Small Business Saturday: Showtime Tack, Stitches by Showtime, Scribbles Horse Design

Hannah Borst, Reporter|February 12, 2017

Three years ago, Stephanie Gilchrist, an ADM High School Alumni, took a huge leap of faith and bought her first business, Showtime Tack. Since then bought Stitches by Showtime and Scribbles Horse Designs. When deciding to make these decisions she referenced the movie We Bought A Zoo with the quote “You only have to be brave for three seconds,” and that’s what she did.

Gilchrist has loved horses since she was a little girl. Her businesses are all horse based, and she has found that working alongside an animal she truly loves has given her a job where she does not feel like she is working.

Any placing at a national horse show is a big deal, so Stitches by Showtime makes many jackets for horse show participants. Gilchrist plans to attend AMHR Nationals and Equifest of Kansas, to name only two of many. As Gilchrist has grown the business, she has also grown the amount of products she sells.

Owning her own businesses has taught Gilchrist a lot. “If you’re struggling, keep your ears open and your mouth closed.”

The first business Gilchrist bought is Showtime Tack. This tack business focuses on high-quality show halters and brow bands, conchos, whips, and other sparkly pieces mainly for miniature horses and Shetland ponies. Her second business is an embroidery business, named Stitches by Showtime. This business does embroidery for businesses and travels to horse shows for specific horse show jackets, such as AMHR Nationals and ASPC Congress jackets. Gilchrist most recently bought Scribble Horse Designs, a business focusing on the embroidery of Kathy Iverson’s artwork.

Everyone needs a little (or a lot) of bling! Showtime Tack always has bling available, whether on halters, conchos, or browbands. Customer comments for Showtime Tack include “Wouldn’t shop anywhere else,” and “Winners wear Showtime!”

Gilchrist has made a goal. It is to make someone smile every day. “That’s a better way to make the world go round. I know I’m not changing the world making horse halters,” Gilchrist said. “That’s what my parents taught me and I’m trying to keep that legacy.” She also hopes to give back to the town that gave her so much. This includes taking her dog, Tango, to nursing homes as a therapy dog.

Tango the Therapy Dog has visited the Adel nursing home. Gilchrist recently embroidered a vest for this social Collie.

Another lesson she’s learned: if there’s a bridge you want to burn, don’t. You might need that bridge later on in life.

If you would like to buy or order from Stephanie Gilchrist, visit her Facebook pages Showtime Tack, Stitches by Showtime or Scribbles Horse Designs LLC to find their schedule.