Turning a Hobby Into a Successful Online Business

The COPreneur Path Podcast

Many cops get so caught up in the idea that they need to establish a business connected to their law enforcement work that they miss out on some of the most lucrative possibilities right in front of them.
Like me, my guest today has been growing a successful business that started off as a hobby. Paul Lewis unintentionally began his business when he started stitching together custom hunting, fishing and tactical gear for himself. Friends and co-workers began asking him to make stuff for them and FHF Gear was born.
Fast-forward to today, when FHF Gear has blossomed into a huge success. It was acquired by MeatEater Inc last year. Paul is still the company's CEO, and he tells us about his own COPreneurial path in this interview.
Get all the links, resources and show notes at https://leo2ceo.com/copreneur-path/066
About Paul Lewis
Paul retired from the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office after a 20-year career which included many duties from patrol to investigations and SWAT. He started designing and making gear in late 2008 and founded FHF Gear in 2010 to help fill the demand for high-end, functional fishing, hunting, and tactical gear.
In July of 2020, FHF joined forces with MeatEater Inc in order to help grow the brand while allowing them to focus on new product design.
Web/Social Links

• Website: https://fhfgear.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-lewis-ab412b11/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FHF-Gear-130198773673148/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fhfgear/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FHFGear

Highlights
[00:50] Welcome to episode 66!
[02:01] What is FHF Gear and what type of products do they sell?
[02:46] The interesting story of how FHF Gear was started by Paul.
[04:41] Paul slowly grew his business over the course of nine years while still working in law enforcement full time.
[06:23] How Paul made his decision to go all-in with his business.
[08:36] Like so many Paul struggled with Imposter Syndrome and was not sure if he fit in as a COPreneur.
[10:12] Having the business has helped Paul realize there was an entirely different aspect to his community.
[14:10] Breacher CRM: Book More Classes and Automate Your Instructor Business (launch update)
[18:28] Paul explains why he feels one aspect to his business journey has been being in the right place at the right time.
[20:08] Starting small and reinvesting into his business helped Paul snowball FHF Gear into success.
[23:54] When starting as a solopreneur it can be challenging to take the next step and hire help.
[26:04] Check out FHF Gear and use coupon code LEO2CEO to get a discount!
[26:57] Paul's advice: Use your skills as a cop to know who you can trust as a business owner.
[28:00] How to connect with Paul Lewis and FHF Gear!
Resources Discussed/Links
https://www.LEO2CEO.com - LEO2CEO Community: A resource for cops who want to start their own business.
https://breachercrm.com/launch - BreacherCRM is the first and only business and marketing automation software that is purpose-built for Law Enforcement Instructors to track and nurture leads, increase client retention, book more classes, and create recurring revenue.