Room Escape Artist

… and outsource your weaknesses.

If you are thinking of starting a room escape business, we recommend developing in your area of interest and partnering with people whose strengths complement your own. Draw on your own talents and the talents of others.

How do I design puzzles?

If this doesn’t come naturally to you, you could likely find puzzle designers through local maker spaces, social media, and board game groups.

It doesn’t matter how clever your theme is if your puzzles suck.

How do I welcome my guests?

If you are shy, conversing with customers might not be your thing. Hire a vivacious escape room enthusiast who wants a chance to talk to other players and get them excited about escape games.

Customer service counts for a lot. Don’t underestimate it.

How do I design my website?

If you’ve never considered the puzzle that is your website, approach those whose favorite puzzle exists in code.

Your website is how your customers will interact with you before their game. If it is an unpleasant experience, you’re starting on the wrong foot.

I want to…

Whatever it is that makes you want to work in this industry – do that! And do it better than anyone else.

Develop yourself

There are many areas of expertise involved in the operation of an escape room. A new business is an opportunity to try new roles and expand your skill set in different directions.

Invest in yourself while you’re growing your business.

Dive into the areas that sing to you. Network, research, and learn new tricks in skill sets that you already have; you can learn an awful lot from blogs and YouTube.

Business model

Ultimately, your company is a business with many roles to fill. Strengthen yourself in the areas you love most and partner or contract with people whose strengths complement your own.

You’re going to need someone to tackle:

• Puzzle design
• Set design
• Fabrication
• Graphic design
• Web design
• Web development
• Accounting
• Insurance
• Real estate
• Finance
• Contracts & other legalities
• Customer service
• Marketing
• Advertising
• Public relations
• Social media management
• Play testing

If you think that any of the bullets in this list are the same thing, then you’re missing the nuance of these skills. Learn the difference.

Also, remember that each item on this list is a profession. There are people who have lifelong careers in each of these areas and never learn everything there is to know about them. If you think any of these are shallow, easy-to-master skills, then you have a lot to learn.

You can’t do all of this well on your own. Bring your own strengths to the table and build the partnerships you need to succeed.