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

Deanna, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?

My story of failure is one that is more like “failure to launch”. Back in 2019 when I wrote the business plan for my escape room company, I thought I had it all figured out. Since I knew little about technology, I decided to work with a company to build two high tech escape games. Really, they were the ones who were supposed to be building it and handing me off a “turn key escape room” but when when the pandemic happened everything changed. The cost of materials doubled, finding a contractor was extremely difficult, and then the company flat out told me they would not be coming even though I paid them already.

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong, but there was a bright side. The situation forced me to become an artist, a builder, and an engineered. It may not be the path I originally set out to be on, but in the last 4 years, I learned so many skills I never thought I’d learn. When people walk into my facility, they rave about the set design and attention to detail put into everything. I am extremely proud of my work and grateful for the hardships experienced. Soon enough, I will be designing more games with my newfound knowledge and aim for them to be some of the best in the world.

Deanna, 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 am a 2014 graduate of Johnson & Wales University of Providence, RI with a degree in Entrepreneurship. Rhode Island is where I grew up but after graduating, I set out on long journey that brought me to California for a few years, then to Barcelona where I lived for 2 years. the first escape room I played was in LA in 2016. The feeling I got while playing was one of awe and excitement. Growing up, I LOVED playing computer games, specifically Nancy Drew pc games, and escape rooms felt very similar. For a while I daydreamed about what my escape room would be like. Eventually in 2019, the opportunity to create and own escape room company presented itself and I moved back to my home state to begin working on the build out. It took many years to get up and running but now we have a 2,200 sq ft facility in Newport Rhode Island, with two high tech escape rooms, Da Vinci’s Test and The King’s Tomb. What sets us apart is out mansion-esc lobby, amazing Game Masters, and attention to detail. I want people to know that our facility was designed to transport people to another dimension as soon as they step foot in the door. Everything they see was carefully curated and designed with the intention of creating an unforgettable experience.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

During the long days and nights of my build out, I would binge listen to NPR’s “How I Built This” podcast. The show features Entrepreneurs that share their journey of building their business. It always made me feel less alone to know that all of these people share the same experience of struggling to turn their dream into a reality. The podcast taught me that being a business owner is about perseverance and determination. The most successful people in the world have experienced many trials and many failures before achieving the huge accomplishments they are known for. Every time I felt doubt, I would listen to an episode and it would motivate me to keep going and for that, I am extremely grateful.

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

My team may be small, but everyone I work with is incredible and passionate about their position. Even though all but one of that had acting experience, I hired them because of their attitude and believed in their potential. Escape Rooms are still pretty new concepts, so most of the staff had never experienced one. I knew that the few days of training we had together would be essential for preparing them to play their roles as Game Masters. My strategy from the start was to demonstrate what’s expected of them, boost their confidence, and make sure they know that they are valued and cared for. Every person I hire first has to come play our games. Then I send them to play a game at another facility I really like. We do this to really make sure they understand what it is like to be a customer playing the games and difference a great Game Master can make.

When people on my team make a mistake, I don’t shame them or get angry. Instead, we talk about what went wrong and how to improve. None of them have ever made the same mistake twice because they really care about doing a great job. They don’t feel anxious to come to me when they have an issue because they know I have their back. The other things that contribute to us being a tight knit team are our monthly meetings, our team outings to other Escape Rooms, and our weekly game nights. We all genuinely like hanging out with each other and feel safe in each other’s company.

Contact Info:

• Website: paradigmescaperooms.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paradigmescaperooms/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089576903295