We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful AJ Chinn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with AJ below.

Alright, AJ thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.

Supporting our local community is at the heart of what we do. We host a variety of benefit-driven events throughout the year where portions of sales go directly to local organizations.

Our biggest initiative is our Bingo Benefit event every Sunday, where all proceeds from bingo card sales are donated to a featured local organization. In 2024 alone, this program raised over $11,000!

We also host Fundraiser Nights for local schools, donating a portion of sales to PTOs and other school-related causes. And during special events like our Battle of the Breweries, where local breweries face off in a mini golf tournament, we donate a portion of draft beer sales to a selected nonprofit.

We choose causes that are close to home—local schools, community orgs, and nonprofits doing meaningful work in our area. It’s our way of giving back and staying connected to the people and places that support us.

AJ, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

We’re a mini golf restaurant and bar that’s all about fun, flavor, and community. I created this space because I wanted to offer something a little different. Somewhere families, friends, couples, and coworkers could come together to play, eat, drink, and connect.

The idea came from my love of great food, craft drinks, and good old-fashioned mini golf. I saw an opportunity to combine those into a single, vibrant spot where people can unwind, celebrate, and support local causes. Whether you’re here for a casual round of mini golf, a burger and beer, or a big event with your crew, we’ve got something for everyone.

What sets Craft Putt apart is the experience. We’re not just a restaurant or just a mini golf course—we’re both, and we do it all with heart. Our space is playful and welcoming, our menu is crafted with care, and our events bring the community together in a big way.

We’re especially proud of our community-focused events. Our Bingo Benefit nights have raised over $11,000 in 2024 alone, all going to local organizations. We host school fundraiser nights, partner with local breweries for fun competitions like Battle of the Breweries, and create ongoing ways for people to have a blast while giving back.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most challenging—and defining—moments in our journey came at the end of our first year. Like many new businesses, we hit a rough patch with staffing, especially in the kitchen. We lost both our Kitchen Manager and Assistant Kitchen Manager within a short window, and suddenly we were down to just two line cooks during one of our busiest times.

It was a make-or-break moment. Rather than scale back or compromise quality, I rolled up my sleeves and stepped into the kitchen myself. The hours were long and intense—brutal, honestly—but it was also an opportunity to rebuild from the ground up. I took that time to not only keep us afloat but to improve things: dialing in food quality, tightening up our systems, and creating a more efficient, positive kitchen culture.

That experience pushed me to my limits, but it also reminded me why we started this in the first place—to create something meaningful and lasting. Today, we have an incredible kitchen team that’s stronger than ever, and I’m proud to say our food is better than it’s ever been. That season taught me that resilience isn’t just about surviving tough times—it’s about using them as a launchpad for growth.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Funding this business was definitely a leap of faith. I had been working as an actuary and saving diligently for years, knowing that someday I wanted to build something of my own. When the time came, I invested my own savings and went after an SBA loan to cover the rest.

That process wasn’t easy—I was rejected more times than I can count (probably close to 50). But I kept pushing because I believed in the vision. Eventually, I secured the loan, but it came with a big ask: I had to put up every asset I owned as collateral. It was a huge risk, but I was betting on myself—and on the belief that this business could bring people joy and become something special in the community.

Looking back, it was one of the hardest but most rewarding parts of the journey. That gamble gave me the chance to build what we have today, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.craftputt.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftputt
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CraftPutt/