THE BUSINESS
Sheila opened Triple H Ranch & Therapeutic Horsemanship in 2022, and she is bringing much needed assistance to those in her community. Her passion for and history of working with horses and her dedication to becoming a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through PATH International bring much success to the ranch. Sheila has been riding since she was six years old!
“Our typical student is 10 to 13 years old, struggling academically or with social emotional issues. Working with the horses at the riding center gives kids a chance to be outdoors and to relate to each other, developing their social skills. They work on team cooperation and connecting with their horse leaders and classmates,” Sheila said.
She continued, “Many different populations of people with different abilities benefit from the services we offer. Our therapeutic riding, horse camps, and equine activities can help everyone from young kids working on emotional regulation and elderly riders to volunteers and Eagle Scouts.”
THE ASSISTANCE
Sheila’s family is known for its love of horses and experience with entrepreneurship. “Back when I was earning my Entrepreneurship degree, my capstone course required a business plan pitch presentation, so our team turned to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Muncie, Indiana, for help. When it came time for me to start my own business in Milton, Wisconsin, I knew the resources at SCORE and SBDC would be able to help,” Sheila said.
Ron Chisholm, center director at the UW-Whitewater SBDC, assisted Sheila with her business plan and a strategic plan on how to grow. “Ron was willing to come out to the ranch and sit with me. He looked at all my ideas and helped me focus on the areas that were possible with my existing staff of volunteers.”
Ron said, “Sheila approached the SBDC for help in reviewing some of the intricacies involved in a partnership between BOTH of her businesses: one for-profit and the other non-profit.”
Accomplishments with UW-Whitewater SBDC
- Growth strategy
- Business plan
- Strategic plan
THE OBSTACLES
Some challenges for this entrepreneur are her own heavy workload and obtaining funding for operating costs. “To help with the financial and workload challenges, I am currently working with a grant writer who has a specialty in therapeutic horse services. And I have a volunteer who helps with scheduling and social media and my website which is a huge help,” she said. The business currently has 27 volunteers including both adults and teens; 16 new volunteers were trained this month.
During the first year of business, Triple H served four families and now, only a few years later, the business serves 16 families, with a waitlist of 17 additional students.
THE COMMUNITY
There are lots of popular activities at Triple H. During the Back-to-School Reading Booster, kids read to the horses, who listen non-judgmentally. There are several summer camps and Holiday Horse Camps which are open to the public and always sell out! Participants recently enjoyed a Valentine-themed camp, and Sheila is looking forward to the upcoming Spring Break Hula, which will feature a tropical Hawaiian theme.
“I love to host parties in the barn! The barn is decorated with the event’s theme and the horses are in costume. Three of our five horses are former show horses, and I often wonder what they think of this big change from the formality they were used to,” Sheila laughed.
Parties in the barn are often part of Eagle Scout projects when a whole troop comes for lunch. Triple H also offers clinics during which Scouts can earn merit badges. Since Triple H is a big supporter of 4-H, a few teen volunteers have had the opportunity to work with a horse to show during 4-H events at the county fair.
Others in the community support the riding center as well. Small Wonders Learning Center invited children in day care to paint rocks for the rock garden at Triple H. Many high school kids volunteer and earn silver cords for FFA, a youth organization that prepares members for roles in agriculture. The Department of Health Services, Milton Area Chamber of Commerce, and Forward Janesville have all supported the small business in various ways. Sheila would love to host employees from local companies who want to volunteer at Triple H as part of their community service mission.
Sheila said, “People love to help with the dwarf goats. The goats are great for kids who might be scared of big animals like horses. They help kids get used to all the smells, sounds, and sights of a barn yard that can be overwhelming for them.”
THE PASSION
Sheila said there are so many things she loves about owning Triple H. “I love to see the children grow; I really enjoy working with the volunteers; and it is so nice to be able to provide parents, grandparents, and other primary care givers a place for a break. I love sharing these 11 acres of beautiful land with others and bringing community members out to enjoy the space.”
We can’t wait to see where Sheila’s passion takes this small business next!
