EP 517 | From a Car Trunk to an Empire | The Untold Jay’s Sporting Goods Story episode artwork

EPISODE · May 26, 2026 · 1H 31M

EP 517 | From a Car Trunk to an Empire | The Untold Jay’s Sporting Goods Story

from The Fall Podcast · host Arron Bleise

Most people know Jay's Sporting Goods as the giant Michigan sporting goods store… but very few know how it actually started. In today’s episode, I sit down with Arlene Yost, Jeff Poet and JJ Poet to hear the real story behind the empire. What started in the trunk of Jay Poet’s car in the 1960s eventually turned into the largest privately owned sporting goods store in the country. Before the massive stores, packed aisles, and loyal customers… there was a one-car garage, a dream, and a family willing to bet everything on it. This episode dives into the history, sacrifices, risks, and moments that built Jay’s into what it is today. Some of the stories in this one honestly sound too crazy to be real. If you love hunting, the outdoors, business, or just hearing how something legendary was built from absolutely nothing, you’re going to want to hear this one all the way through. This was a special episode for me to record, and I’m incredibly thankful the Poet family sat down to share it. Enjoy. . . . Promo Codes: Latitude Outdoors: thefall Americas Best Bowstrings: TFP Helix Broadheads:TFP Faceoff Ebikes: TFP Asio Gear: FALL20 Kuhle Archery: FALL25 . . . Partner Websites: Jays Sporting Goods - https://www.jayssportinggoods.com/ Helix Broadheads - https://www.helixbroadheads.com/ Latitude Outdoors - https://www.latitudeoutdoors.com/ Garmin Bow Sights - https://www.garmin.com/en-US/c/outdoor-recreation/sportsman-and-tactical-devices/ Prime Archery - https://www.g5prime.com/ Asio Gear - https://asiogear.com?utm_source=pro&utm_medium=fall Faceoff Hunting Ebikes - https://www.faceoffebikes.com/ Michigan Buckpole - https://mibuckpole.com/ Vitalize Seed Company - https://vitalizeseed.com/ Kuhle Archery - https://kuhlearchery.com/ Everland Outdoors - https://everlandoutdoors.com/  Moonguide - https://moonguide.com/ Moultrie - https://www.moultrie.com/ Don’t forget to check out the Fall Podcast Youtube channel for new content. Subscribe to the channel as well. Thank you. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWSCcGJeHHxejFXBZAO83QA For updates from The Fall Podcast: The Fall Podcast on Instagram - The Fall Podcast The Fall Podcast on Facebook - The Fall Podcast Facebook The Fall Podcast Youtube Channel - The Fall Podcast Youtube Channel Subscribe and Rate us on Itunes: SUBSCRIBE to The Fall Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people know Jay's Sporting Goods as the giant Michigan sporting goods store… but very few know how it actually started. In today’s episode, I sit down with Arlene Yost, Jeff Poet and JJ Poet to hear the real story behind the empire. What started in the trunk of Jay Poet’s car in the 1960s eventually turned into the largest privately owned sporting goods store in the country. Before the massive stores, packed aisles, and loyal customers… there was a one-car garage, a dream, and a family willing to bet everything on it. This episode dives into the history, sacrifices, risks, and moments that built Jay’s into what it is today. Some of the stories in this one honestly sound too crazy to be real. If you love hunting, the outdoors, business, or just hearing how something legendary was built from absolutely nothing, you’re going to want to hear this one all the way through. This was a special episode for me to record, and I’m incredibly thankful the Poet family sat down to share it. Enjoy. . . . Promo Codes: Latitude Outdoors: thefall Americas Best Bowstrings: TFP Helix Broadheads:TFP Faceoff Ebikes: TFP Asio Gear: FALL20 Kuhle Archery: FALL25 . . . Partner Websites: Jays Sporting Goods - https://www.jayssportinggoods.com/ Helix Broadheads - https://www.helixbroadheads.com/ Latitude Outdoors - https://www.latitudeoutdoors.com/ Garmin Bow Sights - https://www.garmin.com/en-US/c/outdoor-recreation/sportsman-and-tactical-devices/ Prime Archery - https://www.g5prime.com/ Asio Gear - https://asiogear.com?utm_source=pro&utm_medium=fall Faceoff Hunting Ebikes - https://www.faceoffebikes.com/ Michigan Buckpole - https://mibuckpole.com/ Vitalize Seed Company - https://vitalizeseed.com/ Kuhle Archery - https://kuhlearchery.com/ Everland Outdoors - https://everlandoutdoors.com/  Moonguide - https://moonguide.com/ Moultrie - https://www.moultrie.com/ Don’t forget to check out the Fall Podcast Youtube channel for new content. Subscribe to the channel as well. Thank you. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWSCcGJeHHxejFXBZAO83QA For updates from The Fall Podcast: The Fall Podcast on Instagram - The Fall Podcast The Fall Podcast on Facebook - The Fall Podcast Facebook The Fall Podcast Youtube Channel - The Fall Podcast Youtube Channel Subscribe and Rate us on Itunes: SUBSCRIBE to The Fall Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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EP 517 | From a Car Trunk to an Empire | The Untold Jay’s Sporting Goods Story

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This episode was published on May 26, 2026.

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Most people know Jay's Sporting Goods as the giant Michigan sporting goods store… but very few know how it actually started. In today’s episode, I sit down with Arlene Yost, Jeff Poet and JJ Poet to hear the real story behind the empire. What...

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