Today we’d like to introduce you to Helen Pollock.
Helen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started Life Equestrian to fulfill my indulgence in horses outside of my corporate job. I grew up riding and competing so it was natural to get back into the horse world. Since starting Life Equestrian, I’ve realized my true love for horses and their therapeutic nature. While I focus on competing in the show ring, I am very keen to help raise awareness on the attributes of equine therapy. Keeping the horses in mind, I’m always looking for the newest equipment, technology, and style that betters the equestrians and horses lives which has turned Life Equestrian into an informational source for a lot of riders.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The path I took to starting Life Equestrian was not easy. I had a lot of sleepless nights and countless conversations questioning my thought process. Finally, I decided to go for it and start with IG. A lot of people questioned my goal and aspiration, while I couldn’t exactly tell them what my goal was, I was listening to my intuition and letting that lead the way.
I definitely had financial insecurities, emotional struggles and long nights of not knowing what I wanted the brand to be. I struggled to figure out how I could better the equestrian community while following my passion for style and functionality.
My advice for anyone starting a business is to keep consistent and don’t let anyone derail your vision. Being a female I have found that my intuition is very strong and I have a natural ability to connect with people, making it enjoyable for me to share products that I love. For all women starting a business, I would say it’s vital to understand yourself and your strengths and weaknesses so you can harness the energy to reach your vision. I have done a lot of self-work and meditation to find out what really makes me happy and what makes me tick. I would give this advice to male or female, know yourself and what makes you happy. You can’t focus on business or relationship without knowing yourself. While I am still a work in progress, I feel stronger and more motivated with each step forward. It has taken me years to get here but boy is it worth it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Life Equestrian – what should we know?
With Life Equestrian my goal is to do two things, inspire and educate. Whether my followers are avid equestrians competing or just enjoy horse photos, I try to find a way for each post to offer some sort of guidance or take away that can help in some way. Sometimes, it’s as easy as saying how grateful I am for the world and horses while other times I will talk about my struggles to help raise awareness and let people know they are not alone. I think the look and feel of my vibe are what sets me apart. I am particular with my photos in using one photographer as well as doing all my own posts in my own words. I try to be raw in a helpful and eloquent way, I am not sure that entirely sets me apart from the other equestrian bloggers but I am proud of what I have created and I work hard to inspire others and believe there is power in numbers, so I love to collaborate and work with other influencers.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
My mom is always my main source of inspiration. She is so strong, wise and the most caring person in the world, although we all know not to mess with her. She carries herself in a way that I strive to be like. Another person in my life who has helped me shape Life Equestrian is Dr. Pernilla Nathan. She is so incredibly brilliant and talented that I am in awe of her. She has been there for me through the thick and thin of this bumpy road and I am forever grateful.
There are many other strong and independent women in this world that inspire me, too many to mention. What I find to be in common with all of those women is that they have the ability to be strong and sensitive at the same time. They can understand a situation while standing up for what they believe in. They see the world through a lense of balance and understanding while pushing people for their best.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lifeequestrian.net
- Email: helen@lifeequestrian.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/life_equestrian/
Image Credit:
Kristin Lee Photography
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