Building a business from the ground up with Scoot Boot
Last updated: 17 February 2025
Scaling a business globally comes with financial hurdles. Discover how Scoot Boot overcame currency challenges and expanded to 110+ countries with the help of the right payment solutions and strategic support.
It started with an Australian farrier and a big idea to create therapeutic boots that let horses move freely and naturally. In 2015, Dave MacDonald was driven by a passion for horse welfare to co-found Scoot Boot, alongside Annette Katinis, an avid rider and commercial barrister.
Scoot Boots are removable hoof boots that are easy to put on and take off, and can be used on all manner of terrain, from trail and mud to snow and wet conditions.
According to Dave, the product’s unique feature allows the horse to be unshod once the horse rider has finished riding, “and then the foot is allowed to remain in its natural state, which is obviously the healthiest state.”
Annette says, “We domesticate [horses], we confine them and the very least we can do is take care of their feet.”
From the start, Dave was confident in the product’s appeal. ‘“We knew when we launched that our product was going to be popular worldwide. So basically, from day one, we had an international market.”
Scaling globally, however, brought new challenges – particularly when it came to managing international payments and navigating different currencies. Scoot Boot needed a financial partner that could keep up with their expansion.
Since launching, the award-winning brand has become the global leader in boots for barefoot horses, now sold in over 110 countries from Europe to North America and beyond.
A stable path to international growth
Launching globally, it was important for Scoot Boots to have a payments partner that understood their business needs. Having a dedicated account manager meant they could receive personalised support as the business expanded into new markets.
“We’re growing and we need that account manager to be intimate with our operations. In particular, our financial operations of the business,” says Annette. “WorldFirst is easy for us. It was fast, we had a dedicated account manager. We had transparency and we had favourable exchange rates.”
Streamlining their international payments and sales through the multi-currency World Account brought clarity and efficiency to their global operations. The platform removed the complexities of managing multiple accounts and currencies, allowing them to launch quickly in new markets and scale their business.
With WorldFirst, Scoot Boot can monitor their financial transactions globally in real time. “It just allows us to have 100% visibility with what we’re doing with our currencies.
“WorldFirst has helped us, first of all in relation to safety and security. We feel like our funds sitting in the account are safe. We can see the transactions coming in and out.”
The clear fees and competitive exchange rates, too, helped them maintain better control over their costs and protect their profit margins.
For a fast-growing global brand, knowing exactly where and how much money is moving is essential. WorldFirst’s platform gave Scoot Boot the transparency and flexibility they needed to seize new opportunities with confidence.
- Open 15+ local currency accounts and get paid like a local
- Pay suppliers, partners and staff worldwide in 100+ currencies
- Collect payments for free from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, Etsy, PayPal and Shopify
- Take control of spending with the World Card, a business expense card that saves you more with 1% cashback. Learn more
- Save with competitive exchange rates on currency conversions and transfers
- Lock in exchange rates for up to 24 months for cash flow certainty
Taking the reins on global growth
Scoot Boot’s journey from a simple idea to a global product exemplifies the impact of passion and purpose-driven innovation. “Now it’s gone from an idea to an international product,” says Dave.
By partnering with WorldFirst, Scoot Boot was able to streamline their financial operations and unlock new opportunities for growth. With their focus on improving horse welfare, Scoot Boot continues to set new standards in the equestrian industry while dominating on the international stage.
The World Account for global brands
Expanding globally means managing payments across multiple currencies and with multiple suppliers—all while keeping cash flow in check. The World Account from WorldFirst simplifies international transactions, so you can focus on growing your business without the financial friction.
Here’s why global businesses choose the World Account:
- One account, multiple currencies: Hold and manage funds in 20+ currencies so you can get paid by customers around the world with just one account
- Fast, cost-effective payments: Pay suppliers in 90+ currencies with clear, competitive exchange rates
- Full financial visibility: View and manage international transactions in real time to help with cash flow management
- Dedicated support: Get in touch via phone, email or live chat for personalised support as your business scales
- No account opening or monthly fees: Open an account online for free, in minutes and pay no ongoing fees; it’s also free to receive payments
Ready to simplify your global finances? Open a World Account for free today.
Disclaimer: The information contained is general only and largely our views. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information.
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