Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Rollins.
Jessica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started riding horses at age 4 or 5. We were gifted a pony and her foal by a family member. My dad used to saddle up the mom after dinner and he would lead me up and down the driveway after I was dressed for bed.
As the horse bug had bitten me, we evolved into more challenging and competition worthy animals. I rode the New England show circuit for 14 years or so until I left for college.
After school, I did as many do and I got a career job and moved away to do my own thing. All roads led back to where I grew up (Central MA).
When I married, I hoped that one day we would have kids that caught the horse bug. We have two girls that both ride and it seemed a natural thing for us to open a tack shop from our home! We use our renovated barn and sell all kinds of things for, “horses, dogs, and those who love them”, per our tagline.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a fairly smooth road as we had six months from the time we decided to do this, and when we opened. Our space was ours already, we only had to do some updated electrical work and install fixtures and it was set to choose products to carry!
I decided it was prudent to hire an attorney and a CPA to handle the business things such as incorporating, payroll, etc. I know where my strengths are, and those areas are not among them.
I would say to anyone starting a business that it will consume your life. The success of your business falls squarely on your shoulders, so it is imperative that at the beginning, you surround yourself with the professionals you need to take care of things of a legal or tax nature. Ask questions about what is best for the type of business you will be running what kind of employees will you have and what will they be doing? Taking shortcuts invites trouble and it can sink you in the long run. Stick with what you are good at and hire people for the things you aren’t. I say that I know a lot about a little and a little about a lot,
Safeguard what is yours. Do not be blindly trusting of everyone you encounter or hire. You are the only one who has a vested interest in your business and you are the only one who will care and nurture it
Last, never hesitate to contact someone in your field and ask questions of them. In the business I am in, other independent tack store owners are in Facebook groups together and we ask our “colleagues” for help sourcing products that our customers need, I had a tack shop in TN supply one of my customers with a saddle just this week. Don’t compete with like businesses. Work smart and be innovative so that you earn a following that is loyal to you.
We’d love to hear more about Bridle Path Tack.
As mentioned previously, I don’t like to say that I have competition. I feel that any consumer can go wherever he or she wishes to spend their money.
We sell predominantly new tack and clothing for the rider. We also sell horse and dog grooming supplies, barn, supplies, a huge array of new and used western boots for function or fashion. We really have something for everyone, not just the horse or dog owner.
I think we have been very careful to choose products that meet the typical needs of people in our area, and we could never possibly stock everything that is out in the market anyway, so we are more than delighted to order things in for people.
We also make the customer the star of the show. We deliver outgoing and personal customer service. We will make appointments during our closed hours to do personal shopping with people and we are set up to be very accessible for those who may have a physical or emotional disability and need to be fitted,
At Bridle Path Tack we hope you feel like you are visiting with an old friend who has your very best interest at heart.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women can truly do anything. Every obstacle is an opportunity, every challenge is an opportunity. I think that today’s young women probably feel a bit more empowered than my generation was raised to feel, but I think that it is super important for women to go forth in business not with something to prove, but with a personal goal to be the best that they can be. To be smart, talented, innovative doesn’t necessitate being cutthroat or arrogant. You can be humble and kind and kick-ass all at the same time. The people who need to notice you for what you bring to the table, most assuredly will.
Success is less about what you do and more about how you do it.
Contact Info:
- Address: 32 Main Street
Westminster, MA 01473 - Website: www.bridlepathtackllc.com
- Phone: 978-668-5662
- Email: bridlepathtack@outlook.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bridlepathtack
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bridlepathtack
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/bridlepathtack
Image Credit:
Jessica Rollins, Rollins Family albums
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