News from Blue Moon Ranch

1. Define your success
We might automatically think of success in terms of $$,

but if you think a little harder, maybe what you want is to be your own boss, to be able to take a vacation when you want to (after you find a ranch sitter) or to work outside every day or to be in charge of your own destiny. Perhaps you want to raise your children in a farm environment that teaches them naturally about birth, death and responsibilities. Money does not always equal happiness, there are many people who have lots of money and are very unhappy.

2. Believe in your self
Now using your terms for success, can you see yourself as a successful alpaca breeder? If not, better work on getting that picture in your head! Details of this picture are good too! For years we raised our herd on dry lot, but in my head I pictured them grazing on grassy pastures. So when the opportunity came to move the farm to grass pastures, with a stream and trees, we did it! I could see people from the city coming to visit us just because of the beautiful environment.... And you know what? They do!
If you talk with friends or family who are discouraging you, you sort of need to tune them out. Don't let them change the picture of your success that you hold in your mind.
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3. Set realistic goals, identify obstacles and know how you will overcome them.
"I want to make lots of money" isn't specific enough and it's more of a wish than a goal. I want to sell 3 of my fiber boys before the end of the year is more specific. What about the obstacles? Well, they need to be easy to handle. So get out there and train them! And I need to get them noticed. Maybe try a specific pen sale at Alpaca Farm days? Try the county fair or create your own event at your farm? And I need to price them right for today's market. Follow the same line of thinking with females or herdsires - You'll be amazed what you can do!

4. Remember to have fun.
Enjoying the process is actually part of our mission statement. If you need a break, take a break. Trade

ranch sitting with another breeder and take a mini-vacation. Sing to yourself and your alpacas while you work. It makes me laugh just to watch them listen to me! Enjoy the life! Why would anyone want to buy in to your life style if you look miserable or desperate to make a sale?

5. Be yourself.
You can learn from other successful breeders you see, but what can make you stand out from the crowd is YOU. People are more comfortable doing business with genuine people. What makes you different from the other breeders? When I look at Alpacanation or Alpaca Street as a buyer, everyone starts to look the same. Egad! I think of those sites more like a phone book, or directory, but then I want to find out what makes you different - I hope you have a personal web site to direct me to and tell me why I should do business with you. Finding the animals I want is not so hard, but it will be the person I deal with that makes my decision.