New Store Development
From initial planning and store layout to inventory strategy, vendor relationships, staffing, and launch preparation, we help new owners establish a strong foundation.
FIREARMS RETAIL CONSULTING & MENTORSHIP
Built on Relationships.
Focused on Results.
Hands-on mentorship and strategic consulting for firearms retailers ready to build stronger teams, strengthen industry relationships, and grow profitable revenue.
ABOUT ETHOS RETAIL GROUP
Real Experience.
Real Relationships. Real Growth.
Ethos Retail Group was founded on a simple belief: the strongest firearms businesses are built through meaningful relationships, capable teams, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Led by founder Steve Warholic, Ethos brings firsthand experience building, operating, and scaling independent firearms retail businesses.
We've experienced the challenges retailers face because we've worked through them ourselves — developing sales teams, strengthening vendor partnerships, improving daily operations, and building businesses positioned for long-term profitability.
We don't believe in one-size-fits-all consulting or complicated strategies that never leave the conference room. We believe in working alongside business owners, understanding their challenges, and developing practical solutions that produce measurable results.
Our goal isn't simply to help your business grow. It's to help you build a stronger business that continues succeeding long after our work together.
LEADERSHIP & EXPERTISE
Experienced Leadership.
Specialized Expertise.
Steve Warholic
Founder & Principal Consultant
Steve brings firsthand experience building, operating, and scaling firearms retail businesses. His background spans retail operations, sales leadership, team development, vendor relationships, and strategic growth.
Having worked through the challenges of independent firearms retail, Steve understands that sustainable success requires more than increasing sales. It takes strong leadership, accountable teams, productive partnerships, and disciplined operations.
His consulting philosophy is rooted in mentorship, practical execution, and building relationships that create lasting value.
WHAT WE DO
From First Opening
to the Next Opportunity.
Whether you're preparing to open your first firearms store, improving an underperforming business, or planning your next location, Ethos provides practical guidance for moving forward.
Retail Turnaround & Performance
Evaluate sales, margins, inventory, staffing, customer experience, and operations to create a realistic plan for improving profitability.
Expansion & Scaling
Evaluate expansion opportunities, strengthen management systems, standardize operations, and prepare teams for additional locations.
Sales, Leadership & Industry Relationships
Build stronger teams and partnerships through hands-on mentorship, sales development, leadership coaching, and vendor strategy.
Different stages. Different challenges. One commitment to building stronger, more profitable firearms businesses.
THE ETHOS APPROACH
We Don't Just Advise.
We Get Involved.
Meaningful consulting begins with understanding the people, processes, and realities behind your business. Following a consulting agreement, an initial on-site visit is strongly encouraged so we can experience your operation firsthand.
01
Discover
Understand challenges, performance, and goals.
02
Visit
Evaluate the operation on-site whenever possible.
03
Plan
Develop priorities and measurable action steps.
04
Implement
Work alongside owners and teams.
05
Refine
Review progress and adjust for continued growth.
Project-Based Consulting
Focused support for launches, turnarounds, expansion initiatives, and other defined business priorities.
Monthly Advisory Relationships
Ongoing mentorship, accountability, strategic guidance, and support as your business evolves.
Your business isn't built from behind a desk. Neither is our approach.
WHY ETHOS RETAIL GROUP
Experience You
Can Build On.
We've been where you are. We've built what's next. Our perspective comes from firsthand experience building and operating a multimillion-dollar firearms retail business — not simply studying the industry from the outside.
Built From the Ground Up
Experience establishing retail operations, developing teams, and entering new markets.
Multimillion-Dollar Retail Experience
Practical leadership experience growing and managing a substantial independent firearms retail operation.
Relationships First
Meaningful manufacturer, distributor, employee, and customer relationships are central to our approach.
Hands-On Mentorship
Direct involvement and practical guidance, tailored to your business rather than generic consulting presentations.
START A CONVERSATION
Let's Build
Something Better.
Opening your first store, working through challenges, or preparing for expansion? Tell us where you are and what you want to accomplish.
[email protected] ↗Based in Idaho · Serving firearms retailers