Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Barnes.
Robert, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up in Argentina I had always loved horses living at a ranch with my grandparents. Unfortunately due to my grandpa’s illness we had to leave the ranch and move to the city. Life got in the way and I wasn’t able to get back to my passion of horses. I moved to the US at the age of 21 and after a few years I was able to own a couple of horses but did not have enough time to enjoy them. Nine years ago my wife had an opportunity to move to Hawaii for work so we decided to do it, I found myself with a lot time on my hands so I got involved in the community where I volunteered my time coaching kids on soccer teams.
One day I saw an article about a group of people wanting to start a polo club. Polo has been a sport I enjoyed back in Argentina. On the ranch I enjoyed watching the players practice, horses being trained, the quick moves going so fast it fascinated me. As a kid being around horses I began my love and passion. I answered the ad in the article, and within a year we began Mauna Kae Polo Club. Being a board member and the treasure I had numerous responsibilities that kept me busy. As I interacted with the players I noticed most people did not have the right equipment to play polo. This disturbed me. During the second year I had a visit back home to Argentina where I met some great craftsman’s. We were able to import the exact equipment needed for the team. This process was not only for the players but for the horses as well. I really enjoyed the experience of helping “horse and people”. Before I knew it I was ordering numerous polo equipment for the players such as mallets, bridles, whips, personalized helmets, and saddles. It was a pleasure ensuring the players were fit properly. This small business inspired me to take my interest and passion to the next level. It took me a few years to create Barnes Tack Room, because I wanted to research the different sports in the equestrian world to identify their needs. What I didn’t want to do, is sell someone else’s products. I wanted to design my own. Every detail, every stitch, every design I personally created and handpicked the finest leathers. It took me about 4 years to launch Barnes Tack Room. We started offering supplies for the jumpers and this year we are going to push forward with the hunters, dressage, evening as well as Polo. I wanted every detail to be as perfect and people to love it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Creating and developing has been a smooth ride when you have a great team behind you. The team involves, web designer, marketing and social media, sponsor riders and the craftsmen in Argentina. The roadblocks or you can say the more difficult thing is getting into horse shows anywhere in the U.S. I still continue to apply and be aggressive to get in front of the public eye. My Brand is so superb, as others buy and enjoy the quality I receive very positive reviews. Internet is my strongest marketing tool at this time. We are contacted with Facebook and Instagram. When we first launched our business we had advertised in a San Diego magazine called Equestrian Almanac for a year.
Barnes Tack Room – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Barnes Tack Room is an online marketing supplier for horse equipment for the English rider. We specialize in: English riding, jumper, dressage, hunter, evening and polo.
What this means is we sell equipment for these sports. The equipment consist of: Bridles, Reins, Breastplates, Girths, Saddles all to fit your horse, we customize the fit in the saddle to comfortably sit upon the horse and for the rider.
We will be expanding our products to include casual apparel for the riders, and public.
What sets us apart from others is our quality, pricing and custom fit with strong customer service.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
It’s difficult to describe success. Yes I want to be successful in my business….. I would fill fulfilled when I walk into an arena, a horse show, any sport even and see my Brand amongst the crowd, the riders and the trainers. This is my long term goal. My next marker is to present my Brand to as many people as I can. Introduce additional equipment to my line. Add casual apparel Attend to shows all over the US.
Contact Info:
- Website: Barnestackroom.com
- Phone: 808-557-1371
- Email: info@barnestackroom.com
- Instagram: barnestackroom
- Facebook: Barnes Tack Room
Image Credit:
Kait Cruz,Kendal Fisher,shelby Dennis,Kristina Porreca
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