ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN AMERICAN SHOOTING JOURNAL on August 14th, 2015 written by Jodee Sussman
Jodee was born and raised in Orange County, Calif. She spent summers on her grandparents 500-acre working farm and hunting property in Breezewood, Pa. It was there where she learned to shoot and fish and developed a love and appreciation for the great outdoors. She will always be at the most peace and the closest to God in that setting.
Jodee’s father was a big game hunter who enjoyed many hunting trips over the years. Listening to his stories of adventure always made Jodee want to go, but she was told hunting trips were no place for girls. The only time he took her with him was on the farm to take turkey. Jodee, having no idea of the proper attire, wore a bright red hoodie. Never again! Her father did, however, get her into the Ducks Unlimited green wing program for youth.
After several years, Jodee met her now husband, Rick, and moved to California where she opened a successful floral and event business and settled in.
After some time, they found themselves at a local sporting clay and shooting range, on the invitation of friends. This completely changed the course of their lives. Jodee and Rick were hooked! They became members of the range, SCI, NSCA, and California Waterfowl and rejoined the NRA and Ducks Unlimited.
As they became more involved in shooting and hunting, Jodee realized there were no accessories on the market that reflected her personal style. Being a designer of everything from architecture to events, clothing to florals, she decided to dive into this untapped area by designing her first shell and shotgun bags, and had her friends at the popular Kippys of Coronado custom make them for her. Soon, she found other women looking for high-end, stylish and unique shooting accessories.
Jodee discovered Kippy’s quality 25 years before when she sold a custom ballroom dance line. This is when she met Kippy’s owner and admired their designs, amazing quality and workmanship. All their work is hand crafted from the finest leather and genuine Swarovski crystals, and includes the lifetime workmanship guarantee. Striving for the best and most unique line, Jodee teamed up with Kippy’s and GlamourGuns was born.
GlamourGuns started with shell, gun and range bags then progressed to concealed carry purses, vests and jackets as well. These designs incorporated some of Kippy’s already-existing styles with modifications for concealed carry. Now, every imaginable product can be custom ordered.
After 11 years, Jodee closed her event business and now resides in Dallas, Texas area where she is completely focused on GlamourGuns and getting back to a simpler way of life. Jodee is looking forward to spending more time shooting and enjoying the outdoors with her busy husband who is currently the vice president of a private sporting and hunting club in Sulphur Bluffs.
Due to years of physical work and a few car accidents, Jodee has six herniated disks in her back and five in her neck. The only shotgun she can shoot is her lightweight .410 bore. Physical challenges have never slowed her down, but she is definitely enjoying much needed practice time.
Her sister Judy, an accomplished general contractor in the Dallas area, is also working with Jodee on GlamourGuns. Teaming together as sisters, they are the perfect creative powerhouse. They have both become active members of the Dallas Safari Club and DIVA WOW and are enjoying every minute of it.
These two are “sisters in arms”!
At a recent DIVA WOWevent at Patriot Protectionin Plano, Texas, they met many fellow women shooters, including Heather Eckert a NRA Certified Instructor. During a home invasion scenario, Jodee was shot because her gun, loaded with UTM 9mm simulation ammunition, jammed. After Heather explained the aspects of having a limp wrist and the importance of strong fundamentals, Jodee realized she needed much, much more training, even after surviving a car-jacking scenario.
Jodee and Judy recently asked Heather Eckert to review their new concealed carry purses and get her expert opinion on their construction and design. Five different purses were reviewed. All had varied gun-size parameters and different applications. All are for both left and right handed access. Glamourguns is thrilled to have Heather’s stamp of approval!
Thank you Heather for being a strong empowered woman that shared her experiences and knowledge with us!
Life is a challenge especially as a woman. Both Jodee and Judy have never settled for what they can’t do. They have always been empowered and challenged by what is out of their reach. Look out world here they come!
SOURCE ARTICLE: http://americanshootingjournal.com/glamor-guns-gals/
