Wealthyist E47: Less Crying, More Thriving: Jake Biernbaum on Horses, Humans, and Smart Business

Guest: Jake Biernbaum, renowned horse trainer and founder of Pear Tree Ranch in Ocala, Florida. Known for his large YouTube following and expertise in natural horsemanship.Key Points from the Episode:Origin and Growth of Pear Tree RanchFounded in 2011 when Jake went independent after working with Parelli Natural Horsemanship. Started with almost nothing — living on ramen and PB&J, no truck or trailer. Grown into an international operation: clients fly in from Europe, South Africa, and across the US; offers in-person training, lessons, clinics, camps, and online video content (YouTube & Patreon). Now a family business run primarily by Jake and his wife Stephanie (also a skilled trainer); their 8-year-old son Johnny helps occasionally but isn’t pushed into the horse world.Training PhilosophyFocuses on developing both horses and humans, emphasizing that horses are “honest” while humans often complicate things. Starts with the horse first to establish clear, reliable behavior, then teaches the owner to match that level. Goal: Make clients independent (“I want you to not need me anymore”) while offering ongoing education for those who want it. Motto: “Less crying and less dying” — safer, happier horses and riders.Jake’s BackgroundNot a lifelong horse person — got into horses in his 20s after wilderness survival training (Tom Brown Jr.’s school), various odd jobs (bouncer, carpenter, daycare, etc.), and discovering Parelli Natural Horsemanship. Spent years working for Parelli (from ranch hand to touring arena manager and instructor) before going fully independent in 2017.Business Strategy & GrowthLocated in Ocala, “Horse Capital of the World,” for the density of horses, warm climate, and lifestyle (palm trees, beaches). Deliberately keeps the business small and family-run to avoid over-expansion risks; learned from past experiences with employees/interns leaving suddenly. Diversifies income through scalable online content (YouTube, Patreon) — “making money while sleeping” — rather than just trading hours for dollars. Offers various formats: private lessons, workshops, multi-day clinics/camps, and horse training programs.Clients & Wealth ObservationsWide range: backyard hobbyists to Olympic-level competitors; some barely afford lessons, others spend hundreds of thousands on imported horses. Notes that true success with horses requires consistent work and discipline — money helps (better horses, more lessons), but doesn’t replace effort. Many wealthy clients are driven and hands-on because they built their own success the same way.Work-Life Balance & Future PlansHorses were once 24/7; now prioritizes family time, beach trips, and off-roading/camping in his customized Jeep to avoid burnout. Future: Expand reach through online education and brand exposure (e.g., coaching competitors for “Road to the Horse” colt-starting championship). Long-term legacy: Build the physical ranch into an asset that can be leased or handed to a dedicated successor; no pressure on son to take over.Closing Wisdom: Five Stages Toward MasteryAwareness → Understanding → Doing → Reproducing (consistent results) → Teaching Follow Jake & Pear Tree at https://www.patreon.com/peartreeranch  & https://www.youtube.com/@peartreeranch