We were lucky to catch up with Tyler Kathmann recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea came from a cold winter night out to dinner with some family. We began discussing ideas of what we could all do after dinner. Which led us in a discussion that our smaller town, unfortunately, did not offer a lot of options for recreational fun for groups/families/etc. (We have two bowling alleys, a movie theater and an escape room, which are all SO much fun in their own right.)

As we sat there, we started talking about axe throwing and what it could cost to start our own facility. In the weeks that followed dinner, we started having more serious conversations that lead to building walk-throughs to make our new dream become a reality! After we found our building, we kept talking the type of games we wanted to incorporate and the feel of the atmosphere we wanted. Ultimately, we decided on a multitude of games from axe throwing, golf simulators, racing simulators, shuffleboard, and other games we wanted to feel as if we were just “playing in our back yard”!

Over time, we have added a few more “stay and play” games to our back room and we continue to look for ways to grow what we offer.

Tyler, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Once you step into our doors at The Game Yard, you are immediately greeted with a very modern and industrial feel to our facilities atmosphere. We love technology and how it can help enhance the customer experience while in our building.

We have 6 axe throwing lanes that utilize a projected target with a variety of games that range from Bowling, Catch Phrase, Tic Tac Toe, battleships and so many more!!

We also have a Golf Simulator, an iRacing Simulator, Yard Soccer, Carpet Ball, Shuffleboard, Giant Jenga, Stumped, and smaller games!

With this selection of games, we are tailored to the group outings like corporate parties, team building, anniversary or birthday parties, but also date nights and family fun days!

Full transparency, the most joy we get is when we see a group here that really lets their guard down and interacts with each other! The energy just hits different with a small group of people and their comradery and friendly competition. Our customers have so much fun here and we just love that!! It just confirms why we made this and where our passion for this place came from!

How did you build your audience on social media?

This is one of the most crucial/important things in a business that normally does not get the attention it needs. I know, I know, its time consuming to think of what to post or how to post it or what to say, etc. But the biggest thing we have learned for social media is to be CONSISTENT. This is vital. It keeps the content in front of your customers and keeps you front and center of their minds. This builds brand awareness. Sure, at the beginning, you have 200 followers and you do not feel like its worth it. BUT, being consistent keeps your business and your services in front of the customers.

The second thing that we have learned is to be BRAVE. Very brave. This, business in general, is not for the faint of heart. Being brave and putting yourself and your business out there in safe manner, to get attention and gain traction is what you have to be consistent with. Come up with cool and meaningful ways to interact with your community and other local businesses that you can bring value to. Get creative with your ideas and do not be afraid to be silly! Some folks are hard on themselves and think they look goofy or didn’t say something right, you have to get past that, be yourself and have fun!

I have learned that I can be my true self and be silly, and creative and we have organically built a nice little following of a few thousand people on our social pages in 2 short years of being in business!!

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

No matter your business, if you are not following or do not know of The Yellow Tux Man, Jesse Cole, I highly encourage you to do so!

As you begin to follow him and read some of his books, you will be begin to build a fire within yourself to have fun and think outside the box. Be yourself, be creative, and find your reasons of WHY you do the business you do!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thegame-yard.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_gameyard/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100060108702999

Image Credits
These were all taken by us, partners of The Game Yard