Tricia has been an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics for over 12 years. The communication and teaching skills she uses in her own business easily carried over to her role as a firearms instructor. She began her shooting career with Fortress Defense in June 2012 and hasn’t looked back. She quickly earned her NRA Instructor Certification and a few short months later graduated from Rangemaster’s Instructor Development Program. Tricia is now a Staff Instructor with DTI, as well, and assists Vicki Farnam on a regular basis – And she is part of the team at PrettyLoaded.org!

Tricia assists in our Women’s Self-Defense Course, Defensive Pistol (Intro, Level I & II), Force-on-Force, Rifle, and contributes to Speaking Engagements we provide to the community. In addition to her passion for teaching skin care and defensive shooting; Tricia is an avid hiker, competes in triathlons, volunteers at a local art gallery, and fosters dogs through an animal rescue.

Tricia specializes in being a badass of all things requiring badassery.

Contact: Tricia@fortressdefense.com

Firearm and Tactical Schools Attended

Fortress Defense Consultants

Frank Sharpe, Jr.
  • Women’s Self Defense (non-firearm)
  • Basic Firearm Safety
  • Women’s Introduction to Defensive Pistol
  • Defensive Pistol Level I & II
  • Defensive Pistol – Couples
  • Emergency Treatment of Gunshot Wounds
  • Active Shooter Response
  • Force On Force
  • Defensive Rifle Level I
  • Shotgun
  • Utah Concealed Carry Course

Defense Training International (DTI)

John & Vicki Farnam
  • Pistol
  • Urban Rifle
  • Armed Vehicle Defense
  • DTI Instructor Course

The Massad Ayoob Group

MAG-20: Armed Citizens’ Rules of Engagement

The Moulage Medic

18-Hour TCCC Medical

Rangemaster (RFTS)

  • Instructor Development Course

Firearm Instruction Certifications

National Rifle Association (NRA)
  • Certified Pistol Instructor
  • Personal Protection Inside The Home

State of Illinois

  • Concealed Carry Firearms Instructor

Defense Training International

  • Staff Instructor

Professional Organizations

  • National Rifle Association (NRA), Life Member
  • Armed Citizen’s Legal Defense Network
  • Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA)
  • Second Amendment Sisters