Name of your website?Wellgreen Farm Riding Academy
Your name?
Marjorie Gilmore
Your Location (city, etc)
Downs
We are a full service horseback riding program just outside of Bloomington, Illinois.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
To get the word out about our facility and the programs we offer here.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
About 5 years ago.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
It was in my family. My great grandfather came over from Scotland from an area in Scotland called Wellgreen so we named it after that area.
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
We offer everything from horse training, clinics, birthday parties, scout badges, trail riding, camps, monthly boarding and overnight boarding in a facility with 21 stalls, 30 acres intensive rotational grazing, an indoor arena and an outdoor arena, heated wash rack, heated office with viewing windows, on-site management, daily cleaning of stalls, constant supervision, clean friendly warm and inviting atmosphere that intersects with I-74, I-39, and I-55. Thank you!
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
To make it porfitable. It has been a long road.....started in 1992 until now and struggles to be profitable.....
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
Well, the ups and downs of the horse business are hard. We are very busy during the summer months and not so busy in the winter when it is cold outside. So it is a balancing act to make any money at it. I am a certified instructor also. I just don't think our website or any information on our farm is out there. We are a very safe facility that takes young and old riders that want to learn.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
Well, it would change a lot!!!
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
I believe I could. My son works with me and my husband works with me but we have to work off-site as well to bring in enough money to run the operation. If we didn't have to do that, we could work at this 24/7. :)
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Insurance related costs are a big one! The cost of feeding and caring for the horses daily, non-stop, and the expense of that when we only make money seasonally or during the summer months. The cost of maintenance on the farm is huge!! We just put a new roof on the barn for about $30,000.00 and a new roof on the house for about $10,000.00 and we don't get a lot for our time. We are just trying to take good care of the horses and keep the placed fixed up. Thank you!
What has been your biggest challenge?
Making a profit with cattle and horses.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
I don't know......I guess my website.... That being said, I need to get it out to the buying public and let them know I am here which has been challenging.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
Well it was hard at first but I can make changes rather quickly now myself which is a huge advantage.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
For as long as I am able to live here and take care of things hopefully.
Replace this with a question of your own
I appreciate your interest in your help. I don't have a large advertising budget. If there is anything you can do, please let me know and thank you for your time!!! Sincerely, Marjorie Gilmore
What is your website address?
Wellgreen Farm Riding Academy
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