We recently connected with Jay Harris and have shared our conversation below.

Jay , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Champion Defense was founded by active-duty veterans Jay and Phylicia Harris. With over thirty years of Military service and firearm training experience, our goal is to provide the best firearm training and knowledge available to our students. Our NRA Certified Instructors are trained in multiple firearm disciplines to reach the needs of every student.

At Champion Defense, we’re committed to providing the highest quality education focused on leadership, safety, innovation and advanced skills. Our programs are flexible, and our instructors are the best in their field. So, if you’re in need of improving your firearm skills or wanting to obtain your South Carolina Concealed weapons permit. look no further get in touch with us today and become a part of the Champion Defense Family.

Jay , 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?

Hello. My name is Jay Harris III. I am a retired US Army Infantry Captain. I served for 25 years in the U.S. Army.
My qualifications include U.S. Army Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Firearms Instructor, and Drill Instructor, Level 3 Army Mix Martial Arts, Anti-terrorism Officer, weapons armor, and Combat life saver (EFR).
My decorations include the U.S. Army Bronze Star Medal with V device for Honor and Bravery during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan, three Meritorious Service Medal, five Good Conduct Medals, seven Army Accommodation Medals, seven Army Achievement Medals, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal with Arrow device.
My deployments include seven combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan and others across the world. I am married to Phylicia T Harris, we have five beautiful children Jasmin, James, Trevion, Kamari & Jordan.
In November 2020 I retired from Ft. Jackson SC where I served as a Company Commander for Charlie Company 2nd Battalion 13th Infantry. Prior to my retirement, I began to get my civilian certifications as an NRA Firearms Instructor and a South Carolina Concealed Carry Instructor as well as my Federal Firearms License and Special Tax Stamp. I knew once I retired, I wanted to start my own business in the firearm industry. My father started me shooting when I was six years old, and I have loved shooting ever since. I wanted to start a Firearms Training and Sales company so I can continue to protect and serve my community by providing them with the tools and knowledge to better prepare them to protect themselves and their families.
My wife and I decided to start Champion Defense LLC in January 2020. I started conducting my firearms class at Panteao Sportsman’s Club in Swansea SC. After a year of setting up my classroom under a tent and using picnic tables for my students to sit at during class, I wanted to open our own facility that had a fully operation classroom and a showroom for us to sale firearms and accessories. In November 2020 my wife, my good friend Sidi London and I begin building up our storefront and classroom located in West Columbia. After three months of building our store, we opened in February 2021. We currently have seven firearm instructors that work for our company who are all either active duty or retired Army veterans to include my wife SFC Phylicia T. Harris who just recently retired from active duty. Our company has been in full operation for five years.
Our services include the SC Concealed Weapons Course, Basic Pistol Course, Youth Intro to Firearms Course, Female Shooting Clinic, Long Range Shooting Course, Combat Pistol and Rifle Course, and a Defensive Handgun Course. In the last five years we have taught over fifteen hundred students in South Carolina. We also sell a wide range of products including pistols, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, and accessories. We have seven major distributors, and we are currently direct dealers for twelve different manufacturers, which gives us the ability to sell over forty-five thousand products in our store or website to our members and customers. In November of 2022, we expanded our business by purchasing a 76-acre outdoor shooting range. My wife and our partners Ron and Lisa Turkett purchased Panteo Sportsman’s Club, which is now known as Champion Defense Shooting Complex and Sportsman’s Club. The purchase of the range brought our company full circle in the services we wanted to offer our community. With the purchase of the shooting range, we can now provide our students and clients with state-of-the-art firearm instruction, products, and a safe environment to use and train with their firearms. Our sportsman’s Club has tripled in members since our purchase to an impressive one thousand members. Champion Defense Shooting Complex and Sportsman’s Club is open to the public six days a week. Our hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm. We offer day passes, weekly passes, and annual memberships.

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

After my retirement from the US Army in 2020, I started my firearm training and sales business. My goal for my business was to open a storefront, with a classroom, so that I could offer my students education, and the products needed for their training. My five-year plan for the business was to open a store then purchase land to open a shooting range to conduct my classes. I began teaching the shooting portion of my classes at a local outdoor shooting range. After two years of having my store, and teaching at the local range, I was able to purchase the same range I began teaching on. I reached my goal after two short years of starting my business. Since the purchase of the range, I have tripled the membership to one thousand members. I now have my retail store, classroom, and shooting range all in one location where I can service my community.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The biggest thing that I feel help in our reputation is great customer service and professionalism. Our standards set us apart from our competitors. Our ability to provide a safe friendly environment for our customers is key to our success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.championdefensellc.com
• Instagram: champion_defense_llc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GGXz8ygnb/
• Youtube: @championdefense811

Image Credits

photo credit: @metrocreativemedia