We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Bilbrey and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Michelle, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The equine cattle and ag business is tough. We have stayed up all night with a sick horse calf or foal. Sometimes the ultimate heartbreak comes of losing that precious animal. The tough part we have more animals depending on us. So we have to wipe the tears and continue on carrying that life we lost and heart break with us. I love colors. In winter it’s dark and dreary but when spring comes and that first little pop of color shows it’s lifts my mood. I wanted these wonderful women in these industries to look in the mirror and see a little pop of color to enhance their mood even on the toughest days.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My husband and I are cattle ranchers. We also raise cutting horses. We wanted to creat a brand that stood out from others but that would also last all day in the working pen, arena or a hot day on the ranch. We tried many many products. My testing of the products was putting on a full face of makeup and heading to the working pen. My team and I designed a brand that would last, through sweat and humidity. The fun part of our palettes is the colors are named after some of the greatest horses to grace the arena. Some have won over 100,000 and produced over 500,000. Gale force quarter horses was kind enough to give us their mares names to use. We also included some studs in our short go palettes. Athena Puddy Cattle belonged to my husband and I . His babies have won almost 2 million. The best part about us, our products do not ship from some stranger in a warehouse. All of our products ship from us! We converted the apartment in our horse barn into our shipping center. I am quality control. I check every order on its way out!
By using some of these horses names, they are remembered even after they have passed. My husband always tells me when you think of them their spirit will leap. We hope that every horse we have used their spirit leaps everytime someone looks and reads their names on our palettes.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We love the stockyards! We have watched Fort Worth transform and grow so much: we would head over to the coliseum and watch the rodeo and visit our friends at the Cowgirl channel! We would also stop in at the cowboy channel bar.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband. He is the most amazing person. He is always behind me supporting my ideas and pushing me to do my best. He is a best friend partner and my biggest cheerleader. The days I can’t give 100% he is behind me giving 1,000% .
Website: Cedarcreekcowgirls.com
Instagram: Cedar_creek_cowgirls
Facebook: Cedar Creek Cowgirls
Yelp: Cedarcreekcowgirls.com
Image Credits
Bonnie Jill- Cowgirl Channel