Today we’d like to introduce you to Carissa Wright
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
(Carissa Wright and Katrina Barry)
As best friends with a shared dream of entrepreneurship, we spent countless hours brainstorming ideas that could transform our vision into reality. Inspired by the popularity of claw machines in Asia and Australia, we independently landed on the concept of a claw machine arcade. We believed it would be a perfect addition to the South Bay beach cities in Los Angeles, where fun family activities are limited.
After running the numbers and weighing our fears, we decided to take the plunge. With our first location in Downtown Manhattan Beach now open for about six months, we’ve faced our share of challenges but remain committed to making King Claw a vibrant community hub for families.
Recently, we launched the King Claw Partnership Program, collaborating with restaurants, hotels, and malls to place our machines in their venues. This initiative not only attracts families but also offers local businesses an exciting new revenue stream. We’re thrilled about this next chapter and can’t wait to see how it grows!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been anything but a smooth road for us. They say, “If it was easy, everyone would do it,” and that couldn’t be more accurate. We’ve navigated challenges like outdated city codes hindering our plans, permitting hurdles, and everyday operational issues such as employee retention and role management. Each obstacle has pushed us to pivot quickly and adapt, teaching us invaluable lessons in resilience and creativity. Despite the difficulties, we’ve grown immensely and remain passionate about our mission with King Claw.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about King Claw?
King Claw is a specialized claw machine arcade and toy store in Downtown Manhattan Beach, offering a one-of-a-kind experience where you can play claw machines, win prizes, and relax on our back patio or for younger kids, play in the sand pit. With no other “hangouts” like us in the area, we’re excited to expand and are actively seeking a second location that embodies our vision of wall-to-wall claw machines. Additionally, our new King Claw Partnership Program allows us to bring our machines to local businesses and event rentals, fulfilling the demand for fun that appeals to both kids and adults. We’re proud of our ability to pivot and adapt, ensuring everyone can enjoy the thrill of claw machines!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
We believe that, just like in Asia and Australia, Americans will soon embrace the fun and excitement of claw machine arcades, leading to a surge in popularity. As we continue to grow, we’re confident that more claw machine venues, especially our King Claw brand, will emerge, creating vibrant spaces for families and friends to enjoy together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.king-claw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingclawla/
Image Credits
AZAT RASHIT
