MIGRA AMMUNITION | Ep046 | Off The Clock with B Scott

Meet Q-Tip and Wade from Migra Ammunitions as they share a thrilling tale of transforming an audacious idea into a game-changing product for duck hunting enthusiasts. Wade and Q-Tip dive into the groundbreaking advantages of Migra's stack shell, revealing how inspiration from NASCAR drafting catapulted their technology to new heights. There's a hint of big news coming from Migra in November, but not before we hear about Darryl's wild hunting adventure featuring a trailer blowout that adds a real-time twist to the conversation.

Listeners are treated to the inspiring story of two friends who turned skepticism into a successful business with their patented stack load technology. Originally greeted with doubt, their innovative approach has redefined waterfowl hunting by enhancing shot efficiency and shortening the shot string. Their journey is a testament to the power of taking risks and believing in innovation, as one of them even sold his existing business to join this burgeoning venture. Amidst humor and camaraderie, the importance of educating others about this revolutionary product shines through.

The episode doesn't stop with innovation; it delves into the importance of face-to-face marketing and quality control in the ammunition industry. We explore strategies that set companies apart, highlighting how direct customer interaction and providing free samples build brand loyalty. The narrative also touches on stress management and scaling up the business, including preparations for new product releases and upcoming hunts. From the excitement of new hunting techniques using "nut grub" to the finer details of shotgun shell production, this episode offers a robust exploration of what makes Migra Ammunitions unique and effective.

GUEST WEBSITE: https://migraammunitions.com

OUR WEBSITE/OTC MERCH: https://offtheclockwithbscott.com
HAVOC GEAR SHOP: https://havocnation.com

HAVOC BOATS WEBSITE: https://havocboats.com

HAVOC DEALERS: https://havocboats.com/dealers/

SOCIAL LINKS
Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@OffTheClockwithBScott

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Off-The-Clock-With-B-Scott/61557737220814/

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/OTCwithBScott

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheclockwithbscott/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwu6_wWcXDoBzhpHv4YgZGQ

Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-5644782

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2g76hRDp9d609LETevSH2U?si=0ba23ae282c94e88&nd=1&dlsi=d9f84d7699b84724

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-clock-with-b-scott/id1734265760

Transcript

Q-Tip and Wade Discuss Migra Ammunitions

Speaker 1 0:00

It's 5 o'clock and you're off to Cargo Beast Guy, and today we're excited to have as our guest Wade and Q-Tip from Migra Ammunitions guys. Now, what they're going to talk about is the stack shell. Alright, what is that? Why do you need it, what does it mean and why is it different from a traditional shotgun shell, and how it actually helps you kill ducks. Now there's also some big news coming out this November from Migra and it's pretty big, okay, and they actually slipped up and I think we might actually know what it is. So leave a like, subscribe to the bell for notifications. Let's get right into it so how'd you get nickname?

Speaker 2 0:35

key tip, or is that even a nickname? Is that wrong? No, it's a nickname. Okay, it's a nickname, I just make sure but no 15.

Speaker 3 0:42

I was, you know, uh, racing dirt bikes and I started my first job in the 15, I was, you know, racing dirt bikes and I started my first job in the body shop and apprenticing, you know, after high school and doing all those things, but I come in with bleach blonde hair.

Speaker 4 0:54

You know, 125 pounds, tell them why Tell them why it was bleach? Blonde?

Speaker 3 0:57

Well, it was cool because Because number one, Jeremy.

Speaker 1 1:01

McGrath is my hero.

Speaker 2 1:05

Back to the heroes.

Speaker 3 1:07

And so I go to work and you know, work around a body shop, rough people. You know this is in the 90s, man. I mean, they'd cuss you'd make you cry. You know, if you weren't tough, they wanted to vet you.

Speaker 1 1:16

It's before feelings yeah, yeah, before it was you know you could have the, and so yeah they.

Speaker 3 1:21

They said you look like a little Q-tip.

Speaker 4 1:25

And then it just happened. They probably meant to say Q-T.

Speaker 3 1:27

Yeah, and so my friends would come in and they would hear that. And it just stuck. And it just went around the community.

Speaker 2 1:35

Q-tip's easy to remember.

Speaker 1 1:36

Oh yeah, now, when I hear your voice, all I can think is Q-tip your voice is fascinating.

Speaker 4 1:42

You want to know something when I first met you, I saved your name as David Yanello in my phone and then now, sometimes, when I go to text you or call you, I find myself typing Q-tip, not understanding why your name doesn't pop up, it is, it stays, it does.

Speaker 2 1:56

I don't even know his name.

Speaker 4 1:58

I don't care about his name.

Speaker 3 2:00

No, it's a lot, you know, I guarantee it?

Speaker 2 2:05

what are you so? Are you married? I am, I got. What does she call?

Speaker 3 2:10

you. She's like baby honey um tip she calls you tip, she calls you tip. Yeah, yeah, she, yeah, and she never. No, david never has left her mouth. I, I met her young and we, we married. You know 18 and 22, so you know we've been here for a long time we have too it's cool as crap. But yeah, no, I'm q-tipped to her too. Um I, my first job was at her uncle's body shop so and this, you know, we kind of met is that how? Y'all met yeah I saw why you left.

Speaker 3 2:39

I saw her and I was like is that why you left the body? Shop. I left the body shop to start my own business. Oh okay, and so that's how it, but I learned my craft there. I owe a lot to those guys. They were great to me and it was a fun.

Speaker 2 2:52

Met your wife, yeah, met my wife Worthwhile then huh.

Speaker 3 2:55

It was funny in the family for a little bit.

Speaker 1 2:56

Yeah, because I got an uncle with a body, her uncle with a body shop. Here I'm going to do my thing, but um, thanksgiving dinner was kind of like it was it was it become handshakes got a lot more competitive yeah, you know, yeah it um, and she had to pick size it was

Speaker 4 3:12

picky, no, I mean everybody's shirt I'm not gonna wear to thanksgiving everybody did pretty good.

Speaker 3 3:17

But you can imagine, I mean like you know, yeah, so it could be.

Speaker 2 3:21

It could be a little bit tense but yeah, you know, to keep it quiet oh dude, maybe I should say you ain't keeping him quiet. My opinion will stay silent today, not that one.

Speaker 1 3:33

So tell me about the Migra. What'd you do for Migra?

Speaker 3 3:36

So, migra, you know, obviously, drew and I have been friends, you know, for a long time.

Speaker 4 3:40

Drew's the founder.

Speaker 3 3:41

Drew is the founder.

Speaker 4 3:42

He long time.

Speaker 3 3:42

Drew's the founder. Drew is the founder, he's the presidente, and so Drew come up with this idea to make. To keep it short, answer that.

Speaker 1 3:51

Oh man.

Speaker 4 3:52

No, don't answer.

Speaker 1 3:53

That Answer. Put on a thing, Just say, hey, what's up? Yeah All right?

Speaker 2 3:58

You sure you want me to answer this.

Speaker 3 3:59

Answer Darryl hey.

Speaker 2 4:00

Darryl. Hey, what are you doing? We're on the podcast.

Speaker 1 4:06

Darryl.

Speaker 2 4:06

Darryl.

Speaker 1 4:07

You're actually a live caller right now.

Speaker 4 4:09

Darryl, I can't believe you're calling, do? You ought to know this as a Havoc employee.

Speaker 1 4:14

I figured you guys were done by now. Well, you know, it took us about three hours to get started. I know Y'all are so impressive.

Speaker 3 4:23

See, there he goes, there you go.

Speaker 1 4:26

What are you doing, daryl? I'm staring at the pavement right now, dude, you're always staring at the pavement. I do it is, it is. Do you stop somewhere to sleep or do you drive straight?

Speaker 4 4:38

through You're upside down. No, I stopped at KC last night and slept.

Speaker 1 4:43

Oh well, what.

Speaker 4 4:48

Bernard had a blowout in the trailer so we had to get his spare tire this morning.

Speaker 2 4:53

Sounds like a typical hunting trip. Yeah.

Speaker 4 4:57

Definitely a typical hunting trip.

Speaker 1 4:59

Oh, dude, well, it's just getting started for you. I bet you're going to have a fun week of problematic issues. Where are you at? I look forward to? Where are you at? I look forward to? Where is he hunting at when it starts like this? You know it is, you know it's going to be a good hunt, though no good hunts ever go easy. No.

Speaker 4 5:12

No, that'd be too much to write.

Speaker 1 5:21

Oh yeah, but I was going for the update, Daryl.

Speaker 4 5:25

Definitely could have sent a text message Daryl. Daryl Definitely could have sent a text message, daryl.

Speaker 2 5:29

Let me make sure somebody's there, yeah, daryl's like uh, okay, somebody's got the unlimited foreplay, he said.

Speaker 1 5:36

So that's why I really wanted to tell you oh, you're the man, daryl. Thank you for calling.

Speaker 3 5:42

Thanks, daryl. He said he'd be there in like 40 minutes. Thanks, daryl, you're the man.

Speaker 1 5:45

Bye Daryl.

Speaker 4 5:46

Hey Daryl.

Speaker 1 5:46

Hey, we'll call you later.

Speaker 4 5:48

All right, y'all don't miss the podcast. All right.

Speaker 1 5:52

No, we're not going to.

Speaker 4 5:57

You might, though hey, we miss you D alright, daryl, we'll talk later.

Speaker 1 6:03

Okay, alright, buddy dude.

Speaker 4 6:06

I ain't no wish to the party alright, daryl, hey, we'll.

Speaker 1 6:11

We'll call you back, alright, later. Alright, I'll teach DC well back from Daryl. Break, more break. Yeah, goodness gracious, daryl's such a good dude though he's a legend, he is.

Speaker 2 6:24

I love hanging out with Darryl.

Speaker 3 6:25

I do sometimes. I love hunting with Darryl.

Speaker 1 6:28

Darryl's a legend he's a good dude. Now he'll get you into some, some sticky situations.

Speaker 3 6:33

Oh, it's just like my friend here, but stop it. What if you wanna get in some bull crap and some stuff get tore up? Hang out with him?

Speaker 1 6:41

why I don't know if it's just like a uh it's. It's the art of war, of hunting. It's like you're wearing and tearing on everything and like go ahead, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's just like you beat it up, beat it up, beat it up, beat it up, and then eventually it gives.

Speaker 4 6:55

And when it does give, it's an unfortunate time well, and it's like you, when you're trying to go to it, you're going hard to it, don't matter what you got to get there right. Really think about how you're getting, how you're going back. But then, after you tear it up, after you hurt, you know you beat on it, beat on it, beat on it, tears up. It's like man, how did what? How did?

Speaker 1 7:11

this happen? What happened? How do I?

Speaker 4 7:13

deserve this. I've only went over 14 trees in the week. You know like why is this messed up?

Speaker 1 7:17

but that's what it is it is because he's very cautious. You take care of stuff really good boy.

Speaker 4 7:22

What pristine condition if oh, I don't tear stuff up a lot, I just so it can be torn up.

Speaker 1 7:31

So did you shoot Migra before you started working there, or was it right at the beginning of Migra when you joined?

Shotgun Shield and Stack Load Technology

Speaker 3 7:37

So I shot the first Migra that was in Ziploc bags. So Drew the founder, me and Drew were friends long before Migra, and so I met Drew when his father passed away. We started hunting together and Drew had went through college. You know, I was actually starting my career, you know, of self-employment by that time, and um drew was, you know, getting out of college trying to figure out what he's going to do, you know whatever. And to make the long story short, he calls me one night. He's like hey man, what do you think about? You know this shotgun shield? I think I want to make shotgun shields. I said you've lost it. I mean like absolutely lost your mind, like there's no way why would somebody want to make shot?

Speaker 3 8:20

well, I mean and you're talking about a 30 year old man you know, like I'm going to get into the shotgun shield like this. Is a midlife crisis or something well, I mean to me fairly a young entrepreneur still to get into the shotgun show I guess so you know, and I'm like yeah no um, that's terrible, you know it's terrible idea.

Speaker 3 8:40

And so he goes through the process. You know all the the the tech, testing and engineering and all the different things and like we've got shells and ziploc bags out going hunting ducks with them and fast forward. You know he was like, hey, man, here deal we. If this, if this happens, and I and I make it like one day you can sell your company and we'll just hunt, you know we'll just have fun and you can retire and we'll just hunt and have a good time. And I'm like you're a moron, I love you, but you have lost your freaking mind, you know. So here we are. You know drew drew's idea sold the company.

Speaker 4 9:12

Now you're working for it yeah, sold my company.

Speaker 3 9:14

Now I'm working for migra and and, like I said, get to work with my friend a bunch of friends, wow and uh, it is really. It is really a cool story and there's a lot more to it I mean I could tell you. But, like I said that it's really a cool story of how it worked out. You know, and how two buddies you know wind up doing the things that they enjoy. You know, in in waterfowl and man, you got a show out there.

Speaker 2 9:36

That's kicking butt right now, honestly, I mean like it's, it's a thing, it's not like I mean I've heard a lot of good things about it, but how long uh window we talking about when he first told you the idea until now? I mean it's five years, five years.

Speaker 3 9:51

Five years. It started 2017-18. It really was a thing 2019. You know, it really started hitting shelves in 2019.

Speaker 4 10:00

Yeah, I think they either registered the company or had the copyright in 2019, I think is what he said.

Speaker 3 10:06

But 2017 and 18 was product testing, trying to figure out what we do. I mean we're handing out Ziploc bags full of shotgun shells to friends and outfitters.

Speaker 2 10:14

So what makes the shotgun shell special? What did y'all do different than anyone else on the market?

Speaker 3 10:18

It's the stack load.

Speaker 2 10:19

Stack load. Yeah, I mean, that's the stack load. That was the beginning of it. That's the patented process.

Speaker 3 10:23

The original stack load was the patented process to put the big pellets in front of the little ones you know a drafting process there and create density and energy.

Speaker 2 10:34

Now, what does that stack load do for somebody Kills ducks? Well, I know that. But what is the advantage of stack load?

Speaker 3 10:44

Well, again, it's a drafting process. You know, it's just kind of like the NASCAR idea, without getting totally crazy and granular. But think of swing shot. Are you serious? Think about a NASCAR. You're drafting crazy and granular.

Speaker 2 10:54

but think of Wingshot. Are you serious?

Speaker 3 10:55

Think about a NASCAR You're drafting the small pellets behind the big pellets. That's an absolute fact.

Speaker 4 10:58

That is an absolute fact, just wind resistance being out of the equation for the smaller pellets. Are you kidding me?

Speaker 2 11:04

Yes, who dreamed that up?

Speaker 3 11:06

Drew, drew, wow. So you know which is a great idea.

Speaker 1 11:10

Great idea, it's a great idea. I never thought in a million years that would I mean he watched Ricky Bobby, he watched Ricky Bobby and the next day he's like Shake and bake. We're going to slingshot these smaller.

Speaker 2 11:22

BBs. So you're telling me the big BBs go out there, they clear the path and the small BBs are killers, kind of yeah.

Speaker 3 11:37

It's like a bunch of little killer bees coming behind there to clean everything up.

Speaker 1 11:39

Yeah, but you know your energy is in the front and you got those little rascals in the back shake and bake baby.

Speaker 3 11:42

So as much as I kick him in the nuts and he's a very brother to me, you know like, and I always want to be that guy to do that um, you know, he's while we're sitting here doing what we're doing that is nuts.

Speaker 2 11:51

Yeah, that's crazy having. I did not know there's that much technology in that.

Speaker 3 11:56

Yeah, there's more to it. There's a lot more than that. I mean, you know, wow, you know, you got people out there trying to.

Speaker 2 12:01

Does people really know that? I mean, I know it's stacked, but do people understand what stacked means?

Speaker 3 12:05

the people we come in contact do do, and that's that's one of the most you know. That's a priority of ours as a company, and where we're focused on is, you know, educating people about what we do.

Speaker 4 12:15

Wow that's cool, yeah. And I'll tell you another thing. With that drafting technology you're talking about the short of. It is like when you go shoot, you have a shot string that's longer, right, right. When you're drafting behind that bigger one, it shortens that shot string because you're not fighting that wind resistance, right?

Speaker 1 12:29

So all that just happens. And you know, were you nervous, though, when you took the leap of like selling your business and then jumping on this?

Speaker 3 12:36

No, because Myra was three years old, you know, at that time. Myra was, you know, already doing a thing and I knew I was going to sell my business regardless. I mean, I was going to get into something. And then we talked and the opportunity's there, and. And then we talked, and the opportunities there, and it was like a real-life thing. It came to be real life and the team was assembled. You know our friend Mark Regalbuto, he's our CEO now. He stepped in. I came in at the same time. Wade comes in.

Speaker 3 13:08

I mean it was like three hires within six months. Yeah, I mean it just started moving really fast and the growth started to happen Like real growth, real marketing growth within six months. Yeah, I mean it just started moving really fast and the growth started to happen like real, you know, real growth, real marketing growth and and like, um, I would say, uh, a relevance and a a lot of, you know now, respect amongst peers, you know micro is a micro, is a deal.

Speaker 3 13:23

We're out here doing our thing and we love the people that we work with. We are a family and I think people see that and it's pretty contagious. I think it is.

Speaker 1 13:34

I think it makes it fun so, with it being like a five year timeline here, we're talking about during, like the COVID years, like where things were hard to get it was on the shelf, so y'all was, y'all was we had it when nobody else.

Speaker 4 13:46

Y'all had plenty of yeah, so like a new company that nobody's really buying, you got a bunch of inventory.

Speaker 3 13:52

Yeah, these guys had the foresight to buy it yeah. And everything was gone, and my is on the shelves.

Speaker 2 13:57

It's like a perfect storm, so where can y'all find this stuff?

Speaker 3 14:01

I mean they're across the country.

Speaker 2 14:02

They're everywhere. Simmons is everywhere.

Speaker 3 14:04

And you can go to our website too.

Speaker 1 14:05

I mean, I've seen it. I've seen that in and pallets at Simmons. You can go to our website. There's a dealer locator on there.

Speaker 3 14:11

You know, if anybody goes to the website looks out, you know, look at our swag and all of our merchandise and stuff. It's on there A lot of cool information about the product. The technology Wade's done a lot of that, a big part of that. But yeah, you can get on their dealer locator you can find product to buy.

Speaker 1 14:37

Yeah, it so. That's enough about the business aspect.

Speaker 3 14:38

Like you said, your dream, y'all's dream was to make money that you can hunt with.

Speaker 1 14:40

You're gonna hunt now right, so this season coming in you feeling good about this season we're gonna smack them. I mean, we're going, we're gonna be there, we're going, we're gonna find them somewhere we're gonna smack them. I'm just telling you we're gonna miss killers. Y'all gonna launch a big uh boat ramp tour this year too. Huh round two brt 24 tell us a little bit about that.

Speaker 2 14:53

What's that all about?

Speaker 4 14:55

you mean done with it? Uh, so basically a couple years ago we were talking and trying to figure out I mean kind of similar our conversation earlier like what can we do to be different? Um, right, and and man, it just kind of went to like what's nobody give me a sour thanks oh man don't eat all of them, I just want one or two. All right, thank you, you just got to watch him, dude. He tried to eat my mom's earlier. Yeah, I got. Wade shows up. He's like everybody else.

Speaker 3 15:18

Tell him about butt rinsing, sorry.

Speaker 4 15:26

I love candy man, I do too. But anyway, daryl does be different and the only thing we could figure out to be different, because everybody that makes shotgun shells. They claim they shoot farther, they hit harder. You need some help opening that sir, there you go, you can't tear it. No, look, you see what I got to deal with.

Speaker 2 15:44

I'm glad he's selling shells.

Face-to-Face Marketing and Stress Management

Speaker 4 15:44

He can't deliver them, he couldn't pick them up. Shut up, man, anyway. So we wanted to be different. We didn't want to tell people like we're shoot us, shoot our shells, because they they shoot farther, harder. You know the same thing, you're right. The time it was like so how can we be different? And if you look around, like as a company that's, you know, at that time, three and a half, four years old, we don't have a whole lot of employees and we're able to move in ways that other people can't move and able to do things that people can't do, so it's like, well, if you want to sell more shelves, you've got to go to the customer. You know you can run digital ads all you want. Who came up with that plan? That was, I would say, that was mine. I mean Q-Tips helped build it, but I mean it was something that was. Then this opportunity come up and it just clicked.

Speaker 2 16:37

Go to the customer.

Speaker 4 16:38

Yep. So go to the customer and you know there's three things you want to do when you're out there with the customer. You want to connect with them, you want to connect with them, you want to educate them and you want to convert them. I mean, if you don't convert them, that's completely okay, because you're able to connect and educate them with what's going on. At least they're aware.

Speaker 2 16:54

Yeah, and it's a longer play. I mean, a lot of people know there's a stacked ammunition lineup. They don't know why, they don't know what it does and obviously you guys were the first ones that did it.

Speaker 1 17:05

Yep, and it's almost like one of them deals like if you've shot a know shell your whole life up to this point. It's like why are you switching? Why would you switch? You know you've done it this way for so long. Your dad or whatever has done it this way for so long. Why would you switch? Yeah, you know, it's like. It's almost like you have to give a little bit to give them the experience to make them want to say, okay, maybe, maybe I do need to try something different I don't need to, and we put 15 shells in a dry bag.

Speaker 2 17:30

Yeah right, and you put that dry bag away and we give it out and we tell them all the time.

Speaker 4 17:34

Tell us you love it, tell us you hate it.

Speaker 1 17:36

Keep the dry bag, dump the shells out of it whatever you want to do, does anybody ever come back and say, man, I won't buy any, but thanks for the 15.?

Speaker 4 17:42

No, Thanks, for if they don't like, it is nothing you know, and then if they love it, they'll come back and if you see them, they're like dude we love, like this.

Speaker 1 17:56

Is it? We shot them? Yeah, it was money?

Speaker 3 17:57

yeah it just. We are of the belief that if we can put it in their hands, we can find a customer yeah and like so. That was the thing it was kind of. It was cool because it we're going to come in contact with a bunch of people that would never see our product.

Speaker 4 18:12

It may not ever be on social at all.

Speaker 1 18:14

Yeah, and they never see it.

Speaker 4 18:15

They don't get on Instagram, like they're not. No, it's a different crowd, you're a different crowd.

Speaker 3 18:20

Going back to the blending in part again, you know, and that's the thing, you hand them a bag of shells. Try it and it works, man.

Speaker 1 18:34

We generally make a customer out of them like that. Well, just just the fact that you would put your faces in front of people with a product and then give it to them face to face and say, hey, try it, let us know how you it shows you stand up behind it, because for one. It's like there's no way, if I had a shell, that that didn't work when I handed to somebody. Yeah, in person you're definitely not going to put yourself in that situation.

Speaker 2 18:52

No, you would never do that. No, we're confident in what we've got. That's why we are with our boats. I mean, I wish we can give one.

Speaker 1 18:57

I mean we would put our boats up, just throw one out there to everybody. Absolutely, but it's a little different boat to show.

Speaker 2 19:09

A little. I mean we want to build the best stuff ever. I mean, if it's not the best, tell me what I did wrong and we'll fix it, you know. Just tell me what I did wrong. That's identical to what we tell people.

Speaker 4 19:20

Yeah.

Speaker 2 19:20

That's what we tell people. It's like just tell me what you don't like, we'll fix it. Yep, but I mean, I get it, I get it.

Speaker 4 19:33

But what you guys, it's like and there's a lot more to admire from that like just don't think, like that's surface level shallow, like yeah, like there's so much more to it and there's so many more. There's actually like you can, you can, it's tangible. If you look around and you and I start pointing things out at other brands and other companies, it's going on, you'd be like, oh, this is how that works that's right.

Speaker 1 19:51

That's right. You've got to see it and that's why, once it clicks, it's like once it's like that's how everything works, like breaking through the. You know, you say matrix, like you just busted through it's like red pill, blue pill like you're like, oh I see everything now.

Speaker 4 20:04

It's not just that all these people love it. It's like there's somebody out there actually managing those relationships you know, communicating with them.

Speaker 2 20:11

Yeah, it's showing them the best product possible. So I mean everything you guys represent, everything you guys. I mean you're always involved with the best people.

Speaker 1 20:20

And another thing too, about just the aesthetics of it. Yeah, the brand of the micro brand. I mean it looks clean, Chris, it's like the white.

Speaker 2 20:28

Yeah, I love it, it's money.

Speaker 1 20:29

If you ever like you get a new iphone, you get like a macbook or something. You pop that case over. Everything is white and everything's engineered to just perfectly undo. You. Don't gotta rip a single thing in any iphone package ever, no heck yeah, yeah, the logo and everything.

Speaker 2 20:43

So I mean, so how are you enjoying it? I mean, I'm here enjoying this I, I love it.

Speaker 3 20:49

It's the coolest season of life. Man, you know like you go through your thing and you open it. You build a, you build a, you build a company and you know you go through all the hardships that. You know you get it and yeah, and like you do that and you um get to a place in life and now I can hunt and be around my friends well, I mean, you still own a business, right, I mean, you still own a business.

Speaker 2 21:10

How long did you own your business? 17 years you just saved 10 years. So you, so you. You enjoy stress a certain level. You need it every day, okay I need something to get me going but because you're a problem solver right, you gotta have that stress mostly a problem like, like like if you wake up, you have no stress in your life, no problems to solve.

Speaker 3 21:28

You get a little uneasy, yeah right, yeah, I like to fix things yeah, you do right, exactly because you own business.

Speaker 2 21:35

So how are you handling that?

Speaker 3 21:38

going from that stress level to just going hunting Is there, it ain't just that, and I and I would say there is some issues there, some planning issues, some issues.

Speaker 3 21:49

Yeah, there's a lot of admin stuff that goes along with what I do. And then obviously, you know we, we all support one another and and, uh, moving forward with whatever you know thing that may be, whatever initiative that is, whether that be marketing or, you know, production or whatever, um, designing a shell and input in those areas. But yeah, there's a lot. I would say I spend as much or more hours doing what I do now.

Speaker 2 22:14

Yes, then what you did before yes, I.

Speaker 3 22:17

The only thing is is I don't. I don't think people have that direct dependence on me. That's right you know.

Speaker 4 22:23

Financially, yeah, you know like your employees right like you.

Speaker 3 22:26

You take that stress home because you know. But you know you're, you're what you're. The decisions you make provide for their family you're feeding families, and so it's a totally different. It's a totally different dynamic. The stress of it is obviously trying to live up to the expectations of my team you know I don't want to let my team down and, just like you guys, I'm sure everybody on your team feels the same yeah, I don't want to let my team down.

Speaker 3 22:48

I want to do the best I can for them I don't care about that guy and I just I want to. I want to be that guy. When I stop being that guy, I'm not going to do much well obviously you're a leader, you know I try to be helpful I would just say that I just try to be helpful.

Speaker 4 23:03

You know, like I, I think he has value wherever he goes like, no doubt he has that value.

Speaker 3 23:08

I think that's the goal I just want to be helpful, yeah yeah I want I want to see this brand grow. This is probably, you know, like starting a. That's the coolest thing in the whole world. It's the American dream. You start a company and you watch it grow. You build a good product. I'm proud of what Drew has done and then now watching the team grow, watching the brand grow it's as rewarding as my own company was. It's a really cool.

Speaker 2 23:34

Because that's your buddy.

Speaker 3 23:35

Yeah man, I want to see him win.

Speaker 2 23:37

You support your buddy. I want to see the company win.

Speaker 3 23:38

But you know, everybody wins, you know, and it's fun, even like sitting here with you guys. It's freaking awesome.

Speaker 2 23:45

Yeah.

Speaker 3 23:48

You know like I make new friends every day.

Speaker 2 23:49

I've been dying to meet you ever since I heard you. Oh dude.

Speaker 1 23:51

We were coming back from Colorado and Daryl called Q-Tip and I was like who in the heck is Q-Tip? I was like man, I wonder what he looks like.

Speaker 2 24:01

I wonder what Q-Tip looks like. I didn't ask Daryl who he was. I'm like maybe I don't know, fisherman hunter.

Speaker 1 24:05

I don't know, he definitely sounds like he's a sportsman, it's like one in the dark holding the light. You know, I was thinking, man, this mama didn't like him.

Speaker 3 24:20

Q-tip, he's definitely probably frog gigging right now or something. No doubt I do love gigging frogs In his yard.

Speaker 2 24:23

I love gigging frogs, gigging frogs.

Speaker 3 24:24

I do love that. That's fun.

Scaling Up and Branching Out

Speaker 2 24:26

But yeah, so it's pretty cool. I mean, I've learned so much today.

Speaker 3 24:39

Are you other than like duck hunting, deer hunting, turkey hunting? You're doing basically anything that's open. I love, I love it. Oh, you're gonna take some of that nut grub home today huh, the nut grub is probably one of the most exciting things, like nut grub.

Speaker 3 24:45

When I walked into that nut grub and smelled that and met that fella, hey, gentlemen, good people, and uh, so I opened that bag and it smelled like it did and I said said so, my goal is, when I get home I want to go and shoot a couple deer for the freezer. And I've been thinking about that the last two days coming back from Alberta and I was, like you know, I got about 10 days to rest before we start boat ramp tour, right.

Speaker 2 25:06

So, I'd like to go home and whack a few deer, you know just to feel like a man you know to provide a little bit of wild game. When are you going home?

Speaker 4 25:16

tomorrow so I'll go home tomorrow, you're serious, make that trick.

Speaker 3 25:20

You know I'm gonna probably start, maybe split a little bit of it tonight, you know and we got plenty of deer.

Speaker 2 25:25

If we known we can put you on deer well, I'm hundreds of deer yeah, I'm kind of conflicted.

Speaker 3 25:31

You know I should probably. I should probably try that. You know, daryl's, like you know, won't you go y'all go kill a hoged? You know, I should probably, I should probably try that. You know, daryl's, like you know, won't you go y'all go kill a hog tonight?

Speaker 1 25:38

you know yeah, I do, we got everything here, man, yeah, everything I don't know man, I don't know what I'm gonna do. I I just we've been showing you deer pictures since you got here. Bucks daylight on a nut grub.

Speaker 3 25:50

I want to practice my own nut grub at home well, I have to'd get home.

Speaker 2 25:55

He wants to build his own story.

Speaker 1 25:59

The earlier you get the nut grub. On Nut grabbing.

Speaker 3 26:03

Sheep dude. I mean, I got a couple of pretty good looking deer at home and if I can get them on that nut grub, I'd be. They're going to show up, I'd be special.

Speaker 2 26:13

You're going to get it on nut grub, I promise.

Speaker 1 26:15

I'll tell you what you do. You ready, go out there about midnight, put the nut grub out and when there's a little bit left in the bag, throw it in the air. Climb up, climb up, get in your setup. They'll be in there three and a half, four hours later. Let the sun come up, smoke them right daylight, just sleep in your stand. Hey, don't risk spooking them. Hey don't risk spooking them. Going in just for midnight, being there the whole time.

Speaker 3 26:43

No, grub it, I like it. I mean, that's a freaking strong plan, dude. Well, I mean, and I ain't got nothing to do, that's a dedicated plan. I'll be home alone when I get there, so I have nothing to do.

Speaker 2 26:54

The problem is a lot of times early season in October. They're always feeding early. Yeah, you have to be in their way, you always run the deer out of their feeding areas, but the midnight thing is actually probably a pretty good idea.

Speaker 4 27:06

If you're going to hunt, if you're going in October. You know he used to only put corn and out like at midnight. Yeah, because he would try to run them out if they're there at night and he would just push them out and then bring them back.

Speaker 2 27:16

Unfortunately, unfortunately, what he said is probably the best option and it sounds a little radical.

Speaker 1 27:21

Some people don't like hearing it.

Speaker 4 27:23

But if you want to kill, that's what you got to do, that's right. Yeah, killers, kill.

Speaker 3 27:35

Get out of here building any other shells other than duck load? We do, yep. Oh, what else do you build? We do? Turkey, oakland and dove. So we have an ultimate field load, we have an ultimate dove and we have a turkey load. So what's the turkey load about tss? Um, it's a. It it was one of the not because I love turkey and it was a one of the more exciting things to come out.

Speaker 3 27:51

We it's a seven, nine stack yeah you know a lot of you, you see a lot of your, your turkey lows and tss or nines yeah um, but with the sevens they created a lot of energy and a lot of punch, yeah, um and 20 gauge, 12 gauge, all of them, yeah 410, no 410 yet, um, but 20 and 12 are both available, and and they they are y'all looking into the 410 stuff yeah. Yeah, we have to.

Speaker 2 28:15

Yeah, there's a lot of people hunting turkey 410s.

Speaker 3 28:18

We have to, but no, they're impressive and the dove loads, like that thing. This year has been super, super busy for us because, you know, springtime we released our turkey load the first time and then obviously over the summer we got the ultimate dove and the ultimate field loads out, and all of those products have been a huge success.

Speaker 2 28:37

Um I'd like to get some turkey lotus coming absolutely.

Speaker 3 28:41

You guys will have it, and and you um. So what would?

Speaker 1 28:44

be left for you guys, buckshot uh no, what would be left?

Speaker 4 28:49

because we've got our stack, we got our field and dove, and then we've got our turkey, we've got our Field and Dove, and then we've got our Turkey, we've got Waterfowl.

Speaker 3 28:57

We've got some things you know, from a variety standpoint. You've got vintage gun opportunities that are out there. You've got some business opportunities. You've got some slug guns. Yeah, we have two products that are going to be released in Probably mid-November, mid-november that are going to be pretty special to a lot of people. That like to do what we do and shoot ducks, but those are going to come out in mid-November and be pretty exciting.

Speaker 3 29:23

That'll be cool, but it's been a busy year for Micra. Oh yeah, again, it's a great team. Everybody really works hard and we've got a lot done this year and and can't wait to see what the growth looks like.

Speaker 1 29:36

So the bigger it gets, is it get to where everything has to be planned out more and more? I mean, is it getting where?

Speaker 3 29:44

14, 15 in the office, you know, or around you know, between me and him and some of you know he and I work remote. Got another when julian works remote, um, but yeah, and then factory people, you know you've got factories and all that stuff. Then you got sales teams, you know, you got, you know for regional areas that do that.

Speaker 1 30:01

But migra employees, you know yeah, you're probably right, did y'all have? Do you have ever any issue getting any kind of like material, any powder, any uh pellets in oh?

Speaker 4 30:11

that's an issue every day day, is it? Worse now.

Speaker 3 30:16

We got a war in Ukraine.

Speaker 4 30:18

I would say that some of it's worse, some of it's not.

Speaker 1 30:23

Are you seeing other manufacturers slowing down in certain areas just because of that? Slowing down and raising prices Really?

Speaker 3 30:31

Yeah, making shales has a lot more to do with supply chain than it does. You know, obviously. You know you create a great product, you know and all those types of things. But now, as far as maintaining, you know you've got marketing, you've got all these areas of things that you're doing, but supply chain and it's, it's big yeah it's, it's just, it's huge. But, like I said, we have a great relationships with competitors. You know, we, we love talking to competitors and and we're we, we love everybody in the industry.

Speaker 4 31:02

We try to get along I think we all lean on each other we do, I think, to a degree.

Speaker 3 31:07

Everybody, you know, talks and everybody has, you know, the same understanding, you know, in that area too, toward so what's the next move for you guys once you master the shotgun business?

Speaker 2 31:17

I mean, you want to grow the business to huge sizes, or do you want to just? Branch out keep scaling up, yeah keep growing.

Speaker 4 31:27

I think that would be the best. So just to keep scaling up, and I mean, as you scale up, you've got to scale out right now. So there's more opportunity for hires there, but you've got to go up before you can go out. And if you go out before you scale up, you've got to scale out, right, you know. So there's more opportunity for hires there, but you've got to go up before you can go out. And if you go out before you go up, you spend too much money.

Speaker 3 31:41

But you scale in pieces. It's crazy how that happens. And you scale in size, but you also scale in quality. Yep, you know that's the thing too. That is true, and growth is a cool thing, but actually getting better? And making the process work smoother.

Speaker 2 32:01

You know what the real challenge is. The real challenge is being able to produce something, mass produce something to supply the demand and maintain quality.

Speaker 1 32:10

It is.

Quality Control in Shotgun Shell Manufacturing

Speaker 2 32:13

That's the biggest challenge of manufacturing or doing any kind of business is how can you supply the demand? How can you build the best boat you can and mass produce it?

Speaker 4 32:24

Yeah.

Speaker 2 32:24

And shotgun shells has to be the same. It is. You can either reload them yourself hand by hand or you can computerize. Do it by computer, but is it the same quality? And is it the same quality? And is it the same quality? You know how do you guys test your shells.

Speaker 3 32:40

Random selection, qc. You know we developed a lot of systems. You know, there, like I said, you know our production team does a great job of figuring out those things. But random selection, you know how random that is what's acceptable. You know, I mean QC is huge. You know you got to look at your products and shooting them, not just picking them up and looking at them but taking them out. Run, you know, through a case of sheep.

Speaker 2 33:05

Do you guys have a batch number on here? Yes, yeah.

Speaker 3 33:07

They do have batch numbers, so you can trace them back.

Speaker 4 33:10

Okay.