We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Grania Holman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Grania below.
Grania, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
The mission behind Sunny Brook Stables and Red Heart Horse Retirement, Rehab, & Rescue is simple: We seek to provide care and stewardship to equine who are aging, retired, rescued, needing rehab and special care, and/or who are suffering with chronic health issues, and to provide them with the love, care, respect and a renewed and continued purpose to serve in profound ways alongside humans through educational, personal, developmental, emotional, and service opportunities. We also hope to support the goal of “Happy Humans, Happy Horses”. We provide an open and loving atmosphere to learn all there is to know about horses, stewardship of the animal, horsemanship, and the equestrian sport.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Dr. Grania Gothard Holman holds an EdD in Educational Leadership & Instructional Supervision, attended both Auburn University and The University of Alabama, and has over 30 years of experience in the education and equine industry. She has lived and taught abroad, and has taught at quite literally all levels with students in academia, music, and in the equine industry, ages Pre-K to adult in the K-12 setting and university level. Dr. Grania has been highly dedicated to riders of all ages and levels and maintains a strong emphasis in horsemanship. Dr. Holman has a great passion for the instructional process of teaching and learning and everything there is to know about horses and equine. Her love of horses and children is evidenced in every aspect of her life and radiates from the moment you meet her. Her motto is “Happy Horses, Happy Humans” where we experience “a little country in the suburbs” here at Sunny Brook Stables.
Dr. Grania is married to Patrick, also an educator, and former reserve deputy sheriff, EMT/ firefighter, and personal trainer. Dr. Grania is a faithful mother of six children, ages 10-26, a professor, community leader, and mentor to educators and up-and-coming teachers and equestrian instructors.
Dr. Grania owns a menagerie of twelve horses and ponies, one donkey, three goats, two pigs, ducks, chickens, a German Shepherd, Malti-Shi, eight cats, guinea pig, a snake, a crested gecko, and fish.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I started my business from the ground up. Literally. I hustled to work at stables and clean, do stalls, barter services, do pony rides, you name it to have access to horses and to support my horse. I started my initial pony mobile business doing birthday parties on the go, helped several barns start-up or restart their pony programs, and started teaching lessons to cover costs. I found that continuing to care for the horses was my great passion, so I fed and did barn management for a while also. Eventually, this all led to the formation of Sunny Brook Stables, and now my non-profit, Red Heart Horse Retirement, Rehab, & Rescue.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think the things that helped me build my business and my brand and reputation are that I have six children, I own so many animals and equine, and I have 30-plus years teaching K-12 and college, so working with children and animals is my life. Additionally, my stables and business is in my community where my family and I have invested ourselves for these 30 years. I still work a full time job as an online educator to help support my family and my business, and I would not have it any other way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sunnybrookstablesga.com
- Instagram: @sunnybrookstablesga
- Facebook: sunnybrookstablesgeorgia
Image Credits
Saginor Studios