05/30/2024
Sovereign Ammo is closing.
Here's what and why:
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First, sadly yes, this is real. Thank you for being here for the adventure and supporting the vision for what we wanted to create. I have no regrets, I am not sorry, I feel pride for what we did, and how we're choosing to end things. Of course there is sadness, and admittedly a pile of stress over how to manage it all (it's a lot). But... onward.
The decision to close a business is a difficult one, but a fact of life as an entrepreneur. 90% of all businesses fail in their first year. I'm thrilled we made it 3. I am SO proud of what we built and eternally grateful for this moment in time to intersect with YOU.
Read my letter here: 💥 https://lnkd.in/ewEixeCu 💥
I have SO much to tell, and I will in time. For now, let's start here:
Top 5 Best Parts:
1) The incredible people I met, hands down. I'm so blessed!
2) The thrill of creating a business that made people feel loved.
3) The pleasure of building a 5-star experience that people raved about.
4) The freedom of being able to speak my mind and stand up for our rights.
5) The community of like-minded individuals coming together and ALL of us feeling less alone (particularly post-C&vid).
Top 5 Worst Parts:
1) Censorship is very real, and everywhere. Ultimately, it was the downfall.
2) HR was a nightmare. Hands down... nightmare.
3) The big players in the space own parts of the supply chain and can compete in the "race to the bottom" for price, and we couldn't.
4) A LOT of unethical, low integrity, grimy players in the industry. A LOT.
5) Working with my husband put stress on our marriage, and I hated it.
Top 5 Lessons Any Entrepreneur Can Take From This:
1) Objective data needs to be the guidepost of all your decisions. Your big feelings don't matter. This hurt - but it doesn't matter. **The right decision doesn't stop being the right decision just because you hate it.**
2) You can do everything right, and things still may not work out. Business is not a Disney movie, where the princess gets the guy at the end every time. Sometimes things just cannot work and the odds are stacked against you.
3) You gotta know when to hold 'em, you gotta know when to fold 'em. This makes you smart and strategic; not a failure by any stretch.
4) Put your PEOPLE (customers, shareholders, vendors, team, etc.) at the forefront of your decisions and you'll come out on top as a HUMAN every time, even if things don't work out the way you want.
5) Learn the lessons and pick apart the carcass when it's gone cold. Look for the lessons, and dig deep. If you don't, why are you even in business?
All this said, I'm going back to Vision Advertising full time and will continue to operate Laura DiBenedetto (consulting) on the side. That's another story on it's own; more on that another day.
Thank you for being my friend and joining me on this crazy ride so far, and please saddle up for the next one. You and I are just getting started. ❤️
