Today we’d like to introduce you to David Watermeier.
David, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I joined the army out of high school to be a medic in 2011 and got out in 2015. I worked as an EMT and went to school after. But I didn’t enjoy being an EMT as much as I’d hoped. So I left that and still just continued with college to try to become a doctor. My cousin brought me to an escape room in Pomona and I was in love. Most of my life I have been obsessed with video games and found these to be much more fun. I went to a bunch more and loved it every time. That’s about the time I started to think I could do this too.
I initially got inspired to do it because I went to a few that I didn’t like as much and thought I can do it way better and give a better experience. That’s when I looked up the business side of it and learned that it can be profitable. I didn’t want to just save all my money forever and spend it when I am old. I wanted to do something exciting so I decided I’d rather be happy losing it all on a failed business than worrying if it ever could have worked. At least I could learn from the experience. I wasted a few months trying to convince myself that this is a good idea and I should go through with what I said.
My main goal in making the room was making one where if I played it I would have the most fun ever. So for me it is something that isn’t scary, although I like scary stuff now more and more. But originally it is something that isn’t scary, and has extremely fulfilling puzzles that give the best satisfaction. And every escape room I had been to at that point just ended with me walking out, or some written ending. Which is great but I wanted much more, so the ending for my escape room is definitely the highlight of the room.
I had savings from the army in a retirement fund. I withdrew everything from that and spent it all on making the escape room. I opened on Feb 10th, 2017 with only about $100 dollars left and wished for the best. Thankfully within the first few months I’ve made back what I spent and now am working on another escape room to open hopefully this summer.
I have been juggling between college and the escape room for the last few months so I have been pretty busy. I knew absolutely nothing about owning a business before so have tried learning everything I can. The owners around me and Facebook groups are all so awesome and helpful. I can pretty much look up or ask any question and there is always someone willing to give great advice. And I still have so much to learn so having that is seriously so wonderful.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Some of the main struggles are just trying to open. Dealing with each city and trying to find a great location that fits their zoning regulations. Marketing is one of my weakest points of my business so definitely I would have liked to research more in the beginning so I wouldn’t waste money on pointless ads.
Please tell us about Escape Room Era.
Escape Room Era is located in Anaheim, CA and offers 1 escape room experience. It’s a colonial themed room where the guests have to find Benjamin Franklin’s greatest invention and use it on the British before they arrive. The best parts about this escape room is the puzzles and how they relate to the theme. There are some history elements mixed in with the game that add to the authenticity of the overall experience. So in the end the game is slightly educational. Which is very cool and perfect for families or anyone that loves good puzzles.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I am still only within the first 5 months of opening. But if I had done anything differently I would have chosen to open as soon as I could about a year earlier. I read before that things breaking, I didn’t take it as seriously as I should have. So I have made certain props more durable which I should have done so in the beginning.
Pricing:
- $24 per person on weekdays
- $28 per person on weekends
Contact Info:
- Address: 3365 E. Miraloma Ave Suite 202
Anaheim, CA 92806 - Website: www.escaperoomera.com
- Phone: 714-989-3252
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_escape_room_era_/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapeRoomEra/?ref=page_internal
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/escape-room-era-anaheim
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