“To me, La Luz (The Light of the Community campaign) represents living authentically and letting the light inside of you shine through… I can live in the world as the best version of myself.”
Houston Community Spotlight: Shining a Light on Local Houston Gems
At Amigo Energy, we know that friends don’t let friends pick poor electricity plans, but we also know that friends support each other’s passions! For this entry in our La Luz de la Comunidad series, we are staying close to home to feature someone who keeps our own brand shining bright: Bridget Flanagan.
As our Senior Director of Marketing, Bridget leads the creative charge for our energy brands. But when she isn’t digging into data or launching new partnerships, she’s at the barn. A self-described “horse girl” since birth, Bridget’s journey from rural New Hampshire to the heart of Texas horse culture is a masterclass in finding balance, practicing resilience, and leading with a “quiet” confidence.
Bridging Two Worlds: Marketing & Equestrianism
For those in the Amigo community who haven’t met you yet, can you tell us about your “day job” and how your passion for horses fits into your busy life?
I am the Senior Director of Marketing at Amigo Energy. During the day I get to work with an amazing creative team bringing energy brands to life. I spend my time coming up with new ideas to delight customers, digging into data to find sales opportunities, and ways to expand partnerships. It’s a lot of fun and I get to be both creative and analytical.
I have been a horse girl since I was born; I grew up in a rural town in NH, and my grandparents had a farm next door. Horses have always been my passion. I think having something you are passionate about makes you a more balanced person. It’s easy for life to get really busy, but I find having a hobby helps me stay grounded and forces me to find balance.
How does stepping into the stables help you “unplug” or gain a fresh perspective for your professional work?
For me, horses are like yoga; they force you to reconnect with your body and be present. Life can be stressful and I’ve always found horses to be a way to reconnect with myself and take a breath. Riding also gives me an opportunity to clear my head; it gives me space to come up with new ideas and creative ways to solve problems.
The Foundation: Early Days and Evolution
You currently own several horses—can you introduce us to them?
Scout is our pony. He has a huge personality in a small body. He loves treats and is the first to whinny when he sees someone coming. Eddie is my reining horse; he’s a 5-year-old quarter horse. He’s a big baby and a bit of a worrier. He needs reassurance that he’s doing his job and you’re on his team no matter what happens.
Ashley has big mare personality and lets everyone know what kind of day she’s having. She creates the rules and expects everyone to follow them. Fancy is Ashley’s best friend. She likes to help Ashley enforce the rules. She’s an anxious girlie but a safe ride for anyone.
Arena Lessons for the Boardroom
Equestrian sports require immense discipline. What is a specific lesson learned in the arena that you apply to leadership?
Sometimes things don’t work out the way you planned, and you need to pivot. Whether it’s a show that didn’t go as planned or an injury, things happen and having the ability to change directions is important.
How has working with horses sharpened your ability to “read the room” or understand non-verbal cues?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from years of horsemanship is quiet leadership. Horses and people alike don’t respond to micromanaging, chaos, or fire drills. Leadership is about instilling confidence by respecting one another and listening.
What does it mean to you to work in a city like Houston that embraces its agricultural and rodeo roots so proudly?
I really love that Houston blends international and cowboy cultures. I think excitement around the rodeo is part of what makes Texas, well, Texas. I find the rodeo culture really resonates with me and makes me feel connected to how I grew up. It’s nice to still be connected to horse culture after all these years.
Looking Ahead: Goals and Advice
To the young riders in Houston who want to grow up to be successful in business while keeping their horses, what’s your best “pro-tip”?
I think early in my career there wasn’t the space or money to have horses in my life and that was ok. During those years I took lessons once in a while and just kept one foot in the sport. I think knowing that it’s ok for your hobbies to change over the years and not putting pressure on yourself to be good at everything all the time is an important mindset.
Living Authentically with Amigo Energy
At Amigo Energy, we are inspired by leaders like Bridget who show us that being a professional doesn’t mean leaving your passions behind. Whether you are reining in the arena or managing a household budget, having a dependable foundation is what allows your “Luz” (light) to shine.
Just as Bridget relies on her coach and her barn family, you can rely on Amigo Energy for honest, simple, and transparent electricity. We are proud to power the lifestyles of our Houston neighbors, from the boardroom to the barn.
Are you looking for an energy partner that understands the Texas way of life? Explore our plans and let’s keep Houston shining bright together!