16 Hands Equine Supplies

Our Mission

16 Hands is an eCommerce website specializing in equine supplies and seasonal-based subscription packages. Our mission is to provide quality equine products, the very best customer service, and relevant information to horse owners and lovers.

In a world of automation and questionable customer service, we strive to provide top-notch customer care. Have a question about a product? No problem. Ordered the wrong item? Simply return it for a full refund. Want to support a company that cares about the community? We’re here for you.

Our Vision

By building this business, our hope is to offer economic opportunity and training to the community of eastern rural North Carolina. Our long-term vision sees a warehouse and distribution facility that will focus on hiring and training those who would not otherwise have the opportunity. Opportunities for training will be available in all departments.

Giving Back

Ten percent of our net profit will be donated to a non-profit, equine-based therapy center.

Industry Size

There are an estimated 2 million horse owners in the United States and a total of 7.1 million Americans are involved in the industry as owners, service providers, employees, and volunteers.

Demographics

• Gender: mostly females
• Age Range: 38 – 45
• Employment Status: employed
• Marital Status: Married
• Urban or Rural: Rural
• Recreational Rider: 85%
• Competitive Rider: 30%
• Horse Breeding: 11%
• Horse Facility Manager: 10%
• Grooming and Exercising: 9%
• Professional Trainers: 7%
• Racehorse Owner: 2%

Economic Impact of the Industry

The horse industry impacts the American economy in greater measure than motion picture services, railroad transportation, furniture and fixture manufacturing, and cigarettes. The industry employs more than 700 thousand people directly; 450 thousand of these positions are full-time equivalent jobs, the rest are part-time and seasonal.

• Total Impact on GDP: $101.5B
• Goods and Services Sold per Year: $38.8B

GDP Effect by Activity

• Racing: $10.6B
• Showing: $10.8B
• Recreation: $11.8B
• Other: $11.8B
• TOTAL: $38.8B

Initial Funding

Our initial funding request is $20,000 and will be used for advertising purposes and working capital. Advertising channels will include Google Ads, Facebook, and Instagram to create brand awareness and drive traffic to our website.

Our Founder

Shawna Black: After years of working in marketing and advertising, becoming increasingly disenchanted with the whole industry, she decided it was time to invest in her love of horses. She founded 16 Hands in early 2019. Shawna’s previous experience allowed her to develop the branding, an eCommerce website, and marketing strategies at no cost other than her time. Shawna has enlisted the partnership of her brother, Daniel Riley, who possesses a great wealth of knowledge in just about everything and is highly involved in the community.

Thank You!

We can’t do this without you. We’ve got some very important long-term goals for our community and truly appreciate every one of you who will support us through this journey!