Epic Escape Room

Larry and Kathleen White, along with their daughter, Leslie Kell, were on vacation looking for something fun to do as a family. They looked at a local website listing upcoming activities when something caught their eye and they visited a place called Epic Escape Game. They had so much fun, all they talked about on the way home was how exciting it would be to run a business like Epic Escape Game. They even met with the owner about opening one up in Grand Junction and less than a year later, that is exactly what they did.
Epic Escape Game is a fun interactive adventure game designed for everyone. The concept is simple. A team will be locked in a room where they have 60 minutes to find clues, solve puzzles and escape from the room before their time is up. One can play with their family, friends or co-workers. The object is to make an Epic Escape.

Before opening the business, they met with a friend who recommended that they talk with the Grand Junction SBDC. They had been around business all their lives, but they had never run one. After taking the Grand Junction SBDC’s “How to Start a Business” class, they put together a business plan that made financial sense. Also, they learned about managing profit and loss along with cash flows. Their vision was to create a business that would be of benefit to the people of Grand Junction. Since opening on December 26, 2015, they have seen 25 to 30% growth each month.

The joy in seeing families and people solving puzzles is what makes these business owner’s excited and keeps their business growing. “People act like they found a million dollars when they solve a puzzle and get a lock open,” says Kathleen. Their advice is to talk to people who have done it and find out what it takes to be done. “Do not be afraid to ask for advice especially multiple people,” says Larry. “The support team is what helps build confidence.”

JT Crane Service: Taking Business to New Heights

Jeff Thornton, veteran, owner, and operator had 12 years of crane operating experience and another five years of heavy equipment operator experience. However, something Jeff had limited experience with was starting and growing a business. “The classes and coaches [at the Grand Junction SBDC] have been essential because I have no experience in bookkeeping or web design,” said Jeff. After learning about the Grand Junction SBDC through the SBA’s website, Jeff made his first coaching

Read More »
Kannah Creek Brewery

For Jim Jeffryes, brewing beer had always been a source of refuge from his stressful job in technology. That is, until 1998 when he decided to jump into brewing beer full time. Although Jim had brewed beer recreationally, he had never done it in the quantities he was going to need to support a brewery, so after purchasing land on 9th & Struthers in Grand Junction, he enrolled in beer school and took Leading Edge

Read More »
Edgewater Brewery

For Jim Jeffryes, brewing beer had always been a source of refuge from his stressful job in technology. That is, until 1998 when he decided to jump into brewing beer full time. Although Jim had brewed beer recreationally, he had never done it in the quantities he was going to need to support a brewery, so after purchasing land on 9th & Struthers in Grand Junction, he enrolled in beer school and took Leading Edge

Read More »
Skip to content