Conversations with the Inspiring McKinley Harvey

Today we’d like to introduce you to McKinley Harvey.

Thanks for sharing your story with us McKinley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After a couple of years of business school, at age 23, I started my first business The Perfect Fit Saddlery. I saw a gap in the equestrian market here in Colorado and the need for access to more high-quality products for people here. I was also not a great contender for a “normal job” as I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at age 18 that prevents me from having a set schedule.

I first had an opportunity with custom saddle brand Selleria Equipe out of Italy, after I had a fitting with the representative who came all the way from Florida. She explained their need for help in my area and to keep it in mind if I knew of anyone who might be interested. It took me a couple of days to realize I should take the opportunity myself! I did training with Equipe and started my business with that. The quality of the saddles is so far superior to anything else on the market and the fitting process is absolutely amazing. I then picked up a few other brands like Amerigo Saddles and Toklat Originals. I also fit and sell custom handmade Italian riding boots from DeNiroBootCo. DeNiro also makes short boots and sneakers. I was able to travel to Italy last year to meet the owners of the Italian companies and tour the factories, truly an experience of a lifetime and made me even closer and more passionate about the products I have recently had a few of my designs come to reality and have been able to start another brand for fashion footwear, McKinley Rain Designs.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The ups and downs of owning my own business has been a crazy ride. The highs can be SO high and the lows can be SO low. I think the first year was the toughest, I was barely staying afloat as I had spent so much borrowed loan money and wasn’t seeing hardly any return yet. My advice for other young women doing the same? Don’t give up. I know it sounds cliche, but if you can stick it out at least the first year, that’s when the true reflection of your hard work will start to pay off. Do what you have to do and work as hard as you can. There are some weeks where I work for 70 hours. And then there are somewhere I don’t work at all. Staying organized and on top of the little annoying tasks is always one of the hardest things for me, but if I do this part well then I can do the fun stuff that comes along with it. I think its also important to respect yourself and protect yourself, people will try to take advantage of you and its important to be clear about rules, regulations, how much you charge for things, etc.

What should we know about The Perfect Fit Saddlery and McKinley Rain Designs? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I fit custom saddles for horse and rider. This work is extremely rewarding. The technology the companies use that I represent is unparalleled in the market, and both horse and rider can feel the difference they make.

I also fit custom boots that are not only amazing quality, fit and function, but they are FUN and can be custom designed any way you choose!

I love turning clients’ dreams into reality. I love seeing the smile on their faces when they open their box of new boots or they take their first ride in their new saddle!!

Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
My mother has always been one of my biggest heroes. Not only is she insanely smart and see, but she is such a hard worker. She has taken amazing care of me and my bother, and I’m the person I am because of her. I owe so many of my successes to her love and guidance.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theperfectfitsaddlery.com www.mckinleyraindesigns.com
• Phone: 3036531880
• Email: mckinley@theperfectfitsaddlery.com
• Instagram: theperfectfitsaddlery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theperfectfitsaddlery

Image Credit:
Bianca McCarty Equine Photo, Tanner Harvey, Weeber Media

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