by Michael Wheaton
Bullets Then Brews: Bullets then Brews co-host Ian Jouett, left, poses with Hilary Walsh.
Outdoor Practice: Hilary Walsh shoots at an outdoor gun range using a suppressor.
Selected as Luxury Agent of the Year by Homeowner Magazine, Hilary Walsh is making headlines in her brief three and a half years as a broker associate. The former cosmetologist has always had a lifelong passion for real estate and had been flipping houses that she lived in for the past 20 years. In 2019, she decided to give up her career in luxury hospitality, obtain a real estate license, and use her passion for helping others in a rewarding new career.
Driven by the success she creates for her clients, Walsh is highly competitive and creative in her strategies, driven by the ultimate goal of creating lifelong experiences for families to enjoy the home and lifestyle of their dreams. “Put people first, and the business will follow,” she says.
Walsh’s mission of putting people first has been the catalyst for her success. In her brief career as a real estate agent. She has received numerous honors, including:
- Being named the Fastest Growing Agent Award 2021 by Homesnap,
- Featured on the cover of Real Producers Magazine in May 2022, and
- Was recently highlighted on the cover of Denver Homeowner Magazine for her 2022 Luxury Agent of the Year Award.
In Walsh’s opinion, real estate is one of the hardest industries in which to build a thriving and successful career. Although real estate is sometimes viewed as a glamourized industry to make “easy money” without actually having to work much, Walsh knows that in reality agents generally work seven days per week, are on-call at all hours of the day, and can’t be afraid to get their hands dirty. However, she also knows that if you are self-motivated, real estate can allow an amazing freedom in how one wants to shape one’s career.
Accolades aside, Hilary’s passion for people expands well beyond her career. The 44-year-old mother of two is also actively involved in her community. She supports L&D Gives, a local non-profit that assists the homeless community, co-hosts the annual Ferrari of Denver Christmas Toy Drive to benefit the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, is involved with various programs for first responders, and she recently started “Bullets then Brews” events to help instruct women and others how to use firearms safely to protect themselves and their families. Her motivation to develop firearm skills and safety events arose from a plethora of concerns expressed by her clients regarding a spike in crime during the pandemic.
“During the pandemic, I had countless people reach out to me (especially women) who didn’t feel safe,” said Hilary Walsh. “They were waking up to news of gunshots and break-ins in their formerly peaceful neighborhoods. They wanted to be able to protect themselves and their families. I now work with a great number of people in law enforcement, including Darren Weekly, the new Douglas County Sheriff.”
Growing up in Northern Michigan, Walsh was accustomed to shooting firearms, albeit mostly for sport. However, she understood that for many, shooting firearms, especially for protection, was somewhat new to her clients and friends. She wanted to find a fun and exciting way to teach others how to use firearms safely while also having fun. That is when she developed the id
Target Practice: Hilary Walsh tries out multiple rifles during indoor target practice.
ea of “Bullets then Brews,” a quasi networking event which brings together people who want to acquire shooting skills while being able to meet like-minded people for libations after shooting at the gun range. Her primary goal was to make sure it was done in a safe manner, as pairing booze and guns is dangerous. That is when she stumbled upon The Gallery Sportsman’s Club and Range (The Gallery) — a 20,000-square-foot shooting facility near the Colorado Mills Mall in Lakewood, Colorado.
Opened in April 2022, The Gallery boasts two fully immersive shooting bays with seven 25-yard-long gun-ready lanes and eight 20-yard entirely tactical lanes, along with a restaurant and lounge. The restaurant, aptly named the Barrel Room, offers typical bar-food fare like nachos, flatbread, and burgers, along with a full bar. But before entering the Barrel Room, patrons are required to secure any firearm in their car or in the facility’s complimentary valet lockers. A
Ready And Aim: Hilary Walsh takes aim at an indoor gun range.
government-issued ID also must be presented. Each ID is scanned and sent to the range, ensuring that no one can shoot after sipping. In fact, after checking in at the Barrel Room, customers cannot use the range for the remainder of the day.
In addition to the restaurant and lounge, The Gallery has the Trigger Press coffee shop, and also a retail store the sells firearms, ammunition, as well as outdoor supplies like coolers, camping gear, and hunting and fishing licenses.
“We’re trying to build a place that is welcoming and friendly for families,” said Megan Hymanson, The Gallery co-founder and operations director. Hymanson, along with her husband Mark, a Marine Corps veteran, are the primary owners of The Gallery, making it a woman and veteran-owned business.
“The fact that this is a women-owned business makes it even more fitting,” said Walsh. “Given the amenities, The Gallery is certainly the ideal place to host the Bullets then Brews events.” It offers the use of a selection of 80 firearms to choose from for rental, or you may bring your own firearm. Staff is available for assistance.
Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages are provided during shooting time, with drinks and dinner available afterward in The Gallery’s on-site restaurant.
Bullets and Brews is sponsored by Hilary Walsh of @milehimodern; Ian Jouett of @ kingofthemortgagejungle; George Rock of @rockthebankofdenver; and Josh Miller and Brian Renkema of Elk Point Construction.