Why I Teach My Competitors Everything I Know (Gun Business Strategy)

A long-time customer recently told me I'm creating my own competition by sharing business advice with other FFLs. He has a valid point, but I believe that in the firearms industry, a rising tide lifts all boats. This channel isn't just about my business, C Stephens Gun Works; it's about strengthening our entire community from the ground up.
In this video, I break down why the concept of "competition" is the wrong way to look at education and why I'm dedicated to helping other small gun businesses succeed. We'll discuss:
✅ My core philosophy on collaboration over adversarial competition.
✅ How small FFLs can avoid costly mistakes with inventory, ordering, and ATF compliance.
✅ The reality of market dynamics between small stores, large distributors, and manufacturers.
✅ Why helping even one person avoid financial ruin makes this entire endeavor worthwhile.
My goal is to provide the guidebook I never had when I started. By empowering the "little guy," we create a healthier, more resilient, and more responsible firearms industry for everyone.
Do you believe in sharing knowledge to strengthen a community, or is it better to guard your business secrets? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

00:00 - A Customer's Criticism: Am I Creating Competition?
00:25 - Why Collaboration is Better Than Competition
00:53 - The Truth About My Customer's Concern
01:10 - My Niche: Why I'm Not Worried About Local Competition
02:24 - My Real Mission: Why I Educate Other Gun Businesses
03:22 - The Harsh Realities of the Modern Firearms Market
04:01 - How the Industry Has Evolved (And Why It Matters)
05:01 - The Goal: Saving Others From Financial Ruin
06:01 - My Philosophy: A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
06:50 - Challenging the Industry's "Oligarchy"
08:39 - Why I'm Focused on Helping the "Little Guy"
09:50 - How Manufacturers & Distributors Can Hurt Small Stores
11:10 - Final Thoughts: This Is Why It's All Worth It
11:45 - Visit My Website & Subscribe for More!

Presented by Colt Stephens.
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