Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Kibby.
Hi Megan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
This all started back in 2016 when my previous partner begged and pleaded and talked me into getting some pet goats. We were living in downtown Decatur and had a yard covered in ivy, so we started out as just pet owners. Within a year, enough friends were asking to use our goats for their lawns that we thought it might be cool to get a few more and start a little business. We had no idea how much of a “go big or go home” this endeavor would be.
My background was in advertising and design, so I was really only going to be involved with the logo, website and marketing at first, but in an effort to raise funds for start-up costs, I offered a goat yoga class (I had been certified to teach for a few years) — we had NO idea what a demand there would be for goat yoga, and haven’t stopped doing it since.
My previous partner left the business at the start of the pandemic for personal reasons, and in 2021 we brought on Bre Johnson, our current operations manager who has really whipped the business into shape. We currently have 3 rental herds who travel throughout metro Atlanta clearing invasive plant species like English ivy, kudzu and privet. Most of our work is residential, but we also do retention/detention ponds, commercial properties and parks.
We have an additional herd of goats that is made up of rehomed pets, mamma goats and babies – these are our “therapy” goats. They do yoga classes, school events, employee appreciation events, birthday parties, community events, TV appearances and photo shoots, snuggle therapy sessions. I am currently in training for trauma informed coaching so that we can add an additional level of therapeutic application for these guys.
We are in our 6th year of business and it has been a tremendous amount of hard work, growth, loss, and learning curves, but we’re pretty proud of what we have built. We love helping the environment, as well as helping the Atlanta community connect with these amazing animals.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are no smooth roads in small business ownership or working with animals. It was quite a learning curve just learning to keep them safe, healthy and CONTAINED. They are clever animals, but sometimes not to their own benefit.
Also, because this is a business with living beings as our assets, all of whom have names and a special place in our hearts, it’s really challenging to make financially prudent business decisions. You wouldn’t normally spend $4000 to repair a $250 investment, but when it’s your donkey, and she’s the heart of your herd and the goats’ protector, you do it, whether it makes financial sense or not.
There’s only so much we can charge residential customers and have it be something the average family can afford, but as we’ve increased the care, shelters, etc for our animals, as well as dealing with pretty epic inflation and increased gas prices, sometimes it can be hard to break even. We’re pretty passionate about what we do, and we aren’t in it for the money, but it does feel like making magic happen on a shoestring budget sometimes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Red Wagon Goats of Atlanta?
We are a goat rental business that uses these amazing creatures to help our city untangle from invasive plant species like English ivy, kudzu, privet (and pesky plants like poison ivy.) This helps preserve our native trees and critters, reduces tree fall, helps families reclaim their outdoor spaces, reduces mosquitos, vermin and snakes, and perhaps most importantly, reduces use of toxic chemicals. While we cost more than a bottle of round up, we typically come in under the cost of machinery or labor in the removal of overgrowth.
We are unique because of our goats themselves. They each have names and stories, and our customers love connecting with them. We encourage them to text us photos and questions throughout the goats’ stay so they can learn about them.
Connection is as the heart of what we do. Connecting people back to the outdoors, to animals, to the community. In our goat yoga classes, we go deeper than just a good instagram opportunity. We spend most of the class eye-level with the goats, grounding and doing breath work and fostering connections with the Earth with the goats.
Where there is demand, we go. Which means we bring these goats to community events, birthday parties, photo shoots, TV appearances, snuggle sessions — you name it. If people need goats in Atlanta, we’re typically who they call. As long as the animals won’t be harmed or made uncomfortable, we’re there!
What matters most to you?
Remembering that we are all connected. The business is an extension of my spiritual beliefs and the idea that we — humans, animals, plants, and earth are all connected and that we must be good stewards while we’re here. Seeing a toddler light up at seeing their first goat, or someone who has just experienced loss holds a baby goat, that’s what makes it all worthwhile. Sometimes at the end of a grueling day, we just go out and sit with the goats. They’ll come up and nudge and smile and interact and we remember why we’re doing this.
Pricing:
- Goat Yoga $35-40 per person
- Private parties, typically $400–800
- Most residential land clearing falls in the $600–12oo range
Contact Info:
- Website: redwagongoats.com
- Instagram: @redwagon_goats
- Facebook: facebook.com/redwagongoats
