Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Everett.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well, if it wasn’t for my entrepreneurial father, I definitely wouldn’t be writing this today. Gosh, I feel so incredibly lucky. I have an amazing family that helped me financially, personally, and physically to create Bridle Oaks Barn.
It started with a dream about a family farm. We all grew up in rural Michigan but moved to Florida when I was ten years old. We always talked about having a piece of property where we could have some basics. (Fresh eggs, milk, some cows, some land to garden again) Not until I was in my 40’s did any of us have the means to entertain this thought in a serious manner. I have two brothers and they are both in business for themselves as well. My father, who’s very creative with business ideas and a tiny bit on the impulsive side, wanted to build a barn. He didn’t know exactly what he wanted to do with it, but he knew he wanted it beautiful. Initially, he thought if he built the barn, we could all gather on this property and have a bit of that “farm life” we dreamed about. We found this 5 acres in a perfect location of Deland by chance one day. Conversations began, creativity started flowing, and before we knew it, we were talking about the barn being a wedding venue in order to help fund the farm expenses.
To say it has been a wild ride is an understatement! Learning to trim goats hooves, ride horses, feeding many animals per day, scooping enormous amounts of manure… (everyday!)… birthing baby goats, helping animals through sickness and sometimes death. All of this is only the farm-part. There’s also the business side: learning to market the business, keep up with taxes, insurances, bookwork and social media… (I’m not that young anymore, ok!) Of course the best part is meeting future brides, doing tours to show off our beautiful venue… and booking happy couples. That is the most fun for me! *Well… I really do love birthing season here too, that’s a hard call!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
To say my barn and business has been a journey of blood, sweat and tears is completely appropriate. I have been here nearly everyday for 5 and a 1/2 years. We’ve done everything ourselves. From the ground up. Sometimes, I just wander around the property and I am completely amazed at the work we’ve done. I remember every plant I’ve planted. How small it was when I brought it home from the nursery, watching it grow… going through the teenage years… the backtalk, the year it almost froze during that cold night in January. Haha! Yes, this property and business is akin to a raising a child. The struggles have been real, but the rewards are just incredibly fulfilling.
Recently, we had to bring the barn up to commercial code. That was a huge learning process from another angle. But again, every struggle and fight has it’s rewards… when you succeed!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a background in fine art. I graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1995 with a degree in painting. After returning to Florida, I moved into photography. As I was raising my children, I was a photographer for newborns, family, and children. I did a few weddings, but that really wasn’t my niche. I had so much fun for those 15 years! But towards the end, I was ready for a change. It was just about that time that we were talking about a family farm. I think that my background in photography, especially the lighting part of it helped me to create beautiful spaces around Bridle Oaks that photographers could really use to their benefit (and the brides, of course!) When we positioned our altar, I made sure that the 4 o’clock sun would be setting right behind it in order to create that beautiful glow or ring light around the bride. It worked! I do get compliments from photographers all the time. They love shooting here and our vendors love working here too. We are relaxed and have a very fun venue!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My drive. My determination. My perseverance. My goal to succeed. I get these from my father and from watching my brothers with their own successful businesses. (Mom, I get amazing things from you as well!) Owning and running your own business is not for the faint of heart. There is no time clock to punch out of. No area in which your business life does not saturate your personal life. No vacation taken without a time out for a business call… or three! It’s just the way it is. The customer comes first. Your personal convenience is put on hold. I also think you need to be ultra-organized, willing to wear many hats, not afraid to get your hands dirty (VERY dirty here, sometimes) and completely unaffected by hard work. I’m happiest when I have ten minutes to spend with the horses, a new bride to meet with, a baby plant to put in the earth or watching some chicks hatch from their eggs. But I’m also happy to clean out a poopy chicken coop, transfer hay to the barn, meet with an accountant or have a business meeting with my staff. My job is very diverse. For that… I think I feel most lucky!
Pricing:
- Off-Peak Range $2800 – 4,200
- Peak Range $3,200 – 4,700
- Mid-week events: 2,800 – 3,000
Contact Info:
- Email: bridleoaksbarn@gmail.com
- Website: www.bridleoaksbarn.com
- Instagram: bridleoaksbarn
- Facebook: bridleoaksbarn
Image Credits
Alices Art Gallery AAG Jennifer Juniper Photography
