Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Willingham.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tom. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Point Blank Range & GunShop (PB) opened its first store in Blue Ash, Ohio in November 2012. A need for a well-stocked, organized, and efficiently managed indoor range and firearm retail store was the motivational factor. This was inspired from several bad experiences in other “gun shops”.
Our mission is “To promote responsible firearm ownership and usage through an engaged, honest, and knowledgeable team effort. In other words, if you come to one of our facilities then you are treated as our guest.
PB’s success to this point has been achieved as a result of several key factors:
• Efficient facility of proper size and space design
• Excellent store level staff with proper training
• Bringing basic retail best practices to an older, fragmented industry
• Excellent inventory at all times
• Organized, professional marketing team
• Experienced management team providing store support and vision
We take pride in our safety practices that are front facing the customers and associates. We set out to revolutionize this industry and are succeeding. We presently have 9 stores with six more set to open in 2017.
PB offers the mainstream gun enthusiast a one-stop, service intensive experience with firearms, ammunition and accessories they need. Supplemented with relevant classes and the best range experience in the industry, Each PB location delivers all its customers’ needs in a safe environment in mainstream retail areas.
All stores are open to the public at all times. Pass holder status is not required to enjoy and make purchases at the facility. Come visit us at Mokena or Hodgkins. A Naperville, IL and Merrillville, IN store will open in mid-Fall, 2017
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?
Struggles have been many as can be expected. What pulls me through these is the reminder to myself that I signed up for this!! Obviously, assembling a good team is always fun and challenging but we have lucked out so far.
Another struggle were meeting the high expectations we set from the beginning. We wanted to be the safest, best organized, most well stocked commercial indoor range/store in the nation. Couple those with a great customer experience is what we strive for.
And then what all entrepreneurs run out of and that is capital to grow. So raising money from investors was a good learning experience.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Point Blank was started as a result of a bad customer service at two local firearm stores experienced by the founder, Tom Willingham, on February 18, 2012. The experiences left him wondering why purchasing a gun or shooting at an indoor range had to be so different (and so bad) compared to other retail shopping experiences. Purchasing a gun should be fun and the salesperson should be helpful instead of acting as if they are doing you a favor!! Realizing the potential of the market, the concept took shape to open an indoor range and retail venue that was customer friendly, organized, well stocked and clean! Retail 101. The first Point Blank Range & GunShop opened November 12, 2012 and was a huge success. Since then additional stores have been opened in different cities and all have been received with welcome customer arms. Hundreds of thousands of people have visited our stores and used our ranges and classrooms. Our competitive advantage is our people and we remain focused on providing the basics: firearms, ammo, range, and classes. Our goal is to continue promoting responsible firearm ownership and usage with everyone who walks through our collective doors.
What were you like growing up?
Very active small, Midwest town raised boy. Like all sports and fishing with occasional hunting. Growing up in a small Ohio town (5,000 people) was a wonderful experience and provided a lot of opportunity for mischief.
I was always outgoing and always involved in the sport of the season. I golfed, played baseball, track, and football. A lot of fun with fond memories.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shootpointblank.com
