UW’s Wyoming SBDC Network Helps Clark Launch Her ‘Goat Ladies’ Business

For Jennifer Clark, entrepreneurship grew from a deeply personal mission. As a combat veteran and mother to an autistic daughter, Clark experienced firsthand the transformative power of animal-assisted ecotherapy.

This profound personal healing inspired her to found J&J Second Chance Smallholdings, a nonprofit animal rescue and sanctuary based in Rock River. Two years later, to expand her community impact and help sustain her mission, she launched the for-profit side of her venture, dubbed The Goat Ladies. And the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network at the University of Wyoming played a key role.

While many mistake the business for a standard petting zoo, Clark’s operations are focused entirely on community wellness and mental health support. The Goat Ladies offer unique services ranging from birthday parties, weddings and baby showers/baby gender reveal parties to indoor therapeutic gatherings. Beyond these events, the versatile animal crew also assists the community through local mowing and fire mitigation services.

“By using animals for therapy, we help people by using one fluffy at a time,” Clark says. “It is really hard to do something permanent (negative to oneself) when an animal comes up to you and feels comfortable and loves you.”

Navigating the Business Landscape with the SBDC

Transitioning from a passionate caretaker to a business owner presented a steep learning curve. To bridge the gap, Clark turned to the SBDC Network for assistance. Her SBDC adviser, Jeff Engell, provided mentorship and suggestions, including an intensive eight-week business planning workshop where Jennifer mapped out her strategic goals.

“Jennifer is a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word. Her resiliency and ability to pivot and experiment with new ideas should serve as an example to any small-business owner,” says Engell, regional director for Albany and Carbon counties. “Working with her on strategic planning and thinking of how to expand and build capacity within the business have her positioned for growth and job creation in the near future.”

The Wyoming SBDC Network also played a role in helping Clark structure her for-profit expansion, connecting her with grant opportunities and resources to navigate regulations. The Wyoming SBDC Network introduced Jennifer to Cyber Wyoming, enabling her to implement critical cybersecurity policies and procedures.

“The SBDC has been my favorite,” Clark says. “They’ve helped me the most with connecting with new people.”

A Bright and Self-Sufficient Future

Today, The Goat Ladies are a popular attraction across Wyoming. This summer alone, Clark and her animal ambassadors are scheduled for 100 events across 150 days. The business also has successfully expanded into custom merchandise and children’s books written by Clark, featuring real rescue animals like Magic Panda and Isabella.

Looking ahead, Clark aims to achieve complete self-sufficiency within the next five years. Backed by a recent Department of Workforce Services grant to hire new staff, she plans to secure government contracts for national forest fire mitigation, ensuring her life-saving mission continues to grow.

To view a video about the company’s operations, go to www.wyomingsbdc.org/success-stories/the-goat-ladies/.

To learn more about The Goat Ladies or to book an event, go to the website at www.thegoatladies.com, call Clark at (307) 772-1220 or email thegoatladies307@gmail.com.