Give Back, Get More: Community Involvement Boosts Business

To boost Koteewi Archery’s business profile, Girt partnered his store with the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department, which holds year-round events. That helps Girt set up at HCPRD events to attract participants, and generate funds through admission fees for the department. Meanwhile, Girt meets potential customers and increases his brand’s presence.

In turn, the HCPRD invites Girt to participate at future events. Searches aren’t easy for Girt and his team.

“We regularly contacted school administrators, but that didn’t really work,” Girt said. “They’re there to run the school, not entertain kids. However, parent-teacher organizations are always looking for fundraisers or things they can do to raise money for (programs).”

Through persistence, trial and error, Girt learned which contacts helped him increase his store’s community engagement. His pro shop also donates proceeds from each event to the schools by working with parent-teacher organizations.

Those deals built a customer-appreciation program. The PTOs at a nearby school, for example, recently encouraged students to visit Koteewi Archery over spring break. For every kid who shot archery or rented equipment, Girt donated $3 to the school.

That agreement helped Girt advertise inside the school for new customers, and the school received much-needed funding in return.

Girt also donates range time or range memberships for raffles, auctions and fundraisers. He said the donations cost little, but provide big returns on his investment.

“It’s rare that winners come out to use the range card and don’t return,” Girt said. “They almost always come back and, when they do, they’ll generally bring friends or other kids with them, schedule birthday parties, and so on.”