What does this business do? “Firearms training, recreational shooting, firearms and accessories sales.”

How many full-time and part-time workers do you employ? “Four to six full time, 20 part time.”

What was the impetus for starting this business? “The need for a quality firearms training/shooting facility that caters to all in a family-friendly atmosphere.”

What made you think a firing range would be successful? “With the population of Elgin and the surrounding communities being as high as it is, there are more than enough shooters to support a range.”

Who makes up your clientele? “Men and women between the ages of 10 and 85 looking to learn more about the shooting sports, self-preservation or to expand their skill and knowledge.”

How has your business changed over the years? “It took two years to get it going. For only being open for just over a year, we are still learning what our customers want and need, but so far all is going well.”

What is the best thing about being in Elgin? “Elgin has a lot to offer a business, a diverse population of open-minded citizens, and a city council willing to work with new businesses.”

What is the biggest challenge? “I don’t see any challenges about being in Elgin. The city has been excellent with us.”

When is your busiest time of year? “Fall and winter.”

What is the most popular service you provide? “The firing range and concealed carry classes.”

What is the thing you most like to do as part of your business? “Teaching new shooters how to properly handle firearms and finding one that fits them.”

What is your least favorite thing to do? “That’s a hard one. There is no least favorite.”

What is the biggest misconception about your business? “We are all about personal and firearms safety. We provide training and a place for people to practice their skills.”

If you weren’t doing this, what line of work would you be in? “Retirement. Enjoying relaxing and traveling with my family.”

Do you have any future plans to expand? “At some point, sure, but for now we are focused on making Fox Valley Shooting the best we can for our customers.”

What do you wish someone had told you before you started? “We got a lot of good advice from groups such as the National Rifle Association and National Shooting Sports Foundation, but the one thing I wish we had done was to get the ball rolling sooner. As soon as the business plan showed it would be successful, I should have been in full-steam-ahead mode.”

Erin Sauder is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.  First published in the Elgin Courier-News on 10-04-19.