Many small business owners don’t succeed due to a lack of understanding on how to effectively run their operations. Unfortunately, many farriers who are very good in their profession end up being very poor business managers.

There are many ways to increase your understanding of good business strategies in order to avoid burning out and to ensure a happy retirement. Too often, I’ve seen highly qualified farriers retire because they are unhappy with the business or are physically unable to perform the work.

Yet they soon realize they need to find other full or part-time work to meet their financial needs. Because of the demanding physical nature or unhappiness with footcare work, they normally avoid reentering the farrier profession.

This is very unfortunate. With a little time and money, it’s rather easy for farriers to expand their understanding of how business works. By doing so, the result can lead to financial success, comfort and happiness — especially upon retirement.

You don’t have to head off to a fancy business school or spend lots of money to learn about effective business management. In fact, all you really have to do is have a little free time and access to a computer, as there’s a world of business education information available at your fingertips.

Here are 10 recommendations and ideas to help you expand your business management skills that will cost you very little or no money

1. Find a farrier mentor who is business savvy. A number of farriers around…