Jessica Kallam has been a friend of The WON for many years now. We’ve gotten to know, and love, this hard-working and passionate lady in the shooting and outdoor industry. She is a mom, a hunter and avid 2A supporter, and works for SilencerCo, the leading company in firearms suppression.
In this installment of Gal Gab, Jessica kindly answers our standard six questions. Her responses give us insight into the busy life of this vibrant professional. Her words both challenge and inspire. She is a great example that women don’t have to fit a certain mold in order to be hunters.
1. Describe a typical day in your work life:
Is a typical day really a thing? I oversee three departments at SilencerCo (Marketing, Customer Service and Warranty) so my day-to-day can vary a lot. Some days I might be focused on budgets (not my fav) or working on ways to help our warranty department improve on their already great turn-around times, while other days I could be building a new product launch plan or joining the team on a photoshoot or writer event. While none of my days are typical, I enjoy them all so I can’t complain. There is one thing that is consistent though, DOGS! We have a dog- friendly office and they are everywhere; dogs just make the day better.
2. #1 piece of advice you would give other females who want to break into the industry?
Sorry, going with three things here. Fail up, find “your people” and discover great mentors.
None of this advice is industry specific but it is important, in my opinion, to become successful.
3. What motivates you?
Simple answer: me. Having said that, I choose to be motivated for many reasons, but my daughter is definitely the biggest reason. When she was young, I was motivated as a single mother to provide the best possible life I could for her. As she grew older, that reason grew into so much more. I wanted to not only provide a good life for her, but also show her that you can be and do whatever you want as long as you believe in yourself, motivate yourself and put the work in to make it happen.
4. Most unexpected thing you’ve learned, while working in this industry?
Wow, let’s back up 20+ years ago … I learned that I could be a girly girl and a hunter. I didn’t grow up hunting and my opinion of what type of women hunted was not who I wanted to be, or so I thought. I started in this industry in my early 20s, and while I had a strong interest in firearms and personal defense, I had zero interest in hunting. As time passed and I had the opportunity to work with and meet some amazing women that hunt, my view quickly changed. The bottom-line, your age, your style, your career, your upbringing – none of that matters. Anyone can be a hunter and you don’t have to change who you are to be one.
5. Favorite product in the outdoor or shooting market right now?
I am a little biased, I guess, but the SilencerCo Omega 36M is my favorite product; I can suppress just about anything I own with it. I live with some hearing damage, so being able to suppress my firearms is very important to me.
6. Let’s have some fun … what weapon would you use to battle a giant?
My EDC knife the Kershaw Launch 7 – I would climb that giant like a spider monkey and take care of business … JOKING. Grenade launcher — may be overkill but it would do the job. Seriously, my weapon of choice would be a long range rifle with a SilencerCo suppressor on it (wink wink) so I could take care of him before he ever got close to me.
Be sure to give Jessica a follow on Instagram — we love keeping up with her as she travels, shoots and hunts!
Jackie Baird Richardson is an interior designer, editor at The WON and avid junker. Watch for her design tips and occasional crafting ideas, bringing the outdoors indoors. View all posts by Jackie Richardson
