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

Hi Vivian, thanks for joining us today. Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

I do take vacations! Not as often as I would like, but I get them in! Having a business, that is also my favorite hobby, can definitely take over at times. I co-own a small riding school, and have a few other retired horses to take care of, so it gets expensive. However, burnout is real, and it’s important to take some time away. I luckily have a business partner that will pick up some lessons if I’m away, or I will let my clients know I’ll be out of town and they can adjust their schedules accordingly.

For my line of work it’s ok if the clients or horses have a week or two off, however i understand that that’s not everyone’s situation. Outside of taking actual time off, I do my best to be diligent about making time for non-work relationships and events. Going out to see music, hike, hangout with friend, lay in my couch, literally anything else!

Vivian, 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?

I am a riding instructor and horse trainer. I’ve been riding all my life. I was lucky and had a pony when I was really little, and the best first horse at the age of 9.

When I moved to LA when I was 19 I rode in Burbank, and the woman I was riding with suggested I work for someone so I wouldn’t have to pay to ride, and it just went from there. I worked at a few other barns around LA, and during COVID the barn I was working at closed and my business partner(she was an instructor as well) and I purchased a few of the school horses and started our own school.

Our barn is called Over The Moon Equestrian. We are an evening barn, focusing on teaching horsemanship and correct riding. We are very proud to help cultivate kind, and capable riders and horse owners.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being consistent in doing good work has really helped my business. In riding your horses are your resume, so when you go to a show or clinic you see the same people all the time, and you want your horse to have positively progressed AND not being afraid to ask for advice. A lot of connection is made when people are open and willing to talk things through with others in their field.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

For me, word of mouth has been the best source. Luckily I have a fairly small clientele, that comes often, so if I have a spot opening up I’ll ask them if they know anyone that wants to start riding. At times other instructors will direct clients my way if their schedule is full

Contact Info:

• Website: Overthemoonequestrian.com

Image Credits
3 4Tina Finch Photograph 5 Kristin Lee Photography