Axe-throwing facility brings extreme fun to Johnstown
Steel City Axe has hit their target of bringing more adventure to the Johnstown area. Photo: Provided.
“People say there is nothing to do here, and I want to change that,” entrepreneur Bill Wissinger said. To bring something cool and exciting to the area, he and his wife, along with his parents, opened Steel City Axe, Johnstown’s first axe throwing facility.
Wissinger said that Startup Alleghenies coach Blake Fleegle was integral in helping to get their idea off the ground. “He helped us write our business plan and connected us with people to help with our website, logo, marketing and loans. Startup Alleghenies is an incredible resource,” Wissinger said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be here.”
Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI) was another key resource that helped get their plans in motion. “When you start something from the ground up, it is hard to know if it will work. JARI stepped us through projections and showed us this could be a successful business,” he said.
Blake Fleegle said that Wissinger’s strong family network was a big help as the company was being launched. “Steel City Axe is the definition of a family business and the whole family came together to share the immense workload of starting a business. They’re the kind of people that make our region great, and the success of their business shows that the community supports family businesses too,” Fleegle said.
Wissinger said that Startup Alleghenies was integral to helping the facility launch. “Without them, we wouldn’t be here.” Photo: Provided.
The business launched at the height of the pandemic (“Not the best timing,” Wissinger said) but they changed direction quickly and added a mobile axe throwing trailer that allowed it to launch on schedule. The mobile addition has proven to be a popular option. “Now we are able to rent that trailer out and take it to different events to expand our customer base which includes surrounding states.”
As axe throwing gains momentum and popularity across the country Wissinger said that they hope to grow their league members. “We are a part of the World Axe Throwing League, so our league members compete and have the opportunity to debut on ESPN in the championship,” he said.
Wissinger said that his team has hit their target of bringing more adventure to the Johnstown area. “Once people try it, it’s addictive,” he said.
Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.
