Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Main, Harvey Cheek, and Tyler Johnson.
Adam, Harvey, and Tyler, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
We started BlackPoint while were we in the undergrad programs at Georgia Tech. Adam was enrolled in the mechanical engineering program while Harvey and myself were studying business administration in the College of Management. Each of us had someone in our lives who had passed down to us a passion and respect for firearms and so we had all been shooting either while hunting or for recreational purposes since an early age. Most folks rush to the bar when they turn 21 but I think each of us rushed to the courthouse to submit our paperwork for obtaining our CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) permit. The responsibility of this decision was very tangible to us and so we felt that it was imperative to ensure that we were proficient in safely carrying and shooting our pistols. Paying for ammunition, let alone formal training, was something which was not easy on a college budget, but we were able to locate some videos online with some good content and drills which we took out to the range to try out. We realized pretty quickly that the gear we were using to carry was deficient and exposed some vulnerabilities. Before embarking on this journey, we first looked to the commercial market to simply purchase the items we needed, but the only items on the market at that time (2011) which fit what we were looking for had a 6-12 month wait time. These were items which we needed and wanted now, not in 6-12 months, so we decided to try and make our own. Originally, we never had any commercial intent with these products as we were just trying to make them to suit our own purposes. As we made our first few prototypes, we took them around to a few of our favorite local stores to get feedback on our designs from those who had far more firearms experience than we did (active and retired Law Enforcement/Military members). It was in one of these places where we had a chance encounter which somewhat changed the course of everything. We were approached by this individual who began asking questions about these prototype holsters we had made. He soon informed us that he was retired Army Special Forces (he did have the DD-214 to prove it) and was travelling around the country teaching firearms training classes for citizens. He introduced us to his 2 co-instructors and invited us to come out to a class and bring some holsters with us. We attended 2 of these classes, one in Greer, SC and one in Augusta, GA. In each case, we got to participate in the class and we brought holsters with us to each class. Much to our surprise, when we looked back at the end of the weekend, we had sold every holster which we had brought with us. That experience really opened our eyes and made us consider the commercial viability of this opportunity. We each had several job offers in other industries as we approached graduation, but collectively decided to “give it a shot”. Looking back now over 5 years later, it was definitely the right decision.
At the time, we were living in Home Park down in Midtown. We moved from there to the basement of Adam’s Grandmother’s house out in Lilburn. She was gracious enough to host us there for almost a year as we brought on our first dealers and started to standardize our production processes. In additional to housing us there, she also continually showered us with love in a way that only a grandma could do so with 3 home cooked meals a day and a consistent flow of treats that helped us along the way. Moving out from there was a tough decision but as we continued to grow, we recognized that we would need to get into official industrial space. Through a series of connections, we had an opportunity to sub-lease 400 sq. ft. of industrial space in Alpharetta. We moved to this location at the beginning of 2013 and have been here ever since. We started with a small part of 1 suite and have grown to 3 suites in the building, with more on the way.
We are now up to 16 full time employees and there are no signs of slowing down in the near future. In recent months, we have delivered on our first official federal contracts and see additional opportunities for continued growth. We are very grateful to all who have supported us along the way because we would not be where we are today without them. We look forward to the next steps and what the future holds.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think with every business there are challenges, but it is how you respond to those challenges that determine how successful that you become. Overall for us, I think we have responded well to any bumps in the road which has made things very smooth overall. The biggest challenge that we have faced is with maintaining the capacity to produce enough product to meet demand. While this is a good problem to have, it is still a problem. For us, I think the willingness to work hard and go the extra mile to make it happen has been a big key to our success.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the BlackPoint Tactical story. Tell us more about the business.
We manufacture a variety of different KYDEX® products which are geared towards the Law Enforcement and Military communities. We sell these items through our website, directly to agencies/departments, through retailers around the country as well as to distributors around the globe. Our holsters are known for several things… all of our products are designed with comfort and concealability in mind. These traits are recognized and appreciated by all of our customers. As a company, we are known for innovative designs, high levels of production quality and customer service, as well as reliable production lead times. These factors are keys in differentiating our company and our products from the competition.
I think there are a lot of things which we are collectively proud about when we look at our company. If we had to pick just one though, I think it is the customers who we get to work with. We get to work with those who are on the front lines of defending our nation from those who wish to do us harm. There is a distinct sense of pride in knowing that we, in a very small way, are helping them do their job successfully. It is truly an honor to get to work with these people and it is not something that we take for granted.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
There are several spots where we have been very fortunate to be in the right spot at the right time. Going back to that chance encounter in the local retail store and moving forward from there, we have been very fortunate in our business. We have also been greatly helped by many folks who we have met along the way. The good fortune of meeting these folks and them being willing to assist us is something which cannot be overlooked. I do not think that we will ever be able to fully show our gratitude to those who have help us get to where we are today.
None of this is to discount the hard work it has taken to get to where we are today. There is a saying which goes, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” No one is going to ever “give” you anything in the business world. Your competition is always after you and being in position to capitalize on these “lucky” opportunities can be attributed to our work ethic and attitudes along the way.
Pricing:
- $75.99-124.99
Contact Info:
- Address: 1025 Nine North Drive,
Suite J, Alpharetta, GA 30004 - Website: www.BlackPointTactical.com
- Phone: (770) 752-8592
- Email: Sales@BlackPointTactical.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bptactical/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackPoint-Tactical-349593758409761/
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