Today we’d like to introduce you to Christiaan Luneberg.
Christiaan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My high school friend and I reconnected after college and were both searching for something that would create a career for both of us. After 13 years of persistence, it finally paid off! During that time, I worked a number of jobs that would help me develop the skills necessary to run a business like Boulderdash, from ski patrol to waiting tables. Up to that time, I was going to school studying literature, but with this goal in mind I switched to business and was able to use school to help direct my energies.
Now, after 14 years, we have two studios open and in April we will be opening our third up in Ventura.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been too rough, but there have definitely been some challenges along the way. With the first location, Thousand Oaks, we had to juggle securing a building while at the same time getting the capitol raised. The people with the money want to see something tangible, more than a business plan, while the building owners want to see that we are well funded. After being successful with the first location finding a building that suited our requirements, you can imagine that there are not a ton of buildings with our needed height, and the money lenders don’t see a second one as an easy deal but actually more of a risk. While remaining positive and persistent we have managed to pull it off.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Boulderdash is an indoor rock climbing facility that provides an environment where the expert rock climber to the absolute beginner can come and feel completely at home. There are lots of these types of businesses throughout the country, but what we are most proud of is how the first time someone comes into Boulderdash by the time they leave they have found acceptance into a community that does not care how good they climb, but how much they are into the adventure of the rock climbing adventure.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
This business is great for a community. It is the perfect metaphor for tackling life’s challenges. It is not necessarily about getting to the top; it takes practice, patience, and work; it’s about having someone down below holding you if you fall, and it’s about encouragement!
Getting through the city is one of the biggest challenges in a small business world. The city takes almost a year to even get a response as to whether they will allow a use such as this, and, as well, costs a ton of money. For a small business that is stretched so thin on resources the city really presents a huge hurdle.
Contact Info:
- Address: Boulderdash- 880 A Hampshire Rd, Thousand Oaks Ca 91361
BoudlerdashSFV – 19801 Nordhoff Place, Chatsworth, Ca 91361 - Phone: 805-557-1300
- Website: boulderdashclimbing.com
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
