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

Hi Christy, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

It all started in 2009 when my oldest daughter was going to celebrate her 10th Birthday. I was looking for a farm that I could take her to with her friends for a surprise birthday. I already owned AZ Cake Diva, and decorated cakes for all occasions, but I also painted on the side. I found a lady via Craigslist who had a farm, and I ended up painting a mural for her in her daughter’s room. In exchange she hosted my daughter’s Birthday Party. This started a friendship. A couple years later she had moved, and had a nice little court yard. This time she hosted my second daughter’s 5th Birthday Party at her home. At this time I mentioned to her that she really should do parties all the time, as she had the ponies and the space. She agreed and started hosting parties. A few years later she moved again. She called me and asked what she should do. She no longer had the cute little courtyard, but she had 6 acres. I suggested that she build a 2 story castle that the kids could play in. And she DID. A couple more years later (2018), she was downsizing to 1 acre and mentioned to me that since I was the one with the initial idea, I should take over. We were in the middle of moving ourselves, and decided to take on this challenge. So, I bought the business from her and moved it from it’s old location to our current location.

Christy, 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?

As a cake decorator, I started decorating cakes and entering competitions when I was only 8 years old. I did have some professional training through various contacts and jobs while growing up. And, decorated for friends and family for many years. In 2007 I created my own wedding cake, and simultaneously we opened a restaurant/bar. With the commercial kitchen at my fingertips, I used that time to take my cake decorating more seriously and created that business.

As for the farm, I actually lived on a 700+ acre ranch when I was a little kid, in Utah. But, we left the ranch when I was only about 6 years old. I always missed the farm. So, when the former owner of Charming Pony Parties offered it to me when she was downsizing, I saw the opportunity to get into what I missed so much and share it with others.

Over the last few years we have grown quite a bit. We are a Farm Animal Sanctuary and have taken in many rescues. The parties and events we host all help to care for all of the animals in our care.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When purchasing Charming Pony Parties, I had to get a little creative. We had been planning to purchase a home, but the underwriter had turned us down at the last minute. So, I had SOME money saved up that I could use toward the business. We had to find a new place to rent that would allow us to have the farm animals and run the business. We used that saved up money to secure a rental (where we are now), and to move everything to the location we are at now. We also had to get a personal loan for about half of the cost of the party business, and made payments directly to the previous owner for the other half.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

My cake business (AZ Cake Diva) is a supplementary revenue stream that fits well with Charming Pony Parties. In addition we also teach Paint Parties at our farm as well as other location. We have also started Charming Glampers which is still finding its rhythm. Charming Glampers brings TeePees to you for indoor slumber parties, or a large yurt for outdoor slumber parties, as well as several optional add-ons, including projector screen for movies. I also have started WC Equine Massage & Therapies. With this last company I’m able to help our equine friends feel good.
At the farm we do sell eggs and goats milk soap as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.CharmingPonyParties.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charmingponyranch/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charmingponyparty
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-lamb-28ba89341/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/charming-pony-ranch-parties-gilbert
• Other: If you’d also like to see our other businesses, you can find them here;
  https://www.facebook.com/AZCakeDiva
  https://www.facebook.com/CharmingGlampers
  https://www.facebook.com/wcequinetherapies

Image Credits

Pic with brown Unicorn was taken by Embree Photography