Sons of Guns: Steph Talks Season 3

As you probably know by now, Season 3 of Sons of Guns on the Discovery Channel is upon us. Stephanie Hayden has been kind enough to give us a little insight into what we have in store this time around.

NF: Ok, Steph, so the first thing I get asked about all the time is you and Kris… what can you tell me?

SH: I can’t talk about that really. I can tell you that he still works at Red Jacket. Other than that, you will just have to see how it plays out.

NF:  Tell me about the new season, What have we got to look forward to?
SH: There have definitely been some changes around here. You will get to be introduced to a few new characters. You are going to actually get to see some of the other shop guys and things like that. We’ve got some pretty cool guests that have come in.  I can’t really disclose names. We have to keep a lot of this stuff under wraps – can’t give anything away too soon. We have some very big things going on. We are looking at getting a military contract for one of our guns, which is incredible. We are still in the works on that, but it is definitely coming. Honestly, it is hard for me to keep up with all we have done. There is just so much! You will get to see some of our new product lines that we have put out. There has really been a lot of growth within ourselves as a company.

NF: Have you guys been working on the bigger stuff or the small stuff?

SH: You know, it is a really good mix. I got to see some really cool older weapons come in. You get to see dad do another restoration. He doesnt get to do a lot of those so it is cool to see him take it from a pretty ugly chunk of wood to a magnificent looking weapon. We actually had a pro trick shooter come out with that one, which was very cool. We have a very big change – the characters that are here, that you are used to and that you love have had some major changes. We definitely are keeping some surprises rolling for you.

NF: You guys always do.

SH: We try to. And actually, at the very end of this season that you are about to see you will see some very big news around here as far as my family is concerned. You’ll get to see that – there is definitely going to be another cliff hanger at the end of the season that I am sure the audience is going to be very interested in.
Oh, and I actually shot something – I can’t say what it is – but let me tell you, it is one of the first times in a long time that I have actually been scared to fire something. There are definitely going to be some bigger explosions this year, too, so that is fun. Any time you can get bigger booms, ya know…

NF: I agree! I want to see some explosions!  So it sounds like you guys have definitely had your hands full.

SH: Oh Yeah, we like to mix it up. We have definitely kept with tradition. You are going to see a lot of different variation in types of weaponry. We are definitely pushing our limits. We have got new licensing that basically allows us to just do more things. Like I said, we have got some interest from some very cool people so you will definitely see some great guests.

NF: Ok, now on a personal note, we are in the middle of the holiday season now. Are there any Red Jacket traditions that you guys have or maybe just Hayden family traditions – anything like that that you care to share?

SH: We always hold a Christmas party for everybody around here. That is our big tradition. I have already got my tree up – that is my Black Friday tradition. I like to get everything all decorated and stuff like that. Business-wise one thing that I am looking forward to is that my clothing line will be coming out.

NF: That is huge news!

SH: I am very excited about it. I have been finalizing designs and working closely with my team on getting that exact look that I want. Right now we are sticking to a lot of the girls t-shirts, but they are not going to be what you are used to seeing on the Red Jacket site. I went heavy on graphics and I have been really careful with different cuts and sizes and things like that. We are going to get something a little different out there just to get it rolling and then we are going to be getting in to everything from sleepwear to blue jeans and swimwear.

NF: This is so exciting and I know lots of people will want to know when and where we find these things. Is it going to be online?

SH: It is going to start online – on my website. We are working out which stores we want to put it in, but I definitely want Academy to have it sometime after Christmas.

NF: Wow! What a year it has been for you guys!

SH: It has been a roller coaster! Any time you have extreme growth like this you are going to have your ups and your downs but we are still the regular little shop that you met in season one. We are just getting thrown into this huge corporate world and just trying to keep up, you know? Honestly, I think we have done a pretty good job of it.

NF: It sure seems like it. What else can we expect out of this season?

SH: Well, as far as me personally, you are going to get to see a different side of me. I have definitely grown in to a different person over this last season. With all the things we have been doing I have basically taken it upon myself just to better myself – to do more not only with the things that I do in business, but also in my general appearance. You are definitely going to see a new Stephanie.