We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alex Hudson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alex, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
I find this question interesting because I have been on both sides of the token. Currently, I am the Executive Director of the Saving Gracie Equine Healing Foundation, a non-profit equine rescue that was started by my mother, Barb Phillips. My mother and father have several different businesses that they have grown from the ground up, and at this point my siblings and I are all connected to the family business, but it has not always been this way. I started my career as a nurse. I worked for a very large hospital and although I loved nursing, I always felt that I wanted to be able to make an impact on a higher level within a system. In 2020, I made the decision to start working for Blue Sky Utah. Blue Sky is the ranch and resort my family owns and operates in Wanship, UT. The equine rescue is right down the street and works very closely with the ranch as well. Working in the family business means that work never goes away! Instead, Blue Sky and Saving Gracie Foundation have become our lifestyle as a family. I can, of course, be challenging and stressful at times to navigate, but the reward is so great. My children get to see the passion that my mother has for the animals she rescues and the care that my husband (he works in the family business to) and I have for the property and the people. So although it is certainly a challenge, I would never change it.
Alex, 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?
Saving Gracie Equine Healing Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 animal rescue focused on the rescue and rehabilitation of neglected or unwanted horses. It was started by my mother, Barb Phillips, in 2014 after she became involved in a horrific horse neglect case at a farm that was just south of Salt Lake City, UT. My mother and father also own The Lodge and Blue Sky in Wanship, Utah. The lodge and the ranch property it sits on are very close to the Saving Gracie Equine Healing Foundation. The equine program that we operate at Blue Sky is very closely intertwined with The Foundation. In addition to the horses that we rescue that have been neglected, we also retire horses who have worked in the Blue Sky guest program when necessary. Many operations would just sell a horse when it cannot work anymore, or even send it to auction which could result in the horse being killed. At Blue Sky and Saving Gracie we are committed to giving our horses and those in need a forever home whether they can work or not.
Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?
Being in the world of animal rescue can sometimes feel like a never ending uphill battle. In August of 2023, Barb (my mother) confided in me that she was thinking about dissolving the business. The combination of endless animal care, management of staff and continual rescue inquiries made her wonder if she was equipped to continue her mission. In addition to being astronomically expensive, the emotional burden of caring for neglected animals can had taken it’s toll. It was only about 30 minutes into our conversation when she came to the conclusion that she wanted to continue on. At that time we made the commitment to getting organized and delegating more tasks where appropriate to take some of the burden Barb had as founder of the organization. I think Barb and I had two realizations in that moment that have stuck with us. First, the organization wouldn’t be as unique and genuine if not for the sensitivity and love that Barb brings to the table. I can come with true heartache at times, but makes us who we are. And second, we learned that giving up control of some things can allow the organization to grow in a way that we didn’t know it could in the beginning. This was a key turning point for us and I will remember it always.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Social media for us has been mostly about consistency, but strategic partnerships have really moved the needle for us. Our partnerships and cross posting with other animal rescues that have a captive following has really pushed our social media to the next level. That said, we believe that social media is just one tool in our toolbox for raising awareness and money. We do not rely on it solely for anything and when we are able we prioritize connecting with supporters either face to face or at least more personally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.savinggraciefoundation.org/
- Instagram: @savinggraciefoundation_
