The Northwest Wisconsin Regional Economic Development Fund, Inc. (NWREDF) and Northwest Wisconsin Business Development Corporation (NWBDC) awarded partnered financing to help Rockcrusher Outdoors startup operation in the Fur, Fins and Feathers retail outlet in Siren, WI.
As an avid hunter and experienced gunsmith, Chad Splittstoesser understands first-hand the importance of having the right tools for the job. Rockcrusher Outdoors, LLC was formed in April 2018 to provide the area with the proper tools to be successful in crushing their outdoor endeavors.
“I felt there was a major lack of opportunities in this area to shop for Browning, Remington, and other large name brands, especially with the number of avid gun enthusiasts and outdoor sportsmen,” Splittstoesser explained. Splittstoesser also stands by his work and offers an incomparable warranty.
The gunsmith portion of the business will offer customers full-service support for their firearms, including cleaning, repairs, restorations, bluing and custom work, all conveniently located off Wisconsin State Highway 35 north of Siren in the Fur, Fins and Feather retail outlet.
Additionally, Rockcrusher can repair a gun in hours if it is a simple problem and up to a week if parts are needed. Gunsmithing will function from the regular cleaning all the way up through major overhaul, bluing and custom builds. Specialties will include custom stocks, stock modifications and specifically shotguns.
However, finding financing for this type of business was not easy. Due to tight banking regulations and a riskier venture, Splittstoesser found it difficult to find financing.
“I was shot down by a few area banks and almost lost hope, but then one banker who was interested in my project suggested I reach out to Northwest Regional Planning Commission,” Splittstoesser shared. The rest is history.
It was hard for Splittstoesser, a trained gunsmith who has been trained in all aspects of the industry in a nationally accredited setting at Pine Technical and Community College (PTCC) to hear that his skills were not financeable. However, his drive, desire, well thought out plan, and a silent investor injection was what put him over the top and receive financing from NWREDF and NWBDC.
“The partnership with my retail space to the financing received gave me the start I needed and I’m taking the most advantage of it […] the doors have been flying off the hinges and the phone does not stop ringing, and I’ll do everything to keep it that way,” Splittstoesser said, “I am grateful for the chance [NWREDF and NWBDC] took on me.”
NWREDF and NWBDC revolving loan funding provided the financing to help Rockcrusher Outdoors get its start in Siren. To see if your business would qualify for a startup, transition or expansion loan product at NWRPC, contact loan fund manager Ken Pearson at (715) 635-2197.