How did you figure out your business concept? The “Rx” came from the profession I was trained in, Pharmacy. In target design, we can customize to the shooters skill level from beginning to the advanced level. In a sense; when we make a target we are filling your prescription for success. Systems comes from the ability to provide a modular design that when combined with their counterparts, create a playing field of targets ready to challenge the shooter.
What is the Mission of Rx Target Systems? Comprised of 3 points. (1) To bridge the gap between firearms and airguns in respect to targets. (2) To provide a portable, modular, 3-Dimensional training device to develop and maintain shooting precision and accuracy when one is not able to make it to the live fire range. (3) To raise awareness to childhood kidney disease through the use of educational material and testimonials.
What services do you offer? Manufacturing airgun target systems for home or commercial use. We can set up for recreational or competition use. Custom work is available upon request.
How many are on staff? Myself and a sales and marketing manager. I have contracted CNC plasma cutting and welding. We also use technical advisors in areas of ballistics and engineering where appropriate. We use the public ranges of Utah Airguns and Central Ohio Airgunners to beta test many of our products.
What has presented the most challenge in starting Rx Target Systems? Not having a machining/industrial arts background. Initially the product was basic wood for the frame and aluminum for the paddles, designed for nerf and airsoft. I then spent hours reading and watching videos on the topics pertinent to manufacturing quality products. But here is the key- know when to accept help- drop the ego, the industry is changing and we are all in it to advance the sport of air gunning.
What factors have influenced your drive to better the industry? 1. I noticed how the advancement of the airgun power was opening a gap between the target industry. They were generating more power than the current targets made for airguns could tolerate repeatedly and reliably. The only choices were to buy new ones, rimfire rated targets, or AR steel targets that provided audible feedback but may or may not fall like traditional paddles. 2. Industry leaders, their support and recognition of what I am doing, which has been a true blessing.
How do you advertise your product? 1. A Rx Target is advertised by the user telling others how well it works for their application. 2. Youtube channel, Facebook, Instagram. 3. We are a member of the Airgun Nation. 4. We have a 30 second commercial spot on Jager TV.
What has been your greatest accomplishment thus far? Filing a United States Patent application on the Resettable Airgun Target System in May 2018. Currently the status is pending approval for the Utility Patent.
Do you use the professional services of an accountant or attorney? Absolutely. I used a US Patent and Trade Attorney for filing the Utility Patent application, and they also will represent in any infringement cases. We have a very good business attorney for policy, terms, and contracts. I feel you can never neglect this area.
What do you look for in an employee? When we become able to hire employees, traits needed are patience, reliability, and the never settle for mediocracy mindset.
What is your company’s business goals? 1. This will be our third year in March 2020. Profit margin becomes a priority if we are to sustain. Much of last 3 years has been heavy research and development to bring innovative yet practical products to market and networking in the industry to establish a foothold in the community. 2. Getting an Rx Target System on every tournament field and back yard range possible. We want to not only make you better, but also keep you sharp. 3. Supporting the Melissa Bitkowski patient and family support fund at pediatric dialysis unit of CS Mott’s Childrens Hospital, Ann Arbor Michigan.
Do you work locally or nationally? Both. Currently we are taking dealer applications locally and nationally.
What is unique about your business? Our product is a system, the first of its kind to tackle bridging the gap between firearms and airguns. I am an Airgunner designing target systems for the Airgunner, that are modular, portable, robust, and affordable.
What are your responsibilities as a business owner? Making sure my vision and values of the company holds true in everything we do, from design concept to customer service.
What does your company do for the community? Currently portions of our sales go to the tax exempt giving fund we set up in our daughter’s name at the pediatric dialysis unit of CS Mott’s Childrens Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
What advice can you offer to someone just starting out a business? 1. Do your research on your industry to learn the market value of your product or service. 2. Drop the ego. enough said on that. 3. Network face to face if possible to understand what the client is not saying. Use the phone because it forces you to listen to what they are saying. 4. Don’t give up. step away, regroup, try again.
What can we expect in the future from Rx Target Systems? 1. 2020 will see dealers registering on a national level. It is important to keep the industry moving forward by supporting the the store fronts and web based businesses. 2. Early 2020 will see an exclusively designed target system featured on the American Airgunner TV “American Airgunner Challenge”. You will want to see this!! 3. 1/10th scale speed silos will be out and ready for the Pyramid Air Cup. The design platform is based on the 1/5 scale 2019 product but will be 5 silos per bank and a specially designed target lock and reset mechanism. 4. We look forward to partnering with the RMAC team and bringing Rx Targets into the line up. Like and follow us on our facebook and instagram page.
Design Philosophy: vision for the airgun industry
Rx Target Systems design philosophy is to provide a clean, rugged, modular target system suited for air guns of all power ranges. No longer does one with high power pre-charged pneumatic airguns have to struggle between choosing fire arms rated targets that may be too heavy to knock over and light steel manufactured targets that are destroyed repeated use. Our innovative design permits fluid paddle reset and paddle stability using gravity and angles when handled within the set power guidelines. The modular design is key, allowing purchase of one starter unit and then the opportunity of adding different face plate configurations and paddle thicknesses. Our Silhouette line is modular as well, one base allows interchange of silhouettes with removal of a nut and bolt.
Apertures: 25 mm vs 30.5 mm
Apertures of 25 millimeter or one inch is perhaps the most common bulls eye, and rightfully so. Groups are expressed in inches center to center, and grouping in fractions of an inch speaks volumes. To hunters one inch is the kill zone of many small game and commonly used to sight in their rifles for the task. What I see is a perfect training tool for rapid fire pistol using an air pistol at 21 feet. Why? The one inch target at that distance is approximately 1/4 scale to shooting ISSF Rapid Fire Pistol at a 100 mm bull at 25 meters.
So why make the 30.5 mm or 1.2” Rx Target? The paper target NRA 10 meter Air Rifle target’s 4 through 10 ring is 30.5 mm. Using the Rx Bull Challenge 1.2” not only gets one focused on scoring in the black, but also presents it three dimensionally. Once the student is hitting in the zone consistently, move to the official paper target. Bottom line, Rx Target Systems are designed with purpose- to not only develop skill, but to maintain it when one cannot make it to the range.