Meet Joey D’Amico | Duck Call maker and Waterfowl guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joey D’Amico and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joey, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was working construction when I first started turning calls and I would work during the day, come home and spend time with my family then head out to the garage and work till late in the night on turning duck calls. Finally my sales started to get large enough and I wanted to spend more time with family as well as be my own boss so after praying about it and talking with my wife we decided I should go for it. I’ve been making calls full time the last two years and have never felt so fulfilled. Every year is scaling up just a little more and I’ve been able to get better at my craft.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a full time call maker. I turn custom duck, goose, turkey, and deer calls as well build a production line of calls for retailers and some direct to consumer sales. I enjoy both sides of the business as a creator and someone in sales and marketing. An artist with a musician’s ear and an engineer’s skills to build a call with a high quality standard.

My calls are unique in they were made off a flat jig from raw materials. The production line mirrors my shape and sound but is more affordable for hunting. These are mostly made from acrylic and my hand turned customs involve hardwood and wood burls that have been stabilized and dyed.

This is a year for me to scale up as I navigate larger quantities as well as kicking up marketing and sales. I graduated from college with a degree in business and I am able to fall back on that degree to help with creating budgets and forecasting.

Ultimately I wanted to create a call that can help folks in the field to be more successful. One draw to waterfowl hunting is how much the time in the field can be used for fellowship. For my custom calls, I have a vision for a call to be passed on to the next generation. To allow for friends and family to be successful using my call and for it to bring up a memories in the field when its used.

My hope is also that it would allow other sportsman to come together in fellowship and share in the worship of the Creator as we get to enjoy all he’s provided for us in the outdoors.

My biggest challenge is the short season of waterfowl hunting and being able to ride the line of production in time for the season but also enough custom calls in the offseason to provide for my family and grow the business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Charleston is very much a beach town as well as being chalk full of history in downtown as well as the areas near town. Our food is world class as well as our hospitality. We are known as the Holy City since we also have many churches on and off the peninsula.

Our favorite beach is Folly beach which can be less busy at times. Other beaches in town are Sullivans, Isle of palms (which are close to Mt. Pleasant) as well as Kiawah Island and Edisto Island.

Defiantly need to hit Fort Sumter which is in the middle of Charleston Harbor. On the boat ride out you can take it tons of wildlife as well as the houses along the harbor.

Seafood is king in the low country but we also have some great BBQ and local fare. Some of our favorite restaurants are Fig, Lewis BBQ, Rodney Scotts, The Ordinary, 82 Queen, and Oak Steakhouse.

Lots of restaurants around town and great brunch spots like KISS Cafe, Page’s okra grill, and Millers all day.

Plantation Tours are another great thing to check out while in town. History frozen in time and a way to remember the economy and hospitality of the south.

Many golf courses and a Top Golf are also in the area as well as the Tennis center on Daniel Island to stay active. Catching a walking tour of the historic area of Charleston is a great way to see the town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say my faith in God has helped me achieve the most with my call making. Knowing that call making is not my identity has helped to free me up to soak in the whole process and to have grace with others and myself along the way.

I’ve also been able to prioritize my life so I avoid burn out and still continue to be busy enough to do this trade full time. My purpose is to share His gospel but this season I’m a call maker.

I also couldn’t be where I’m at without my wife and daughters support. The off seasons slow down and are the time for me to build inventory. I’m thankful for their support during the slow times as well as sharing in my accomplishments.

Website: www.tektongamecalls.com

Instagram: @tektongamecalls

Facebook: Tekton Game Calls

Youtube: Tekton Game Calls

Other: Email: tektongamecalls@gmail.com Phone number: 843-290-9569