About the Company

Gun Made began as a blog providing unbiased reviews and guides about firearms, ammo, and accessories. Initially a side project during the COVID-19 lockdown, it evolved into a media business attracting millions of readers yearly. The company primarily earns revenue through affiliate marketing, helping retailers generate significant sales and receiving commissions or pay-per-click income. Despite its current success, Gun Made is still growing, with plans to expand into new media verticals such as advertisements, sponsored posts, and brand promotions.

In its next phase, Gun Made aims to develop an e-commerce platform to assist consumers in finding the lowest-priced firearms by aggregating prices from hundreds of retailers. This approach aligns with consumer behavior studies indicating that shoppers prioritize cost over brand loyalty when purchasing firearms and accessories. The company anticipates becoming a seven-figure business by capitalizing on this market insight and expanding its product offerings.

Idea Behind Company

Brady Kirkpatrick's entrepreneurial journey began in early 2020 when he sought ways to build an online business while working as a financial advisor. Noticing a gap in the firearms industry for unbiased reviews and guides, he started a blog to provide comprehensive information and monetize through affiliate marketing. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Brady dedicated himself to learning SEO and researching various industries to identify opportunities. He discovered that the firearms industry was underrepresented due to restrictions on traditional advertising platforms, presenting a unique opportunity for growth through organic content and SEO.

By focusing on creating high-quality content and understanding consumer behavior, Gun Made positioned itself as a valuable resource for gun enthusiasts. Brady's vision extended beyond the blog to developing tools and services that would further enhance the consumer shopping experience, such as a price aggregation tool to help users find the best deals. This approach laid the foundation for Gun Made's success and future growth.

Creating the Company

Building Gun Made involved extensive research and development, with a strong focus on SEO to drive organic traffic. Brady reverse-engineered search engine algorithms to identify popular topics and questions related to firearms, creating content that addressed these interests. As the blog's readership grew, Brady recognized the need to expand and diversify its offerings. This led to the development of a pricing aggregation tool, which required hiring a software company to bring the vision to life.

The process of building the company was challenging, with Brady investing significant time and resources into learning new skills and managing various aspects of the business. Over 15 months, he spent $65,000 of personal savings to get the business off the ground. By prioritizing content quality and SEO optimization, Gun Made successfully attracted a large audience and established a solid revenue stream through affiliate marketing.

Brady emphasizes the importance of patience and dedication in the entrepreneurial journey, advising others to remain focused and avoid rushing into partnerships or external investments. He credits the success of Gun Made to maintaining a clear vision, executing a well-thought-out marketing strategy, and being open to learning and adapting along the way.

Launching the Business

Launching Gun Made was a gradual process that required perseverance and strategic planning. With the world in lockdown, Brady took advantage of the situation to focus on building the business, leveraging personal savings to fund its development. He personally designed the website, managed SEO efforts, and hired writers to create content. Establishing relationships with gun retailers and manufacturers proved challenging initially, as many required proof of readership and unique visitors before partnering.

Through persistence and effective communication, Brady secured partnerships with retailers, leading to a snowball effect as more companies expressed interest in collaborating. By the start of 2023, Gun Made had a waitlist of retailers eager to list their prices on the website, along with numerous companies wanting to send products for review and promotion. This growth marked a turning point, with the blog's readership reaching 40,000 to 50,000 visitors per month.

Brady's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to remain patient and avoid the temptation to give up or seek quick solutions through external capital or partnerships. He believes that maintaining equity and control over the business allows for more sustainable growth and better decision-making in the long run.

Earnings

Gun Made's success in attracting and retaining customers is largely attributed to its robust content marketing strategy. Brady emphasizes the importance of understanding content marketing and hiring skilled creators to produce valuable content that resonates with the target audience. By focusing on SEO, keyword research, and content quality, Gun Made has effectively grown its customer base and revenue stream.

As of 2023, Gun Made is profitable, with plans to significantly increase revenue in the coming years. Brady's vision includes becoming the largest blog in the firearms industry and generating over $50 million annually in gun and ammo-related sales. The business model, centered around affiliate marketing, offers high margins due to its reliance on remote and outsourced talent, allowing for cost-effective operations.

Reflecting on his journey, Brady highlights the importance of learning from mistakes and staying committed to a detailed business plan. He advises other entrepreneurs to document processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) from the beginning, enabling efficient delegation and scaling. This approach has been instrumental in Gun Made's growth and sets the foundation for continued success.