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