We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sierrah Blade a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sierrah , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Throughout my formative years, I keenly observed the general perception of women’s involvement in this industry, which often suffered from criticism and a lack of serious consideration. I would frequently encounter men’s products being rebranded in pink without genuine consideration for our needs. As a woman with a preference beyond pink, I sought access to well-designed equipment tailored explicitly for my needs. This equipment, at the time, was far and few between. There have been some improvements over the years, but I am hoping to bring some of my own products into the scene very soon.
Upon officially starting my career as an 18-year-old working at a gun range, I quickly realized that despite my knowledge, skills, and teaching abilities, I faced a consistent bias in how I was perceived and addressed. Earning recognition and respect demanded threefold efforts compared to my male peers. While this bias was not from everyone, it was the vast majority. However, I chose not to be disheartened by this harsh learning curve. Instead, at the age of 21, I took the initiative to establish my own firearms training business. My aim was to create a more encouraging environment for learning and personal growth for those who are motivated to listen.
My mission is to provide quality training, empowering anyone to become confident within themselves. I strive to provide an atmosphere where people are taken seriously to learn something they have an interest in. The bulk of my clients have been women with a smaller stature, like me. It has been incredibly inspiring and equally rewarding to know that with my brand I can reach the people who felt just like I have. I feel confident knowing that I can create the space that I would have wanted to grow up with. I feel extremely lucky that women and men alike choose me to trust in teaching them about proper firearm handling. I hope that my love for firearms training shines through in my lessons. I am optimistic that through my guidance many of my students will find the same love that I have for shooting sports and pursue it. Whether they find their drive to be in competition, everyday carry, leisure, or to become knowledgeable enough to train others. My mission is to train people in how to become proficient with firearms according to their goals and encourage them to become better every day that they are on the range.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was not always around firearms. In fact, I grew up overseas and we couldn’t have firearms there. The only time firearms would cross my mind was because of movies, or hearing rabbit hunters in the distance on brisk mornings of rabbit season. We visited Texas when I was 9 years old, where my father brought out a little Cricket .22 rifle from storage to show my sisters and I the basics of firearm handling skills. I found firearms fascinating, but never really thought about them much after we went back home overseas. Then, at 13 my life flipped upside down and I was told we were moving back to the states. At the time, I was upset. In hindsight, however, it was the best thing that could have happened to me.
The Thanksgiving after moving to Texas, my father took me hunting. I didn’t do any hunting, but he wanted me to tag along and see how I reacted. I was intrigued, so I told him I would like to try hunting. The following Christmas I was gifted my very own Mossberg 500 hunting shotgun. I was ecstatic! He went on to take me to the range and teach me even further about proficiency with a firearm. When I was ready, he signed me up for a youth Turkey hunt when I was 14. I was fascinated to learn about turkey calls, basic survival skills, and providing my family meals by working for it. I was hooked on hunting from that one weekend. Throughout the ongoing year, I went on to learn about hog hunting, deer hunting, conservation, land management, and more. At the same time of this happening, I was accepted to the 4-H Straight Shooters Club, through them, I would soon find a drive for competitive shooting and instructing.
By 16, I went on to volunteer assistant guide hunts. I was invited to assist on a hunt in Colorado. We took 4-6 youth from Texas to Colorado to learn about Elk and Black Bear conservation. I had taken an interest in competitive shooting ranging from Shotgun and .22 rifles, all the way to Archery and Black powder guns. I have also become a Teen Assistant within my 4-H club to train up and coming youth in firearms proficiency. I didn’t know it yet, but I would soon find that this was my passion.
By the time I was 18, I became an official Hunt Master for two separate programs that take Texas youth hunting. I had been Bear, Elk, Deer, Duck, Dove, Hog, Blackbuck, and Varmint hunting. I competed all around the state of Texas in the following categories: Shotgun 5-Stand, Skeet, Trap, and Sporting Clays. Precision rifle open sights .22 up to 50 yards from standing, kneeling, and prone positions. Archery 3-D hunting scenarios, and precision. Pistol, one handed .22, steel plate challenge, and precision. Black Powder Steel challenge, and more.
At 19, I went through many rounds of challenges to become one of 6 youth in the nation chosen by the NRA to represent the NRA, 2nd amendment, and movement for youth to get into Shooting Sports. I had the opportunity to travel, and give many prepared speeches on the importance of the 2nd Amendment, as well as conservation and land management.
When I was 20, I had worked my way into becoming a Range Safety Officer at the newest range in Texas. Through this job, I got to learn about the history of many machine guns, and I was able to control and maintain safe environments when showing people how to operate these firearms safely and effectively.
Soon after my 21st Birthday, I filed for my LLC to pursue my dream of having my own firearms training business! That has led me to where I am now.
While I may be only 22, I feel as though I have a clear viewpoint of my goal in my lifetime. I know that I love educating others, whether it be about conservation, competitive shooting, or an educated conversation about 2nd amendment rights. I currently provide a small range of classes that are highly customizable depending on the students’ level of comfort. I offer an Indoor Intro to Handgun Class, 1:1 Private Lesson at an Indoor range, Intermediate Handgun class Outdoors, and 1:1 Private Lesson at an Outdoor Range. I also offer the option of customizable classes for groups. If you have a group of friends who would like to learn together, reach out to me, and together we can create 100% custom classes depending on the needs of the group. We can do one session, or plan out multiple sessions over the course of several months. Although I do not offer License to Carry just yet, it will be coming soon along with many other exciting classes! As far as outreach, I choose to have my booths at events where it is unlikely for someone from my industry to attend. I do this because I believe in making firearms training more accessible. The number one response I get is always “Wow, I have never met a firearms instructor. I have been wanting to learn, but I was not sure at all where to start.” Which is where I come in. I choose to take the extra step in helping people begin learning. Many of my students approach me because I am kind and easy to listen to. Others have had trauma in the past and have decided that they want to learn about firearms so that they may protect themselves in the future. I have met so many wonderful people, who have always wanted to learn but never knew where to start. My business is more than just a business. This is my life, my passion, and what I have always loved to do, and I hope that every single person who I train can see that through every moment of the lessons.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I had limited financial resources when I embarked on establishing my business, yet I managed to make it work. Through financial management, I gathered the necessary $300 to register my LLC with the Secretary of State. I allocated personal funds to open a business bank account, even though I had yet to generate revenue. Each month, I diligently deposited my earnings from a second job into the business account.
To cover expenses such as booth fees at gun shows and events, I relied on personal funds. Despite the out-of-pocket costs, I maintained solid confidence in my ability to succeed, firmly believing that my investments would eventually generate returns.
Instead of hiring a professional to build my website, I took it upon myself to acquire the necessary skills. Through self-education, I became proficient in website building, gradually transforming my site using a website builder tool. I also familiarized myself with search engine optimization, marketing strategies, and the intricacies of growing a business from the ground up. I read books, listened to podcasts, and even began online schooling for Marketing. By leveraging my own creativity and forging valuable connections with individuals willing to assist, I was able to save a substantial amount of money. Each moment became an opportunity for learning and personal growth. Rather than fixating on the capital at hand, I recognized the value of investing creativity, time, and effort.
If you find yourself lacking funds for your business, it is important to remain confident. Do not allow discouragement to undermine your dreams. You must get creative. With a dream, determination, and a willingness to make sacrifices; you can transform your dreams into reality, regardless of financial limitations.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
During the beginning stages of my business, I found myself lacking resources and expertise. Marketing skills did not come naturally to me, and I struggled to define my brand identity. However, one thing remained clear: my passion for proficient firearms training. I possess a self-motivating nature, thriving in situations that demand decisive action such as “Sink or swim” mentality.
Despite knowing near nothing about business strategy, I took a leap of faith by participating in Fort Worth’s largest Gun Show. After researching the event’s contact information, understanding the registration process, and paying the necessary fees, I secured a booth at the upcoming Gun Show. While ecstatic to have a booth, I faced uncertainty regarding the setup process. When the event day arrived, I felt a mixture of nerves and anxiety among the sea of well-established businesses. I felt like I was in the shark tank. Their tables were full of attractive merchandise, leaving a stark contrast to my own humble display. Yet, I still had my dream, I didn’t care if I had the emptiest table in the room. I was determined to make it work. I went to set up my table with basic business cards I designed on Vistaprint and a clipboard serving as a rudimentary sign-up sheet. Oh, and of course, the random assortment of a few pens that I had collected over the years. The table was sparsely decorated, but I was committed to the “sink or swim” mentality. Failure was not an option. With firm confidence, I engaged attendees, sharing my expertise and enthusiasm for training. During this time, I had the privilege of connecting with remarkable individuals, particularly the owners of the adjacent booths.
Fate had placed me between two individual booths. On one side was a gentleman named Bill, a seasoned craftsman specializing in holsters, range bags, and carry belts. On the other side, a gentleman named Jim, a firearms vendor. Their kindness and willingness to assist were appreciated. They recognized my passion and drive, generously offering business advice and insights into the dynamics of such shows. Remarkably, they even directed their own customers to my booth. I will always cherish the wisdom shared by Bill, whose excitement for helping me was profound. His suggestion to create a video showcasing my training expertise and firearm proficiency struck a chord within me. Excited to implement this advice, I went home and worked late into the night, producing a video that would enhance my presence. The following day, I went back to the Gun Show filled with newfound confidence and lessons learned. I was going to approach the second day bulletproof. Pun intended. I went back with more confidence than the first day, a minute long video loop playing on a laptop which I borrowed from my boyfriend, and the same notebook sign-up.
The success of that initial Gun Show experience surpassed any metric of bookings or traction gained. Its true value was in the connections formed, the ideas sparked, and the personal growth it inspired. While my table may have only had some business cards, a notepad sign-up sheet, and not much else, it overflowed with enthusiasm for my services. The unwavering support of my boyfriend, the encouragement provided by Jim, and the visionary guidance of Bill played important roles in this chapter of my life. Their impact propelled me forward. The Gun Show served as a testament to my ability to overcome odds and exceed my own expectations.
Ultimately, the moral of this story resonates with the belief that you must embrace the power of trying. Even if you fail, it was better than not trying at all. Without attempting, one can never discover their true potential for success. That leap of faith lead me to become everything that I am now, and everything that I will be. A moment that did not seem so significant at the time ended up becoming the core reason that kept me putting one foot in front of the other.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bladesandbullets.com/
- Instagram: Sierrahblade / BladesandBullets
- Facebook: Blades and Bullets LLC