The Story of Founder Arms

Where to start?

Well, as a famous book starts off (you’ll probably recognize it) “In the beginning”

Ha! This won’t be nearly as impactful as the Bible but the Bible is where I seek wisdom and

get my guiding principles, just as our Founding Fathers did but more on that later.

Let’s go back to when I was a kid:

In 2004 Overhaulin made it’s debut on TLC, where they would take someone's old car and

restore it in a week. The main guy on the show was Chip Foose. A very talented and

impactful individual in the car business.

This show was pivotal in teaching me how to see what was and what could be. On top of

that, Chips ability to draw what the finished product was going to look like inspired my

creative side.

On top of watching as much Overhaulin as I could, the Military Channel was right there

with it. Fascinated by the documentaries, future weapons, and anything else they would air

on the channel.

These two interest with the creative display of what could be and the passion for military

side of things, sparked a dream to own a gun shop someday. Not just any shop but to have

the best equipment and be aesthetically appealing.

Fast forward:

It was the summer of 2021 and we were purchasing our first home, our cleaning company

was doing well with 1 employee, and I was a youth pastor too.

This home was a much needed step in our journey as we had outgrown our small

apartment with our two kids.

We closed end of July and had a month to revamp the place. What do they call it again..?

oh yeah, sweat equity.

Then, on August 12th I received news from my doctor that I had cancer. I won’t go into all

the details leading up to this be needless to say, it was the hardest time of my life

It was challenging on every level. From working sun up to sun down on our new home, to

our only employee quitting during this time. I learned a lot about myself, my faith, and

thought a lot about what the end of life and what eternity would be like.

A few weeks went by and my appointment came for me to get my PET Scan. This was to

determine if the cancer was localized or had spread through my body. As I checked in at

radiology, the nurse working put a wristband on my right wrist. I asked her if this gets me

on all the rides, she laughed and said she hadn’t heard that one before (have to keep

some humor despite the circumstances)

A few hours later I was informed by my doctor that it was only localized and I would start

radiation treatment. This felt like the first breath of fresh air in a while. My journey took me

a few months and on December 16th 2021, I was cancer free.

Cancer is something I wish on no one but I will say, the Tyler that existed before cancer and

the one today are not the same person, and for the better.

Founder Arms:

2022 was a whole new life, diving into working out 6 days a week, competing in multiple

Tactical Games events, and taking the step to get my federal firearms license and operate

out of my house.

The dream remained and was getting refined daily, with the goal to open a Brick & Mortar.

During this time we launched our Surveyor two gun matches and found success in the

marketplace. As we (by “We” I mean the team - more on the team in a future post) pushed

towards opening the store it was a lot of meetings with people that couldn’t help but gave

us another contact to try.

After meeting with a realtor to discuss a location, he mentioned I should reach out to a

business consultant he knows. I did just that.

Without any certainty of a storefront, we took the leap to go to Shot Show.

We had lot of companies lined up we wanted to talk with and everyday was work. We

didn’t stop to look at any new products but put the miles on to solidify who we wanted to

work with.

Let’s back up, on January 16th I met with Mike, the business consultant who we discussed

above. He loved the business plan and idea but wanted things more refined. He wanted to

meet with me early February to give me a couple weeks to refine things.

Back to shot show, only God knew the connections we would make and the rooms we

would end up in that we had no business being in.

My Pastor shared a verse with me back in 2013 that has stuck with me:

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established”

That has been the entirety of Founder Arms. Committing it to God. He gave me this shot at

life and I am determined to honor Him with it.

After Shot Show:

I went into my next meeting with Mike excited and with a clearer vision. We talked for a

hour or so and he told me he loved it and EDC would put up the first x amount in funding.

I knew he has a lot of connections, so I asked who EDC was? He looked at me and pointed

to himself (I almost fell off my chair)

Mike is a go getter and so is the Founder Arms Team, so we got to work. Secured a

location and opened May 25th.

It’s been a wild ride and on top of opening the store, we hosted Haley Strategic for their

first time coming to MN, and our Surveyor matches have grown to the point we are pulling

competitors from IA, SD, and all over MN.

2025 and the future:

We have a lot planned for 2025, five Surveyor matches, hosting Haley Strategic in June/

October for a total of 4 classes, sponsoring a long range competitive shooter, and hosting

a long range class. Monthly we have permit to carry classes, defensive pistol classes, and

our working on a defensive rifle class.

As for the long term vision of Founder Arms, we strive to grow personally in being good

stewards of the gifts and blessings God has given us. We will be working on providing

educational content through this blog, YouTube, and other avenues we see fit in the future.

Our goals are decades long. Changing the culture and equipping the American people

with the mindset and tools our Founders would want them to have.

We know George Washington started his day early reading the Bible and would finish his

day in the same manner. This is what lead to his wisdom to lead this new nation to victory,

beloved by his fellow patriots for his humility, and a clear picture of God being able to

trust him.

Restoring these ideals to the hearts and minds of future generations is our aim. The guns

and gear are necessary, but are secondary to the person standing in front of us taking their

first step on this journey.

Only God knows what the future holds but one things for certain, if you honor Him, He will

bless it.