Building a Trampoline Park Business from the Ground Up
Back in 2011, when we opened a trampoline park in Fort Worth, Texas, I think it was around the sixth one in the U.S. Fast forward fourteen years, and it became part of a venture that made over $1 billion in revenue, though it wasn’t all smooth sailing to get there.
I used to host birthday parties at this place called Discovery Zone, an indoor play area I adored. So, when I spotted a trampoline park during a trip to California, I was instantly curious.
It wasn’t just the nostalgia; the whole concept seemed fresh and scalable. As an entrepreneur, I’m always on the lookout for those two elements.
Banks and Investors Were Skeptical
I went to the bank seeking a loan for the trampoline park, but they turned me down almost immediately. Investors and landlords weren’t interested either. They thought I was just going to put some trampolines together haphazardly. I was only 25, and the idea was still pretty novel.
However, I was determined. My parents were small business owners, first running a laundromat, then my dad built a house. He agreed to help me get started. Altogether, we invested around $850,000, which was really all I had, including earnings from my first venture that developed the algorithm.
Through a family connection, my dad found a contractor who had a large warehouse available for lease. If it hadn’t been for that opportunity, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now.
Expanding Through Franchises
From the get-go, I believed in my vision more than anyone else did. When we opened, I was hands-on, from overseeing attractions to managing ticket sales. Thankfully, the business took off quickly. Within eight months, my dad and I had recouped our initial investment.
Like many entrepreneurs, I wanted to grow further. With all the effort that had gone into the initial launch, it was clear I needed to leverage that momentum. Pretty soon, we added two more locations in the Greater Dallas area.
Initially, I considered franchising but hesitated due to my lack of experience. I vividly recall a conversation with my grandfather while he was smoking in the backyard. He said, “You don’t want to regret not going for it.”
Taking his advice, I decided to pursue franchising. I launched my first franchise on my 30th birthday, and in just one year, we opened 54 franchises.
A Bit of Paranoia Was a Good Thing
As the business flourished, more competitors popped up. I realized that a little anxiety about staying ahead could be healthy—after all, complacency could lead to downfall, just as Netflix took over Blockbuster.
In 2017, I transitioned to a new model, turning the trampoline park into an indoor adventure park. We reduced the number of trampolines by 80% and revitalized the concept. It was a hit with both kids and parents, helping us stand out in a crowded market.
After the pandemic, my focus shifted to building a portfolio of companies that would benefit my children. I established Unleashed Brands, acquiring businesses that resonated with my own kids, like a local gym. Now, Unleashed Brands generates over $1 billion and reaches more than 20 million children across the country.
Teaching Grit to My Kids
My father instilled the value of hard work in me early on. I remember waking up at 4:30 AM to help him with concrete work. I’m trying to teach my own three kids—13, 10, and 5—to tackle challenges without quitting.
Despite their more comfortable lifestyle compared to my upbringing, I’m looking for ways to instill that grit. Recently, my older daughter forgot her gym bag and asked me to bring it to school. Instead, I let her learn the lesson of facing the music by attending gym class in her regular clothes. It’s not going to harm her, but maybe it’ll help her remember to be more responsible next time.
In tough times, too many people give up. If you want to succeed as an entrepreneur, you have to keep pushing through those hurdles and be fully committed to your goals.
