Raquel Lynn is so much more than the face and voice behind Horses & Heels and Stable Style. Ever since discovering her (and her blogs), I’ve been inspired to live my best equestrian life through her home decor finds, product reviews and her extra creative DIYs.
The best part of having this blog for me is the opportunity to meet like-minded equestrians and secondly – the opportunity to support each other on the challenging (but exciting!) path to balancing horses and life. As you’ll learn in this interview, Raquel’s blogs help to showcase who she is and why she’s been so successful. That is exactly why I decided to interview her.
Let’s dive in.
1. What was the catalyst that got you started blogging about your passion for horses?
In the summer of 2010 I was working as a social media manager for a recording studio and start up record label in Cleveland, Ohio. The company was mismanaged and went under because of financial issues. I was left without a job and quickly scrambled to find a new one. I started working as an assistant at a Hedge firm. It bored me to death and I knew I needed a creative outlet again. I began to work on ideas for a blog at my desk – I wanted it to be fun, glamorous, and of course involve horses. After polling my friends for names, Horses & Heels was born in fall of 2010.
2. When you first launched Horses & Heels, did you have in mind to make it your “work” or was it only to express yourself in your spare time?
When I started I had no idea how to really make money but I wanted to turn it into something. I think my vision was different at the time, but I knew it could become something bigger.
3. What was the best piece of blogging advice you received when starting out?
Honestly, I can’t say that anyone gave me good advice about blogging when I started. In 2010 the word blog was foreign to most western and equestrian brands. There were not the resources available for someone to learn like there are today. Even my family members didn’t really understand what I was doing, but I loved it from the start.
4. According to you, what are 3 essential qualities an equestrian blogger must have to succeed?
This is a tough one because the same blogging formula doesn’t work for everyone. First you need to be extremely organized and love to plan. Your blog isn’t going to grow if you cannot plan regular content and schedule your social media. Then you need to have (or be able to out source) excellent tech skills for building and maintaining a website. Being able to take or hire a good photographer is also essential. Photos are everything, especially in a world driven by Instagram and Facebook.
5. How often do you post?
This has changed over the course of the years, but for 2018 I’m posting twice a week on Horses & Heels doing whatever I want to share. I leave a third day open for sponsored blog content.
6. What is the biggest challenge about being an equestrian blogger?
There are not as many opportunities for strictly equestrian bloggers compared to mainstream fashion blogs. That’s why I do lifestyle content too, it gives me many more opportunities.
7. You have a knack for DIY. How would you describe your style?
I love to create things I would actually purchase in a store. If I’m going to make something, I’m either trying to do it because the item is out of my budget or I’m inspired by another item I saw out shopping. Nothing gets my creative juices flowing like a trip to Anthropologie.
8. Tell us about a DIY project you’re proud of.
It’s hard to pick just one! These sheepskin stools might be my most high end DIY. They look amazing, I saved a ton of money making my own, and everyone always compliments them.
9. How would you describe your personal style?
I like to call my style modern western glam, I love mixing and matching these styles. My home and wardrobe are both filled with cowhide and gold accessories.
10. Your boot collection gives us major shoe envy. What’s your next must-have?
Thank you, it’s safe to say I’m boot obsessed. Believe it or not, I actually want a custom pair of DeNiro paddock boots that I can wear at the barn and out in the city. I also am always searching for the perfect pair of gold cowboy boots… I know what they look like in my mind; I just haven’t found them yet.
11. How do you live a country dream in the city?
Living in Los Angeles with a horse gives me the best of both worlds. My husband works in the music industry so we have to be here, but the truth is I have fallen in love with this place. L.A. has so much to offer in terms of food, fashion, and culture. I can be at the beach in 30 minutes (on a good traffic day), walk around Rodeo Drive, or go riding all in the same day.
12. Back in 2013 you launched Stable Style as a series on Horses & Heels that eventually grew large enough to warrant its own site. What do you want people to experience when visiting StableStyle.net?
I created Stable Style to give people a place to go to dream, drool, and also offer practical barn solutions. I hope to include more stories from equestrians this year about barn life in general too.
13. What’s the best thing that ever happened to you by being an equestrian blogger?
The best thing is that I can work from home and set my own hours. My husband works a crazy inconsistent schedule. If I had a 9-5 I would never see him. I’m lucky to be able to take a Tuesday morning off or work in the middle of the night if I want to.
14. And the most unexpected?
I never expected to make and meet so many friends from blogging. I’ve met a ton of amazing horse girls and that’s really nice. In fact, all of my friends in Los Angeles connected with me because of the blog. I’ve formed lots of genuine friendships thanks to it.
15. What is your hope for Horses & Heels and Stable Style in the next 5 years?
World domination? In all seriousness I predict that Stable Style will outgrow Horses & Heels in terms of traffic. I hope that it does. I would like to travel more to different barns and photograph them myself. This year I’m really focusing on introducing video on Horses & Heels so I see a lot of growth and new opportunities opening up from that. While I can’t go into detail, there are also some big events that I hope to host/put on in the next couple of years.
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Follow Raquel on Horses & Heels:
Website // Facebook // Instagram
Follow Raquel on Stable Style:
Website // Facebook // Instagram
Tracy
January 30, 2018 at 10:17 amI actually know Raquel from when we showed together in 4-H! We reconnected a little bit now that we’re both bloggers. She’s awesome and definitely an inspiration for my own blog and small business!
Susan Curry
February 5, 2018 at 3:51 pmI met Raquel riding her beautiful paint; Fira ❤🐎. I to have a paint and we instantly connected as we spoke about the breed. I learned about Raquel’s talent and soon began to follow her blogs. I love her DYI and learning how to be creative with her amazing decorating tastes. I have been very lucky to get to ride through out beautiful Griffith park with Raquel & Fira, as she has also been so gracious in helping me with the proper techniques in working with my horse. I’m blessed to have met Raquel and love seeing all her posts…