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EP 26 59:12

SHOT Show First Timer Guide: How We Got In and Made Moves | with Carl

SHOT Show looks glamorous online, but showing up without a plan will humble you fast. In this episode of We Da People, we break down what it’s really like on the ground, how media access works, and what separates creators who “walk the floor” from creators who actually build relationships.

SHOT Show looks glamorous online, but showing up without a plan will humble you fast. In this episode of We Da People, we break down what it’s really like on the ground, how media access works, and what separates creators who “walk the floor” from creators who actually build relationships.

We talk through the SHOT Show ecosystem: manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and media, plus why Range Day is where you get the only real live-fire time with new products. The crew shares first-time lessons like using the SHOT Show app for classes and scheduling, setting a mission before you arrive, and understanding that not every booth contact is the decision-maker.

Our guest Carl (ig@sir.tactical) has a unique angle: blending fashion with firearms and designing concealed-carry and competition-friendly clothing that looks clean on and off the range. The conversation gets bigger than gear, too: how presentation opens doors, why gatekeeping kills community growth, and how to operate with a “bring somebody with you” mindset.

In this episode we cover:

  • What SHOT Show is and who it’s actually for
  • How creators get credentials and what “media” really means
  • Range Day planning, logistics, and what we wish we did sooner
  • Booth strategy: finding the right person, not just a rep
  • Why influencers should stop accepting “free product” as payment
  • Building connections without being a gatekeeper
  • The lane nobody’s filling: style-forward carry and training apparel

Key takeaway: Go with a mission, move intentionally, and value your time like a business.

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Intro Beat by IG: @pmcwave 📲 Connect with the Crew: 👉🏾WDP https://www.instagram.com/wedapeopletv/ 👉🏾Sheltonhttps://www.instagram.com/sheltoncjohnson/ 👉🏾Colin https://www.instagram.com/gunplay_tv/ 👉🏾Fred https://www.instagram.com/fredrickthrasher/ 🛒 Merch, updates & more at: https://wedapeople.shop/

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