We recently connected with Courtney Colvin and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

My riding brand strives to promote inclusivity. We have sizing from XXS to 4XL so that all equestrians have options with us! There are still not many brands that carry inclusive sizing and it’s important for me that there are options for every equestrian no matter their body type.

Courtney, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The equestrian world is harsh and can be exclusionary. I grew up riding horses and have seen first hand the negativity that weighs on our sport and the pressure of appearance. I created my brand to promote inclusivity for all equestrians. Our motto is: All bodies can be equestrian bodies. We want to promote that everyone can be an equestrian and while I know my brand isn’t for some, it is for many others. Challenges will come and go but I will continue to promote positivity and being inclusive for all equestrians.

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

I planned launching my riding apparel line for a few years. I didn’t have the opportunity to present a lot of capital for a large order but I worked with friends to create the design, get samples, and order small amounts at a time. It took about two years of saving to have my base fund and then another year was pouring every cent made back into the business. But I love it. It has been challenging but rewarding.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I have always found doing vendor booths at events to be far more lucratrive for me. But with the addition to my family in 2023, I have started heavily relying on Ecommerce options. I hate to admit social media is a key factor for my sales and drive to the website but at this time, we don’t have a lot of opportunity to travel and sell at events.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.GuardianEquestrianWear.com
• Instagram: Guardian Equestrian Wear
• Facebook: Guardian Equestrian Wear

Image Credits

Photography Through Olivia’s Lens

Waves of Grain Photography