Q&A from Milspo Project's Milspo Monday Feature

The Milspo Project is an awesome organization that encourages entrepreneurship among military spouses. For More Info on Milspo Click Here!

I was honored to be featured by this organization for their Milspo Monday Blog Feature so I decided to share the Q&A on my blog as well:

Tell us about your business.

I run the e-commerce website, www.unbrandedAR.com, which specializes in the domestic manufacture and sale of AR-15 parts. While servicing a retail front-end, the website also possesses a robust wholesale back-end, servicing hundreds of small, medium, and large firearms stores and distributors across the country.

Why did you choose entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship contributes to economic growth. I also enjoy the challenge of identifying a need and being able to contribute to niche markets that have not yet been serviced.

Why do military Spouses make great entrepreneurs?

Military spouses are some of the smartest, finest, and most resilient people our country has to offer. Additionally, military spouses have the security of a spouse with an income, health care, eligibility for service programs, and lending options. Entrepreneurs within the military spouse community will identify their advantages and waste no time in turning goals into reality.

What is a “blocker” in your business? What holds you back?

Being in the firearms industry means banks will not lend to you. My husband and I really had to believe in our business plan, forsake a quality of living enjoyed by our peers, and invest EVERYTHING we had toward the business. Running a cash business has slowed our growth, but it also has rewarding benefits, and we’ve never looked back.

How has being a military spouse changed you for the better?

The faith and character of my husband are the things that have made being married to a military man rewarding. The multiple-relocations, finding new friends, and finding ways to succeed in new, unfamiliar environments has pushed my growth significantly.  

What strengths do you possess that you did not know you had until you became an entrepreneur.

Every month I set higher goals than I think are possible. The result has proven to me, month over month, that you REALLY CAN achieve more than you think is possible. I now expect greater results in every aspect of my life. Before, my own goals were my limit.

What would you tell a Milspo entrepreneur who is feeling discouraged? Jim Rohn says you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. I’d encourage them to seek out a network of friends with a positive attitude and similar goals. Milspo is a PERFECT place to meet other like-minded and encouraging entrepreneurs!

What are your five favorite things that you cannot live without as a military spouse entrepreneur? God, my husband, the internet, working out, and ice cream.

What is the most amazing thing you have ever experienced in your business thus far? Each month when I balance my Quickbook accounts, I high five my husband for that NEW feeling of having accomplished another successful month, together.

How do you want to be remembered? I want to do God’s will, be positive, influence my environment accordingly, and raise kids who will do the same.

Journalism Today is Like Twitter

It is articles like the one published yesterday by The Hill, written by Tim Devaney entitled “Gun Owners Not Likely to use Firearms for Self-defense Study Claims,” that make me wonder if we’ve lost sight of what our constitution says about our right to bear arms. It’s not just our right to defend our physical selves, but our right to protect ourselves from the government itself.

Let’s take a look at the constitution:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. As ratified by Thomas Jefferson; “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Don’t get me wrong; I appreciate Devaney's attempt at getting a response from an NRA Spokesperson Jennifer Barker. However, the research and thought concluded from this article are missing.
Is it me or has journalism become more like a twitter feed?

Industry Professionals are Ambassadors

Here is a 3-part Summary (For those not in the firearms industry, replace industry related trade organization when applicable):

1.) Don’t just JOIN; Become an NSSF Ambassador!
2.) Mimic NSSFs "award-winning" marketing, research, and communications teams by incorporating videos and social media to attract the masses!
3.) Educate and promote NSSF efforts and Programs to avoid duplicating efforts.

The main reason I am involved with NSSF is because I believe in the mission; “To promote, protect, and preserve hunting and shooting sports.” The NSSF has been around since 1961 and continues to advocate, lobby, and educate for the preservation of our industry. Don’t just join, give financially as you are able, and get the most out of your membership by becoming an ambassador! Consider the benefits of being an ambassador:
-In today’s age, joining an established trade organization allows you to contribute to your industry on a larger scale.
-The lobbying presence NSSF has been fighting for our rights since 1961. Spend 15 minutes a week reading up on NSFFs updates via newsletter or a simple search online. NSSF provides resources for ways you can contribute to preserving our second amendment rights.
-NSSF serves retailers, ranges, manufactures, distributors, and the sport itself through education and advocacy. KNOW what they are doing on a larger scale so you can tailor your efforts locally.

-Two words- Shot Show! Join your trade’s in-person annual event to become a part of their efforts. Being there, in person, 1.) provides benefit to your personal growth and 2.) allows for YOU influence the organization. (Note: This is particularly important for women in the firearms industry because we are still a minority.)
-The NSSF is great at researching trends in our industry through market analysis and we can use it to grow our business. You can use the reliable data they provide to further educate and serve your clients.
-The education programs provided by NSSF range from the beginner’s First Shots program, continuing education through collegiate programs, and more expert level trainings. Its efforts also support programs run by independent ranges and training businesses. Know what they do and tailor your own trainings to provide complimentary or more advanced /specialized offerings locally. By not duplicating efforts, we can work smarter and provide more value to our industry and our community.

THE CHALLENGE to industry professionals!
1.) Join, if you haven’t already AND encourage others to do the same!
2.) Paying attention to NSSF’s “award-winning” communications team for ideas to incorporate more videos to attract more interest in firearms from the general public. Let’s also use the research they provide to educate the general public on accurate/reliable information about our industry.
3.) Let’s not duplicate efforts! Become educated on the tools and programs offered by NSSF so that we can tailor our trade programs and tools to better serve our communities. Let’s also do this by building the positive reputation of NSSF by encouraging others to become ambassadors as well. The best part about this is we can achieve more when we work together!

For more information on NSSF, please visit www.nssf.org.

Why join NSSF?

The main reason I am involved with NSSF is because I believe in the mission; “To promote, protect, and preserve hunting and shooting sports.” The NSSF has been around since 1961 and continues to advocate, lobby, and educate for the preservation of our industry. For these reasons, I give financially to this phenomenal organization:

-The industry is my trade.
-The lobbying presence NSSF has been fighting for our rights since 1961. The provide updates on our government and inform us on ways to be further involved to preserve our second amendment rights.
-NSSF serves retailers, ranges, manufactures, distributors, and the sport itself through education and advocacy.
-Two words; Shot Show!
-The education programs provided by NSSF range from the beginner’s First Shots program, continuing education through collegiate programs, and more expert level training. Its efforts also support programs run by independent ranges and training businesses.



For more information on NSSF, please visit www.nssf.org.

10K Followers on Instagram!

I joined Facebook in 2004 when you had to have an .edu account from a limited number of colleges/universities. At the time, I saw Facebook as an opportunity post my resume for free. SERIOUSLY! Back then, my resume and a professional headshot were the only things on my page, and I only DREAMED people I didn’t know would go to my page and offer me a job.

Just today, I had 51 facebook requests… ALL from people I’ve never met before. I’ve also been offered a few jobs (and I still welcome these opportunities occasionally)!  

This all started happening when I started sharing images from my business on my Instagram page @RockysGuns. I started a “Guns of America Tour” documenting #2A (Second Amendment) images, with the intention of promoting my firearms company. I just hit 10k followers this month, and have been able to connect with people I never would have met otherwise.

You might be surprised to find that it’s not just guys from the United States that follow. It turns out there is a booming “#igmilitia” (Instagram Militia of gun-loving men AND WOMEN from all over the world!). Amazingly, it’s an industry and right I am passionate about and am thankful to social media for providing an opportunity to contribute.

Personal summary: I guess you could say I am one of those lucky people. The ideas that come into my head do become reality, but it’s more than that. I go to bed each night with the comfort of KNOWING that Jesus is my Savior. Everything else is gravy and everything else doesn’t really matter. Needless to say, the “everything else” part has been a Blessing! If you are reading this, YOU are one of those blessings- thank you!

Always Stay Pointed in the Right Direction

My husband and I just got back from Church this morning, and I found the message to be particularly convicting during the start of BuildorBuyAR’s website launch. I was humbled, yet comforted by the reminder that as humans we may unintentionally place trust or focus on things that are not God.

My prayer, as we embark on this business venture, is that I trust that God’s will be done in our business. Not just in the fine details and tasks that need to be accomplished before the site goes live (which does stress me out TBH), but in the long-term decisions that are made in its success.

@RockysGuns

 

Website Launch Coming Soon!

Since Build or Buy AR-15 (www.buildorbuyar.com) is launching their website on January 15th, I figured it would be a good idea to start a blog with the attempt of telling our story. I never liked writing or reading long blog posts, so I’ll do my best to keep these short and informative.

 

Our Passion

While my husband is truly the brains behind this operation, we have been involved in the firearms industry together for the past three years. Prior to that, we each had our own businesses (His was firearms, mine was not) and a passion for Second Amendment rights… More to follow!
 

A special note to those who follow me on Instagram @rockysguns: I never imagined I would find so many advocates for second amendment rights on Instagram. It especially motivates me when I hear from those of you who are not in a country that grants the same freedom. Thank you for following and inspiring me every day!

Don’t forget to subscribe! AND! We welcome and look forward to your feedback on our website Launch on January 15th! Our success and advocacy depends on it!