Boss business woman and Olympian Bella Parisi takes on Ipswich equine market

Ipswich equestrian competitor Bella Parisi has made her mark on the sport and now she is determined to shine in the business world — all while inspiring others with a disability.

Special Olympics equestrian competitor and Ipswich entrepreneur Bella Parisi has turned her passion for horses into a business, and is inspiring others with intellectual and physical disabilities to dream big too.

Equestrian special Olympian Bella Parisi.

The fearless 21-year-old’s sights are set on a successful career caring for horses across the region and she recently launched not one but three businesses in the industry: making and selling specialised horse treats, establishing a horse agistment, and cleaning horse rugs.

Ms Parisi said when she started going to markets to sell her products she battled with anxiety however she was now learning how to conquer her fears.

“I got a lot of experience and with my anxiety I now realise crowds aren’t that scary, so if anyone of you out there want to do the marketplace, go do it,” she encouraged.

Equestrian special Olympian Bella Parisi.

The Olympian said she always dreamt of being her own boss because it would allowed her to be her true self.

“I wanted to be my own boss and not have to work for other people, and I guess just be me,” she said.

“I (also) always wanted to start my own business and help out other people.

“I love to look after horses and make sure horses are safe, (so) they don’t get hurt and I want them to be happy in a safe environment.”

Bella’s mum Emma Parisi said they hope to take the agistment business to a new level by installing an arena.

“We’re hoping with the agistment we can, in time, install a proper arena, and then hopefully we could have clinics and Bella could get some further education in being the lead handler, working alongside the coaches that could come for clinics,” she said.

“It would be more of a drawcard for people to agist their horses here, they could use a proper arena, and Bella would then obviously maintain all that as well.”

Bella Parisi selling her horse treats.

Emma said the local arm of the National Disability Insurance Scheme had been a huge support for her daughter’s day to day life, as well as her business plans.

“Bella’s goals are generally being social, being able to work in public and going out into the public because she gets quite anxious out in public,” she said.

“They are also working with her through her horses because they are such a therapy for her,” she said.

“Without them it would be a very different story, it’s not just the fact she wants a business but it’s what keeps her sane.”

With help from NDIS and the Carers Queensland ‘Be Your Own Boss’ program, the up and coming equine business mogul said she’s ready to achieve her goal of being “way successful and (earning) a lot of money”.