The Miles You Never See

If you've ever wondered what life looks like behind the scenes at Parkmore, let me give you a little glimpse.

By the time you read this, Fred, Scruffy and I will probably be somewhere between Kentucky and Florida.

The truck has been loaded since Sunday afternoon. Fred has spent most of the day sitting by the door convinced we're leaving any minute now. Scruffy, on the other hand, has carried out no fewer than seventeen quality control inspections, just to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything important.

Apparently that included my clothes.

Because while the truck is packed to the roof with Parkmore products... my suitcase is still sitting on the bedroom floor.

The truth is, I pushed the trip back by a day.

Not because I wanted to.

Because there was still work to do.

This journey isn't about horse shows or a holiday.

It's a working trip from beginning to end.

First stop is Florida, where I'll restock our storage and make sure our wholesalers have everything they need. While I'm there, I'll be looking after a friend's house and dog, and viewing a few properties that might become our winter base this year.

Then it's straight back to Kentucky.

Not to rest.

To make another round of products before I fly home to Ireland.

That part of the journey means a little more to me. I'll get to spend time with Mum and Dad, catch up with family, and then, after 15 years away, I'll once again be working alongside my dad and brother at the Dublin Horse Show. Some opportunities are worth waiting for.

Then it's back across the Atlantic again.

Two days later I'll be driving to Michigan to teach a three-day clinic before turning right around and preparing for the American Eventing Championships, where Parkmore is proud to be both a sponsor and a vendor.

Reading it back, it sounds exhausting.

Oddly enough... it doesn't feel that way.

Because every mile has a purpose.

Every stop is helping build something a little bigger than it was yesterday.

People often ask me how I do it.

The honest answer is simple.

One customer.

One batch.

One conversation.

One mile at a time.

People often see the photographs from the horse shows, the clinics, the smiles at the trade stand, or Fred collecting belly rubs wherever she goes.

What they don't see are the long evenings making products.

Loading trucks.

Checking inventory one last time because you never want to tell a customer, "Sorry, we're out."

Answering messages from affiliates.

Talking to wholesalers.

Planning the next step.

Building a business isn't one big moment.

It's thousands of little moments that nobody ever photographs.

When I first started this journey, I don't think I truly appreciated how many hats a small business owner wears.

Some days you're the manufacturer.

Some days you're the delivery driver.

Some days you're customer service.

Some days you're the salesperson.

Some days you're simply a friend looking after someone else's dog while they're away.

And every now and then, you're just a daughter going home to spend a little time with her parents.

I wouldn't trade any of it.

Not the early mornings.

Not the late nights.

Not the long drives.

Not even the endless packing.

Because every one of those miles is helping us build something that means the world to me.

So if you happen to see the Parkmore truck rolling down the interstate over the next few weeks, give us a little wave.

It'll probably be me behind the wheel.

Fred navigating.

Scruffy making sure we haven't forgotten anything.

And if all goes according to plan...

I might even get to breathe for an afternoon.

Until next time...

Be kind.

Be the person you needed when you were starting out.

Fleur 🍀