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Maryland
Horse Council
Business Network
Update from
MHC Business Network
Co-chair Crystal Kimball:
What you missed if you missed the MHC Business
Networking
Lunch in June (in addition to more great fried chicken):
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Upcoming
MHC
Business Network Events
Business Network
Meeting:
Sept. 14th @ 12:30p at Laurel Park Racecourse, Laurel, MD
Please PRE-REGISTER
so we can plan LUNCH
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The
Top 10 Things Owners Wish They Had Known
BEFORE They Started Their Horse or Horse-Related Business
10. “That most other barn owners are
willing to support a new barn owner and give them advice.”
9. “That I could buy in bulk.”
8. “The reality of Labor Laws, and how Ag
Labor Laws are different.”
7. “The necessity for good bookkeeping and
for an accountant who understands the horse business.”
6. “The difference between an expense and a
cost.”
5. “The importance of both a business plan
and a marketing plan.”
4. “The importance of forming a business or
corporate entity.”
3. “How much – and all the various types
– of insurance needed to own any business, but particularly a horse
business.”
2. That the people are more destructive to a
farm than the horses.
…and the number one thing?
1.
“That I no longer will have quality time with my horse!”
(a.k.a. “The
number of hours it would really take to run my business.”)
Who knows what you will learn or who you will
meet at the next Business Networking Lunch! Plug the date into your
Blackberry, your Palm, your Outlook Express, your Dayrunner…or the wall
calendar from the feed company…
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What is the MHC Business Network?
The Business Network is a group of people who own or operate horse
farms, boarding and lesson stables, and other equestrian-related businesses in Maryland (e.g., tack shops, feed stores, vets, farriers,
massage therapists, pony and carriage ride operators, etc.), who want to work together to explore mutual interests. The Network members
will explore common problems, discuss solutions that have worked for us, share information on useful resources, get to know each other, and
in the process improve our business skills and practices. The Network will also be an important source of advice to the Maryland Horse
Council on legislative and regulatory issues that affect our businesses.
Who can attend?
Any Farm or Business member of the Maryland Horse Council can send as
many representatives to these meetings as they choose.
A report on the first meeting:
The first meeting of the MHC Business Network Meeting took place on
Tuesday, December 1st. A group of over 20 Maryland equine business leaders gathered at Reddemeade Farm to get acquainted and discuss
ideas for the future direction, purpose and activities of the Business Network.
Two events were planned:
· MHC Business Network Social Gathering at the
MD Horse World
Expo on Fri., Jan. 22nd @ 9am
(* restricted to Expo Vendors and to MHC Biz
Members who are volunteering)
· Meeting #2 at Farm Park (18410 Muncaster Road; Derwood, MD 20855)
on February 2nd @ 2pm
At the first meeting, those present agreed it would be great to start
an online group forum for all business and farm members of MHC where we can share ideas, answer questions, and generally support each other
regarding running our businesses. The intention is to have a place for business problems to be solved and to share ideas and information so
that all of us are better off.
 Click to join MHCBusinessNetworking
Become a
Member of the Maryland Horse Council
Business Network contact
info:
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