We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Molly Thomson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Molly below.

Alright, Molly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Purchasing Benbrook Stables was a huge risk for my husband, Steven, and I . I left a lucrative career in the wine industry to purchase a horse facility that had been left in total disrepair. The property was covered in tons of trash, broken fences, dilapidated barns, and had no horses or viable business operations remaining. Its reputation had been severely damaged by years of neglect and mismanagement.

Twenty-five years earlier, I had boarded my own horse at Benbrook Stables, so I knew what the property had once been and what it had the potential to become again. We believed the facility could be restored to its former glory, but it would require an enormous investment of time, money, and hard work. There were no guarantees that the business would succeed, and stepping into ownership meant accepting a tremendous amount of uncertainty. It required faith in our vision, a willingness to work long hours, and the confidence to invest in something that others may have viewed as beyond saving. There were challenges, but we remained committed to building something special.

Looking back, that risk became one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. Through years of hard work, persistence, and continual reinvestment, Benbrook Stables has grown into one of the highest-rated boarding, trail riding, lesson, camp, and event facilities in Texas. The journey taught me that meaningful growth rarely comes without risk and that success is often built by stepping outside your comfort zone. While purchasing the business was a risk, it created opportunities that never would have existed had we chosen the safer path. Today, seeing families make memories, children discover a love for horses, and the property thriving once again makes every challenge and sacrifice worthwhile.

Molly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Today, Benbrook Stables has grown into one of the highest-rated equestrian facilities in Texas, offering horseback riding lessons, guided trail rides, horse boarding, summer camps, corporate events, weddings, and educational programs for thousands of guests each year. What sets us apart is our commitment to creating authentic experiences while maintaining the highest standards of horse care, safety, and customer service. We believe horses have a unique ability to teach confidence, responsibility, patience, and connection, and we strive to make those experiences accessible to riders of all ages and backgrounds.

What I am most proud of is not just the success of the business, but the community we have built along the way. We have welcomed first-time riders who discovered a lifelong passion, children who gained confidence through our camps and lessons, families who created lasting memories on the trails, and countless guests who have celebrated milestones on our property. Every fence repaired, every barn restored, and every challenge overcome helped transform Benbrook Stables into what it is today. I want people to know that our success was not built overnight—it was built through years of hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in what this property could become. At the heart of everything we do is a simple goal: to create meaningful experiences with horses while preserving a place where people can connect with nature, family, and each other.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building the social media presence of Benbrook Stables has been a gradual process built on consistency, authenticity, and community engagement. When we first took over the property, we weren’t focused on creating viral content—we were focused on rebuilding a business and earning back the trust of the community. Social media became a way for us to share that journey. We started posting photos of the horses, property improvements, trail rides, camps, lessons, and special events. Over time, people became invested not only in the horses but also in the story of the ranch itself. We made it a priority to showcase real experiences, real customers, and the day-to-day life at the stables rather than overly polished marketing content. Those authentic moments helped us build a loyal following that continues to grow.

One of the biggest factors in our success has been creating content that people genuinely enjoy sharing. Families love seeing photos from camp, riders enjoy sharing pictures from trail rides, and visitors often tag us in their own posts. Every camper, guest, boarder, and rider becomes part of our extended community. We also make it a point to respond to comments and messages, celebrate milestones, and highlight the people who make Benbrook Stables special. Social media has become less about advertising and more about building relationships.

For those just starting to build a social media presence, my biggest advice is to be patient and consistent. Growth rarely happens overnight. Focus on telling your story and showing the real people behind your business. Post regularly, engage with your audience, and don’t be afraid to share the behind-the-scenes moments. Some of our most successful posts have been simple photos of horses, campers having fun, or everyday moments around the ranch. People connect with authenticity far more than perfection. If you consistently provide value, build relationships, and stay true to your brand, the audience will come.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

In the horse industry, I believe reputation is everything, and honesty is the foundation that reputation is built on. From the very beginning, we have focused on always doing the right thing, even when it is the harder or more expensive path. That means providing our horses with high-quality grain and hay, maintaining safe and well-kept pastures and facilities, returning phone calls, and following through on our commitments. We treat every client, boarder, trail rider, camper, and visitor with the same level of respect, transparency, and care. We have never believed in cutting corners or taking shortcuts. Over time, that consistency and commitment to honesty have earned the trust of our customers, and word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients have played a major role in building the strong reputation that Benbrook Stables enjoys today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.benbrookstables.com/home
• Instagram: @benbrookstables
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benbrookstablestexas
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbrook-stables-73163643/
• Twitter: https://x.com/StablesBen89153
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenbrookStables

Image Credits

Benbrook Stables