Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Walters. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chris , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Growing up in Southern California, I always envisioned a future rooted in the familiar landscapes of my childhood, filled with sun-soaked beaches and bustling city life. I believed in the classic roadmap to success: attend college, earn a degree, secure a decent job, and everything would fall into place. My wife and I followed this path diligently. We graduated, got decent jobs, and did everything we were supposed to do. Yet, despite our efforts, we found ourselves grappling with the harsh reality that we couldn’t afford the cost of living in Southern California.

The frustration of seeing our dreams limited by financial constraints was daunting. We both knew we needed a change, something drastic, to build the life we desired. Although the idea of moving out of state seemed monumental, we found ourselves considering it more seriously after my mom relocated to Colorado. On one of our visits to her new home, we discovered Castle Rock, Colorado. The charm and beauty of the town captivated us, and a thought began to form in our minds: Could this be the fresh start we needed?

Returning to California after one of our visits, we couldn’t shake the idea. In a moment of bold resolve, we looked at each other and said, “Let’s do it. Let’s move to Colorado.” It was a decision that felt both exhilarating and terrifying. We were freshly graduated, recently married, and had just welcomed our first baby boy, Rocky, into the world. The idea of uprooting our lives, selling everything, and starting anew in a different state was a monumental risk.

Yet, we knew we possessed the determination and grit necessary to overcome any obstacles. We sold our belongings, packed up what was left, and made the move to Colorado, not entirely sure what awaited us. The uncertainty was palpable, but so was our belief in our ability to create the life we dreamed of.

Our gamble paid off in ways we could never have imagined. In Colorado, we found opportunities we hadn’t thought possible. We were able to purchase three homes, a testament to our hard work and perseverance. We started two successful businesses, channels through which we could channel our passions and skills. Along the way, we welcomed another baby boy, Wyatt, further enriching our lives.

Today, our life in Colorado stands as a testament to the power of taking risks and believing in oneself. We’ve built a life that not only meets but exceeds our expectations, and we continue to set ambitious goals for the future. Our journey from Southern California to Castle Rock was a leap into the unknown, but it was a leap that brought us to a place of fulfillment and success. Our story is a reminder that sometimes, the biggest risks can lead to the most rewarding outcomes.

Chris , 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?

I was born and raised in Southern California and was your typical Southern California kid. From growing up playing baseball to skateboarding, surfing, listening to punk rock music, and saying “dude” more than I should, my childhood was vibrant and full of diverse experiences. I’ve always been an ambitious kid, always wanting to excel at whatever I was doing. However, school was not one of those things. I didn’t fit the public school system’s box of the 80s and 90s, and I struggled.

One pivotal moment came when a high school counselor told me, “You know, Chris, I don’t believe school is for everyone. I think once this stage of life is over, you will do extraordinary things.” At that time, I was just a kid who loved to skateboard and was sponsored by local companies in California. I thought I would eventually become a professional skateboarder. I had the determination to master whatever I was doing, a perfectionist. I also had the entrepreneurial spirit since I was a little kid, always saying I would own a skateboard/surfboard shop.

After high school, I was told I had to pick a career. I wasn’t told I could start my own business. So, I followed the counsel provided at the college I attended. I ended up getting a job at Nordstrom Corporate, making collection phone calls for the next seven years. Even after I graduated, I stayed at Nordstrom because, again, the college counselor failed to mention that the degree I was earning would only pay me so much. Nordstrom was taking better care of me, so I decided to stay with them.

However, I knew this wasn’t how my life was supposed to turn out. I decided to venture out and start my first business. In 2017, I founded Lion Heart Home Inspections and never looked back. I was born for this. Networking was my thing. I loved people, loved hanging out, encouraging others, and finding ways to help. Lion Heart grew over the years, allowing my wife to stay home and homeschool our kids, fulfilling her vision of motherhood. What a blessing.

Recently, we decided it was time to start another business in town. We wanted to bring fun to our community and share something we fell in love with a few years back. Thus, ClueClock Escape was born. Located in Castle Pines, Colorado, ClueClock Escape is an escape room business. We love seeing friends and families laughing and having so much fun every day when playing our escape rooms. We set ourselves apart by raising the bar in set design and incorporating technology. We were tired of the traditional escape rooms filled with manual combination locks and aimed to create something more cinematic, like pulling a lever or a book to open a trap door.

Additionally, we wanted to create a bright and colorful environment, opting for a mid-century modern look for our lobby instead of the usual dark and mysterious escape room vibe. Our long-term vision includes multiple locations and exploring franchising opportunities. We believe we have a great model, and with escape rooms still relatively new in the USA, there is a lot of room for growth.

At ClueClock Escape, we also hold corporate events and parties, providing opportunities for team building and celebrating accomplishments. We are excited to meet all of you and bring smiles to your faces. Our passion extends beyond just running businesses. We love helping others achieve their dreams by providing jobs and supporting our employees’ growth. We have the opportunity to be someone’s first job and teach valuable skills such as work ethic, grit, problem-solving, and customer service.

With Lion Heart Home Inspections, we employ people and pay them well enough to purchase homes and provide for their families. These are the real reasons why we do what we do. Between our two businesses, we are committed to making a positive impact on our community and the lives of those we serve.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What helped me build my reputation within the market was primarily my excitement and passion for what we were doing and my vision for the future. I knew I had to work hard to realize that vision. One of the key strategies was to immerse myself in the community. I joined the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce and took on the role of an ambassador, attending as many events as possible. Being a people person, I understood that a lot of success stems from who you know and how you can mutually support each other with life advice, business insights, and more.

Through these interactions, I began to network with numerous business owners, not only in Castle Rock but across Colorado. Unintentionally, I was building my brand and reputation within the community. I consistently demonstrated that I was a trustworthy individual with honesty and integrity, dedicated to hard work and the well-being of others. The more I showed up, the more people recognized my character and efforts.

As my presence and reputation grew, I started hearing feedback like, “You need to see Chris; he will help you or provide that service or introduce you to someone you need to meet.” These face-to-face interactions were invaluable in establishing a strong local market presence.

Additionally, I learned about the power of social media. If I couldn’t be physically present, I could still share aspects of my life and business online to earn people’s trust and build connections. However, the most significant factor was consistently following through on my promises. I provided excellent service and remained a person of my word.

This combination of community involvement, networking, social media presence, and reliable service helped me build a strong reputation in the market. People knew they could count on me, and that trust became the foundation of my success.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale begins with hiring the right people. It’s essential to take the time to properly interview and vet potential employees, ensuring they align with the company’s values and culture. I like to get involved in my employees’ lives, understanding a bit about their family, hobbies, and what brings them joy. This personal connection helps me understand how to communicate and coach them effectively, recognizing that everyone is built differently and learns in unique ways.

By making employees feel more like family, it becomes easier to coach and train them. I also believe in involving them in more than just their job roles. Encouraging employees to share their opinions about the business and implementing their ideas when they align with the business plan fosters a sense of ownership and investment in the company’s success.

A philosophy that has guided me is that if you take care of people, they will naturally take care of you. This was taught to me by individuals who looked after me, and it has profoundly influenced my approach to leadership. Taking care of your team means providing support, listening to their needs, and ensuring they feel valued and appreciated.

Additionally, it’s important to keep things light and fun. Enjoying what you do and fostering a positive work environment can significantly boost morale. Understanding the mutual need between employer and employees—that we are all in this together—creates a collaborative and supportive atmosphere.

Ultimately, managing a team effectively and maintaining high morale requires a balance of personal connection, involvement, support, and creating a fun and enjoyable workplace. By taking care of your team, you build a loyal and motivated workforce dedicated to achieving common goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.clueclock.com
• Instagram: clueclock_escape
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clueclockescape

Image Credits

Charlie Namrepus Sardelli