What can saying yes to the right opportunities do for your career?
In this episode of the Business Breakthrough Podcast, Nicola is joined by Nicole Graf, whose career in the equestrian industry is a brilliant example of the power of networking, curiosity and being willing to say yes — even when an opportunity feels intimidating.
Nicole shares how her career has taken her through riding, journalism, business and technology, and how the connections she made along the way have opened doors to opportunities she could never have predicted.
From her first media assignment at Badminton Horse Trials in 1995 — where she was famously known as “the internet girl” — to her work with innovative equestrian technology, Nicole explains why building relationships and being open to opportunities can be just as important as technical expertise.
We also talk about the importance of not waiting until you feel ready.
Nicole shares how she has approached situations that initially felt daunting, why she believes you should pursue your ideas, and how both successes and failures can teach you something valuable.
Alongside the networking conversation, Nicole introduces some of the exciting technology she is involved with, including the Equestic Saddle Clip and Coach Copilot, giving us a glimpse into how innovation is changing the way riders, coaches and equestrian professionals work.
Why networking is one of the most valuable skills you can develop
How to build a network naturally rather than simply collecting contacts
Why you never know where one conversation might lead
Nicole’s career journey through riding, journalism and business
Her experience at Badminton Horse Trials in 1995
What it was like being known as “the internet girl”
How to approach opportunities that feel intimidating
Why saying yes can open doors you didn’t even know existed
Why you shouldn’t wait until you feel completely ready
How to turn both successes and failures into learning opportunities
The importance of approaching people with curiosity and gratitude
How relationships can create opportunities within the equestrian industry
The role of new technology in the future of equestrian sport and coaching
Nicole’s work with Equestic and the Saddle Clip
How Coach Copilot is using AI to support riders and coaches
You don’t have to have your entire career mapped out, sometimes the biggest opportunities come from saying yes to something that initially feels outside your comfort zone.
Build relationships. Be curious. Ask questions. Put yourself forward.
And don’t be afraid of getting it wrong — because the things that don’t work can be just as valuable as the things that do.
About my guest Nicole Graf
Nicole Graf is Chief Marketing Officer at Equestic, where she leads brand, product marketing, and go-to-market strategy for the company’s AI-powered training tools, including the EQ Saddle-Clip, a detailed horse motion sensor and the EQ Coach-Copilot app which captures a coach’s voice during a lesson and turns them into AI-generated training summaries and personalized prompts, so riders never lose the insight from a session once they’ve left the ring. With over 20 years in the equestrian industry, Nicole has built her career at the intersection of elite sport, brand strategy, and horse welfare.
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Connect with Nicole
To find out more about Nicole and her work with Equestic, visit www.equestic.com.
