# Joshua Waldron

> Joshua Waldron co-founded SilencerCo with Jonathon Shults in Utah in 2008 after a career in editorial photography. He stepped down as CEO in January 2018 and became Senior Advocacy Advisor, then led Vista Outdoor’s Blackhawk business unit. Based in Virginia Beach, he now writes, speaks and coaches through Hard Is Fun and lists a revenue leadership role at Angled Spade Technologies. His book Productive Difficulty examines which demanding business decisions create lasting value.

- **Role:** Founder, author and executive coach at Hard Is Fun; Senior Director of Revenue at Angled Spade Technologies (listed in his current work history)
- **Organizations:** SilencerCo, Hard Is Fun, Angled Spade Technologies, Vista Outdoor, Blackhawk, Eagle Industries, Uncle Mike’s, Ball and Buck, American Suppressor Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
- **Education:** B.S. in Business; cum laude, Regent University
- **Known for:** Co-founded SilencerCo and led its early commercial development., SilencerCo ranked No. 202 on the 2013 Inc. 5000., Co-founded the American Suppressor Association.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2008** — Worked in editorial photography for 12 years; experimented with recording-studio and countertop businesses.
- **2008** — Co-founded SilencerCo with Jonathon Shults in West Valley City, Utah.
- **2009** — Launched the Sparrow; Waldron handled dealer sales while Shults worked in the shop.
- **2013** — SilencerCo ranked No. 202 on the Inc. 5000.
- **2018-01** — Stepped down as SilencerCo CEO, transitioning to Senior Advocacy Advisor and remaining on the board at the time of the announcement.
- **2018-06** — Appointed president of Vista Outdoor’s Blackhawk business unit, including Eagle and Uncle Mike’s.
- **2020-2021** — Served as interim CEO at Ball and Buck, according to his work history.
- **2022** — Graduated from Regent University with a B.S. in Business.
- **2023-present** — Lists Senior Director of Revenue at Angled Spade Technologies.
- **2026** — Published Productive Difficulty and expanded public writing, speaking and coaching through Hard Is Fun.

## Achievements

- Co-founded SilencerCo and led its early commercial development.
- SilencerCo ranked No. 202 on the 2013 Inc. 5000.
- Co-founded the American Suppressor Association.
- Appointed to lead Vista Outdoor’s Blackhawk business unit in June 2018.
- Completed a business degree at Regent University in 2022.
- Published Productive Difficulty.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Appeared on Jothy Rosenberg’s founder podcast, Episode 125, published September 23.
- **2026-10** — His website lists Productive Difficulty as available in paperback, hardcover and ebook.

## Links

- Website: https://hardisfun.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuawaldron
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/joshuagwaldron
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardisfun
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshWaldronHIF

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/joshua-waldron
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-14