James Tarpeh wants to be the dad who drops his kids off at school and picks them up in the afternoon. Throw in some bouncing around on inflatables, and his heart's desire has become reality.
James is one of the newest Pump It Up franchise owners with a facility in Fort Worth since March, and his eye on another one five minutes from his house in the Dallas suburb of DeSoto. With a business degree from Southern Methodist University, the former regional vice president of operations for Waffle House says he always knew he wanted to have his own business.
Which business to venture into started percolating in his mind after he attended a birthday party with his daughter. He liked that he could be an active participant in the fun, not just a parent sitting on the sidelines.
"We're a very athletic family and extremely competitive and my 7 year old and I just went at it going down the slide," James says - an inflatable slide, that is.
"I always wanted to do something a little more family oriented," and now he's seen bouncing at least once a week on his own equipment with the ultimate goal to own a few more Pump It Ups.
"I always had an appetite for my own business," he says. And, he liked a business that offered "the full engagement of the entire family."
It's a business that creates magic and memories, which provides a sustainable business model, James says. Franchise owners have the freedom to add to the allure of the equipment and Pump It Up programs through special offers of their own.
James has been offering "special guest" programs throughout the summer, with one such guest in particular bringing animals his young patrons can learn about such as small alligators and sea turtles. He sends an e-blast out to his clients offering the show and free ice cream, with jumping in between. He's also sponsored magic shows.
The store's No. 1 activity remains birthday parties, but he says he gets a lot of teens coming to bounce in the glow - in - the - dark arena.
"They like being in the dark for some reason."
He took over a store that had shut down that still had some bookings, so he had some feathers to unruffle. "Relationship building" was key to his success along with his previous experience in operations, he says.
Above and beyond marketing, James says, an owner needs to understand that staffing with the right people is paramount to success. James takes pride in the fact that he handpicked all of his new hires through an audition process.
"You want a sharp, playful staff with great attitudes," James says. And, they have to have an appreciation for silliness.
"It's like 'An American Idol' show in there," he says about his philosophy on auditioning instead of interviewing potential staff.
When not bouncing around, James and his wife Tonya - an attorney by day - are interested in publishing children's books for 8 to 12 year olds, and establishing a literary/publishing arm under The Tarpeh Group umbrella.
Having parents who own a Pump It Up certainly has it perks for daughters Johrdyn, 7, and 2 - year - old Sidrah.
"I'm definitely a rock star dad at the school," James says.
