Search results for: "women"

[…] providing a warm atmosphere and amazing service, which will prompt women to tell their friends about your operation. Before you […]

[…] Ainsley Beeman Bud’s Gun Shop in Lexington, Ky., has expanded women-only class offerings to great effect. Getting women acquainted with […]

[…] with self-defense customers, see “Connect For Self-Defense — Marketing To Women”.) A lot has been said throughout this issue on […]

[…] there has been a significant rise in gun ownership among women, according to a new NSSF Report, “Women Gun Owners: […]

[…] has led to some remarkable changes in the way gun stores conduct business. As more and more women get involved in the shooting sports, the industry has seen a corresponding increase in the number of women owning gun stores and ranges. As a result, the needs of women are being taken into greater consideration and stores are devoting more of their floor space to women’s products. Becky Bieker, owner of She’s A Pistol in Shawnee, Kan., noticed it took some time for others to understand the concept of a store geared toward women and run by a woman. “The biggest challenge has been getting past other people’s immediate assumptions that someone else is in charge,” Bieker noted. “We get a lot of calls from sales reps asking for the ‘guy in charge’ of purchasing, etc. I quickly set them straight.” The staff at She’s A Pistol focuses on finding the right item for a customer by listening to his or her needs. “I think I look at products differently than most shops,” Bieker remarked. “We offer plenty of pink items, instead of just the standard black and stainless. We try to make the shop a place where customers like to spend time. Also, we listen to customers, who are often a source of ideas and help us identify trends in the market.” Products designed by women, for women, are very popular at She’s A Pistol. “We seek out new items designed for ladies. We have brought in a number of products, including multiple bra holsters and the NORB (No Ordinary Range Bag) that have been designed by ladies, for ladies,” Bieker noted. NORB is a new product from OffHand Gear, designed to reduce the amount of bags a woman needs to carry to the range. The messenger-style range bag is made from durable, water-resistant fabrics and can be worn either cross-body or side-carry. A large main compartment has enough room for ammo, eye-protection, ear-protection, a small cleaning kit and more. The rear compartment has two pockets for pistols, which can be accessed from outside of the bag with an ambidextrous zipper. The NORB is the complete package, offering front compartments to hold a cell phone, two magazine holders and an additional mesh pouch for keys, hair ties, lipstick and anything else a woman might need. The front flap is lined with Slip-Not fabric that doubles as a range pad when open. One of the first things customers will notice when they visit a store or range owned and operated by women is training and education are top priority. “We have training for everyone — from beginners to experienced shooting enthusiasts,” Bieker said. “We also offer training for a variety of things, from open-hand defense to pepper spray to firearms.” Sandy Springs Gun Club offers a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere for women and novice shooters, contributing to the range’s goal of providing quality customer service. Questions Answered Customer service is a driving force behind Sandy Springs Gun Club and Range in Sandy Springs, Ga., and Norcross Gun Club and Range in Norcross, Ga., owned by sisters Robyn Marzullo and Cara Workman. The idea of running a gun range was born from the sisters’ own frustrating experiences when they wanted to learn about firearms. “Cara and I came from a commercial real estate background and worked together in our family business for several years,” Marzullo said. “Cara mentioned learning how to shoot and, after visiting several ranges, we realized there were not many places we felt comfortable going to as women and novice shooters.” The sisters started researching the shooting industry and they opened their first location two years later. From the beginning, they set out to create a business with superior customer service — providing educational opportunities for both men and women. “As women business owners, we are able to bring confidence, edge and a new philosophy to the previously male-dominated firearm industry by creating a comfortable and safe atmosphere to appeas to both men and women,” Marzullo said. “Our corporate backgrounds serve as a platform for practical business operations and professionalism, which are enhanced by our understanding of providing quality customer service to every patron that walks in the door. We pride ourselves in maintaining a safe, friendly and comfortable environment, and we believe our customers recognize us for such.” The Extra Effort Both ranges offer a ladies day, complete with free range time for women, private lessons with NRA-certified female instructors, women-only handgun fundamentals courses, family-friendly group training and competitive shooting leagues. Pro shops carrying products with women in mind — such as compact firearms, range bags, concealed carry purse holsters, clothing and non-lethal defense options — make a day at the range a complete experience. Marzullo stresses women really appreciate customer service. “Truthfully, our best-selling women’s product is our customer service,” she said. “Women want to shop where they feel comfortable. Women sign up for classes at our range because they feel comfortable with our staff from the minute they walk in the door and are eager to learn more. We’ve found women don’t gravitate toward any one particular item but to what suits them best. “Our knowledgeable staff is well trained to identify the customer’s needs and provide suggestions on what products and options are available,” Marzullo stated. “The majority of women who are novice shooters come in with two primary goals — to learn how to safely and properly handle a firearm to protect themselves and their family, and to find a firearm to purchase for personal- or home-protection. We encourage an individual or group lesson where customers will receive personalized attention and the opportunity to shoot a variety of guns from our rental counter. From this experience they’re more comfortable in taking an active role in their firearm purchase.” The increase of women in the shooting sports has lead successful businesses to focus on education and training. Dealers should provide a retail and range atmosphere where both men and women feel comfortable, and where creating shooters — not gun owners — is the top priority. As more and more women participate in the shooting sports and become more prominent in the business side of the industry, the customer service bar will continue to rise. By Lisa Parsons-Wraith Read More Arms & The Women >> Click Here arms2 SI0614_300

[…] past few years to design more equipment and accessories for women, but these products remain a small segment of the […]

[…] community. It’s as close to a multi-purpose tool as a gun can get. For many women, the shotgun is also their first introduction to the shooting sports. Sporting clays, trap and skeet have long been a popular way to get women involved in the shooting sports. The outdoor nature of these sports, as well as the non-threatening targets, makes them appealing to new shooters. Remington Model 870 Patricia McLelland-Merydith, director of NRA Women on Target Instructional Shooting clinics, Amateur Trapshooting Association instructor and owner of McLelland-Merydith Shotgun Instruction shared some tips on selling shotguns and accessories to women. “Women shooters want to feel like women, they don’t want to don the apparel, equipment and things designed for men,” McLelland-Merydith said. “Women want an empty shotgun hull in their vest pocket to contain a tube of lipstick; they want clothing that looks good and useful for their sport, clothing designed for women like those designed by MizMac, SHE Safari, Browning, Beretta, Barnes Bullets and others. Baseball-type caps are nice, but Browning For Her, Glock Girl and those Pink Beretta caps make women feel invited to share in the shooting sports.” McLelland-Merydith is a strong advocate of firearm safety and shooting lessons prior to purchasing a firearm. “I recommend a lesson where they can try a number of shotguns and receive recommendations from the instructor on the best ear and eye protection, tips about clothing and accessories and information specific to the firearms being used,” she said. Women learn the art of the shotgun at an NRA Women on Target clinic facilitated by Patricia McLelland-Merydith. Empower Your Customer, Cater To Her Needs Most dealers have come in contact with a new customer who walks into a store to purchase exactly what her firearm instructor recommended. If you have a good relationship with your local firearm instructors, these can be lucrative referrals. It’s important, however, to support a woman’s purchasing decision. So, don’t try to steer her toward something you think is best. Generally, women do a lot of research before making a purchase and will seek your advice when they need help making a decision. Otherwise, respect the fact they’ve come to you ready to buy the gun they want. At Sportsmans Gunroom in Penryn, Calif., CEO Marty Donahue said he attributes his store’s success in the women’s market to commitment to quality customer service and attention to women’s needs. “Other stores don’t spend time with women because they think women can’t make a buying decision,” Donahue said. “We treat our customers right and women send us more business than anyone.” Sportsmans Gunroom has supported McLelland-Merydith’s NRA clinics with donated items such as a Remington 870 Pump shotgun. His store serves an active female clientele who like to participate in a wide variety of the shooting sports. “Women buy a lot of Remington 870s because that model is one of the most versatile shotguns. We also sell a lot of the Benelli SuperNovas,” Donahue said. When McLelland-Merydith asserts shotguns are great all-around guns, she speaks from personal experience. She said she has used her trap gun for hunting and home-defense on numerous occasions. “A trap gun is more versatile than a field gun,” she noted. Trap guns can stand up to the rigors of competition and offer more choke options, she added. Browning and Beretta trap guns are among her most recommended shotguns. “Berettas and Brownings are the most commonly used guns in American trap and they are the least expensive.” Beretta Women’s Uniform Shooting Vest Recoil & Comfort Recoil is something women need to consider when purchasing a shotgun. “When it comes to comfort, skill is an important factor in reducing recoil,” she said. “There are several things to take into consideration when attempting to lessen recoil, for example: shotshells, shotgun weight, shotgun type and recoil pad systems. Recoil pad systems are not only useful for dampening recoil — McLelland-Merydith noted that they can also be used to change the length of pull on a shotgun and give a more custom fit. GraCoil and Kick-Eez are two systems that work well for women. “Clothing also becomes important in reducing recoil and making for a more enjoyable shooting experience,” she said. “For example, Beretta and Browning both sell shooting vests with a recoil reducer gel pad that can be inserted into the shoulder of the vest.” Shotgun shooting is a sport that can require some modifications to ear and eye protection choices. “I don’t recommend large bulky earmuffs as they tend to interfere with the shooter when placing a cheek against the comb of the shotgun stock,” McLelland-Merydith said. “Instead, I would recommend inexpensive throwaway ear plugs, or for $5 to $20 the shooter can make comfortable, custom molded ear plugs, like those made by Radians.” For versatility and sheer power, the shotgun can’t be beat. It’s the multi-tool of firearms and a great starter gun for women. Use your expertise to help women manage recoil and you’re sure to have a happy gun owner, and equally important, a happy customer. By Lisa Parsons-Wraith Read More Arms And The Woman >> Click Here aw1 aw2 aw3 SI1113col

[…] base. “Our main goal was to make it a place where women can come in and feel comfortable,” said Earl Curtis. “When we first bought the place 10 years ago, it was dingy and ugly. Now it’s a bright, clean, nice place to come.” At Blue Ridge Arsenal, making women feel comfortable is a top priority — and no detail is too small. Curtis said he has trained his staff to really listen to female customers, and he employs a female shooting instructor. The store is clean, well lit and has a seating area so customers can relax between range sessions. “We also have a very nice women’s restroom,” Curtis said. “It’s something small that means a lot to a woman.” Other perks Blue Ridge Arsenal offers include free gun cleaning and two hours of free range time with the purchase of a gun. Most of the women who come to Blue Ridge Arsenal are looking for self-defense guns. “For women, it’s about empowerment,” he said. “They want to know how to shoot and how to handle a gun. They ask a lot of questions, and they want to experience a gun before they buy.” He said it is definitely an advantage to have a range where women can try firearms and get comfortable with them. She Can Shoot Blue Ridge Arsenal has an established ladies night where women shoot for half-price, and Curtis said ladies night is always a busy night at the range. To reach even more women, Curtis has made his range available to a women’s group called She Can Shoot: The Shooting Divas of DMV. She Can Shoot, founded by Tina Wilson-Cohen, offers firearm training to women by women. Instructors are NRA certified and complete six months of additional training required by She Can Shoot. Currently, there are seven active She Can Shoot chapters, with more in the works. Membership is free and the focus is on empowerment in a friendly, social atmosphere. Events include everything from low-light shooting training and pepper spray training to excursions to gun shows. Curtis has hosted several She Can Shoot events at his range, and said they are a great organization. Typically, the Shooting Divas rent one side of Blue Arsenal’s Range and instruct women on an aspect of shooting. Curtis has seen gun sales increase as the new shooters who attend the events buy guns from his operation. “The Smith & Wesson M&P is one of the top guns women buy,” Curtis said. “The Springfield XD(M) is also popular.” He said these firearms are popular because they have an adjustable backstrap that can be sized to fit a woman’s hands. The Walther PK380 is another gun women like to buy because it’s easy to shoot and has less felt recoil, Curtis noted. Blue Ridge Arsenal stocks the SIG SAUER Mosquito in pink and purple — and the guns always sell out within a day or two of appearing in the display case. Pink Says Shooting Isn’t “Just For Boys” A continuing trend among women gun buyers is pink guns, which sell well, according to Curtis. He said Blue Ridge Arsenal has stocked the SIG SAUER Mosquito in pink and purple, and he always sells them within a day or two of the guns appearing in the display case. Curtis also donated a Glock 19 in DuraCoat pink to an auction and it was one of the top sellers. No matter what your personal feelings are on pink guns, they definitely send the message to women that they are welcome. Just displaying guns and accessories in “feminine” colors says your store is woman-friendly. Every gun store should have at least one pink gun on display — especially to attract young women. Imagine this scenario: A 10-year-old girl reluctantly accompanies her dad to a gun store. Until she walked into your store and saw a pink Cricket 22 rifle, she thought shooting and hunting were for boys. She knows right away that pink gun is for girls and, all of a sudden, shooting isn’t “just for boys,” but a sport she can pursue. That’s how powerful the color pink is, and how easily you can set a young woman on the path of a creating new generation of female shooters. Two out of five customers at Blue Ridge Arsenal are women, and with that, Curtis has made the commitment to stock accessories specifically for women. His best-sellers are Galco purses, pink ear and eye protection from Howard Leight, and Looper holsters. He also noted that women buy a lot of range bags, and one of the brands he plans to stock is Cody Range Bags. Blue Ridge Arsenal has a strong online presence, with their own website at www.blueridgearsenal.com, plus pages on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Using Social Media What is Curtis’ goal in 2013? “To improve on what I’m doing and expand social media,” he said. Blue Ridge Arsenal has been posting activities and handgun ads on Facebook for a while, and has more than 5,000 friends. Additionally, Curtis recently started posting on Pinterest because it’s a growing Internet site, and he thought it would be a good way to reach more women. Pinterest is an online virtual inspiration board that lets people share things they find on the Internet. People post photos of anything and everything they like — from recipes to targets worth bragging over. Gun stores should explore creating a presence on Pinterest because its primary users are young women ages 18 to 34 — which is exactly the audience the shooting sports need to attract. Ladies nights at the range is an obvious sign that women are welcome in the shooting world, but there are plenty of small, subtle details that send the message that women are valuable customers — such as female staff, lighting, clean restrooms and even pink guns. When it comes to advertising your store, think outside the box by using social media like Pinterest or distributing fliers in women-only gyms. Plenty of women are curious about firearms and just looking for someone to welcome them into the shooting sports. Get creative with your marketing and make sure they find your business. By Lisa Parsons-Wraith Get More Arms And The Woman >> Click Here arms arms2 arms website Shooting Feb 2013 SI0213col

[…] be used in a fun hobby that creates a social outlet. Once women become shooting enthusiasts, their guns also become a way to express their personal style. A storeowner in Northern California has built a successful business by understanding these motivations of women gun customers. Sharon Mayfield of Gilmay Guns in Fresno, Calif., said her business has a thriving share of the self-defense market, and that the majority of women who come to her store buy a handgun or shotgun for self-protection. “My staff is trained to help a woman find a gun that is comfortable for her,” Mayfield said. “We make women feel comfortable and don’t make them feel stupid for asking questions.” Pistols in 9mm and .40 caliber account for most of the guns purchased by women at Gilmay Guns. “We sell a lot of the Ruger LCRs, Smith & Wesson M&Ps and the small Kahr Arms pistols,” she said. “The Bersa Thunder .380 sells really well because it’s small, comfortable in the hand, has low recoil, it’s very reliable and it’s fun to shoot.” Mayfield actively promotes women in the shooting sports by acting as safety instructor for a local women’s shooting group, Blush and Bullets. This group, founded to “Educate, Empower, Protect,” meets at the shooting range on a regular basis and is open to all experience levels. Mayfield said she brings her personal guns for new shooters to use and others in the group to try. She said being a part of Blush and Bullets has allowed her to reach more women and help teach them that the shooting sports are fun. Many women come because they are interested in self-protection, but end up having a lot of fun. She has also seen an increase in women hunters, including her 13-year-old granddaughter. “It’s a fun sport,” she said. “It’s not really expensive like skiing, where you have to buy a lot of equipment and tickets every time you want to do it. You buy a gun and it lasts you a lifetime.” Charter Arms’ Lavender Lady, in .38 Special +P, will appeal to women looking to personalize their firearms. Help Women Personalize Their Firearms Mayfield points out that women love to accessorize their guns and it’s one of the services her store offers. “Women like accessorizing with pink grips and stocks,” she said. “They like pink camo and other colors like purple. Women want to personalize their guns and we do that for them.” Men are also aware that women prefer different firearms. Mayfield said she had a male customer who wanted to give his fiancé a personalized gun as a wedding gift. The gun was to match the bridesmaids’ dresses, so he brought Mayfield a swatch of fabric and she customized the gun for this very special occasion. “If I could figure out how to put rhinestones on a gun, I’d do it and it would sell,” laughed Mayfield. Knowing your customer is half the challenge when trying to build a successful business. Women like to personalize all elements of their lives, and guns and accessories are no exception. Even if you don’t offer in-store customizations, you can inventory or special-order guns with a unique look. A pink or red gun in a gun case will send the message that women are welcome in your store. Stock a few T-shirts and hats with a bit of flair, and you’ll notice a positive response from your female customers. Above all, treat women who come into your store as valued customers and give them the best customer service possible. The success Gilmay Guns has generated in reaching women is based on a combination of amazing customer service and providing valuable expertise to customers. Pairing a colorful knife, such as the Kershaw Scallion, with a pistol will attract your women customers. A Colorful Combo SIG SAUER is among a number of manufacturers that offer guns that give women a custom look straight out of the box. The P238 .380 ACP comes in a variety of styles that allow women to express their personal style. The P238 Lady sports a red Cerakote alloy beavertail-style frame, Nitron finished slide with scroll engraving with gold flower inlay and rosewood checkered grips. Heads will surely turn at the range when your customer pulls out her P238 or P290 in 9mm, with eye-catching Rainbow Titanium finish. This series of compact guns are perfect for purse or on-the-body carry and their colorful finishes are sure to appeal to women who want their gun to stand out. Consider creating a pistol and knife package by pairing the SIG pistols with one of Kershaw’s folding knives in a matching rainbow-colored titanium-oxide finish. The Kershaw Scallion and Leek come in a wide variety of colors including a durable, scratch-resistant coating. Both have Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assisted opening that allows for one-handed opening. For safety, the knives have a secure frame lock to keep them locked open during use, and a Tip-Lock for safe transport. Once women have invested in a quality firearm, they need to keep it well-maintained. Otis recently put together a Tactical Pink cleaning system designed for women. This lightweight, versatile and neatly packaged cleaning system has everything a lady shooter needs to keep her guns firing. The kit has brushes and patches to clean everything from rifles and pistols to shotguns and in-line muzzleloaders. Otis 085 Ultra Bore cleaning solvent provides all-in-one cleaner, lubricant and preservative. The lightweight black case has pink accents and sports a belt-loop for always-at-hand convenience. By Lisa Parsons-Wraith Read More Arms And The Woman >> Click Here Charter-Arms Charter-Arms-Lavender-Lady Kershaw-Scallion SI June 13 SI0613col

By Massad Ayoob Women’s interest has been vital to recent pro-gun victories, and helpful to increasing gun sales. If you […]