Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Maryam Mann of Silverado Canyon

Maryam Mann shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Maryam, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I start my mornings with a quick prayer, thanking God for another day. After that, I brush my teeth, wash my face, and see my husband off as he heads to work at the law firm.
I’m pretty consistent with my morning supplements, so I take those, drink a big glass of water, and sit down with my devotional. I like to read a few scriptures in the Holy Bible app.
To finish my morning routine, I take my two dogs, Cozy + Willow, out for a walk. It’s one of my favorite ways to ease into the day and get my body moving. Then, off to the horses and ranching!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Maryam Tally, soon to be Maryam Mann💍, and I’m the owner of Tally Riding Academy, a therapeutic horsemanship program based in beautiful Silverado Canyon, California. We serve children and adults with both physical and mental disabilities, providing a safe, empowering space to connect with horses and grow in confidence, mobility, and emotional regulation.
I launched this business in 2021 with one rescue horse—Ares, my white Arabian who started it all. Since then, we’ve expanded to multiple lesson horses, welcomed client-owned horses, relocated three times before finding our perfect home, and built strong partnerships with local organizations supporting the disabled community.
Entrepreneurship has been part of my story since I was 13. I made my first $5,000 filming video content for local businesses, and that early exposure to business—combined with taking business courses at a young age—made me realize I thrive outside of the traditional 9–5. At 16, I launched an international e-commerce brand selling equine floor accessories. Within two months we had worldwide sales, brand ambassadors at A-rated shows, and our products were even featured on Game of Thrones. That journey led to media features, press coverage, and ultimately the Ernst & Young 2017 Teen Entrepreneur of the Year award—making me the first teenage female to receive it.
Growing up as a young entrepreneur while balancing homeschool life and later completing my bachelor’s degree in business was challenging. I often felt out of sync with peers my age, but I leaned into my passion, my work ethic, and the legacy I want to build for my future family with my husband, Austin.
Today, I’m blessed to wake up every day and do work I love—work that truly matters. I’ve built a life I don’t need a vacation from, and I’m committed to continuing to grow this program, serve my clients, and expand the impact horses can have on the lives of those who need them most.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I’ve had with my childhood tutor, Miss Lisa. I met her when I was eight years old, at a time when I was struggling academically and growing up in a strict Muslim household where I often felt pressured to fit inside a very specific box. Later in life, when I found Jesus and committed myself to the Lord, that choice created a rift within my family, but Miss Lisa remained a steady, supportive presence through every season.
She was originally hired to help me with third-grade math, but she quickly became so much more than a tutor. She sat beside me through multiplication and division tears, staying well past the hour my parents paid for just to make sure I truly understood and felt confident. I never felt naturally gifted academically, but she showed me that consistency and determination can take you farther than raw talent, and she saw potential in me long before I saw it in myself.
Miss Lisa continued tutoring me until I was 19. She cheered me on when I graduated high school early at 16 as valedictorian, and again when I earned my business degree at 20, even though that last capstone course nearly broke me. Through all those milestones, she reminded me who I was becoming.
Growing up, I often felt out of place in my own home, but Miss Lisa helped plant the belief that I could build a life on my own terms. And I have. Her influence is woven into everything I’ve created and every mountain I’ve climbed.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most is the fear of not “winning” or not meeting my super high bar I set for myself. 
Not doing enough, not achieving enough, not becoming enough. It’s a fear that can feel heavy, but it has also been one of my greatest motivators.
Growing up, I was raised in an environment where expectations were rigid and my identity was supposed to fit within very specific lines. For a long time, I internalized the belief that if I stepped outside those lines—or didn’t perform at a certain level—I wasn’t worthy. That fear followed me until 2023.
But here’s the gift buried inside it: that same fear pushed me into some of the most defining, courageous decisions of my life. It gave me the strength to leave a religion that didn’t align with who I truly am. It guided me toward a love that is stable, God-centered, and joyful—like the one I have with my husband, Austin, whom I met at 19 in the most unexpected, ordinary way. And it fueled the creation of a business with real purpose: a therapeutic riding academy that changes lives every day and connects people to the healing power of horses.
So yes, the fear of not doing enough has held me back at times—but it’s also the fire that’s propelled me forward. I’ve learned to let it sharpen me without letting it control me. And now, instead of chasing “enough,” I focus on living in alignment with my calling, my faith, and the life I’m intentionally building.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Oh, this one is easy—my best friend, Alyssa Roberts, who also photographed some of the photos for this article.
Alyssa came into my life completely unexpectedly last year through a simple Facebook post, and from the moment we met, we clicked instantly. She is genuinely the most selfless person I’ve ever known, the type who would give you the shirt off her back and show up at 2 a.m. without hesitation if you needed her. She serves her community with so much humility and heart, and her faith is at the center of everything she does. I truly pray that everyone gets to experience a person like Alyssa at least once in their lifetime.
She’s pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways. She’s a horse girl like me, and our horses (Lily & Cowboy) are BFFs who live side-by-side. Riding together, growing together, and doing life together has become such a blessing.
What I admire most about Alyssa’s character is how naturally she lifts people up. She always finds the good in every situation, even the hard ones, and she has taught me so much through her perspective, her kindness, and her unwavering loyalty. I could talk about her forever, but simply put: she is one of the most genuine human beings I’ve ever met, and I’m so excited to watch her continue to grow and flourish.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. Praise is cool, but it’s not the goal. The goal is to know that you’re living in alignment with your values, pouring your heart into what matters, and leaving a positive mark on the world. At the end of the day, giving my best, quietly & consistently, is its own reward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tallyridingacademy.com
• Instagram: @dirtybootedcowgirl

Image Credits
Palomino Gold Co. @palominogoldco
Alyssa Roberts @longlivethecowgirl