PennWest Clarion SBDC Client Success Story
Calling in Success: From Hunting Passion to National Reach

Jake and Melinda Stanisch turned a lifelong passion for hunting and the outdoors into Longbranch Game Calls in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Both grew up in hunting families and developed a love for turkey hunting at a young age. After years of talking about starting a business, they took the leap and began building a company around their shared passion.

“We owe so much of our rapid growth to Jason Strohm’s business and marketing experience. Whenever we face a complex question or roadblock in our business, Jason has a knack for breaking it down so we can solve it logically and with confidence. Thanks to Jason and the SBDC, our dream is becoming a reality.”

As the business gained traction, Jake and Melinda faced the challenge of scaling in a simple, manageable, and cost-effective way. Through the PennWest Clarion SBDC, they received guidance on marketing strategy, branding, target customer analysis, advertising, production planning, and long-term growth. The SBDC helped them define their audience, develop brand guidelines, evaluate marketing channels, strengthen their Google Business Profile strategy, and create advertising plans and materials for outdoor shows.

As Longbranch continued to grow, the SBDC also helped Jake think through production capacity, profitability, white-label manufacturing opportunities, retail growth, sponsorships, and long-term business decisions. The team supported him in preparing for conversations with larger retailers and considering how to manage increased demand while continuing to grow the company’s own product line.

That support has helped Longbranch Game Calls grow from a startup into a business with national reach. In just two years, the company experienced more than 325% growth, expanded sales to nearly every state in the country, became an exhibitor at the Great American Outdoor Show, and earned recognition when one of its calls was named Field & Stream’s “Best Batwing.”

Today, Longbranch Game Calls is transitioning into a full-time business for Jake while helping create a sustainable future for the Stanisch family. Jake and Melinda also remain committed to giving back through conservation fundraisers, support for search and rescue teams, mentoring young turkey hunters, involvement with their local NWTF Wapiti Roost chapter, and service on community boards.