I’ve been horse crazy for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my birthdays and Christmases were filled with horse-themed books, toys, and clothes—but my parents were city people, with no idea how to get me a horse, let alone care for one.

Fortunately, our small northern town had a tight-knit horse community, and with their help, I got my first horse—a beautiful, older Arabian mare for $400. This community not only welcomed me but also taught me the art of horsemanship and horse care. From sunny days riding through fields to freezing winter rides with numb toes, I fell in love with everything about horses. Losing my mare to colic was heartbreaking, but it was a reminder of the deep, emotional bond horses bring into our lives.

As a child, I understood the special connection horses offer. They’re grounded and solid in ways people often aren’t. Over the years, as my career with horses grew, they became my constant source of comfort, helping me through life’s challenges. Though my heart broke with every loss, it was mended by the beautiful memories I made with each horse, creating a mosaic of love and healing.

After high school, I pursued a degree in Psychology followed by a diploma in Equine Science. I spent a few years working with horses in Canada and Italy, starting young horses and riding in reining and dressage. While I wasn’t destined to be a top rider, I realized I loved something else—gathering horse-related knowledge and sharing it.

I transitioned into reporting on local dressage clinics, compiling newsletters, and eventually creating a small marketing and web design agency for horse-related businesses. This allowed me to stay connected with the equestrian world, even when I wasn’t riding.

Life changed swiftly when I met my husband. We married, had two sons, and with them came a period of adjustment. Struggling with postpartum depression and the challenges of young parenthood, I had to sell my beloved mare, Molly. But even during tough times, nature always drew me back. Hiking and camping with my boys became a way to stay connected to the outdoors, which I’d always loved as part of riding.

Then, COVID hit. Like many, I struggled to stay motivated, but during the lockdown, I threw myself into learning new skills. After countless YouTube videos and trial-and-error, I created my first generative-art NFT: 3,000 unique images of “Greg,” a cartoon horse I designed. It was a fun project, but I wasn’t quite sure how to turn it into something meaningful. The Shopify store I launched for Greg in 2021 sat untouched…until recently (don’t tell my husband I’ve been paying for it this whole time).

Sometimes, life presents an opportunity at just the right moment. When I discovered a local business mentorship program called SMARTstart, I knew it was time to dust off Greg and do something more. This time, I wanted to build a business with purpose. It wasn’t just about selling products—it was about making a positive impact.

Greg became the perfect symbol of what horses offer us: grounding, healing, and joy. Now, Greg is my way of raising awareness and funds for Equine Assisted Therapies, allowing horses to continue helping humans heal