Inspiring individuals to become capable providers and protectors

TA Targets is born

The first A-DAP is drawn

On 7/14/15 the first A-DAP Target System was drawn. The first photos were taken on Jared’s Samsung Galaxy S5. His wife, Jess, later taught him how to use a “real” camera.

The full lineup is complete

First trade show

TA went to the Great American Outdoor Show. It was the first time TA was in the public eye, and the first time we spoke with people face to face about our products.

First website sale

TA sold its very first target through the website.

First cease and desist letter

We discontinued one of our products.

New and updated products

The Falling Tree launched and became our first product to earn a utility patent. AR550 A-DAP target systems were released. Several gimmick products flopped.

Over $24K lost to fraud

You win some, you lose some. It was a painful lesson that not every customer is honest, and that some people will try to ruin you for their own gain.

More products reach the market

The Falling Tree is patented

That made ours the only Falling Tree on the market.

Our biggest business mistake

A steel mill supplied falsified documents and sold us improper steel. Our targets wore out and became unsafe, and we replaced around $60K–$70K worth of targets immediately.

KeystoneCarry

Jared created his own YouTube channel, KeystoneCarry, to talk about his passion for firearms. A side benefit was that it helped supplement his income.

Nearly one trade show a month

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. At one show we spent over $60K to attend and sold only around $20K in product, a loss of more than $40K. It was incredibly disappointing.

Forging the journey with Graig Davis

First employee hired

Our first hire without ownership ties. Yes, it took four years to be able to hire help.

Our own office space

TA moved into a rented upstairs office and renovated three offices for future employees.

First videos on YouTube

We made our first real product videos, many of which are still live today.

A rented barn

No, not to farm. We rented a barn to give our videos a consistent look, and used it for dozens of product photo shoots: thousands of photos for the website and social channels.

COVID-19

Sales stopped abruptly when the shutdowns were announced, so we had to find new ways to reach people. We posted encouraging content through the tough stretch.

As a government contractor we were told we were “required” to mandate vaccines. We refused. We told them to pound sand, and we said the same thing each time.

Exodus Companies

Exodus Companies was created to be the head of all new companies to follow. Jared’s vision was a collective of companies that could impact several markets, not just steel shooting targets and range training. Several brands launched at the same time:

TA also began selling night vision through Arkayne.

TA was growing

Year over year, TA grew 40%. A team formed, later known as Exodus Companies, and with it came more hires and the most YouTube videos we had ever posted.

Arkayne takes off

Arkayne Co. sales grew quickly. We filmed our first video at Site B, which was used to sell night vision.

A new logo

The old logo made no sense, so we made one that is more elegant, streamlined, and true to the TA legacy.

The Exodus podcast

We started a podcast to grow the culture, with the idea that regular content would be a good avenue for impact. For about a year we posted weekly podcasts alongside weekly YouTube videos.

Asked to move

TA was given 12 months to leave our office and shop. We had been renting the building, the shop, and much of the equipment we used to manufacture, and the landlord wanted to go in a different business direction. It flipped our entire business on its head and kicked off arguably the most challenging season of TA Targets.

Where the energy went

TA began putting most of its time into the Exodus Companies brands.

Property purchased

TA purchased a property and started planning a move, the result of the landlord’s 12-month notice.

Expand our media reach

Dive deeper into topics that matter and build a network of creators who are doing the same.

Refine yet expand our product lineup

Keep investing in and redefining what makes a quality steel target system, and keep providing solutions for all styles of training.

Think big, think forward

Dream big and lay the foundation for the next owners to carry the work onward.

Become physically present in our community

Be intentional about being present in our community, using what God has blessed us with to bless others.

Jared creates Tereo Capital, LLC

Tereo (pronounced “TAY-RAY-OH”) is a Greek word that means to keep, to guard, and to observe. In Psalm 16, David’s first words are “Preserve me, O Lord.” Those words inspired the name. It is our desire to steward our resources with intentionality, continually building them so they can change the lives of many.

The future of Tereo and its impact on TA Targets

We are not sure at this moment what God’s plan for Tereo Capital is. We are praying diligently that He guides us and builds it into whatever offers the most help to our world, our team, and our community.

One is better than zero

Going back to the note Jared wrote to himself in 2017, we return every day with the desire to learn, to grow, and to honor God’s will for our lives. When we don’t know what is next, we hold to this: