Career Change from Teeth to Turkeys

by Emily Pollio

FLEMINGTON – From prospective dental student to Triple Toe Calls, Lee Powers has made a name for himself at the age of 24.

Powers, a Central Mountain High School grad, Class of 20.., received a degree in Bio Technology with a minor in Chemistry at Marywood University in Scranton.

Following his Bachelors Degree, the Mill Hall resident went back to Marywood and got his Masters in Bio Technology with the intent to attend dental school.

While there he enrolled in a few business courses where he had to create a business plan. Still preparing to go to dental school, Powers competed in a competition with the business proposal he made for class, with a few friends helping him pitch the idea.

Out of ten schools competing, he was awarded first place.

Powers then went on to another competition where he was a finalist. At the same contest he was told, within a few years, Triple Toe Calls would be a very successful business. “I would rather be hunting and doing stuff like that instead of going to dental school,” he said with a smile on his face. This was when Triple Toe Calls wasn’t just an idea on paper anymore.

He decided to take the next steps to creating his own business; the company name, Triple Toe Calls, was not easy to create. The original name he had picked was “Thunder Throat.” His friend’s mother told him that he should probably think of a different name.

The idea of Triple Toe Calls followed, because turkeys have three toes and originally he was only making turkey calls. He then expanded his business to deer, fox, coyote, bobcat, duck and goose calls.

To make his name and product known, from January to April, Powers and eleven of his buddies go to trade shows all over the United States. April 1, 2012 was the official start date for Triple Toe Calls, and already he has sold his handmade calls in over 38 states including Canada. His calls will be sold in 70 Canadian Buyer stores, spring 2014, and the public will be able to buy the handmade calls in the Canadian Buyer stores right in time for turkey season. The company distributor also pitched the idea of Triple Toe Calls to Dick’s Sporting Goods this past Wednesday and Thursday. Powers hopes to see his products sold in larger stores in addition to the smaller “Mom and Pop shops.”

The turkey, deer, duck, goose and predator calls are created in his family’s Mill Hall home where Poweres hand-makes his calls. There are no machines involved in making Triple Toe Calls.

The future for Powers and his up and coming business is bright. Although he did not go to dental school, he still hopes to complete dental school one day. Initially, he had anticipated buying the dental practice of his father, Dr. Richard Powers II, and still may in the future. His overall goal is to hire a few people within the next year to work at Triple Toe Calls, graduate from dental school, and take over his father’s practice.

You can find the handmade turkey, deer, duck, goose and predator calls online at www.tripletoecalls.com. Powers may also be contacted by email at info@tripletoecalls.com or by phone at (570) 295-4156.