21-Year-Old Entrepreneur Builds Multi-Million Dollar Venture: The Sutton Smith Story

In the world of entrepreneurship, age is often seen as a measure of experience. But for Ivan Sutton Smith, the 21-year-old Entrepreneur of LA Airsoft, it’s merely a number that belies his remarkable achievements. From humble beginnings in his parents’ attic to a 3700+ sq ft facility in Fort Worth, Texas, Sutton’s journey is a testament to the power of young entrepreneurship in the digital age.

The Genesis of a Young Visionary

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, many saw obstacles. Sutton Smith saw opportunity. As a high school student suddenly freed from the demands of school, sports, and clubs, he channeled his energy into his passion for airsoft teching. What began as a hobby quickly evolved into a business venture that would reshape the airsoft industry worldwide.

“I started this business in my parent’s house in the air-conditioned attic area,” Sutton recalls. “With newfound free time and my love for upgrading airsoft guns, I started a website and Instagram to promote my tech work. I began by creating detailed build lists for enthusiasts, showcasing custom pistol configurations, and offering step-by-step tutorials on upgrades and modifications. My content focused on helping people understand the intricacies of airsoft gun mechanics and how to enhance their performance.”

Initially offering custom build services and reselling upgrade parts, Sutton’s keen eye for market gaps soon led him to greater heights. Recognizing the supply shortage caused by COVID-19 shipping restrictions, he positioned himself as a go-to source for high-end upgrade parts in the global market.

Scaling Up: From Commission to E-commerce Venture

As demand grew, so did Sutton’s ambitions. “Once I earned enough money in late 2020/early 2021, I began to set up an e-commerce store on my website,” he explains. This pivot marked a significant turning point, as selling parts became more lucrative than custom build services.

But success didn’t come without sacrifice. Sutton vividly remembers answering support emails during AP Chemistry classes and packing orders until 2 AM after completing homework and sports practice. “I would be left to grind out the business work that needed to be done,” he shares, offering a glimpse into the dedication that fueled his rise.

Innovation Born of Necessity

Sutton Smith

By mid-2021, Sutton faced a new challenge: the demand for high-end airsoft pistol parts was outstripping supply from Asian manufacturers. Rather than viewing this as a setback, the young entrepreneur saw it as an opportunity to innovate.

“I decided to take it upon myself to start manufacturing my own products,” Sutton states. Collaborating with a CAD engineer, he began reverse engineering existing products and making improvements. This bold move not only solved his supply issues but also positioned LA Capa Customs, his manufacturing brand for pistol parts, as a leading manufacturer in the high-end pistol scene.

Balancing Act: Business and Education

As his business grew, so did the complexity of managing it. In 2022, Sutton moved operations to a business complex in Shreveport, Louisiana, hired key employees, and then relocated to Fort Worth to attend Texas Christian University (TCU).

“I finished the year doing over 1.7m in revenue,” Sutton notes, a remarkable achievement for a college freshman juggling a full class schedule, Greek life involvement, and remote business management.

Innovation and Expansion

2023 saw LA Capa Customs expand its manufacturing capabilities and product lines significantly. Sutton’s innovative spirit led to two pending utility patents, solidifying the company’s position as an industry leader.

“We manufactured over 300 different parts, producing over 800 SKUs, with an annual production of 40,000 parts,” Sutton proudly states. This expansion wasn’t just about numbers; it represented a vast increase in part selection and a significant improvement in inventory management.

The business ended the year with an impressive $2.3 million in revenue, showcasing remarkable growth and efficiency.

A New Chapter: LA Airsoft Takes Fort Worth

In early 2024, the company made a significant move to a 3700+ sq ft facility in Fort Worth. This expansion allowed for a retail storefront, dedicated office spaces, a tech room, media space, and an enhanced fulfillment area. With this move came a strategic rebranding: the retail and e-commerce side of the business became LA Airsoft, while LA Capa Customs remained the brand for pistol parts manufacturing. Additionally, LA Innovations was established as the manufacturing brand for all non-pistol parts.

“With the expansion of in-person retail, we expanded our product catalog to carry over 200 new essential items and gear, including 50+ different base rifles,” Sutton explains. “I wanted us to become the one-stop shop for airsoft both in person and online.”

Revolutionizing the Industry

One of Sutton’s most ambitious projects involves changing how airsoft is played. Inspired by his travels to Taiwan and Japan in 2023, Sutton spearheaded the introduction of large CO2 cartridges to be used as a gas source instead of conventional HPA (high pressure air) tanks.

“Alongside the leading manufacturer in the HPA space, we brought this air source to scale in the United States,” Sutton elaborates. “We sourced 25,000 88g and 74g CO2 cartridges, a first in the industry at this scale.”

Recognition and Future Vision

Sutton’s achievements haven’t gone unnoticed. His brands have established themselves as leading names in airsoft retail and aftermarket part manufacturing. LA Airsoft was voted “Best Hi Capa Company” by the airsoft community in both 2022 and 2023. With over 30,000 orders fulfilled to date, the company has established itself as a leading brand in airsoft retail and aftermarket part manufacturing.

Looking ahead, Sutton envisions expanding to multiple locations and increasing manufacturing capabilities. He’s also exploring new ventures, including selling products on Amazon via FBA and enhancing the company’s social media presence.

Values and Community Engagement

Despite his rapid success, Sutton hasn’t forgotten the importance of giving back to the community that supported his rise. “We have always given back to the airsoft community through giveaways, sponsoring teams, and supporting competitive airsoft organizations. I try to give back to the people that have allowed this to become my full time job,” Sutton explains.

This commitment to community is reflected in LA Airsoft’s core values and business practices:

Employee Empowerment: Sutton places immense value on hard-working and dependable employees. “Having a mix of employees – from those working remotely on customer service and order fulfillment, to full-time staff in the office whom I can depend on when I’m not there – is very important,” he states. “Being able to delegate responsibilities to trustworthy people has been critical for my business’s success.”
Customer-Centric Approach: LA Airsoft prides itself on unmatched order fulfillment times and customer service. “We fulfill orders the same day, seven days a week, with very quick email and direct message response time,” Sutton explains. This commitment to customer satisfaction has been a key driver of the company’s growth.
Quality and Variety: In the high-end airsoft industry, LA Airsoft stands out for its wide selection of quality upgrade products. “We only carry the best brands, but we are sure to give our customers options,” Sutton notes. This balance of quality and choice has helped establish LA Airsoft as a go-to destination for enthusiasts.
Competitive Pricing: Despite offering premium products and services, LA Airsoft maintains some of the lowest prices in the United States. Sutton attributes this to efficient operations: “We keep our pricing very competitive while still maintaining a great margin by keeping our operating costs low. This is done by using software and building an infrastructure that is very fine-tuned.”

These values – community engagement, employee empowerment, customer satisfaction, product quality, and competitive pricing – form the foundation of LA Airsoft’s success. They reflect Sutton’s understanding that long-term success in business is built not just on profit, but on relationships, trust, and value creation for all stakeholders.

Lessons in Entrepreneurship

Sutton’s journey offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs:

Seize Opportunities: When COVID-19 disrupted normal life, Sutton saw a chance to turn his hobby into a business.
Innovate to Solve Problems: Facing supply shortages, he became a manufacturer himself, creating a competitive advantage.
Balance Growth and Education: Sutton managed a multi-million dollar business while pursuing his college degree, demonstrating extraordinary time management skills.
Adapt and Evolve: From custom builds to e-commerce to manufacturing, Sutton continually adapted his business model to meet market demands.
Take Calculated Risks: “If you wait for the right time to do something it will never come,” Sutton advises. He emphasizes the importance of reinvesting in yourself and your business, citing his decisions to expand into manufacturing, broaden the product catalog, and open a retail store as examples of calculated risks that paid off.
Stay Ahead of the Competition: Sutton lives by the motto, “Do not slow down and let your competition catch up.” This drive for constant innovation and adaptation has been key to his success.
Leverage Technology: Sutton’s ability to run a multi-million dollar business with just two full-time employees and five part-time employees is a testament to the power of e-commerce and optimized back-end infrastructure.
Overcome Age Barriers: Getting emancipated at 16 to sign for his LLC, Sutton faced skepticism due to his youth. However, he persevered, proving that age need not be a limiting factor in business success.

The Road Ahead

At just 21, Sutton has already achieved what many entrepreneurs spend a lifetime pursuing. But for this young CEO, it’s just the beginning. “I have aspirations of starting other business endeavors and looking for other investment opportunities,” he reveals.

With his proven track record of turning challenges into opportunities and his unwavering commitment to innovation, there’s little doubt that Sutton’s entrepreneurial journey is one to watch. As he continues to redefine industries and explore new business frontiers, his story serves as an inspiration to young entrepreneurs everywhere, proving that with passion, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks, extraordinary success is within reach at any age.

From an attic startup to a multi-million dollar venture, Sutton’s journey is more than just a business success story—it’s a testament to the power of young entrepreneurship in the digital age. As he sets his sights on new horizons, one thing is clear: for Sutton, the sky’s the limit.

LinkedIn: Ivan “Sutton” Smith

Email: sutton@laairsoft.com

Instagram: LA Capa Customs

Instagram: LA Airsoft

YouTube: LA Airsoft