Wild Captives Archery Empowers Brooklyn with a Safe Space

A New Era of Empowerment Through Archery

In a former warehouse in Brooklyn, there’s a unique space where stereotypes are shattered and empowerment takes center stage. This is the home of Wild Captives Archery, a club that has become more than just a place for archery—it's a movement built on inclusivity, strength, and self-discovery.

The founder of this space is Kendall Tichner, a former corporate marketing executive who traded her laptop for a bow and arrow. Today, she runs a small business and content creation platform that has unintentionally sparked a cultural shift. Five years ago, Tichner was living in Los Angeles, far from her family, single for the first time in a long while, and eager to leave her corporate job behind. The pandemic gave her the opportunity to reflect on what she truly loved doing.

“I had never been in a situation where I wasn’t working for someone else or in a relationship,” Tichner recalls. “It was the first time I could put myself first.” During this period, she picked up archery as a new hobby, documenting her journey online. She ordered a bow and arrows without knowing much about the sport, leading to some early challenges. Despite the confusion, her videos gained traction, eventually building a following of over 700,000 people.

What made her content stand out was the way it challenged traditional perceptions of archery. “Archery in America has often been linked with gun culture, but it's actually a peaceful, minimalist, and spiritual sport,” Tichner explains. She wanted to create a brand that appealed to people who weren’t interested in hunting but were looking for something that made them feel powerful.

Wild Captives represents more than just a brand; it's a philosophy. “We're all wild, but we're stuck captive in these systems,” Tichner says. Her vision is to grow the company into a modern version of the Boy Scouts, tailored for adults in urban environments.

As her following grew, so did the demand for guidance on how to start archery. This led Tichner to develop a beginner’s kit that includes everything needed to get started. The design is simple and inclusive, suitable for people of all ages, from 8-year-olds to 100-year-olds. She even includes videos featuring her grandmothers, making the experience more relatable and accessible.

Women around the world have embraced the product, and the community has grown beyond just archery. Tichner has seen stories of support and connection, such as men in middle America buying kits for their queer children, or women using the bows to honor their mothers who were archers. The space has also become a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community, offering an alternative to traditional shooting ranges that are often heteronormative and masculine.

Tichner emphasizes that her mission goes beyond archery itself. “People who are stuck at their computers all day have lost touch with their humanity,” she says. “We need to reconnect with our communities and engage in simple, hands-on activities.”

One story that particularly resonated with her involved a teacher who used Tichner’s videos to inspire a student. “A little girl who wasn’t thriving in school found empowerment through my content,” Tichner shares. “That’s what I want—people to feel empowered and happier every day.”

Wild Captives Archery is more than just a business; it's a movement that continues to grow, challenge norms, and bring people together through the power of archery.