Mark Gurley is a world-renowned martial arts champion,
successful entrepreneur and industry- changing innovator. He
studied martial arts at 12, turned pro at 18 and racked up five
world championship titles before retiring from competition at 45.
From 2000–2012, Mark’s martial arts school, Highsteppers American
Karate, trained more than 14,000 students in Sanford,
Florida.
He also built a career in home construction and
neighborhood development, co-founding R&G Development.
Ultimately, Gurley’s experience in athletics and construction led
him to create Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena. Gurley’s
trampoline arena and equipment design details include patented
improvements that significantly boost safety, durability and
profitability. His vision revolutionized the indoor trampoline
business and is elevating Rebounderz to the top of the
market.
Please answer the following questions:
1. Tell us about the Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena
concept.
Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena is a full-service extreme
fun, family entertainment center franchise. It started in 2008 as a
trampoline arena and continues to evolve and
now features the trampoline jumper and additional attractions
such as a Ninja Warrior course, laser tag, cafes and arcades to
name a few. Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena is dedicated to
safety and developed as an entertainment center that appeals to
children, teens and adults. It is a way kids can exercise and
release energy in a positive manner. In
2009 Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena began
franchising.
2. How and when did you become involved with
Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena?
After getting injured at a mom and pop trampoline park while
on vacation, I knew there was a way to create a safer venue for
kids and families to have fun. On the flight back, I sketched out
the initial drawing of the Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena
jumper and exoskeleton. A few months later, the first Rebounderz
Indoor Trampoline Arena opened. Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena
is committed to safety, and leading to the company’s tagline:
“Superior Engineering, Maximum Safety.”
3. What was your background prior to joining
Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena?
Prior to founding Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena, I was a
five-time world champion kickboxer. I opened and owned Highsteppers
American Karate, a karate studio, from 2000-2012, which trained
more than 14,000 students. Prior to opening
Highsteppers, I worked in construction.
4. What are some of the advantages in being a
Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena
franchisee?
Unlike many other franchise models and brands, Rebounderz is
still new as a concept, which makes the timing perfect for this
franchise opportunity. Rebounderz mixes fun with exercise, which
isn’t common.
Another advantage is the lower cost of operation over
competing franchise opportunities. We estimate our franchisees are
spending an average of $7,000-$10,000 per year in trampoline
maintenance costs, depending on arena size and number of
trampolines, by having the right equipment and engineering. Our
research shows that maintenance costs at other indoor trampoline
park franchisees about $7,000-$12,000 per month.
Rebounderz builds its arenas using products that are made in
America whenever possible. In fact, American-based companies
domestically produce 95 percent of the materials required to build
and open a Rebounderz franchise.
5. Who is your ideal franchisee?
The ideal Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena franchisee would
be someone who
loves children and the community, someone who desires a
hands-on approach to running a fun business with safety as their
priority.
6. Tell us a little about the family entertainment
industry Market?
The demand for affordable family entertainment centers
continues to rise. So many industries and companies disappeared
during the Great Recession. In 2008, there were only five
trampoline facilities. Now, despite a global recession, there are
nearly 500 trampoline facilities, and only one of those first five
hasn’t grown into multiple locations. Being an independent store in
our industry is tough because of insurance regulations and
requirements, as well as building your brand and reputation. We
provide all of that for our franchisees.
7. What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve
learned in growing this franchise?
It is important to be proactive rather than reactive,
especially when it comes to safety. Paying attention to detail,
even the smallest detail is important. You need to cater to the
children as well as the parents to ensure guests keep coming
back.
8. Do you have a mentor and is there someone you use
for inspiration?
Bruce Lee is one of my inspirations. When I watched Bruce Lee
Enter the Dragon for the first time, I saw how he carried himself,
and I knew that was the way I wanted to carry myself for the rest
of my life. As a point of honor, I wanted to make sure that
whatever I started, I would make it successful by doing the right
thing and completing
the task at hand. That film defined who I was and who I wanted
to be.
9. What advice do you have for someone looking to
acquire a Franchise?
Some keys to running a successful Rebounderz franchise are:
First, you have to maintain a safe environment for your guests.
Second, concentrate on customer service. If you
have a bad day, leave it at the door. Smile and engage with
the customers. Third, keep your facility clean. The fastest way to
lose a repeat customer is to have him go into a dirty bathroom.
It’s important that our arenas smell good and are spotless. The
fourth key to success is a focus on marketing. Each franchise needs
to have a dedicated
marketing person who reaches out to the community. The fifth
and final key to success is to keep your costs in control, and a
big part of that is keeping payroll in check.
10.In your opinion, why do you think that Rebounderz
Indoor Trampoline Arena would be a great opportunity for
someone?
A Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena is a great opportunity
for someone because the family entertainment and exercise
industries continue to grow. A Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena
franchise also appears to be recession-proof.
Another reason Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena franchises
are a great opportunity is that we also provide the support and
training our franchisees need. We give all Rebounderz franchisees
comprehensive hands-on training, where they learn everything about
our services and how to effectively market their businesses and
oversee their employees. In addition to the training, franchisees
are also given a manual training suite that provides a
comprehensive, easy-to-understand tutorial on how to run the
business. Our franchisees are never left feeling as though they
weren’t trai
