Hard Times

The other day in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Rockman read an article about a indoor play area called Just4Fun.  Rockman has always felt that these places are a great idea.  An indoor playground.  The equipment is easy to find and readily available.  The cost for space is relatively inexpensive because they are in warehouse spaces.  They are great for adults because they are climate controlled, there is nothing for the kiddies to get into, and they usually have amenities like wifi and comfortable chairs.  Usually they charge a very fare price for coming in to play.  Seems like win/win all the way around. The gist of the article is that due to the downturn in the economy this place has not done as many b-day parties and, as a result, has fallen behind on rent ($180,000) and is facing eviction, as well as end of their business.  This made Rockman think about Adventure Rock and how we are doing in these "hard-times".

The quick answer is Adventure Rock is doing fairly well.  Given the state of the economy, we are still doing lots of b-day parties, our classes are filling up, we have more members than ever.  So as Adventure Rock is celebrating it's 12th anniversary,  why? Why them and not us?  There are probably a hundred reasons why Just4Fun is going out of business and Adventure Rock is not.  Rockman would like to believe it is his marketing prowess and cut-throat business tactics.  Most likely it is not either of those.  Maybe it is our stellar business plan. However, we have spoken to plenty of bankers who don't seem to think it is that stellar.  So what is it?

It's you.  You have a lot to do with it.  You and the rest of Adventure Rock's  fans, followers and members.  You buy memberships, come to our events, let us host your kid's b-day party, let us teach you to belay, let us coach you. You work for us, volunteer for us, recommend us and you trust us with your hard earned money.   You make up a community of people that support Adventure Rock, just another small business like Just4Fun.
12 years ago no one thought that we could stay in business for 1 year, let alone 12.  They have not been easy years, but we are still here.  So if we haven't told you in a while, Thank you.  Thank you for your years of support, good wishes and help.

In The Spirit Of Adventure,

Rockman