Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Lomprez.
Hi Kyle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in central Illinois. In childhood, we often went to the campground and loved fishing in the ponds and lakes. As I grew up, my buddies and I moved to river fishing and did that every chance we could. I was into sports, so we didn’t have less fishing time than we wanted, but we made it happen. I went to college and played football for NCCA Division II school in Illinois. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and was fortunate enough to play in some bowl games with players from all across the country. After leaving college, My now Wife and I moved to SC and decided to start our life here. I worked for the Hardeeville Fire Department from Aug. 2015 until Feb. 2024. The Fire Department was my second family. I spent every third day with those guys 24 hours at a time, sometimes 48 hours or longer. It was not easy leaving, but the opportunity to purchase this business fell into my lap, and it was like fate.
Not six months before getting this news of the chance, I had been talking to someone professionally about life and what I wanted in life and buying a local business, specifically a tackle shop, come January 2024/February 2024; my very supportive wife and I had some meetings and decided to go for it! That’s when I purchased Southern Drawl Outfitters. I had been into fishing in the area, and we got ourselves a boat, and we loved our time on the water. A couple of things went into purchasing the business; reason-wise, I have always wanted to own my own business. Specifically, a bait and tackle shop. The people you get to be around and the support you get from being a small business in a fantastic community are fantastic. Secondly, my brother-in-law works at the shop, is a captain, and runs charters in the area. He was a massive part of me getting into this, and having his support means a lot. This is an opportunity to create a fantastic family business for our kids to participate in as they grow up in this community. There is more to discuss, but that is a quick way to discuss 30 years of my life.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road could have been smoother. If the road were soft, then everyone would take the same road. How you handle obstacles and challenges that come your way dictates your terrain in life. The challenges have been everything from financially challenging to moving to the area. Not having a penny to our name but knowing we wanted to move out of Illinois, we would hit the ground running. The challenge is being away from my wife and kids for days and weeks. My wife made a career change after being down here for about 3 years, and it was hard adjusting to that, but she worked so hard and was so motivated that now she owns her real estate team and is very successful. Current challenges and obstacles are everything involved with a new business owner/ starting a new business. All of the paperwork for vendors and distributors, figuring out how it works, and just learning how to be a business owner. Some of it has come easily since my parents had their own business growing up, and I can bounce questions off of them. Some of it has come with ease because, fortunately, the business is an established business in the community, and the support is fantastic. From the weekend fishermen to the captains in the area, it is awesome to meet all these new faces and create long-lasting relationships.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Southern Drawl Outfitters is the Lowcountry’s one-stop shop for anything fishing. We offer charters through professional local guides; we offer a variety of tackle and supplies from inshore, offshore, and fly fishing. We have a lengthy list of various frozen baits as well as live bait every day. We are open every day starting at 6 am; no other tackle shop offers these hours, and supplies are needed all in one shop. We are most proud of the community we are creating within the already growing and great community that we work in. More and more captains come in daily, and the business from locals is also increasing! If there were one thing I would want people to know about us, it is the charters with the professional, local guides that we have. Our website lists the guides and allows the customer to learn more about a specific guide and research the prices and types of trips offered.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
I wish there were someone to walk each step with me since I am so new to the business world, but at the same time, I am figuring it out on my own, and it is helping way more. Mistakes will always be made; trust me, I make them daily. But that is how you learn and grow your business. Success does not happen overnight; it takes time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears, just like anything else in life that you are passionate about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southerndrawloutfitters.com/charters
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southerndrawlsc/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/southern-drawl-outfitters-hilton-head-island
