Meet Christa Forrester who wears many hats on the job: Vice president of SLG2 Inc./Shoot Like A Girl (SLG), owner of Confident Carry Firearms Instruction LLC (CCFI Confident) and co-founder of Safe Confidence Academy. Each company provides education opportunities that focus on firearms training, safety education or both. Christa began her career in the firearms industry as a contract instructor for Shoot Like A Girl while she managed her own CCFI Confident company. During this time, she also worked in the medical gas industry, a career she held for more than 30 years.
The major catalyst for Christa’s switch from the medical to firearms industry happened in the airport on the way to a SLG event. While waiting for her flight with SLG founder and president, Karen Butler, she also managed an urgent issue with oxygen supplies at a major hospital. After the would-be emergency was solved, Butler mentioned that she and Christa should talk about an upcoming job opportunity. As Christa says, “The rest is history.”
Christa’s husband, Jeff, introduced her to firearms mor than 25 years ago, with the hope that she would learn to defend herself. Little did either of them know that Christa would go on to complete multiple firearms and teaching certifications, earn the Jeff Cooper Legacy Scholarship and the Well Armed Woman’s Trailblazer Award, start hunting and become a full-time firearms instructor for women around the country.
Christa is a whole-hearted optimist, and she writes that “EVERY moment deserves confetti, even the bad ones. You cannot have the bad without the good, so during the darkest times you need to have your confetti ready. Something good is coming and your confetti should be in your pocket, ready to celebrate!” At home, you can find her spending time with her family and her German Shepherd puppy, named Maggie. In addition to a rejuvenated running hobby, Christa also spends a great amount of time in her garden. “I have a brown thumb … I used to get so frustrated trying to ‘make’ things grow.” She’s started to find her flow in the garden though, as you’ll see from her beautiful photo of fresh produce. Read on for Christa’s answers to our six Gal Gab questions, and check out her thought-provoking answer to number six!
What does a typical day in your work life look like?
I come from a long line of workaholics, big thinkers, big dreamers and hard workers. My “work” life today has two segments:. My main job roles, vice president of SLG2 INC and owner/lead instructor of CCFI Confident and co-creator and co-owner of Safe Confidence Academy. I spend most of my time behind a computer working with the organizational and some creation components of both. On those days I find myself lucky to be alongside a student, or with a team mate sharing the good news about the shooting sports, I feel a reward that is hard to consider “work.”
What is the #1 piece of advice you would give other women who want to break into your industry?
Not to steal someone’s slogan but, just do it. We will all over think ourselves into a corner and then kill our own ideas because we cannot see the light. Yes, there are a lot of firearms instructors, gurus, experts, ambassadors and such in our industry, but there is only one you. You are the only one that had and brings your experience in your journey and so your message is unique. Measure yourself against YOU and stand strong in it. If it doesn’t go the way you wanted, don’t tuck your tail and run; instead, own it, learn from it and be a better example for someone else. Oh, and always build everything upon the foundation of safety and responsibility.
What motivates you?
Human interaction. I am in my second career of life (not counting motherhood) and I have learned my greatest ideas only came to be because I interacted with other people. This might sound silly, but I have learned that if I have big ideas and thoughts, but they never leave my head and I keep them to myself and don’t share them, they will NEVER happen. Once I let them out and they get polished and shined up through conversation and interaction, it motivates me to grow them. As soon as the conversation stops, the motivation dwindles along with the really good and cool idea.
What is the most unexpected thing you’ve learned while working in your industry?
I am not sure that this is unexpected but having come from a separate career in a different industry for 30 years I wasn’t sure what to expect … It would have to be the people. More than just people, they are family. From our contacts at our different partners and events, to instructors and brand ambassadors, the different organizations and groups we meet, the energy is always welcoming and open. The hello hugs are real, and the conversations are more than just about the weather. Of course, we often see each other on social media, giving us notice of their life’s milestones and painful speedbumps and then when we finally see each other in person it feels like we have been sitting across the dinner table from them and them to us. From the outside, I am sure that the industry looks gigantic. It is big and has a big impact, but it is also small and like a close knit family.
What is your favorite product in the outdoor or shooting market right now?
If I have to pick just one, I would say the Magpul Daka Bags and organizer systems. We travel so much and I use the Magpul Bags to carry toiletries, organize all of my charging cables, I have one for important papers and documents, a first aid kit, and even one the that has the things I might need to record on my phone (i.e., mics, little lights and a tracking tripod). We also use them at home, and since they come in different colors we can identify whose is whose.
Let’s have some fun … what weapon would you use to battle a giant?
I thought this would be a hard question, however, when I got down to it, it was the easiest. Be prepared, my answer won’t make sense to some … I would say my “listening ears.” My belief system is that the best form of communication is what we hear and process. I am sure you are still thinking “OK, but how does that help you in your battle?” First, If I had been using my listening ears would I even NEED to be in a battle with the giant? Is our battle because I didn’t hear them coming? Is our battle because I misunderstood what they were trying to tell me? Is our battle because I didn’t listen therefore, I didn’t value them and a battle ensued or maybe they really were out to get me … If I had been listening, would I have heard them coming, avoiding them and the battle all together? So many misunderstandings, arguments and hurt feelings come from someone not listening.
Follow Christa Forrester on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Madeleine Golob, formerly “Anna,” is our intern at the “Women’s Outdoor News,” and manages the “Gal Gab” column. She also pens features and takes care of our Pinterest activities. Madeleine is a high school student who loves to write, read, study her family’s genealogy and play any musical instrument she can get her hands on. She also enjoys working Action Pistol matches while her parents compete and dreams of becoming a historian and writer. View all posts by Madeleine Golob
