Who We Are

Since the idea for Ballistic Potatoes was born in 2023, it has not taken long for the vision to grow from conversation into something real.

As a family, we have always wanted to build something that genuinely fits us—something that gives us the freedom to work for ourselves, pursue what we love, and still have time for the people who matter most.

We wanted a business that would not consume every hour or pull us away from precious moments, but instead could become something we share with our children and future generations.

I am Thomas Pearson, the son of John Pearson, and this is the story of who we are.

OUR HISTORY

My father, John Pearson, is a United States Navy veteran who has always been interested in firearms. He has many years of experience working with and around them, and he remained an avid hunter and firearm enthusiast after his military service. Owning and operating a business centered on firearms—and getting to shoot them along the way—has long been one of his dreams.

Our family also has a long history of service. My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all served the United States in different capacities.

When it was my turn, my father asked me not to join—not because he did not believe in supporting our country, but because our family had already given generations of service. I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset and kept asking what we could build while working in the business my father founded, Pearson’s Gutter Cutters, Inc.

That company began in the early 2000s and continues operating today.

THE IDEA

Ballistic Potatoes began while I was exploring yet another business idea. I had spent years looking for something I could build independently, trying different paths and educating myself along the way. My previous attempt was in finance and insurance. After earning my life and health insurance license, I began working toward investment licenses, but the business never gained traction because of the industry and the economic timing immediately after the pandemic.

Knowing my father’s experience with firearms and his desire to work in the industry, I suggested selling reloaded ammunition. He quickly explained that we did not want to sell generic reloads; we wanted to develop precise loads for individual firearms, just as he had done for his own rifles. That conversation became the beginning of the company.

We decided to build a company that develops custom loads for customers, and we had plenty of fun deciding what to call it. As the idea grew, it became increasingly real. It was the right kind of business for us, in what may be the perfect state, centered on a tool that has been both valued and debated since the founding of our nation—and that remains one of the most effective means of self-defense.

The idea has grown into a much larger vision for our own ammunition, firearms, components, and parts. In time, we want manufacturing capabilities, a warehouse, and a storefront. Media will also be a major part of Ballistic Potatoes. We want to build a complete video channel where we can showcase firearms, test products, shoot things, and explain the science and meaningful statistics behind different cartridges and calibers. Our testing will be thorough and practical, and our videos will share useful information about firearms, ammunition, safety, and responsible use. Plenty of misinformation surrounds firearms; we hope to replace some of it with accurate information presented in a way that is useful and enjoyable.

THE PLAN

Our original plan was simply to begin working toward an FFL. That process proved longer and more complicated than expected, and we did not want every small stage of growth to require starting over. Instead, we worked backward from the largest version of the vision and divided it into practical steps.

We chose custom load development, custom ammunition, and custom firearm builds as a strong place to begin. From there, we plan to expand into educational videos covering responsible firearm use, safety, common hazards, and the importance of proper firearm education. Those efforts will introduce Ballistic Potatoes more fully through YouTube and social media.

Once the business has established a solid foundation, we can advance one step at a time as financing permits—from growing the brand and producing videos to opening a storefront and eventually manufacturing our own ammunition components.

It is also simply fun to send pointy things in the direction we choose—up, down, or straight ahead. Sending them up is usually the most entertaining, provided there is a safe backstop and a good reason.

WHO WE ARE

We are a small family business in Kimberly, Idaho. We are God-fearing Americans: simple people with ambitious plans to take over the world—responsibly, of course. 😛

Ballistic Potatoes is based and built in the United States of America.

The vision for Ballistic Potatoes started small—with load development and a few YouTube videos—and grew into the dream of building a complete firearm hub.

My father brings most of the practical experience and knowledge, and he has always wanted to build something involving firearms. I am the son who decided it was time to shoot for the moon. You only live once, right?

It began with a simple question: what if we started a business selling ammunition? Within a week, we had chosen a name and the ideas were already piling up. This is Idaho—what better place to start a gun-loving, redneck-friendly, veteran-supporting, all-American business called Ballistic Potatoes? There is nowhere else we would rather build it.

The future can be difficult to predict, and the world looks a little crazy. At least we have firearms, family, and a plan.