Episodios

  • Ep. 107 - How FEC Owners Make a Difference in Their Communities

    Ep. 107 - How FEC Owners Make a Difference in Their Communities
    Sep 24 2025
    In this episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Danny Gruening and Russ Van Natta are live from Amusement 360 sharing how FEC owners make a difference in their communities. They share stories that stuck with them like Nic Parks of Level Up Entertainment in Columbia, MO donates his entire professor salary to a children’s hospital and created a fundraiser model that lets community groups keep 50% of arcade card sales. In Pennsylvania, Derek Rosner runs a 24-hour gaming marathon that raised $32,000 for kids in treatment, covering every cost himself so all proceeds go to the hospital. They also highlight Craig Erlich, CEO of Launch Entertainment, who spoke about the “special sauce” that keeps operators in this industry, as well as Metropolis Resort in Wisconsin, where frontline staff have grown into leadership roles thanks to intentional mentorship. The Johnsons of Rev’d Up Fun continue to invest in their team by bringing managers to Amusement 360 for growth opportunities. And one anonymous operator is even launching a program to give away 1,000 birthday parties to foster kids. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that profitability matters, but true impact comes from generosity, leadership, and making lasting memories.
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    17 m
  • Ep. 106-The Secrets to Successful Laser Tag Operations featuring Chris Epstein of Laserforce

    Ep. 106-The Secrets to Successful Laser Tag Operations featuring Chris Epstein of Laserforce
    Sep 12 2025
    In this roadshow edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta sits down with Chris Epstein of Laserforce from the Monster Mini Golf National Convention to discuss redemption, game modes, and secrets to successful laser tag operations. Together, they dive into how redemption is reshaping the laser tag experience, explore innovative game formats that keep players coming back, and share insider tips for operators looking to keep their attractions fresh, fun, and profitable. This episode has great insights and practices that can be applied to any attraction, not just laser tag!
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    19 m
  • Ep. 105 - 5 Ways to Elevate Special Events at Your FEC

    Ep. 105 - 5 Ways to Elevate Special Events at Your FEC
    Sep 3 2025
    In this week's episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta dives into 5 ways to elevate special events at your FEC. He shares how you can unlock new revenue and stronger community ties by going beyond traditional birthday parties. Russ highlights creative ways to make events stand out, from themed celebrations and STEM-based programs to seasonal attractions, leagues, fundraisers, and local partnerships. By offering experiences that feel fresh, unique, and tailored to guests, operators can keep their calendars full, strengthen customer loyalty, and create lasting memories that set their facility apart.
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    14 m
  • Ep. 104 - What Every FEC Owner Should Know About SBA Loans

    Ep. 104 - What Every FEC Owner Should Know About SBA Loans
    Aug 27 2025
    In this week's edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Danny Gruening and Russ Van Natta break down what every FEC owner should know about SBA loans. They explain how SBA loans work, the differences between the 7(a) and 504 programs, and what lenders look for in applicants. They also cover realistic timelines, common challenges FECs face along the way, and strategies to make your application stand out. This episode serves as your roadmap for navigating the SBA loan process with confidence.
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    34 m
  • Ep. 103 - The 5 Business Data Points to Measure for FEC Growth

    Ep. 103 - The 5 Business Data Points to Measure for FEC Growth
    Aug 20 2025
    In this week's episode of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta shares how FEC operators can stop guessing and start growing with the 5 business data points to measure FEC growth. From revenue by attraction and guest traffic patterns to party conversions, labor efficiency, and marketing ROI, Russ highlights the five most critical areas to measure and shows how even simple systems, like spreadsheets, can uncover insights that drive smarter decisions, reduce waste, and create more powerful guest experiences.
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    25 m
  • Ep. 102 - How to Grow from a Manager into a Leader Featuring Michelle Gruening

    Ep. 102 - How to Grow from a Manager into a Leader Featuring Michelle Gruening
    Aug 13 2025
    In this week's edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta talks with Michelle Gruening, Personal Growth & Leadership Coach at Action Lab Leadership and founder of MG Coaching, about how to grow from a manager into a leader. Michelle shares lessons from her own career, including how to delegate effectively, give meaningful feedback, invest in personal growth, and apply the “1-3-1 Rule” to develop problem-solving teams. It’s a conversation full of practical ideas for anyone looking to strengthen their leadership and help their team thrive.
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    25 m
  • Ep. 101 - Problem-Solving Strategies for Leaders and Teams

    Ep. 101 - Problem-Solving Strategies for Leaders and Teams
    Aug 6 2025
    In this week's edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ Van Natta breaks down leadership strategies for breaking through stuck points. If you are feeling stuck, you're not alone. Russ dives into practical tools like the “5 Whys” to uncover root causes, reverse thinking to challenge assumptions, and reframing techniques to turn setbacks into growth opportunities. Whether you're navigating internal friction or shifting market dynamics, this episode is filled with actionable insights to help you lead with clarity, collaborate more effectively, and continue making powerful memories
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    20 m
  • Ep. 100 - The 5 Characteristics of Memorable Experiences

    Ep. 100 - The 5 Characteristics of Memorable Experiences
    Jul 30 2025
    In this week's edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, we hit the triple-digit mark!! In this milestone 100th episode, Russ Van Natta and Danny Gruening celebrate the journey so far and take a deep dive into what actually makes an experience unforgettable. Russ and Danny reveal the five characteristics that define truly memorable experiences. These are the same qualities that turn one-time guests into loyal fans. They share real-world examples from entertainment centers, theme parks, and their own lives to help operators take a more intentional approach to guest experience. They also introduce the "100 Memories in 100 Days" challenge, designed to help teams build a culture around creating impact and connection. This episode offers simple and powerful ways to help guests remember their visit for all the right reasons.
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    27 m