Meet Dave Fulson | Television Host\Producer\ Author and Advertising-Marketing Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dave Fulson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dave, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own business was a goal I had early in my young adult years. I saw my dad, a really great man, enjoy a career he enjoyed, excelled at, and worked at for as long as I could remember. One day a larger competitor bought his company out and began a process that eliminated most of the senior position workers that had made his company a leader in their very competitive field. He went from a successful manager and company leader, to being forced to accept a greatly diminished role under an inexperienced new hire half his age, or being forced into a retirement package he was not emotionally ready for or wanting. he chose the latter of two terrible options. I saw the immediate impact of that decision. He aged seemingly overnight, lost his spark, and knew it was too late to start over. The new company crashed within three years, causing me great satisfaction. But it did not help my dad. It did however bring a lightning bolt of clarity to me, and I decided then and there, that I would accept the hard work, risks and at times uncertain nature that comes with the decision to create your own business. My career path has been diverse, as have the business models I have created and grown over my sixty- two years but I would change very little if I was transported back into my twenty year old self overnight. I often laugh when people say ” Dave, it must be great to work for yourself and not have a boss to answer to!” I can assure them, and I do, that the larger and more successful my businesses have become, the more folks ( customers, aka bosses) I have to preform for and please. We ALL have bosses!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business, Safari Classics Productions is a multifaceted marketing and video production company based out of Dallas, but Ft. Worth is, of course, home. We produce three Award Winning outdoor series. I am a hunter, and with no apologies for that title. I am also a dedicated Conservationist that practices and preaches the seldom understood truth of what I call Conservation Through Hunting. I am both host and Executive Producer for our flagship TV series, Tracks Across Africa which is in our eighteenth season on Outdoor Channel. I serve in the same two roles for our World Of Sports Afield series, in our tenth season on Sportsman Channel. I also Co- Produce our third series, Hornady’s Dark and Dangerous on Sportsman Channel. My hunting has seen me leave boot tracks on four continents, and has afforded me travel opportunities and cultural experiences that have enriched my life in so many ways. I am a prolific writer in the hunting\shooting and conservation space as well as an author. We represent some of the leading brands in our industry through sponsorship agreements, without whose support we would not thrive. Travel is a hard reality of this business. So are strict production guidelines, but we accept these as just part of what is, overall, a unique and rewarding lifestyle. I am a constant and vocal supporter of our our rich and honorable hunting heritage. I try, always, to share my time, passion and knowledge with folks who do not understand my world, or wish to learn more about and even experience it for themselves.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Love to take them to our beautiful downtown area, especially Sundance Square.

The iconic Reatas Restaurant will be a must visit. In season I try to snag tickets for the Cowboys, Rangers, Stars or Mavericks if visitors want to mix in some sports. Cabellas and Bass Pro Shops are a hit, especially for my buddies from overseas who enjoy fishing and hunting. We have a big fire pit at our home, and winter or summer by the pool, we are always cooking out, especially enjoying the wild game provided by my hunting trips. The Cowboy stadium tour is also a hit with most folks. Plenty of stuff to do in Cowtown and Arlington.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Any success I have enjoyed or produced in this life starts with my mom and dad. Both worked hard at raising me to the best of their ability both financially, emotionally. That are both gone, but they live on in me and I have long desired to make them proud of the life I live, and choices I make. I am grateful, and lucky beyond words to be born in America, the greatest nation in the history of our planet. Next, I love my home state of Texas, and my connection to the Lone Star State has deep, deep roots. I value loyalty more than love, family, blood…anything if I’m honest. I am blessed to have a true bounty of personal and professional relationships where loyalty has been a glue that has bonded these valued relationships to me. I am beyond grateful for every friend on that long list. My wife Heather is my rock. She is an accomplished professional in her own right, but a better, more dependable life partner I could not ask for. She handles the travel, moods, temperament and schedule that all affect her husband, but supports me with love and encouragement when things get tough. My wife does not stand behind me, she stands beside me. And if needed, she is capable of leading the way. I am thankful to my business partners, and our dedicated and talented team of employees. I try always to surround myself with talented people, then let them know I appreciate their contributions to our success.

Website: Safariclassics.net

Facebook: Dave Fulson

Youtube: Safari Classics, Dave Fulson

Other: davefulson@mac.com