Nevada Shooting Sports - Steve Johnston & Finn West

Most people see a finished business and assume success happened quickly.What they don't see are the years of planning, setbacks, sacrifices, uncertainty, and persistence that happen behind the scenes.In this episode of the Bourbon & Ballistics Podcast, I sit down with Steve Johnston and Finn West, the team behind Nevada Shooting Sports. What began as two men pursuing similar visions eventually became a partnership focused on building one of the most ambitious shooting sports destinations in Northern Nevada.Steve's background in hospitality and the firearms industry combines with Finn's experience as a retired Marine Corps EOD Technician and combat veteran to create a unique perspective on leadership, operations, customer experience, risk management, and entrepreneurship.Over a pour of Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon, we discuss how they met, the lessons they've learned building a large-scale project, the mentors who helped them along the way, the sacrifices required to pursue a long-term vision, and why success often takes far longer than most people expect.This conversation isn't just about firearms or shooting sports. It's about building something meaningful, adapting when plans change, and continuing to move forward even when the finish line feels years away.If you've ever wanted to start a business, pursue a dream, or tackle a challenge bigger than yourself, this episode is for you.