The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Entrepreneur’ s daring animal instinct pays off
Every Monday, we ask small businesses questions. Here we speak to Dorothy Sales, who runs Houlls Horses and Hounds on Shetland
How and why did you start in business?
Born in Shetland, I spent my early years in north-east Scotland.
But the islands were always “home” and the place where we holidayed.
My parents moved to Aberdeen in the early 1960s because Shetland offered little work for young people. My conventional working life has covered accountancy, administration and social care.
I did not enjoy indoor working, and a modest inheritance from my mum in 2012 allowed me to follow my dream and start my own outdoor business.
It is 10 years since I established Houlls Horse and Hounds on the croft I had bought in 1995 following a challenging personal experience.
How did you get to where you are today?
The croft marked a fresh start. I was determined to go on a journey of personal healing and growth by transforming it into a thriving business focused on my passions of horses, dogs and the outdoors. Today, Houlls offers pony trekking and riding lessons using only Icelandic horses. We are the only business in the UK to do this. We also do dog training and boarding, all amid stunning scenery. Who helped you?
My husband, Michael, and my grown-up kids, Evie and Konrad, have been brilliant supporters. Meanwhile, the British Horse Society helped me gain approved trekking centre accreditation. Business sense is another matter and my journey has been buoyed by insightful support from the Federation of Small Businesses.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?
Follow your dreams, but remember that dreams without action stay dreams.
What is your biggest mistake?
Winging it for too long, and not taking advantage of the support and advice out there for small businesses.
What is your greatest achievement?
Transforming a traditional croft into a unique, exciting and very different offering. It’s both my business and absolute passion. Nothing beats being my own boss and sharing the joy of my Icelandic horses with others. The smiles and excited giggles from folk interacting with these amazing little animals never gets dull.
How is your business managing rapidly rising costs and what should government do to help?
Navigating rising costs has been challenging, not helped by substantial Covid loan repayments from when the business was bringing in no income. Diversifying further into dog boarding was a financial lifeline at the time. Accessing government grants for agricultural businesses is far from easy, and the Crofting Commission should be more supportive of diversification. Bizarrely, horses and dogs are not considered “agricultural”, so there’s no grant support for things like fencing and ditching.
What do you still hope to achieve?
Celebrating our 10th anniversary is a huge milestone. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue growing, learning and sharing our unique equestrian experiences for many more years. There are some interesting tourismrelated opportunities in addition to trekking that I want to develop.
What do you do to relax?
Spend time with my twoyear-old granddaughter, Millie.
She’s animal daft and already rides my 27-year-old Icelandic horse, Thoka.
We have sheep, goats, ducks and hens, and nothing beats spending the day with Millie out among the “amals”, as she calls them.
What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on TV?
I’m immersed in The Bronze Horseman trilogy by Paullina Simons, a tale of young love woven through the horrors of war. My evenings are spent unwinding, while watching Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
What do you waste your money on?
Treats and supplements for the horses.
I love to see them thriving and healthy.
Also, things like specialised Icelandic tack and equipment, and training to keep my skills developing. Some people might say importing two young horses from Iceland is extravagant, but it makes sound business sense in my head.