Navigating Burnout, Bold Moves & Business-Building with Leyna Cannon of Grey Horse Candle Co.
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
Welcome to the show notes! Remember, this is a brief summary from the How to Market Your Horse Business podcast. You'll want to listen to the entire episode for all the good stuff!
You’d be hard-pressed to find an equine business owner who’s followed a straight, perfectly mapped-out path.
And in this conversation with Leyna Cannon, owner and chief hand-pourer of Grey Horse Candle Co., that couldn’t be more true.
When I reached out to Leyna, I was curious about the story behind Grey Horse Candle Co. Little did I know that before she was ever hand-pouring candles and crafting soap, Leyna owned and ran Rocking Horse Stables, a 150-acre eventing facility in Altoona, Florida.
You’ll have to listen to the full episode to hear her story from a horse-crazy little girl to owning and running Rocking Horse Stables to purchasing and growing Grey Horse Candle Co. Not to mention moving her family across the country. Twice!
If you’re in a season where you’re looking to make a bold move or you’re being pulled in a new direction, Leyna’s story will give you the courage to take the risk.
Tips for Navigating Burnout, Bold Moves & Business-Building from Grey Horse Candle Co. Owner Leyna Cannon
You have to learn how to wear different hats and when to take them off.
One of the first things Leyna pointed to was the reality of managing multiple roles inside your business.
You’re not just the creator. Or the service provider. Or the marketer. You’re all of it.
The essential skill you need as you build and grow your business is knowing how to shift between those roles.
Outsource what you’re not good at.
You don’t have to be good at everything.
In fact, trying to be good at everything will usually create more problems.
For Leyna, bookkeeping was one of those areas. Moving from a service-based business to a product-based one added layers of complexity—cost of goods, inventory, multiple sales platforms.
Instead of struggling through it, she outsourced and uses tools and systems that track sales across platforms, help manage inventory, and give her access to professionals when she has questions
When you outsource, you save time, yes. Beyond that, you also reduce stress and give yourself the energy and capacity you need to focus on what you do well.
Don't be afraid to fail.
You're going to make mistakes. That's how we learn. So, as Leyna said, take the chance.
A real-life example Leyna shared was the brick-and-mortar storefront she opened in New Hampshire. Some might say it was a failure because she ended up closing it. But, she looks at it as a learning experienc where she learned valuable information that’s helped her grow the business.
One questions that’s helped her with this mindset is to ask yourself, “Is this going to matter in 6 months?”
Don't Spread Yourself Too Thin
Especially as someone who enjoys the creation process, Leyna explores new product ideas regularly. In that process, she’s learned to think strategically about the products she brings in and the things she says yes to.
Instead, Leyna makes decisions based on her time, capacity, and what she already knows sells well to her audience.
Balance Home and Work Life
Leyna was honest about the importance of learning to manage home and work-life. Especially when her production center is in her home and she has young children, this became clear.
For her, setting office hours around her kids’ school schedule has been the difference maker. Of course, there are seasons, such as holidays where she makes intentional shifts, but that’s the key: intention.
Your season of life may be different, but the principle is the same: be active in making space for life outside of work so you don’t let work completely take over your life.
Of course, you'll want to listen to the full episode to dig into each of the insights shared and discover how you can apply each one in your horse business!
Links Mentioned In This Episode
Grey Horse Candle Co. Website | Instagram | Facebook | Etsy | TikTok
Lean Marketing by Allan Dib
Inventory app mentioned by Leyna: Trunk Inventory
What Kenny Chesney Taught Me About Business (Every Equine Entrepreneur Should Hear This) [Episode 200]
Take the Reins: 1:1 Business Coaching for Equine Entrepreneurs: Craft and implement a clear strategy for your brand messaging, website, social media, and email marketing in my 1:1 coaching container.
The Business Barn Collective: The 6-month curated group coaching experience to grow your equine business sustainably, so you can do what you love for the long-term.
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