Sageridge Mustangs

Name: Lisa Dudley

Location: RUPERT, ID 

Type of Business:
Horse Training

What does your business do?
I tame wild mustangs and find them an adopter.

When and why did you start the biz?
I started my business in December of 2018. I started this business because I want to help the thousands of wild mustangs in holding facilities across the United States find homes. I also want to change the negative stigma that some areas have attached to these amazing animals.

How Many People are in your Company?
1

Where's your office?
My corrals are set up on a corner of my father-in-law's property just a quarter mile from my house. This is where all the training takes place. The first corral is made from railroad ties and boards to create a sturdy holding pen. My second corral is made from metal posts and wire. I no longer use this one because it needs repaired to be safe for the horses. I run the business and communication part from my kitchen table surrounded by the sound of my three step children playing, fighting, and causing general mischief.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?
The toughest part of running my business right now is finding someone around me that will let me borrow their trailer for a day. Even when someone is willing to let me use one, often times, it does not meet requirements for the training program.

What's the most fun part?
The best part of training these mustangs is watching them go from fearful and sometimes aggressive to loving and loyal partners. Watching them connect with their new adopters and knowing that I just gave that animal a better life is an amazing feeling.

Anything you would have done differently?
When I started, I figured that I could fly by the seat of my pants. I found out quickly that that is not a good way to run a business. Plans fell through and my profit dropped. I would make sure all my plans are set in stone and not rely on other people who can change their mind.

What's next on the horizon for your biz?
I want to update my facilities and equipment. Eventually i would like to relocate my business (and my family) to a place that would offer more growth opportunities. My end goal is to grow large enough to start helping at risk youth with a training program.

What advice do you have for others?
Have a solid business plan before you start advertising. Don't rely on something that is not set in stone. Have back up plans if certain plans or opportunities fall through.

How do you use Idea Cafe to help your biz?
I'm hoping to find advice on advertising and building my business up. Advice on finances will also be a welcome experience. I'm also hoping to connect with other business owners that could help me grow my business.

School (where, still in school, degree)?
High school diploma from Emmett High School

Prior jobs or business?
I worked as a fire lookout, substitute teacher, habilitative supports worker, supported living technician, fire prevention technician, and a traffic control flagger.

Favorite Food?
I love Mongolian BBQ!

What are your pets' names?
I have two dogs named Duke (Australian Shepard) and Lacey (Black Lab). Lacey is my diabetic alert service dog.we have a ferret named Nala. I also have two mustangs named Ranger and Pecos.

Do any of these pets help with your biz?
My dogs help my mustangs get used to other animals. Mustangs are naturally afraid of canines so having dogs around them constantly helps them get over their fear. My two mustangs also help in the training process by getting them used to being around strange horses. I also use them to help train the mustangs on leading and trailering.

Is there any one person or event in your life that led you to go into business for yourself?
I got into mustangs when I was first introduced to them by my husband. I soon got my own and now he is one of my best friends. training my own mustang let me see that i have a real skill at natural horsemanship and its something I love doing! My dad always said "If you love what you do you never work a day in your life".

Anyone you publicly want to thank?
I want to thank the Mustang Heritage Foundation for giving me the opportunity to partner with them and help these amazing animals find homes.

Contact Info:
Lisa Dudley
400 N MERIDIAN
RUPERT, ID 83350
2086500037
jldudley2017@gmail.com