Episode 657 – Josh from Archery Ranges Canada

Archery in Canada isn’t just growing—it’s poised to explode into a mainstream spectacle, thanks to a single massage therapist’s frustration with finding a local range. Josh Kennedy didn’t just build a directory of 426 archery ranges across Canada; he created ARC Booking, a full-automation platform that eliminates paper systems, streamlines memberships, and powers events with Stripe integration—proving that archery’s infrastructure is ripe for digital disruption. But his real game-changer? The Action Archery League: a high-octane, spectator-friendly sport featuring timed stages, no-sight shooting, compound bows with magazines, biathlon-style running-and-shooting, and even horseback archery—all designed to be viral, affordable, and wildly entertaining. Unlike firearms sports, archery carries minimal social stigma and costs just $30 for arrows versus $3+ per round, making it ideal for mass participation and corporate events. The hosts argue this isn’t just innovation—it’s a necessary evolution: archery must stop being 'calm and relaxing' and start being 'weird, ridiculous, and fun' to survive. They compare it to the rise of three-gun matches, where spectacle fueled growth—and archery can do the same, faster and cheaper. With 18 million archers in the U.S. alone and Canada’s sport growing at 4% annually, the timing is perfect.