Check Out Josh Stanley’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Stanley.

Hi Josh, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Bear Ridge Paintball started with a simple idea: create a place where paintball felt like home.

What began as weekend games and a love for the sport quickly turned into something bigger. After years of playing, competing, and being part of the paintball community, it became clear that North Georgia needed a field built by players — not just for players. A place that focused on good fields, fair play, and people first.

Bear Ridge was built from the ground up with family, community, and growth in mind. From recreational players stepping onto the field for the first time, to competitive teams chasing the next level, the goal has always been the same: give everyone a place to belong and a reason to come back every weekend.

It hasn’t been about being the biggest or the flashiest — it’s been about consistency, relationships, and building something that lasts. Over time, Bear Ridge grew into more than just a paintball field. It became a home base for teams, families, and players who believe in the culture as much as the game.

Bear Ridge Paintball is proof that when you build with passion and take care of your people, everything else follows.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest challenges early on was growth happening faster than expected. Bear Ridge Paintball started at my home, where I built the very first field by hand with what I had available. It was small, raw, and constantly evolving — but players kept showing up.

As interest grew, the demand quickly outpaced the space, time, and resources I had. Managing safety, field builds, equipment, scheduling, and expectations all at once became a real challenge. What started as a passion project turned into a full operation almost overnight.

Learning how to scale responsibly — without losing the culture or cutting corners — was one of the hardest parts. It required tough decisions, long hours, and constant reinvestment. But those early challenges shaped Bear Ridge into what it is today and set the foundation for building something sustainable instead of something rushed.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We own and operate Bear Ridge Paintball, a paintball facility built from the ground up with a strong focus on community, player development, and long-term growth. Our work centers around designing and operating high-quality fields, running organized recreational and competitive events, and creating an environment where players of all experience levels feel welcome.

We specialize in building sustainable paintball programs — from first-time rental players to competitive teams and leagues. That includes field design, event planning, team development, and brand-building within the paintball space. Over time, Bear Ridge has become known for consistent organization, fair play, and a culture that keeps players coming back.

What we’re most proud of is the community we’ve built together. Bear Ridge started with a single field built by hand, and through hard work, reinvestment, and teamwork, it’s grown into a place where families, teams, and players feel connected and supported. Watching players develop, teams form, and people find a sense of belonging through the field is what drives us.

What sets us apart is our hands-on, player-first approach. We’ve been involved in every part of the process — from building fields and managing operations to mentoring players and growing teams. We focus on doing things the right way, even when it takes longer, and on building something sustainable rather than chasing quick wins. That mindset has shaped Bear Ridge into more than a business — it’s a community.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have to many to even mention. In so many ways so many people have helped get us to where we are today, that’s the whole purpose I always want to say we built this. Because without my team, we wouldn’t be where we are today

Pricing:

• Only $45 for all day paintball!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bearridgepaintball.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bear_ridgepb?igsh=N3FwaXhnZjZ2MHFi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17AKJ7tBVu/?mibextid=wwXIfr