WHY DID I GET INTO THIS BUSINESS?

Escape rooms are awesome, I get it.  But why did you get into this business?

This recent New York Times article on Human Contact Is Now a Luxury Good (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/23/sunday-review/human-contact-luxury-screens.html) shows exactly why I got into the business of escape rooms.

Back in 2013 my family was completely disconnected from each other.  I was always working, and with the acquisition of my company and requirement that I would have to make the 4h commute daily instead of 1 day/week, it was definitely not getting better.  So, we rented out our house, bought an American RV, shipped it to Europe and spent a nomadic year abroad.  We did some amazing stuff.  And one of the key things was getting out of our rooms, away from our computers and in touch with each other.  On the way, we discovered escape rooms and fell in love with them.  Besides the connection that our family had gained, this was something that we could bring back and share.

So, we did.  Instead of going back to work in Silicon Valley, I opened a business and started learning how to be a business owner instead of working for someone else.  And it is a business where all participants put away their phones. Guests must connect to each other to succeed.

Phones are off, safely stored and getting charged up for the rest of the day's (or night's) adventures.

But more importantly, our groups are getting charged up by being with each other.  Sure, some leave immediately on their phones checking in and seeing what happened (hopefully posting a 5-star review!).  But for many, their relationships have a renewal (or new growth).  They're talking with each other.  Joshing.  Talking up each other's great moments and victories, and the entire group's experience, especially on special occasions like birthdays, making this THE birthday activity Chicagoans are raving about.

Almost no one has the opportunity to take a break for a year like I was so fortunate to do.  But I could bring the very best experience of that year, recreate it and share it with all of our guests.

This is why I got into this business.  And why I continue doing this.

I want everyone to have an incredible and authentic shared experience with each other.  And I can help do that.