I remember the exact moment I realized I was standing at a crossroads. One path stretched before me, wide and predictable, offering the comfort of a corporate career, secure paychecks, and well-defined roles. The other path, however, was shrouded in mystery—a path that didn’t guarantee success but called out to me with the promise of freedom, passion, and personal fulfillment. It was terrifying, and yet, exhilarating. That’s when I knew I had to leave corporate America behind.

Starting White Fences Equestrian Center and Equestrian Essence wasn’t just about becoming an entrepreneur—it was about discovering my "personal legend", as Paulo Coelho so beautifully describes in The Alchemist. For years, I had worked in corporate environments, learning the ropes of business strategy, technology and product management. But there was always a small voice inside me, whispering that there was more, that I wasn’t living in full alignment with my passions. I loved being outside, with my horses, with my friends at the barn...

Leaving the safety net of my corporate job felt like stepping into the desert, vast and unpredictable. But I realized that the fear of staying in a place where I wasn’t aligned with my passion was far greater than the fear of venturing into the unknown.

White Fences started with a vision: to create a dressage-focused barn that prioritized not only high-quality care but also a sense of community. It wasn’t long before I learned that owning a horse boarding facility came with its own set of challenges. There were days when everything seemed to go wrong—weather, late deliveries, under watering the arena, over watering the arena -- life on a ranch basically - but with each hurdle, I grew more resilient. I leaned into the chaos, understanding that every setback was teaching me something new about myself and my capacity to lead.

But the real leap of faith came when I launched Equestrian Essence. I wanted to create something that spoke to the heart of the equestrian community—a mobile and online tack shop that catered to riders who sought quality, unique products, and convenience. Building that dream felt like laying the first stone of something bigger than myself. And it was scary. I faced the constant fear of failure, of not being able to generate enough revenue, of not being "cut out" for sales.

Yet, I discovered that the treasure was never really at the end of the journey. It was in the lessons, the growth, the realization that the only true failure was not trying at all. Equestrian Essence was born out of that courage, a belief that there was a space for me in the competitive world of equestrian products.

Being an entrepreneur in a niche industry like equestrian apparel is about understanding not just the technicalities of running a business, but the soul of it. For me, it’s about creating spaces—both physical and experiential—where horse lovers, riders, and caretakers feel understood and appreciated. And while I still face challenges every day, I remind myself that fear is not the enemy. Staying still, staying safe, is.

Whether you're thinking of starting your own business, leaving the comfort of what’s familiar, or simply chasing a passion that feels far out of reach, know this: the treasure is not the goal. It’s in the journey, the trials, the late nights, the failures, and the victories. That’s what makes it all worth it.