We were lucky to catch up with Marlon Shepperd recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marlon, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

It all started when I was a young boy, I was always interested in the duties of police officers and military service members. I knew I wanted to help people in need and protect those who could not defend themselves. Growing up my parents were not into firearms, and the only gun in the house was my late grandfather’s hunting rifle. After my parents’ divorce my mother eventually got rid of it because she had a strong stance against guns, and we could not own toy guns unless they were water guns with unrealistic features. I was always fascinated by the aspect of them being tools for protection, and not an “evil object”. As a teenager I knew guys my age and older were carrying guns and living the street life, but I knew that this was not the life for me or the way I wanted to learn about firearms. My mother would say, “You live by the gun, you die by gun” and I seen that this was happening in my community to frequently. At the age of 21 I went to a gun store and spoke with the staff about how to purchase a firearm, and I explained that I did not have a lot of money or knowledge on guns. They sold me the cheapest firearm they had and gave me a little bit of advice being a new gun owner. Professionally as I look back at that transaction, I would have given younger Marlon more advice on new ownership, the law, firearms training, and instructed him to purchase a more reliable firearm. Big name corporations focus on the legal sale but is up to each gun owner to seek quality professional training. After my purchase I began to go to the range, but I did not get professionally training because the courses were so expensive and there was a huge disconnect with the Second Amendment community and the African American community in the St. Louis area. Three years after my first handgun purchase, I began to research on firearms and how they functioned, and I wanted to become a firearms Instructor. I purchased an AR15 and began to learn from more experienced shooters on the proper care of firearms, maintenance, utilization, and training. At the age of 28 I enlisted in the military as a USAF Security Forces military police officer and this furthered interest in being a protector, expanding my knowledge of tactical training, and assist me in being a trained armed professional. In 2016 I had the opportunity to become a US Air Force Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) instructor. This a division of military firearms instructors within the Security Forces career field, and we instruct military personnel on all the small arms in USAF arsenal as well as maintaining those firearms. During the Combat Arms Apprenticeship Course, the training motivated me to succeed, gave me knowledge to be successful, and the training to be efficient. There were times when I thought that I would fail a test or a shooting qualification, but my resiliency kept me in the fight, and I had to pull everything in me to become a great student.
Once I completed the course, I knew I had different purpose. I wanted to give other people quality firearm instruction, but first I had to perfect my craft. I began to read more information about marksmanship shooting, shooting under stress, and personal protection. I also spent more hour’s training and being coached so that I can become a better instructor. In 2017 I was with a friend talking about my plans and we decided on the name “Elite Technicians”, because I want my students to become highly skilled and confident in the technical application of personal protection. With the disconnect with the Second Amendment community I knew that African Americans in St. Louis would feel more comfortable learning to protect themselves and their families from someone they could relate too during the social and economic changes our city was facing at the time. A good friend of mine was already in the trenches doing great work as a concealed carry firearms instructor, and I wanted to do my part and spread my knowledge so that more people could get quality firearms instruction and exercise their Second Amendment rights safely.
Shortly after my decision to become a civilian firearms instructor I got deployed to the middle east and this halted my plans, but it gave me the opportunity to dive deeper into my craft while serving our country. I worked with highly skilled CATM instructors that gave me tools for success, and I used the knowledge to better myself and my teammates. Once I rotated back to the US, I had to get centered and focused on my goals so attended “Train and Learn” presented by Kevin Dixie of No Other Choice Firearms Instruction. This is where I learned about marketing, sponsorship, social media presence, and attended a firearms instructor workshop. This gave me access to industry leaders and professionals to learn from and it helped me build strong bonds with likeminded people. After this event I began to offer private lessons and I noticed that most of my clients were African American women looking for quality and professional instruction in a wholesome ambiance. I want all my students to be comfortable because this increase their ability to become proficient and safe. I heard of and witnessed too many “firearms instructors” giving out false information, teaching poor tactics, and being unprofessional so I decided to be help change the narrative of black gun ownership and professionalism. I want women to feel empowered and be comfortable while learning in a safe environment, because I am a father to a teenage girl, and I want to be an example of a positive male figure that is a protector and not just a provider. My goal is to show our community and the young generation that not every Black man with a gun is a thug, and there are armed professionals that look just like them that live in their neighborhood. It is up to us to display a warrior class of Black males in our society and show them how to be law-abiding citizens as well as responsible gun owners.
Every time I step foot on the range to teach, I get excited. I love to open the minds of others and help them think outside of the box. I love to see their minds working to solve problems and push through mental barriers that bring forth changes in their performance and beliefs. Experiencing the unity that comes from the energy of people doing dangerous things safely can bring up different emotions and experiences that have brought us together, and this binds us like family as we work through these difficulties. These lessons teach resiliency and team cohesion which are fundamental principles I learned from the military. Experiencing growth and fulfillment is what every student should take away with them when they leave the range. This is the reason I love being a firearms instructor, and this what Elite Technicians stands for.

Marlon, 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?

I got into the firearms industry after I became a military firearms instructor, and I wanted to safely help people become proficient at shooting. The biggest problem I solve for my clients is helping them build confidence by breaking down mental and emotional barriers created by past trauma and ideologies that prevent them from safely handling firearms. When a person is faced with the harsh reality that they are responsible for their own safety and security, and not a first responder, it can cause cognitive dissonance challenging what they have been led to believe. I offer firearms training tailored to each individual skill level, and I create an experience where they can be open and free to ask questions and safely explore the world of self-defense. I understand that people learn in a variety of ways and students do not want to feel intimidated by their instructor while on the range. I like to demonstrate everything for them then help them understand the practical application of the lesson so that they can apply it to their everyday life. We also discuss the laws pertaining to firearms, the Use of Force Spectrum, conflict meditation, mental health, self-accountability, and situational awareness. The over all result is to create gun owners that understand the totality of circumstances that involve using a firearm which will help them think before they shoot.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the toughest times on my journey was completing the Combat Arms Apprenticeship Course. There were many times I had to get out of my own way and rely on my skills and trust myself. I usually get test anxiety and mix that with a firearms qualification with stipulations of if you fail you get sent home adds extra pressure. I remember getting to the range one morning and breaking my glasses and this instantly having a feeling of defeat. I knew I had to really pull it together and focus on my target up close so I could get the maxim number of points available, but first I had to shake off my anxiety and collect myself. I had to clear my mind and focus on my instincts and rely on my training. I knew when the sights were aligned, my fundamentals felt correct, then I must let it flow naturally. The further the target the more nervous I got, but I trusted myself. I was on pins and needles when the cadre scored the targets, and when they walked back to the firing line, I could feel my heart drop to my feet. As they read the results in order of the lanes, and I was second to last on the list and my emotions intensified with each name they called out that failed the qualification. I heard, “Shepperd, passed!” and it sent me into hyper emotional state of happiness. I was elated because it was the second pistol qualification of the day and I had failed the first time by not believing in myself.

Any advice for managing a team?

There are multiple factors that go into team building and maintaining high morale. When selecting team members not only do you have to higher the most qualified people, but you also must find out who is the most coachable. We all must remain students regardless of our roles in the organization, because we can learn from each other, and we must be open to professional development. As a unit we must buy into the mission. When our teammates or subordinates buy in to the mission, and they can see the complete vision and focus on completing each task at hand for the overall success of the team. As a leader our presence and endurance are important in the overall moral of the team. We must be present to oversee the day-to-day operations are being complete but must also be present to endure the hardships with the team and lead from the front. “We grind together we shine together” is a phrase that has a lot of meaning beside being catchy. We must get our hands dirty with the people we are leading so that can see that we are the same and, in the fight, together. We must endure the pain with the team, accept our role if anything fails, build the team back up, and praise everyone for their hard work and contributions to the success of them team.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elitetechnicians/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EliteTechniciansLLC/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCzXqhv2kGeBIymRr4Su8jHw

Image Credits
Jared of @PrimalDefense Devin of @TrenchWorkChronicles Antwine of the Solutionary Center @solutytionarylifestyle Shawn of the @Zulu_shooters_club