What is a brand vision for a horse business?
A brand vision is an idea that will help guide the future of the equestrian brand.
In other words, where do you want your horse business to be in 10 years?
It is a super short statement that says where you are going and what you want to achieve.
Why does my Horse Business need a Brand Vision?
If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” Yogi Berra
A brand vision for your horse business should establish a sense of purpose for the business.
What goal is the business hoping to achieve? How is it going to get there?
This will help to provide the framework for future endeavors of the business.
If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.”
-Yogi Berra
Mission Statement vs Vision Statement
Both statements help to define a brand’s character but there are a couple of differences.
A mission statement addresses the who/what/where/how of it AT THE PRESENT TIME.
A vision statement outlines long-term goals and aspirations FOR THE FUTURE.
Mission Statements and Vision Statements for Major Brands
Let’s take a minute and compare some of the mission statements and vision statements of some well-known brands. It is easier to understand sometimes when you look at a concrete example.
Netflix’s mission statement is: “To entertain the world.”
Netflix’s vision statement is: “Becoming the best global entertainment distribution service.”
Here’s another example.
IKEA’s mission statement: “To offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.”
IKEA’s vision statement: “Our vision is to create a better everyday life for many people.”
Ben & Jerry’s mission statement: “To make, distribute, and sell the finest-quality ice cream and euphoric concoctions with a continued commitment to incorporating wholesome, natural ingredients and promoting business practices that respect the Earth and the Environment.”
Ben & Jerry’s vision statement: “Making the best ice cream in the nicest possible way”
and last but not least,
Apple’s Mission Statement: “To bring the best user experience to its customers through its innovative hardware, software, and services”
Apple’s vision statement: “to make the best products on earth and to leave the world better than we found it.”
See the difference?
Why is a Brand Vision Statement Important for My Horse Business
Most likely you are reading this and thinking, “well, I’m a small equestrian business. I’m the only one working in the business. This isn’t important to me.”
I realize that it sounds unimportant but it isn’t.
A vision statement is a compass for your horse business’s future. It helps to guide decisions on your business planning and strategy.
It gives you a goal to focus on.
Faced with a decision? Ask yourself if choosing one way or the other will put you closer to your vision.
It helps you to focus on your resources.
Small businesses have limited resources. I get it. Like you, I run an equestrian small business. And like you, I have to prioritize my resources – both human, technology and gear, time, and finances.
My business vision statement helps me to determine what gets those precious resources.
Examples for Vision Statements for Horse Businesses
Any business no matter how small should have an idea of where it is going.
Let’s use a mobile large animal veterinary business for this example.
A vision statement might be to “become the largest mobile large animal vet practice in the community by 2023.”
An example using a horseback riding lesson program.
“To become the premier lesson program for hunter/jumpers in the tri-state area”
A vision statement can also be a transformative statement.
Let’s use a horse blanket washing service as an example.
Right now this blanket washing service provides only washing and waterproofing. But their vision includes monogramming, repairs, and new blanket sales.
“We want to transform from blanket washing to include monogramming, repairs, and sales of new blankets.”
Tips For Writing Vision Statement for a Horse Business
Writing a vision statement is not as hard as it sounds.
Start with where you are right now and take it to where you want to be in 10 years.
Tips on creating a great vision statement:
- Short and Sweet: 2 sentences at the most
- Specific to your equestrian business
- Be ambitious but not ridiculous
- Make it something to inspire to
- Align it with your brand values
Side note: If you haven’t read about brand values yet, make sure to backtrack and read that post here.
All this to say that a vision statement gives you something concrete to focus on.
And that will guide you in your planning, stategy, and resource allocation.
So take a few minutes and think about where you want your equestrian business to be in 10 years.
Write it down and post it somewhere where you will see it often.
Want to Learn More about Building a Brand for Your Horse Business?
If you are interested in learning more about building a brand for your horse business, check out some of these posts:
Building a Brand Identity for a Horse Business
Brand Values for Horse Businesses
Female Equestrian Business Owners Need to Get Visible
Ultimate Guide to Equestrian Brand Photography
How to Create a Mission Statement for a Horse Business
How to Write a Value Proposition for a Horse Business
Booking an Equestrian Brand Photoshoot (What you Need to Know)
Betsy Bird, Cr. Photog., CPP, of Ride the Sky Equine Photography spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. Outside of acting like a total goofball, she invests in growing her business, mentoring photographers, dealing with her teenagers' angst, and hanging with Nitro, the best dog ever. She also tries to spend some time educating and entertaining aspiring photographers by teaching and blogging about whatever catches her fancy at the moment.
Betsy has earned her Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) which honors photographers who contribute to the photographic industry through speaking, mentoring, and publishing. Betsy is also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with PPA. The CPP designation is held by fewer than 2,500 photographers nationwide and is a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry, and professionalism.
Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA). She is also a professional member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPN).
Betsy's award-winning work has been featured in a variety of publications and is found throughout homes and stables in the United States. She is also the co-author of the book, Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell: The Ultimate Guide to Posing Horses & Humans. She has also been featured on Scenic Trend, the Profitable Photographer Podcast, The Business Animal Podcast, Chatter Magazine, Cowgirls with Cameras Podcast, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Chattanoogan, and the Focal Points Podcast to name a few.
Ride the Sky Equine Photography is based in Chattanooga, TN, Ride the Sky Equine Photography works on location in Tennessee, North Georgia, and beyond. With a strong background in entrepreneurship, brand building, goal setting, time management, and business workflows, Betsy is an expert in her field (which isn’t that surprising given how much time she actually spends outstanding in a field...get it?)