Angry Dogs, Shifting Horses, and a Hard Decision

There’s a lot that goes into running a business.

There’s also a lot that goes into running a farm.

Most days, I’m doing both.

It doesn’t take long before you realize you don’t get to specialize in just one thing.

You become a little bit of everything.

Vet.
Trainer.
Mechanic.
Problem solver.
And somewhere in there…still running a business.

It’s a lot.

I have dogs that don’t get along.

They’re siblings. They’re older. They’re all wired the same way — driven, herding personalities that all think they should be in charge.

If I don’t stay aware of what’s going on between them, things escalate.

Fast.

There’s no “set it and forget it.”

You stay on top of it…or you deal with the aftermath.

Horses aren’t much different.

My mare lost her partner and had to adjust. When we introduced a new one, the dynamic changed again.

What used to work didn’t work anymore.

Different personality.
Different hierarchy.
Different behavior.

You either recognize that shift and adjust…or you end up with problems.

And then there are the decisions no one wants to make.

We had a goat that wasn’t going to recover.

I could have waited. Called the vet. Delayed it.

But sometimes the right decision is the hard one.

And it needs to be made when it needs to be made.

Not later.

(Rest in peace my beautiful Handsome. 3/6/16 – 5/12/26)

All of that…translates more directly into business than most people realize.

Staying Ahead of Problems

Most business issues don’t come out of nowhere.

They build.

Slowly.

Ignored warning signs.
Small shifts in direction.
Things that feel “off” but don’t get addressed.

Until they turn into something bigger.

Things Change

What worked last year may not work now.

The landscape changes.
Technology changes.
Competition changes.

If you’re not paying attention, you end up reacting instead of adjusting.

And Sometimes You Have to Decide

Not every idea works.

Not every direction is right.

And sometimes the best move is to stop, reassess, and change course.

Even when it’s uncomfortable.

Final Thought

Whether it’s animals, equipment, or business — the pattern is the same.

Pay attention.
Adjust when things change.
Make the hard decisions when they need to be made.

Because waiting usually makes things harder.

Recent Rants

  • Angry Dogs, Shifting Horses, and a Hard Decision

    Running a business means paying attention, adjusting when things change, and sometimes making decisions you’d rather avoid. Turns out, farm life teaches those same lessons every day.

  • Define The Role

    Most problems in working relationships don’t come from bad intentions — they come from unclear expectations. When no one defines whether the role is strategy or execution, confusion and frustration aren’t far behind.

  • You Can’t Find Them

    Some of the most important businesses in your community are also the hardest to find. Not because they’re rare — but because they’re invisible.

  • Before You Sign: Website Contracts That Protect You

    Before hiring a web developer, understand who owns your domain, website, and access. These three things determine who controls your business online.

  • Sure. Automation Can Post for You

    AI tools can automate content, but they can’t replace human thought, strategy, or voice. Learn what actually makes content effective.

  • AI Is Starting to Do the Shopping

    What That Means for Your Business Most people are starting to use tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to ask questions. “What’s the best vitamin for joint pain?”“Where should I eat tonight?”“Find me a good plumber near me.” Right now, those tools give you options. You still decide.You still click.You still buy. But that’s starting to…

  • When the Server Goes Down

    Server issues and downtime happen. Learn why having a website backup plan and redundancy in place protects your business when problems arise.

  • Your Website Isn’t the Problem

    If your website isn’t bringing in leads, the issue may not be the design. Learn what actually affects visibility, clarity, and results.

  • When a Website Looks Legit… But the Business Behind It Isn’t Ready

    A website can look polished and still fail customers. Here’s what happens when a site goes live before the business is actually ready.

  • Beyond the Website

    A website is only one part of a business’s online presence. Learn how strategic guidance helps small businesses make better digital decisions.

  • Why Smart People Fall for Scams

    Scammers rely on urgency, authority, and fear to manipulate victims. Learn why even intelligent people fall for scams and how to protect yourself.

  • Tech Support Scams

    Fake tech support warnings can convince people to send thousands of dollars to scammers. Learn how these scams work and how to protect yourself.

  • Google Doesn’t Reward Stale Content

    Your Website Is Like a Stack of Mail When Did You Last Add Something New? Think of your website like a stack of mail. Today’s important documents go on top. Tomorrow’s mail gets placed above that. Next week’s important updates push yesterday’s down. By the end of the year, what was once on top is…

  • What a Real Website Audit Should Include

    Not all website audits are equal. Learn what a real website audit should include — and why most free SEO reports miss the point.

  • They Didn’t Review Your Website

    Received an email promising first page of Google rankings? Learn how to spot SEO scam emails and why vague ranking guarantees mean nothing.

  • The Emails Are Not Real

    How to Spot (and Ignore) Business Scams Before They Cost You

  • What’s Normal — and What’s Not — When You Own a WordPress Website

    Learn what’s normal — and what’s not — when it comes to WordPress admin access, hosting restrictions, and developer control of your website.

  • Professional Marketing Etiquette for Small Businesses

    Clear guidelines on professional marketing etiquette for small businesses, including where it’s appropriate to promote your services — and where it’s not.

  • It’s Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself

    Sometimes the thing we neglect the most is our own business. After decades of helping others grow, it’s easy to lose connection with your own brand, message, and direction. Reinvention doesn’t mean starting over — it means realigning who you are now with how your business shows up in the world.

  • Do I Really Need a Website in 2026?

    If you’re a local service business without a website, people are trying to find you — and giving up. This isn’t about marketing. It’s about being accessible when someone needs you.

  • Can Veterinarians Take Payments?

    Veterinary care has changed — but payment options haven’t always kept up. For pet owners and veterinarians alike, there are better, kinder ways to handle emergencies without putting anyone in an impossible position.

  • Investing In Your Online Business

    Your website isn’t an afterthought — it’s your storefront, your sales team, and your credibility rolled into one. Treating it like a leftover expense is one of the fastest ways to stall your business.

  • Customer Centered Messaging – It’s Not About You

    Effective websites aren’t built around bragging — they’re built around the customer. When your messaging focuses on solving problems instead of talking about yourself, everything works better.

  • Does It Matter Where You Host Your Website?

    Cheap hosting feels like a bargain — until it isn’t. If your website matters to your business, where and how it’s hosted can make or break everything. Here’s the honest truth, from someone who’s cleaned up the messes.

  • Customer Service Matters

    Customer service doesn’t cost more — but it does require intention. Businesses that treat people well build loyalty, trust, and long-term success.