Favorite Female Founder: Faith Akopov

FISHING, FAMILY, AND AN ENTREPRENEURIAL LEGACY

By Brittany Archibald

Tucked into an unassuming office building right up against Howard Amon Park and the Columbia River is Tri Cities Tackle, the go-to spot for anyone looking to fish on the Columbia. Owner Faith Akopov has been in business since August of 2020, and Tri Cities Tackle has come a long way in its short lifespan.

The business started as four small peg boards and a borrowed mini-fridge. Word started to spread and she decided to purchase a cargo trailer and pivoted to business as a mobile tackle shop. “We would pop up at various locations around town, and people loved the idea! A tackle store that came to you at the marinas!” But after 9 short months, Tri Cities Tackle quickly outgrew that business model. She looked for a brick and mortar and landed on a small place right on the river, where they are now. This flexibility is exactly what has allowed Tri Cities Tackle to stay vital.

Faith is forthright and knowledgeable, and her experience and passion for fishing is obvious. “I love fishing and love helping people. If I can do both, it's a win win!”

As a mom of three girls, my future is theirs.

Early in her career, Faith didn’t set out with the goal of owning a bait and tackle shop, though she has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. After traveling the world playing collegiate and semi-pro soccer, she landed here with her family in 2006. Over the course of these 17 years, Faith has owned two other businesses and had the opportunity to work for her dad’s business — and she credits him and her late grandfather for instilling in her a passion for business ownership and the drive to see it succeed.

“My dad started his business out of his two bay garage in Pasco, and to see where he is now 20 years later is something to aspire towards. There were times he could've given up, or didn't see a way through tough times. But he never gave up, he never let the lows define who he was and he found a way to push through and overcome … I not only look to him as my dad, but as my mentor, and my best friend.”

Family is deeply important to Faith. “As a mom of three girls, my future is theirs,” she says. All three of her daughters hang out at the shop now and then, her oldest two even help out by packaging products. Fishing is a fun family affair for the Akopovs, but teaching her girls the confidence to follow their own path is what Faith hopes they’ll gain from the store. “I hope to be a role model to them and show them to always follow their passion and never give up. I want them to know that change will always come, but it's how we handle the constant change in life that matters.”

As her business has grown, so has the scope of Faith’s vision. Since opening Tri Cities Tackle, she has also invented several fishing products herself and manufactures them under her own brand, Legacy Fishing: Vortex Blades™, for use on walleye and salmon rigs, and the Scent Bullet™, which is a simple floating chamber that slowly dispenses scent to attract bites. She specializes in custom airbrushed salmon lures and spinner blades which come in a veritable rainbow of colors.

Just being able to give everyone a chance to fish is what it's about.

Faith is highly attuned to the fishing needs of the area, and has geared her shop to meet Eastern Washington fishers’ needs. “I custom tie for every species under the Legacy Fishing brand!” Faith adds. “I listen to what customers want and need and make it happen so they have exactly what they need for this area.”

With Tri Cities Tackle’s rapid growth, Faith looks toward the future. “We are unsure of what the future looks like,” she says, “But we are constantly thinking of the next step and moving forward to bigger and better things.”

From four little peg boards and mini fridge to where she is now: a brick and mortar in a prime riverfront location, Tri Cities Tackle has grown faster than Faith could have anticipated. The health and sustainability of the business has remained priority number one.

The best advice she’s ever received, and the advice she’d pass on to anyone thinking of owning their own business? Stay debt-free. “It may take a little bit longer to grow the business,” she admits, “But being able to pay cash and grow the business, not owing someone else is the best thing you could do for your business and your family! … If you commit to reinvesting into the business now, years later you’ll reap what you sowed.”

Through Tri Cities Tackle, Faith is also able to give back to the community. “I am part of Rods and Reels in Need, a non-profit that accepts new or like new tackle,” she explains. Last Christmas, she was even able to put together 6 full tackle boxes with rods and reels for kids in need. “Anyone in need can come talk to me and I will hand them any gear so they can get out on the water,” she says. “Just being able to give everyone a chance to fish is what it's about!”

Fishing and entrepreneurship run in the family, so it seems only natural she found herself here, as the owner of a rapidly-growing bait and tackle shop right on the water. She encourages anyone wanting to learn to fish, especially women, to not be intimidated. “If you enjoy fishing and don't know where to start, come ask me. I will do my best to get you started and confident to know how to get out there and land the fish you want!”

FIVE FUN FACTS!

1. Woodworking is my other hobby! I love building and creating projects on my lathe.

2. I've traveled to 8 countries and 36 states.

3. I played semi-professional soccer for the Denver Mustangs.

4. I love snowboarding!

5. My husband and I play golf!

The feature appears in our business section which is generously sponsored by the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.

Tri Cities Tackle

tricitiestackle.com

660 George Washington Way, Suite M, Richland WA 99352