Name: Meghan Gilbert
Age: 34
Title: Co-owner
Company: Lion Guard Armory, Chelsea
About: Federal firearms dealer
Website: LionGuardArmory.com
What’s your biggest challenge right now?
Fitting everything in in one day. There’s either not enough me or not enough day. I have a family, and I want to spend time with my family. Really, if I could add more hours to the day, that would be great. I’m still working on that. Technology has helped. I use the Google suite (of Web-based software), so I can access all my stuff from a cellphone at a soccer game.
What’s the best advice anyone has given you?
To keep trying. I had a co-worker at an auto auction, Tammy Chapman. She ran the lunch counter. She was a caterer and did floral design. She told me to keep trying, keep track of everything and never stop trying.
How do you foster creativity in yourself or your staff?
Pinterest. I flip through Pinterest. (Pinterest is a website where registered users can share, save, upload and manage a collection of content or ideas.) It’s the visual aspect I like. In the gun industry, I don’t have many people to talk to. I can’t just leave the shop and go talk to someone. So I look for ideas there.
What’s your biggest fear?
That I won’t be able to pay my business bills, and that’s worse than not being able to pay my personal bills. I always keep trying new things, and more things. My brother Justin (co-owner of LionGuard Armory) took gunsmithing classes, so that’s something else he can offer. I got certified, so I am an instructor and I can teach classes, and I can teach classes for women. I just try to continue to innovate.
How do you navigate challenging market conditions?
As a gun seller, we try very hard to stay out of both ends (of the gun debate.) We don’t hang out there. We try to stay in middle, maybe lean to the left a little. We stick to the core. We don’t sell military-style tactical gear … (but) I will try to sell you a gun rack for your Prius. There will always people who collect Colts from 1900, or single ladies who want some protection. We get people who have never owned a gun who say, “Show me how to be safe around one.”
Five Questions is a new feature in Central Maine Sunday. If you are a local business and would like to be featured, contact reporter Jessica Lowell at jlowell@centralmaine.com.
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