Hello,
My name is Wayne (Soni) Aylsworth and I am the owner of Empire Outdoors. I was born and raised in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, Empire Michigan. After attending Glen Lake Community Schools and the Manufacturing Technology Academy in Traverse City, I decided to get my Engineering degrees from Ferris State University.
My reasoning for not attending any of the big name schools that I was accepted to, was that I could work with my Grandfather, Warren Aylsworth at the family saw mill and go to school. I’m very proud to be the sixth generation of Sawers from Empire.
After I graduated from Ferris with a BS in Automotive Engineering and AS in Mechanical Engineering I was bound to work in the Detroit area. One of the problems was, I didn’t want to leave the Empire area, but I did it anyway. I would work during the week and come back to Empire every weekend. I would come back and saw lumber, boat, fish, hike, and all the other outdoor activities around the area.
While I was in the Detroit area, I married April (Boomer) Aylsworth from Traverse City. We now have three beautiful and really energetic kids. Lexi is 7, Blake is 3, and Corbin is After a rough day at the office, full of meeting with the all sorts of automotive companies, I came home and asked the family what they would like to do. The first response I received was from Lexi. She wanted to move up north.
Once I heard that come out of her mouth, I knew what to do…move back home. So we did and here we are. Now owning a business in the Empire community where I grew up.
Please come in and ask where the fish are biting, or simply introduce yourself.
Thank you very much and have a wonderful day,
Wayne (Soni) Aylsworth