We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Edwin Rivera a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Edwin, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I started my business in August of 2021, and officially opened for business in January of 2022 after I finally received my Federal Firearms license. If I could go back into time, I would not change a thing about when it started my business, because my employment prior to set me up to be the successful business owner that I am today.

I first entered the firearm industry 17 years ago at the lowest level of being a gun salesman behind the counter at a local army navy store. After setting myself apart from others in the industry, I was put in charge of gun sales and assisted in growing the business and volume of customers at the store so that my store was able to compete with some of our top firearm competitors in Central Florida.

I continued working in this position for about 6 years before realizing that a hit a ceiling and needed to continue to grow further. At this point, I sought out employment at a local gun range . There, I was able to become an NRA-certified firearm instructor along with acquiring more knowledge about the firearm industry and modifying weapons in compliance with federal regulations. Again, I became the top gun salesman because of my knowledge of the industry.

I eventually worked my way up to a manager. After hitting another ceiling around the same time I met my wife, Starcee Rivera. In pursuing a better opportunity in her legal career, we decided to relocate to the small town in Manatee county where I was able to start my own business in the industry, Practical Protection, LLC. With Practical Protection, I taught concealed weapons courses and firearm instruction at gun ranges in Sarasota and Manatee County.

II then moved back to Orlando after the pandemic and continued to excel at my business. I started to rethink how I could drive business into my classes and started partnering with local pawnshops to sell concealed weapons courses. I also partnered with the Orange and Seminole County Court system to teach court-ordered firearm safety classes.

Through my partnerships, I noticed there was a need and high demand: the customization of firearms by Cerakote Applicators. At that point, I decided to open Smokin Gunz Customs, LLC.

With this business, I decided to customize firearms that would make my clients feel proud of the guns that they had. I started out by purchasing equipment to place in my garage to learn the process. After a few test runs, I decided to get my federal firearms license and rent a space with a small retail area in order to sell new firearms and with a garage that i could use to customize old and new firearms.

Customizing firearms, teaching the importance of firearm safety and teaching concealed weapons classes is what I focus on today!

Edwin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

At Smokin Gunz Customs, LLC, we sell firearms and we also customize firearms with a ceramic coating that is called Cerakote. It is a coating-like paint that is used to refinish and protect the underlying material of firearms. We offer full custom Cerakote, pattern Cerakote, and solid Cerakote.

We specialize in providing professional and creative projects from restorations to one-of-a-kind, unique finishes that will keep firearms protected for the foreseeable future. Smokin Gunz Customs is different from other companies because most companies require that their customers disassemble their firearms before having them serviced by their company.

This is usually because of the lack of experience of working with firearms and other companies only have experience with painting firearms as opposed to knowledge about different firearms and regulations. Because all customers are not experienced in the handling of firearms and gunsmithing, or modification Smokin Gunz looks out for these individuals who would not otherwise be able to have their firearms customized. Once we learn of a customers inexperience, we then ensure that they are aware that we provide services to make them competent in the safe handling of firearms.

Smokin Gunz Customs also listens to its customers and customize based on what the customer wants instead of providing the same easily done patterns to each customer. We provide one location where everything can be done!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn being complacent with working for someone else in order to have financial stability. As a child and young adult, I repeatedly noticed that business owners were living a leisurely lifestyle that I felt like I could never enjoy while working a regular job and for them. I felt like, if them, than why not me? why should I work excessive hours for minimum wage, while they are out enjoying themselves? By being an employee, I learned that I wanted to become an employer and treat my employees the way I wanted to be treated. In doing this, I would have to unlearn all I had been taught

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients has been attending trade shows. By visiting different cities and putting examples of my products on display, I was able to gain the attention of new clients who had never thought about customizing their firearms from all over the State of Florida.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.smokingunzcustoms.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokingunzcustomsllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmokinGunzCustomsLLC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh87BKpLkkaOMn2iVwXAK-w
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/smokin-gunz-customs-winter-springs