point, is that it's easy to get overwhelmed by watching what a new competitor business is doing. They may offer discounts. They may have many more staff than you. They could have glossy brochures and websites.

But as one of my mentor's - Marie Forleo says

"The world needs that special gift that only you have"


You know that you deliver a great service to help animals to be as healthy and happy as possible. It's a good idea to review what you're doing, and see what you can do to refine your work. And refine your marketing if needed.

But keep focused on you. You don't know how they're doing and how long they'll be there even. I know several situations, where a new business has opened, "caused chaos" (or panic at least with others) and then gone in 12 months!

If you notice clients trickling away to the new business. They may return. Keep the door open so to speak. People are curious, so achieve a high standard and maintain that. Keep your integrity.

You can get more tips on this topic in my other blog post here "Are you scared of your business competitors?"

Specialist 1-2-1 coaching for equestrian and pet care businesses



I hope this has been useful. Which has been based upon the principles of my T.A.R.A. coaching programme:

  • Targeted
  • Aspire
  • Realistic
  • Achieve

Taking targeted, realistic action can help you to aspire to achieve your goals.

Email me for more information on consultancy for your equestrian or pet care business with me.

About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.

PS: You can find more equestrian and pet care themed business articles over at my Linkedin, see more here https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-harris-mcmi/detail/recent-activity/posts/

OR browse this blog here, it's been designed to help you have the best equestrian or pet care business you can!