Welcome to Our Road to Pro. This is the story of Triple T Outdoors, told while I am still building it, learning, and earning the trust of the archery community one step at a time.
Triple T started in 2023 as a general outdoor e-commerce business. The idea was simple: offer hunting, fishing, and camping gear online and learn what it takes to serve customers well. In practice, I learned that running a business is a lot more than putting products on a website. It means finding dependable suppliers, understanding what customers actually need, communicating clearly, and following through after the sale.
In the early days, I worked with retail-resale sourcing while I learned the business. Eventually, I established a relationship with a true wholesale supplier. That was an important step because it gave Triple T a more solid foundation and a clearer path forward.
Finding the right direction
As Triple T developed, I had to make some honest decisions about where the business should go. I chose not to pursue an FFL for firearms in Illinois, and that helped clarify the direction. Rather than trying to be everything to everybody, Triple T began moving toward a focused specialty: archery.
That focus feels right. Bows, crossbows, arrows, accessories, and range gear are products that reward careful guidance. The details matter, and customers deserve more than a generic product listing and a checkout button. They deserve straight answers, useful information, and someone who is willing to keep learning.
Still on the way
I want to be clear about where I am in this journey. I am not presenting myself as a certified technician or an expert who has finished the climb. I am on the way to pro.
My background has taught me to stay persistent. I have spent 34 years at the same factory, worked more than 12 years part-time as an EMT, and served as a volunteer firefighter for 25 years. I accepted the position of fire chief beginning in January 2026. Those experiences shaped how I approach Triple T: show up, do the work, keep your word, and keep improving.
I am also working with the Small Business Development Center in Carbondale, Illinois, to turn the vision into a real business plan with goals and timelines. The long-term goal is to build lifelong customer relationships and create something that can eventually be passed down to my children and grandchildren.
What comes next
Triple T Outdoors had its Grand Opening on August 30, 2026. That was not the finish line. It was the point where the work became more visible and the next chapter began.
In the coming weeks, I will share how Triple T moved from a general outdoor store toward archery, what I am learning through business planning and ATA training, and how I want to build better support for archers. I will also share the mistakes, decisions, and behind-the-scenes work that usually stays out of a product page.
If you are here early, you have a chance to help shape what Triple T becomes. What would you like us to explain? What archery products or services would make your life easier? Leave a comment or send a message. I want this business built around real archers and real conversations.
This is Chapter 1 of Journey to Pro. Thanks for being here at the beginning.