Q 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: Bravoz Entertainment Center, formerly known as Rebounderz of Jacksonville, was the first to bring the indoor trampoline arena concept to Jacksonville, Florida. Bravoz opened in September 2012, with an open jump trampoline court, dodgeball court, slam dunk court and foam pit. In 2015, we began an extensive renovation of the facility, and, when complete, Bravoz was transformed into a 40,000sf entertainment venue, and includes the trampoline courts, a state of the art, 6,000 sf, multi-level, laser tag arena, the areas largest ninja warrior obstacle course, a full restaurant, rock walls, multiple party rooms, arcade and more.
Q 2.Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: Owners David and Laura Zorn have lived in the Jacksonville area since 1992. We have three children, ages 16, 14 and 10, and are both graduates of the University of North Florida. David practiced as a CPA, leaving PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1998 for a controllership position with an international chemical company. Laura worked as a consultant with KPMG, and spent her last 7 years prior to opening Bravoz as a senior support manager for Adventist Health Systems.
Q 3. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: We saw a need within the North Florida community for an alternative entertainment option, and thought our concept would be a welcomed addition to the existing entertainment venues. The success of our initial allowed us to move forward with the longer term vision of
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: Have confidence in your own abilities. Do your research on the market you wish to serve. Identify the right people that will help you grow and succeed, including business partners (vendors, financial institutions, suppliers), as well as employees.
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Must be willing to take risk, and sell others on your concept. Have ability to identify oncoming trends. Be willing to change course or adapt better methods and processes.
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: We are always working, even when not at the facility. The entertainment industry has exploded over the last several years, and with that has come both opportunity and challenges. We are always assessing our operations to make sure we’re providing our guests the best experience possible, while at the same time, looking at ways to improve our existing products, as well as looking at new attractions.
Q 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: Laura and I complement each other’s strengths, and we trust each other’s judgement (we are married, so it doesn’t always come across that way…). Our business is a reflection of that. We’ve also forged great business partnerships, as well as relationships with others in our industry. We’ve also tried to cultivate an excellent work environment, which has resulted in a really great team of staff members. Several have been with us since we opened over six years ago, and many more still come back to us during seasonal periods.
Q 8. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: Historically, we’ve engaged in all types of marketing. From broadcast advertising (tv and radio), print advertising, web banners, social media and google. We also love community outreach, including sponsorship of area schools and youth athletics leagues, to charitable groups. But we also focus significant effort on our existing customers, keeping them up to date on upcoming events, special offers, and new products. We value all guests but repeat customers can be some of your best marketing tools.
Q 9. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: Ours was a combination of personal capital and a bank loan. We did not bring in additional investors.
Q 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: I think a successful organization must know what it wants to accomplish, and whom it wants to serve. We must also be willing to regularly assess, nut just our financial performance, but adherence to our mission.
Q 11. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: Bravoz is always looking at ways to improve. We’re continuously investing in processes and products that we think will enhance our customer experience. We’ve prided ourselves on being a place where families and friends of all ages can enjoy great activities together. We’re also investigating other business models that may provide a different experience, but that still stays true to our overall mission.
Q 12. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: Disney. They value customer experience over all else. They occasionally make significant ride changes and add new attractions, and there are always subtle changes. But their consistent focus on the customer and staff interaction is unrivaled. Even their non-character members are always “in-character”.
Q 13. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Good employees are vital. They are the face of your organization and will most often be first and last impression of a customer’s visit.
Q 14. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: When it gives up on you!
Q 15. What motivates you?
Ans: The idea of developing a concept and making it happen.
Q 16.What are your ideals?
Ans: Honesty You should say what you mean and mean what you say.
Q 17. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: They come from everywhere. You can be reading an article unrelated to your business and take a simple concept from that and apply to yourself. Listening to others. Some of our best ideas and practices come from employees and guests.
Q 18. How do you define success?
Ans: Walking into a full facility, and watching guests enjoying, together, what you’ve built.
Q 19. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Regularly deliver what your customers are expecting.
Q 20. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: Failure is an option.
Q 21. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: Shortly after we opened, I was pulling in one morning as a group of 6 or 8 boys filed out of a vehicle. Within seconds, they began chanting R-E-B-O-U-N-D-E-R-Z.
Q 22. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: Aside from the need for sleep… I think most people are entrepreneurial in spirit, but sometimes it takes that one idea, thought, or concept that makes someone act on a business venture. Then you must have willingness to take the risk. Some of our best employees have that entrepreneurial mind set, which they bring with them every day. They bring great ideas (not always) and aren’t afraid to share them.
Q 23. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans: Ours is a culture of team. We know many employees won’t be here a year or two from now, as they move on to other stages of life, but we want them to have sense of worth and contribution while here. We try and reward those who express desire to take on more responsibility, and train them in as many positions as possible. We find that regular training, interaction and internal promotions helps provide that sense of team.
Q 24. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Chaos (sometimes with or without a smile).
Company Detail:
Company : Bravoz Entertainment Center
Contact : Justin Rhode
Address : 14985 Old St Augustine Rd
City : Jacksonville
State : FL
Zip : 32258
Phone : 904-300-0070
Email : info@bravoz.com