Memory Makers Podcast

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Danny Gruening and Russ Van Natta tackle how to be more productive and less busy. You may be asking yourself, "but what's the difference?". They share insightful strategies to prioritize important tasks and avoid the trap of “watering fake plants” – putting effort into activities that don't yield results. Listen in for practical advice on improving tim...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Danny Gruening and Russ Van Natta talk about the exciting comeback of Mini Golf in family entertainment centers. They share ideas on how to use mini golf to fill odd spaces, keep guests entertained while waiting for other attractions, and appeal to all ages. Learn about the latest trends, like indoor blacklight mini golf and tech innovations such as pr...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Danny Gruening and Russ Van Natta introduce the "Wheel of Business" for FECs concept, an adaptation from Tony Robbins' "Wheel of Life." They break down seven crucial sections of your business, from vision and leadership to operational systems, guiding you through self-assessment and improvement strategies. This episode has actionable insights to enhanc...

In this week's edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta is joined by Zach Johnson of Rev'd Up Fun where he shares how to master membership programs! They discuss the strategies behind building thriving membership programs, conquering initial hesitations, and nurturing a community atmosphere within your business. Gain valuable insights for your business with this episode into elevating...

In this week’s edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, hosts Danny Gruening and Russ Van Natta are joined by Kimberly Schilling as they explore the transformative journey of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro! This episode is packed with valuable insights applicable to personal and professional growth. Hear firsthand accounts from Danny and Kimberly as they share their inspiring experiences, from initial in...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening “unlock” the keys to what makes a great Escape Room game master. They discuss the characteristics of an ideal candidate for the role while also providing a few tips and tricks to level up your customer experience. It’s an episode full of enlightening ideas to ensure your guest walk away with a story to tell all about t...

In this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening unpack the secrets to operating your business with intentionality. From guest experiences to business strategies and community involvement, they delve into the importance of vision, culture, and flexibility. Discover practical strategies for creating unforgettable customer experiences, cultivating a winning team cultur...

In this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Danny Gruening is joined by Jeff Pierce of Atomic City where they talk how his FEC became 'One of the World's Greatest' in just THREE years! They discuss the power of reinvestment and constant evolution while sharing firsthand insights, success stories, and valuable advice from Jeff and Sharlotte's journey of transforming Atomic City into one of the wo...

In this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening dive into the critical topic of how to make organizational change less painful. Learn why 50% of changes fail and how you can beat the odds by crafting a solid framework. From adaptive changes to transformational shifts, they'll guide you through the critical steps to crafting the "Why", defining the "How", overcoming...

In this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta is joined by special guest Armando Lanuti as he shares how to grow your business with a Vivid Vision plan. Armando provides key insights on ways to sustainably strengthen your business through succession planning, decision-making frameworks, and creating memorable experiences for customers, clients, and team members alike. Plus, you'll w...

In this week's episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta takes a moment to interview Scott Logan from Grand Station Entertainment to share how to leverage your staff's special skills. Scott shares how he and his team are revolutionizing customer experiences with innovative strategies like 3D printing to enhance arcade layouts, streamline operations, and create unforgettable memories. Pl...

In this week's episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening discuss the insights they gained from your fellow FEC industry leaders! After attended several events as of late, industry peers have provided us with their knowledge on adapting marketing strategies, embracing flexibility and experimentation, as well as what successful customer engagement looks likes. Plu...

In this week's episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening discuss why cinemas are adding FEC components to their theaters and what it means for the industry. From parallels with the bowling industry to insights on guest service experiences, there is a lot to unpack with this new player coming into the mix.

In this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening explore how the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell can be remixed to elevate your FEC business to a new level. From creating emotional connections to serving your community with purpose, discover actionable strategies to enhance customer experiences and drive success.

In this week's Memory Makers Podcast, hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening explore "Gap vs Gain Thinking", a mindset set out by Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan. In their book, they advocate for evaluating progress without blinders and share insights on the demoralizing nature of constantly chasing an idealized future. Danny & Russ emphasize measuring gains, building confidence, and appreciating...

For this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening talk through the importance of cultivating a vibrant company culture. Taking from our own example, we discuss how the team at Creative Works recently embarked on a staff outing at Combat Ops Entertainment. From this experience, Russ and Danny share practical tips on fostering teamwork, creating memorable connect...

For this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening talk about the necessary skill of delegation. From the pitfalls of wanting to control everything to the fear of failure, they discuss common challenges faced by leaders and managers. Russ and Danny talk through real-life example of delegation in action, using a simple four-step framework: "Watch me do it, We do...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening discuss the benefits of 2 Second LEAN, a book by Paul Akers. Through the lens of Paul's book, we talk about practical strategies for eliminating waste and improving efficiency in any business setting. From identifying the eight categories of waste to implementing the three S's (Sweep, Sort, Standardize), Russ and...

For this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening discuss the importance of tackling the "boring stuff" in both personal and professional life. From morning routines to business operations, this episode covers how embracing discipline leads to freedom and accomplishment. You won't what to miss this episode chalk full of motivation, practical tips, and a reminde...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening explain how to understand VR categories in a marketplace where the options feel overwhelming. In this episode, learn how to understand your audience, align VR choices with operational strengths, explore appropriate pricing models, and make staff training an immersive and enjoyable experience. They emphasize the n...

In this edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening discuss strategies for managing stressful seasons, preventing burnout, and fostering a resilient team. They provide useful tips and techniques such as reframing your perspective, the power of rhythms in work-life balance, and the importance of autonomy. You won't want to miss this one to be a better owner/manager...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, join hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening discuss how we implement a 3-tier decision-making filters and how you can use them for your business. From memorable customer experiences to efficient team workflows, this episode unravels the intricacies of creating attractions that resonate with both end-users and businesses.

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Danny Gruening takes a moment to talk with Scott Logan, a seasoned industry professional from Grand Station Entertainment out of College Station, Texas, to share his insights into building and managing a 7000-square-foot facility featuring 40 bowling lanes, laser tag, mini golf, an 80-game arcade, bars, and more! From starting as an arcade manager to b...

In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, join hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening as they discuss setting clear expectations for team success, identifying key performance indicators (KPIs), and ensuring team members are empowered to take autonomous action. Danny and Russ emphasize the importance of observing soft skills, such as body language and energy, especially for roles like a laser...

For this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, join hosts Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening as they discuss how to select a location for an FEC, and why it's more complicated than just price and size. From navigating zoning challenges to assessing the vibe of the area, they share valuable insights to ensure you don't make common mistakes.