Black Sheep Armory LLC | Application Preview
Black Sheep Armory LLC is seeking government grants to remodel its current facility for retail and workshop purposes, enhance the shooting range, and install essential utilities like electric, water, and gas lines. Collaborating with local contractors is part of the plan to strengthen community ties and attract more customers.
The business has outlined a two-pronged approach with short and long-term goals. In the short term, they aim to market themselves effectively, establish a loyal customer base, build strong distributor relationships, and conduct community outreach at local state parks to understand camper needs. Activities like establishing a shooting club and engaging local law enforcement for range usage are also part of this plan. Long-term aspirations include increasing sales, expanding the customer base, improving online visibility, and hosting monthly shooting competitions.
The funding will help solidify the business's unique market positioning, as it has already generated between $7,000 and $10,000 monthly from firearms and ammunition sales conducted from a home base. Black Sheep Armory aims to be the only facility in Ohio offering a comprehensive range of services, including firearm customization, ammunition sales, rentals, and gunsmithing, along with outdoor and survival gear.
The competitive landscape shows moderate competition in firearm sales, while opportunities in hydro-graphics and cerakote services are nearly absent. Current competitors include retail chains and independent shops, but Black Sheep Armory differentiates itself with its diverse service offerings and personalized customer service. The owner, a retired veteran with extensive experience in law enforcement and a strong community presence, believes that exceptional customer service will foster loyalty and repeat business.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 85-3679175
Location: Chandlersville, OH, United States
Length of Operation: 6 months
Number of Employees:
Annual Gross Income:
Annual Gross Expense:
Open to Loans: YES
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Funding Usage
Funding will be used to remodel the existing structure for the retail sales and work shop, as well as excavation of the range and purchase of steel targets. We will also use the funding for installation of new electric lines. water lines, and gas lines. I have already lined up local contractors from the community as this will help with getting more customers and build a relationship with other local small business owners as well. This is a very tight community.
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Business Plan
Short Term: * Market Black Sheep Armory * Create a loyal customer base * Establish a great relationship with distributors * Increase sales, budget expenditures, gain in profit * Build on short term goals to meet long term * Go out to local State Park and check on needs of campers and ask what they would products would be best suited for them in this area * Establish Shooting Club for Rifle, Pistol, Carbine, and Shotguns * Contact local Law Enforcement for range usage as well as Veteran Outreach Programs Long Term: * Increase sales numbers * Increase new customer base * Increase social media presence * Get on first page of Google * Decrease spending in any acceptable areas that will not hurt Name, Recognition, or Profits * Have monthly competition at all ranges with prizes to first, second and third place shooters * Increase Law Enforcement & Government Personnel range usage I feel investors should invest in my business because I have done the research and studies, laid the groundwork, and I am already selling from $7,000 to $10,000 gross each month and that is only on guns and ammo out of my house. Once the actual shop is remodeled and prepared to open, the many facets we offer work great hand in hand with each other. If a customer comes to buy a firearm, we can also sell them ammo, rent them time on the range to shoot it, as well as customize it in our hydro-graphics and cerakote shop. If there is an issue with your firearm, I am a licensed gun-smith as well. We would be the only facility, to my knowledge, in the State of Ohio, that can provide all these services. In addition to those services, will be the only business within 30 minutes of the State Park that will sell all manner of Camping, Outdoor, and Survival gear.
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Self Identified Competition
In the firearms customizations & sales industry, customers make choices based upon the last year, due to political climate and the pandemic, this caused a great surge in sales of firearms, ammunition, shooter supplies, as well as money spent at indoor / outdoor ranges. The political climate and pandemic are not likely to change course anytime this year and more than likely will see in an increase of sales for this calendar year. The level of competition: * Sales competition is moderate * Hydro-Graphics competition is non-existent * Cerakote competition is non-existent * Range competition is low * Outdoor, Camping and Survival gear competition is low The primary competitors for the business are the following: * Rural King: A retail chain that has one store in this county and a store in two adjoining counties. Must of the firearms I have sold I try to either beat or meet Rural King prices. Had one time where I could not beat their price, so I told the potential customer that he could get it $50 cheaper if he went to the "Big Brand" store. The guy couldn't believe I was that honest, gladly paid me $50 over their cost and has bought two more guns off me since then. I made a customer for life that day. * T&K Archery: A husband and wife owned shop that has been in business on the west side of the county for probably 20 years or more. They do not stay open as long and sell more archery items than guns. They are in their 60's and are looking to retire soon as well. * Rayner's Range: Another husband and wife owned business that does not really sell many guns, but they do have range facilities and do monthly competitions. Their main crowd is bench rest shooters, something that I will not be doing at my ranges. They also do not teach their own classes at their ranges. However, we believe that the Company has the following competitive advantages: * Black Sheep Armory offers a myriad of products and services at one location. All your needs can be filled at one store. What makes me so different from my competitors is my personality and way I can relate and make any customer feel at ease once they come into the shop. I am a retired Veteran with over 22 years service and I was also in Law Enforcement and a Volunteer Firefighter. I love to serve the community and I genuinely care about the customers and whether or not they had a great experience with us. I am a Distinguished Rifle & Pistol shooter, a certified instructor, very knowledgeable in weapons, tactics, and survival skills. I am well known throughout the county and have created a huge following in only 6 months of being open. Now that I have a great rapport with my distributors, I have been able to get outdoor gear, firearms and other related supplies much easier than the first few months. I also provide first rate service and it will be the cornerstone of our businesses success. My wife and I will be sure all of our clients receive conscientious, one on one, timely service in all areas of operations. We will create a Loyal Brand following which will guarantee return business.
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