Community Highlights: Meet Dan Fisher of American Axes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Fisher.

Hi Dan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I first started American Axes, I thought I was building an axe throwing business. Looking back, I realize I was really learning how to build a community.

Like many entrepreneurs, my path wasn’t linear. After graduating from Ithaca College and earning my MBA from Georgia State, I built a career in sports marketing before deciding to take a chance on something completely different. Axe throwing was still relatively new, and I saw an opportunity to create a business around an experience that brought people together. What began as one location has since grown into multiple venues in Georgia and Colorado, mobile events across the country, and more recently, a broader entertainment concept that includes racing simulators, darts, golf simulators, and other interactive experiences.

The last several years have also taught me that entrepreneurship is rarely as glamorous as it appears from the outside. We’ve celebrated incredible highs, navigated a global pandemic, expanded into new markets, made investments that paid off and others that didn’t, and experienced firsthand how quickly the business landscape can change. Those experiences have made me a better leader because they’ve forced me to become more resilient, more patient, and more focused on the long game.

One thing that has never changed is my belief that people come first. Whether it’s our customers, our employees, or the competitive axe throwing community, I want American Axes to be a place where people feel welcomed, challenged, and connected. We often say, “Throwers First,” and that’s more than a slogan—it’s that we care about people.

Today, I still love introducing someone to axe throwing for the very first time, but what excites me even more is seeing friendships formed, leagues grow, and communities develop around something that started as a simple night out. That’s what keeps me motivated. At the end of the day, I don’t just want to build successful businesses—I want to build places that people genuinely enjoy being a part of.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. Every stage of growth has come with its own challenges. We’ve navigated COVID, changing consumer habits, inflation, rising costs, and the uncertainty that comes with expanding a business. 2026 has presented a particularly difficult environment for businesses in the entertainment industry. When families have to choose between buying groceries, filling up the gas tank, or spending money on entertainment, we all know what the right choice is. That’s why we’ve worked hard to keep axe throwing an affordable experience and continue making it accessible to as many people as possible.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that resilience isn’t about avoiding setbacks—it’s about continuing to move forward through them. As a business owner, people are counting on you every day, and that responsibility is both the hardest and most rewarding part of the job.

Looking back, I wouldn’t erase the difficult moments. They’ve made me a better leader, a better decision-maker, and they’ve reinforced my belief that if you build a strong culture and genuinely care about people, you’ll always give yourself a chance to succeed.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
American Axes is an entertainment company built around bringing people together. While we’re best known for axe throwing, our mission has always been much bigger than teaching someone how to throw an axe. We want to create memorable experiences where friends, families, coworkers, and even complete strangers can connect, compete, and have fun.

Over the years we’ve expanded beyond axe throwing to include interactive experiences like racing simulators, darts, golf simulators, and other games, but one thing has never changed: our focus on people. We believe the experience is defined by the relationships our guests build and the hospitality they receive—not just the activity itself.

What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. We’ve helped introduce thousands of people to the sport of axe throwing, developed one of the country’s strongest competitive throwing communities, and created places where everyone—from a first-time thrower to a world-class competitor—feels welcome.

Our philosophy is simple: Throwers First. It’s a reminder that every decision we make should improve the experience for the people who walk through our doors. If our guests leave having made a memory they’ll talk about for years, then we’ve done our job.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is seeing the impact our team has on other people. Across all of our locations, we’ve received well over 6,000 five-star reviews, and while I’m proud of what we’ve built, those reviews are really a reflection of our staff. We hire people who genuinely care about creating a great experience, and they introduce thousands of people to the sport of axe throwing every year.

The moments that mean the most to me aren’t necessarily the reviews, though. It’s hearing someone tell us they had an amazing time trying something completely new, or that we changed their opinion after they had a bad experience somewhere else. Knowing we’ve helped create a lasting memory or a new hobby for someone is incredibly rewarding. Those moments remind me why we do what we do.

Pricing:

• 26.50/person for 1 hour of axe throwing
• $35/month for our axe throwing membership program which includes one league season
• Corporate outings discounted hourly rates based on size of the group

Contact Info:

• Website: https://american-axes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanaxes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAxes/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/americanaxes
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/AmericanAxes/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4KNRETWeAsfKT8NbjrimZQ
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/american-axes-marietta?osq=American+Axes