What does it really take to open a climbing gym from scratch?

In this episode, I talk with Parker Sims, founder of Gravity Bear Climbing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We dive into how Parker identified a market gap, managed construction while holding a full-time job, and why he thinks climbing gyms are undervalued.

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Show Notes:

00:00 – Parker’s story & Tulsa’s climbing scene

05:00 – Opening Gravity Bear & early surprises

09:00 – The meaning behind “Gravity Bear”

12:00 – Learning flexibility through setbacks

30:00 – Membership goals & community building

45:00 – Why climbing gyms are undervalued

53:00 – “A plan is a place to deviate from.”

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Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@climbinggymgrowth

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowth

Check us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/

In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I sit down with Chris Marsaglia, co-founder of Tomo Bouldering Club in Portland, Oregon.

We dive into what it takes to open a new gym in a saturated market, how Tomo’s founders built a brand that balances playfulness and professionalism, and the philosophy behind their unique “T” circuit grading system. Chris also shares how they built a loyal community through thoughtful design, creative events, and an authentic approach to marketing.

Show Notes:
00:00 – Welcome to Tomo Bouldering Club

02:15 – From kitchen table planning to opening day

05:00 – Permitting delays and opening surprises

07:30 – Marketing in a crowded Portland market

09:30 – Authentic branding

12:25 – Hitting 300 members

15:00 – Competing with nearby gyms

23:00 – Tomo’s “T” circuit system

31:00 – Retention and member engagement

33:00 – Future goals

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@climbinggymgrowth

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowth

Check us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/

In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I talk with Nicole Jolyn, General Manager of Alaska Rock Gym, about her first year leading one of the most established climbing gyms in the U.S.

Nicole shares what she’s learned - from refining staff roles and marketing systems to strengthening programming and community connection in Anchorage’s unique climbing scene.

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Show Notes:00:00 – Nicole’s path from Colorado to Alaska Rock Gym

02:00 – Overview of Alaska Rock Gym’s size, growth, and unique market

05:00 – Building a management team and defining clear roles

10:00 – Creating new positions to support staff growth and culture

15:00 – Marketing strategy: old school mailers and tracking ROI

22:00 – How to measuring social media impact

32:00 – Programming changes and rebuilding weekend engagement

39:00 – Reducing churn through connection, accountability, and culture

53:00 – Final advice: build real relationships with your members

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Listen to the full podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0T41CYU1Eo1zJewskFklsB

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/climbing-gym-growth-podcast/id1835576139

Follow on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowth