If you are a fan of equestrian sports, or even simply a “horse person”, Noëlle Floyd needs no introduction. As CEO and founder of noëllefloyd.com, Noëlle has created a space for people from the equestrian world to connect and learn about their sport.
In 2012, Noëlle created her blog when she was living in Brussels and saw a need to give the community within showjumping a place to connect — not simply to report on the news and latest stats of the sport, but also to provide a place for frank, open conversation about how riders had found success in the industry. What began as a simple editorial blog has now become an empire — the Noëlle Floyd universe now includes a digital platform, subscription box program, print magazine, e-commerce business and online masterclasses, where athletes can learn riding tips from industry legends like Ian Millar and Anne Kursinski.
Noëlle is a babe because of her vision for creating a community within her sport, her unrelentingly entrepreneurial spirit and of course, her love of the world’s most majestic animals: horses.
What motivates you when you get up each morning?
In my community, I am continually motivated by all the possibilities for progression. Showjumping and equestrian sports are steeped in tradition, but also have so much room for innovation. I want to create a space for every equestrian to connect and have a real community that feels modern, accessible and transparent.
Are you a work-by-yourself kind of person, or a person who loves working while they’re surrounded by people?
I have worked remotely the majority of my adult life, so I’m used to both —at events or at our company office in Vancouver, I’m typically working with lots of different people, whereas when I’m at my home office I’m usually working solo. I like the collaboration that comes with teamwork, and I also enjoy being productive alone.
When you were a kid, was there an artist, movie or album that had a profound effect on you?
Indiana Jones. I always wanted to be him when I was young; his character inspired a sense of adventure in me and gave me a thirst to see the world. An album that really inspired me growing up was The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill — I learned about the complication of human emotion from that album.
Who are your mentors, and what have they taught you?
My father has mentored me for my entire life. He saw at a young age that I had the entrepreneurial gene and helped to develop my skills as I grew up. I always had to approach him with sound reasoning and a plan — it developed my ability to deliver a sound and well-considered sales pitch. He also has shared a ton of philosophical advice with me, and it’s proved invaluable throughout my career so far.
What is your karaoke song?
Jolene by Dolly Parton.
What is the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
I think the most daring thing I’ve ever done is choosing to attend university in New Zealand when I’d never been there before. I was 20, and I accepted a position at a business school 12,000 kilometres from my home; this decision has shaped me for the rest of my life and taught me to trust my gut and to always prioritize adventure.
What are five things you always keep in your purse?
An external battery charger for my phone; a ton of sharpies and notepads; a huge water bottle; my AirPods; and Bang & Olufsen headphones for when I’m flying.
Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?
Adele Exarchaopoulos. I think she is a powerful, fascinating actress.
What would you consider your “superpower”, aka the thing you can do better than anyone else?
I can connect with people really well authentically — I don’t lose sight of myself.
I’m also pretty self-aware. I feel like successful entrepreneurs are great at knowing what their strengths are, but also knowing what they’re not good at — and then recruiting and filling the holes where they need support.
Besides being such incredible creatures and athletes, what is it that you love about horses?
Horses are a neutralizer. They don’t care if you have a university degree, or a prominent scar, or your political affiliations, or how much money you have — they judge you by the connection you make and the energy you bring. It is why they make such an impact on our lives.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t get greedy, because it alters your ability to make concise, clear decisions. Also, don’t lie or bullshit — it will always catch up with you in the long run, and being honest allows you to just be yourself. Lastly, be authentic to who you are so that you can do both of those previous things well.
Who is your current celebrity crush?
Richard Madden from the Bodyguard. He’s gorgeous.
If you could see any live music act in the world right now, who would it be and at what venue?
I’d really like to see Adele at a small, intimate venue in London. She is self-deprecating and genuine, yet insanely gifted and talented; it’s such a rare, great combination of attributes.
What is your most-trusted news source? Do you seek out the news?
I don’t seek out the news — I let the news find me. That being said, I also know it’s my responsibility to keep myself educated and informed. My family takes it upon themselves to discuss a lot of current events — the Floyd family discusses everything around the dinner table. I also really like podcasts and documentaries. I recommend the podcast “How I Built This“, and “The Skimm” for a news source.
What do you think prepared you more for “adulting”: school or life experience?
Life experience, hands down. Specifically, one thing that has molded me is life with horses. When you train and take care of horses, you have to think about something other than yourself, and it requires empathy, time management, directness and fairness. I feel like horses also teach you sacrifice —you leave the barn when the job is done, not when it’s dark out or when your friends are going for dinner.
What person or organization would you love to collaborate with and why?
There are so many people I am inspired by and would love to collaborate with — it’s impossible for me to list one person. There are so many talented people and brands out there! I love what Outdoor Voices is up to — their message is awesome and their products are really excellent. Stance Socks made socks cool again, and I really like their brand ethos and what they’re up to. Jennifer Hyman from Rent The Runway is a really badass businesswoman, as is Emily Weiss from Glossier — they both have some really interesting things to say. More locally (in Vancouver), Delaney, Deanne and Ange have created something really innovative at TurF — if you like a hard workout and have never tried “The Class“, I highly recommend it.
Describe the perfect night out in your city.
I’m actually not much of a night person at all — I’m a daytime activity person, which is perfect because I live in Whistler, BC, which isn’t so much a city as a small mountain town!
In the winter, my ideal day includes ski touring with friends and then going for a killer aprés session — then heading home to stretch, have a hot tub and be in bed by 8:00 pm. I told you I was a day person! Ha.
In the summer, my ideal day entails trail riding with my buddies, watching the sunset over the lake with my dogs and then hosting some friends for a barbecue back at my place.
What motivates you on a Monday morning?
I’ve actually always loved Mondays – early mornings are my jam, and I always look forward to the week starting. I think it’s because the whole week is ahead of you, and you don’t know what you’re going to learn along the way. That being said, I’ve never been a traditional Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 structure person; as an entrepreneur, I don’t work specific hours, but instead work when I need to (which when you have a startup, is all the time). I tend to think of things in years and quarters, and always try to maintain a strategic mindset.
When do you feel your best?
When I’m outside in the morning I always feel fantastic, be it if I’m skiing, biking, riding horses or walking dogs. To be honest, I feel my very best when I’m with animals — I always feel fantastic when I walk my dogs at 6:00 am while listening to classical music. I completely zen out.
In a professional setting, have you ever lost your sh*t?
Not very often. I don’t really believe in losing my temper in the workspace, it’s not usually productive, or the right way to handle things. I’m also very cognizant of the fact that my name is my business, and I always want to handle things as best as I can.
Keep up with Noëlle Floyd on Instagram at @noellefloyd and @iamnoellefloyd.
Introduction written by Alexis Sheridan.
Photography by Brit Gill and Ryan Pugsley.