Archery is a specialty of the staff at Midwest Outdoors, LLC. The business launched after two entrepreneurs let their passion grow into a business.

Archery is one specialty of the staff at Midwest Outdoors, LLC. The business launched after two entrepreneurs let their passion for the outdoors grow into a business.

Andy Leighty and Seth Jensen started Midwest Outdoors in Andy’s basement as a side venture to their construction businesses. The pair was testing potential demand in the region before they leaped into the new venture.

Happily, the signs were positive, and the two businessmen opened their full time hunting and fishing store in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Feb. 28, 2011. In addition to hunting and fishing basics, the shop also offers trapping supplies and some apparel.

Andy and Seth grew up in the Nebraska outdoors and take pride in their one-on-one customer service, extensive knowledge base, and the quality products. Their niche is archery. Midwest Outdoors is the only full-service archery shop in Grand Island, and boasts a single indoor lane out to 15 yards and a single outdoor lane out to 70 yards.

REAP financing and technical assistance helped get the new business off the ground. Seth said, “This is an excellent program. We weren’t able to receive financing through the bank. We still had to have a solid business plan, market analysis and collateral to back it.”

He had high praise for his REAP Business Specialist Dena Beck. “This program fits many needs, and people like Dena really ‘go to bat’ for you. She worked extremely hard to help us secure financing.”

The two entrepreneurs already have plans to expand. They are working on a floor plan for a much larger new building, with room for two tenants. They figure it will be a reality in about two years, and given their drive and passion, that’s practically a given.

Andy Leighty & Seth Jensen
1719 Aspen Circle Suite 1
Grand Island, NE 68803
308.675.1717
midwestoutdoorsllc@yahoo.com