Horsing Around Leads to Promising Tack & Saddlery Business
Doing what you love, can it be called working? This rural woman takes her business on the road to area riding and roping events. She’s earning customers and new friends as she travels the miles.

Tina Grant and her 8-year old daughter Katelynn (Katie) spend their free time literally horsing around when they are not busy with their new business, K-T’s Saddlery & Tack. Tina is employed full time as a dispatcher with the Nebraska State Patrol.

The two have always had a love for horses and spending free time with friends on horseback rides or working with ranch and feedlot cowboys. A year ago, Tina had the opportunity to work with another business owner who wanted to liquidate his tack business, so with a trailer loaded with saddle and tack inventory, she hit the road.

The miles piled up as Tina visited local area feedlots and attended every weekend riding and roping event she could get to. She found she really enjoyed being around her favorite people and making money at the same time.

Tina contacted Jerry Terwilliger, Panhandle Business Specialist with the REAP program, to inquire about some assistance in starting her own saddle and tack business. With assistance from REAP, she was able to put together a business plan and loan application for the purchase of a trailer and start-up inventory.

According to Tina, the technical assistance has been invaluable, and the loan from REAP enabled her to start her own business and further enjoy her favorite hobby, horseback riding. She is now into her second summer with her business and is continually adding new friends and customers and attending riding and roping events throughout the Panhandle.