Nyema Thomas, owner of Eleven Twenty Six Elite Training Academy, was 6 when her father introduced her to the great outdoors.
“I've always enjoyedany outdoor activity,” said 43-year-old Thomas. “I was a daddy’s girl growing up. He taught me how to hunt, shoot a firearm and fish.”
Thomas said her fond memories of her father inspired her to open her firearms training center.
“In order for you to have a successful business it's got to be something you love, it can't feel like a job,” said Thomas. “You can't dread doing it, it’s not going to come naturally. I started out teaching first aid and CPR. I researched how I could incorporate firearm safety.”
Eleven Twenty Six Elite Training Academy opened in December 2021 and is located in Fort Myers inside the Twin Oaks Plaza at 4100 Evans Ave., Suite 4.
Classes include gun safety training, conceal and carry training, youth firearm safety training, National Rifle Association sponsored pistol shooting class, firearm purchase, active shooter response training, cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR and first aid.The shooting portion of the training takes place at Shoot Straight Fort Myers located at 2418 Colonial Blvd.
“For the conceal and carry class I charge $65,” said Thomas. “The average cost of a conceal and carry class is probably $75 to $100. Some people charge $150. It's a lot more personal for me. Yeah, I'm in business to make money and I'll get there. What God has for me, it's for me. I’m trying to provide a service to my community — something that's needed.
"One of my biggest things is educating our community on the safety of firearms. We have to start with the adults. If we train them how to safely carry and own a firearm legally then we will save our kids. The number one mistake when it comes to accidental shootings involving kids is because an adult leaves a bullet in the chamber.”
Thomas said how to properly store a firearm is another important lesson when it comes to being a responsible gun owner.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there were more than 45,222 firearm-related deaths in 2022. That’s about 124 people dying from a firearm-related injury each day. Nearly 2 in 10 are unintentional firearm injuries.
Putting a firearm out of sight or out of reach is not safe storage and not enough to prevent use by children or unauthorized adults. All firearms should be stored unloaded and locked, with ammunition secured separately, according to the CDC.
How Nyema Thomas honors her mother
To honor her mother, Thomas decided to incorporate her mother’s birthday into the name of her academy.
“I've always wanted to open up my own business,” said Thomas. “After losing my mom I wanted to do something to honor her. That's how I came up with the name Eleven Twenty Six Elite Training Academy. My mom's birthday was Nov.26.”
Thomas said navigating the licensing certification wasn’t an easy task. She gave herself two years, but it took her eight months.
“In order to teach conceal and carry classes you had to be or have prior law enforcement or military background,” said Thomas. “I went through the back door. I took a few classes with the Florida Fish and Wildlife (Conservation Commission). I became a hunter safety instructor. So with that I was able to teach the conceal and carry class. I did more research and found a National Rifle Association instructor in Miami. I took a two-day basic pistol shooting class in Miami which allowed me to teach shooting classes.”
Thomas said the two-day class wrapped with a shooting test.
“I was so nervous,” said Thomas. “I was the only female and it was very intimidating because this is a male-dominated industry. Even when I went out with the Florida Fish and Wildlife there was only one other woman there.”
A one-stop shop for the Fort Myers academy
In order to offer a one-stop shop for her academy, selling firearms was next on the list.
“I had to apply for a federal firearm license through the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF),” said Thomas. "I thought that was going to be the most challenging part. But actually, that was the easiest part. I had to fill out an application, pay the $200 application fee and complete the extensive background check.
"Then I had an ATF agent assigned to me. There were all of these qualifications that had to be met before he approved my paperwork. He told me that my gun safes had to be fireproof and bolted to the floor. He signed off on my paperwork on April 12.”
In order to purchase a firearm there are certain guidelines, said Thomas.
"The buyer has to complete the ATF form 4473 to purchase a firearm in Florida," said Thomas. "That form is used to complete the background check that I complete onsite with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. I’mnot allowed to release the gun until I receive an approval code that I must document on the 4473 form."
A social group for the ladies
Thomas said future plans include creating a social group for the ladies.
“I want to get a female shooting club started,” said Thomas. “The guys give me slack about this. But I want to start with the females because there's not a whole lot of options. Guys have bowling leagues and other sports groups. This is a way for women to come together and let our hair down.”
Jennifer Joanis and Saul Camelus, both Cape Coral residents, were in attendance at a conceal and carry class held on Monday.
“I signed up for the class for safety reasons,” said Joanis. “The way the world is setup now, I feel like it’s important to have a firearm. That’s why I’m taking this class.”
Camelus said he learned about the class from a Facebook post.
“I came to get firearm training,” said Camelus. "I definitely think it’s important to be trained on how to responsibly own a firearm.”
In her free time Thomas is all about family. Her time is spent with her four kids including three sons ages 26, 22, 14 and a daughter who is 24.
“I’m a homebody,” said Thomas. “I also have grandbabies. This year we're planning a hunting trip for Christmas. My siblings are also coming. I figured we could find a nice cabin to hunt, fish, ATV riding. We're going to do this and create memories versus buying Christmas gifts.”
If you go
WHAT:Eleven Twenty Six Elite Training Academy & Federal Firearm License
WHERE:4100 Evans Ave., Suite 4, Fort Myers
HOURS:Monday through Fri 5:30 until 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
PHONE:239234-0610
WEBSITE:https://www.eleventwentysix.org/
About this series
The Gem Next Door is a series that highlights local entrepreneurs' journey to entrepreneurship.If you are the owner of a business or if you want to recommend a business, please contact reporter Erica Van Buren at EVanBuren@gannett.com. Be sure to include your name, phone number and a little bit about the history of the business.
