Danielle McKinnon is a certified TeachingHorse Facilitator specializing in leadership development, with extensive qualifications in equine-facilitated learning, coaching horse riders for competition, and complete horsemanship. Holding a Professional Diploma in Equine Facilitated Learning and Development, along with credentials in team leadership and NLP, Danielle integrates horse-assisted coaching to empower individuals and teams in leadership and personal growth.
Danielle McKinnon is a social entrepreneur, a 2022 Scottish EDGE winner in the Social category, and a Fellow of the School for Entrepreneurs. As the founder of Eat Sleep Ride (ESR), she is driven by the impact of equine behavior on leadership and team development, helping leaders and teams align business needs with the needs of those they support. ESR is a community-led social enterprise on the South East coastline, based on an off-grid 24-acre farm, where Danielle and her team help people thrive through interactive equine, nature, and countryside initiatives, all while staying committed to zero environmental impact and lasting social change.
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ms-danielle-mckinnon/
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
Growing up, I struggled in school due to ADD and often felt out of place. I discovered that I wasn’t who I thought I was, and with my family miles away, I was raised in care, moving through homeless hostels with no education. Horses became my lifeline, the one constant that saved me. Before founding my venture, I lived through a series of difficult jobs, addiction, and abusive environments, always trying to fit in. There was even a time when I turned to survival choices like sex work. But through it all, I found good friends, purpose, and a way forward. It has been a struggle, but every challenge shaped who I am today—and fueled my passion to help others through horses, leadership, and community.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business/initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
What motivated me to start Eat Sleep Ride was the glaring disparity between rich and poor and the realization that nature already has everything we need to thrive. Horses are a legacy, not just in sport or work, but in teaching powerful transferable skills—leadership, resilience, communication, and trust. I wanted to create a space where people feel they belong, where they can learn, grow, and heal. Being my own boss gave me the freedom to release the pressures of society, while my mission became clear: meeting people where they are, empowering young people, and ensuring everyone has a story worth telling.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
To young women entrepreneurs: Don’t give up. We are all people, and there is goodness in us. Change starts with individuals—each of us has the power to bring people together and make a difference. We all have choices, and we are all accountable for the impact we create. Take what you can when opportunities arise, seize every chance to grow, and never underestimate the power of kindness—to others and, most importantly, to yourself. The world needs strong, compassionate leaders, and if you keep going, you can be one of them.
Women are a growing force in workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women in leadership today?
I believe that we are all human first, and that’s where the conversation should start. Equality is not the same as equity—we all have different needs, and true leadership means recognizing and addressing them. Women in leadership today are breaking barriers, but the work isn’t done. We need to speak up, make our needs known, and ensure our voices are heard. Leadership isn’t about fitting into an existing mold—it’s about reshaping the system to be more inclusive, adaptive, and fair for everyone. The future of leadership is not just about women rising—it’s about creating spaces where all people thrive.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
The most important thing I have learned in both my personal and professional journey is to speak my truth, even when it’s hard. You can’t control others, only how you respond to situations. Mistakes are part of growth—they don’t define you, but how you learn and move forward does.
My personal motto:
“Be honest, be brave, and keep going.”
No matter how tough things get, staying true to yourself, learning from challenges, and continuing forward is what truly matters.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as a role model for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
To young women leaders: It’s okay to fail and to feel whatever you’re feeling—growth isn’t always easy. But know this: you have a place in this world, and your voice, ideas, and presence matter. We all have the power to do better, to lift each other up, and to create change. Believe in yourself, even when it’s hard—because you are important, you are capable, and you belong.
