As our first rendition of our Blog, I would like to take time to offer you a deeper dive into the past, present, and future of Sonoran Stealth Solutions. I, for one, am someone who likes to purchase products from and surround myself with people I know and trust. For that reason, I think it's appropriate to start by giving you small, important pieces of myself. Ultimately, tying in how these experiences impacted my decision to start my own company, centered around the values and lessons learned along the way.
Dirt Roads & Fist Fights
Born and raised in a town called Rio Rancho, NM, life was simple. Our city wouldn't necessarily be considered "small" but compared to modern standards, it absolutely was. It was and still is the type of place where you can't leave the house without running into someone you know. That in itself has it's pros and cons, but if I'm being honest... I wouldn't trade it for the world. Growing up in such an environment provided me with many unique opportunities that I feel most kids these days just don't have. I mean, hell... we didn't even get our first cell phones until we were of driving age. We also didn't grow up with a lot in terms of materialistic luxuries, but what we had was always enough. We played outside until the street lights came on, settled our disputes on our own, and were expected to be accountable for our words and actions at a very young age. If our lives really do flash before our eyes before we cross over, I cannot wait to re-live some of those moments. Looking back, that era was almost magical.
Teenage years were very similar; only difference was a newfound access to things and places that could get us into even more trouble. I won't dive too far in, as I'm sure we all had somewhat similar experiences, so I will leave it at this: When your main focuses in life consist of chasing girls, racing cars, off roading, underage drinking at bonfires, riding dirt bikes, shooting guns, playing sports, and getting into fist fights... you're bound to be a good parent. We all know for a fact, we were just as "invincible" once upon a time.
Speaking of parents... mine were truly the cornerstone of my brother and I's life. Although not without imperfections (just like the rest of us) they always did everything they possibly could to ensure we were taken care of. I don't say that lightly either. There was a point where we didn't have power to the house for a short stent because they went so far beyond their means to provide my brothers and I Christmas gifts, they couldn't pay the power bill. Luckily for us, we could still play with GI Joes in the dark, and the only method of heating our house was a wood burning stove. Their list of selfless acts such as these goes on and on. I really can't even begin to express to levels of respect and love I have for those two amazing humans. I owe them everything.
Thank You COVID
Fast forward to March 2020, right smack-dab in the middle of COVID. I'm 29 years old, living in a nice home that I purchased, working a high paying job, and really just coasting along. Life was good! Or so I thought. Within two weeks, my entire world was completely turned upside down. Due to the global pandemic, I was laid off, and forced to sell my home I worked so incredibly hard for. On top of that, admittedly, I was still dealing with the mental strain associated with the loss of my second brother just a couple of short years prior. I can't even begin to express what it's like to see all your years of hard work starting to finally pay off, and then, just like that... its all ripped away from in a moment due to circumstances completely out of your control.
Despite all that BS... I did still have one thing though... an undeniable urge to make something more out of myself, and this life I've been given. It's strange... when you go from having everything, to nothing, you kind of get this odd sense of optimism and confidence that no matter what, you're going to figure shit out. At least, that's the kind of mental fortitude I abide by. So... for what some could consider an extremely rash decision at the time... I decided to leave everyone and everything I had ever known behind. Parents, friends, my support system, and my family. My plan? Head west, towards Arizona. Just me, my German Shepherd Ace, and a U-Haul, headed into the unknown with the hope of starting over. This was one of the largest wagers I would ever make on myself. Failure was not an option. I had to do it right this time.
Are You a Cop?
A question I get asked way too frequently. I think it's important to highlight, this this next part was all happening during the George Floyd riots. While I am not taking a stance on that topic, I do come from a very heavy LE family, and friends group, which makes me intimately familiar with what the job entails both on duty, and at home. Unfortunately, it's not a pretty picture a lot of the time. Regardless, at almost 30 years old, as I'm sitting in the comfort of my home, watching cops getting fucking murdered in the streets for something they weren't even a part of, I could not sit idle anymore. Watching those videos killed me inside. So, I figured... now is probably a good time to go make my mark, right? I was already working on my pilot's license. I know the LE world very well. I genuinely care about the profession and people. I already applied twice in my early 20s, so I know exactly what to expect, right? I'm much more mature, intelligent, honest, and squared away than I was previously. I should go after a position with Mesa PD, and work my way up to the aviation unit. I can and will make a difference (que overly optimistic FB post).
Well... it just so turns out, New Mexico's LE standards are nothing like Arizona's. While I did a literal metric ton of research before making the move, I must've completely skipped over the part in the AZ POST where it stated a very specific limit on how many times an individual could reasonably consume marijuana after 21 years of age. According to this document, to be a cop in Arizona (not even a good one at that) the magic number is less than 5 times. I genuinely did not find that out until I got to the PIQ (personal integrity questionnaire) portion of the hiring process. This was after I had just killed it on the written and physical portion of the testing that I had taken months to prepare for.
Maybe they'll understand? Maybe I just need to get in front of them and talk to them first. Show them who I am. Present all my letters of recommendation. Let them know I turned down multiple six figure job offers while in their application process. That will convey how passionate I am about this... Right? HA! Really dude? You think they're going to care? After my brutally honest polygraph session, I was escorted out of the building by a middle aged man in uniform who left me with these stern, condescending, sarcastic words of encouragement, "maybe when you learn how to make better life decisions, you can come try again in a few years."
That right there ladies & gentlemen was the final nail in the coffin for me. I did not feel that I deserved that sort of treatment, nor was I in a position where I had to accept it either. So... on that devastated blur of a drive home, I made the determination that I was completely done with this endeavor. If they didn't have an ounce of respect for what I had sacrificed to be there, why would they care what I sacrificed on the job? Truth is... they probably wouldn't. I really wish I knew who that officer was. I would sincerely thank him today, because without that nudge... I wouldn't be sitting here today, telling you this story.
Oh yeah, did I mention there's a girl in this whole story too? Spoiler alert... we're getting married next year. You'll meet her soon!
Stay tuned for Chapter 2 where I dive deeper into the events that led us here...
