Conversations with Joseph Wilkey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Wilkey.

Hi Joseph, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
How I became a company owner and a multi-state Firearms instructor.

I personally come from a background of many fields, be it welding, life insurance, sales positions, management, etc. All fun. Nothing I loved. It’s not easy to follow your passions and make money while doing it. And in many cases, I don’t think it’s too late to start. It’s hard to accomplish, especially without a good support system. But not impossible. Hard work, dedication, consistency, continual learning, and striving to be GREAT at what you do. And you’ll get there. The world has a funny way of helping you accomplish what you are putting your effort, your all into.

I decided I was going to make one of my hobbies, something I could make a living doing. Definitely not easy. But boy, do I sure have fun working! I looked up what needed to be done in order to be a certified firearms instructor, learned to build a website, own a name, create a logo, and went for it! Most days, I feel blessed to do something I love!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely a learning curve when creating your own business from scratch and not knowing what you’re doing! I learned how to build a web page, own a name/llc, create a logo, make business cards, shirts, advertising, working social media accounts, etc!

A bit of a rant here but one of the hardest things was when Facebook de platformed me. 13 years of my personal FB account and about four years of my business account they removed completely. Even though I followed the guidelines. First, I was shadow banned. I could post, but no one could see my posts. When I used to get dozens of comments on my posts! Then my accounts were removed and I was given 30 days to give an appeal. Which I probably did 50 appeals. I even made a new FB account and appealed on behalf of my removed account. Nothing ever went through to Fb. 30 days went by and I received a message from Facebook, stating that I never sent an appeal and my accounts were permanently deleted. Total BS!

Not long after, Google said I couldn’t advertise either. Once again following their guidelines and rules. I have a new FB, but I can’t do Facebook advertising and again I’m shadow-banned, so no one really sees my posts. All because I support the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and teach children and adults how to safely store, operate, and clean their firearms. If you haven’t guessed it. FB is actually super anti 2nd Amendment.

So I go into businesses, partner up and talk with people and place cards and advertising, best I can on a multitude of platforms. It’s definitely a lot of work. But my interactions with people are so great! I have made many friends from teaching firearms safety and I love it! So the Fb and Google thing hurt bad. But I get lots of referrals from people that I have taught. They must like me or something, haha.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I own a private firearms instruction business. I’m a Multistate NRA Certified Firearms Including a Chief Range Safety Officer. What I do is travel to people’s homes or business and teach private courses. I set up ranges on public, private land, or designated shooting ranges. I teach, Concealed carry permit course. (Utah and Colorado)

Personal protection outside the home defense/Personal protection inside the home defense.
Basics of Pistols/ Basics of Rifles
Youth Firearms Safety Courses.
Private Range time.
Room Clearing.
Advanced training, Rifle/Pistol
and soon to be a monthly shooting competition to improve your skill and win prizes.

I specialize in helping people who are new to firearms in being able to learn how to feel more confident in their ability to handle firearms and operate them safely. Learning the basics such as proper stance, sight alignment, grip, breath control, hold control and trigger control. As well as understanding the laws surrounding when you can and cannot use, nonlethal or lethal force, outside the home, inside the home, for yourself or a 3rd party. What to do when an officer approaches while carrying a firearm. Calling 911. What to say to the police after a potential self-defense shooting. Carry insurance, Holster options, vehicle carry, what buildings you can and cannot carry/where you can and cannot carry.

In addition to offering more advanced training for those that have used firearms and have more or less the basics. But would like to be able to shoot better, more accurately, and more quickly. And have that assurance that what they are doing is correct.

Anyone that takes my courses also gets a free consultation in helping them find the right firearms that fits them and their purposes. I always bring extra firearms to my courses so people who don’t have any or have 1 or 2 of their own will be able to have more hands-on experience with different brands and calibers.

A lot of people don’t like being in a classroom setting, especially when it comes to learning such a valuable skill. I have found that the more personal courses in people’s homes, or sometimes my own home significantly impact many individuals’ ability to learn just by having a more comfortable/familiar setting.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Haha, I feel like I take risks every day. You can imagine for a moment, going out into the field with a stranger/strangers that you met only hours earlier after just teaching them firearms safety. Who have usually little to no experience with firearms. Some would say that’s an accident waiting to happen! Luckily, I have never had an accident on my range “knock on wood.”

I guess you could call it calculated risk. I’m taking my literal decades of firearms experience and condensing it down in a way that someone who is more less completely new to firearms can understand and repeat in a safe manner, in a relatively short amount of time. There will always be a degree of risk there. And everyone learns differently, which can make it fun and sometimes a bit challenging.

Aside from that risk. I think of the political climate. One side wants to protect the constitution and the 2nd Amendment. That without, I believe we wouldn’t even have a Constitution anymore. And the other side constantly wants to blatantly strip away people’s rights to bear arms and protect one’s self and family etc. Despite the literal facts and data showing that what they are doing is extremely detrimental. I’m constantly having to check to see which law has been unconstitutionally changed.

Pricing:

• Concealed Carry permit course. $125 for a private 1 on 1 course. Utah and Colorado Course is $200. Colorado with 2 people is $115 each and 3 or more people is $100 a person.
• Basics of Pistols OR Basics of Rifles Private 1 on 1 course is $200. $190 each for 2 people and $180 each for 3 or more.
• Personal Protection Outside the home is $250 a person.
• Private range time is $50 for a 1 on 1. $45 a person for 2 or more people
• Youth firearms Courses are $100 a person.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.levelupfirearmsllc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levelupfirearms/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LevelUpFirearmsllc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA2fm8iQ45GByaBo-7-fWCw
• Other: https://mewe.com/i/levelupfirearms

Image Credits
Michael Wilkey with Caveman llc