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Scott and Julie Hamilton opened BounceU, a party place with giant inflatable slides, rock-climbing walls and obstacle courses, just before the recession hit last year.
Although the first few months of business were far from a struggle, the recession and beginning of school caused BounceU's fall revenue to drop. But Julie Hamilton said reaching out to the local community, overhauling the business's advertising strategy and offering cheaper party options have increased revenue by 20 percent since BounceU opened a year ago.
“We've really grown, but we had to get creative,” said Scott Hamilton, who wanted to start a business that would give him something to do while bringing him closer to his three young sons.
BounceU, located off Statesville Road near the intersection of interstates 77 and 485, is a franchise of a national company that has more than 50 locations in 24 states. The party place offers kids indoor games from inflatable dodgeball to races through balloon-like jungle gyms.
The Hamiltons moved to Charlotte from New York City six years ago, after heart surgery forced Scott Hamilton to quit his job as a director/producer in the film industry.
When times got tough at BounceU last year, rather than lay off any of his 27 employees, Hamilton said, he stripped away all print advertising except for direct mailers and used some of the funds to hire a marketing coordinator, whose job is to reach out to the community. Word of mouth and community partnerships are the Hamiltons' strongest forms of advertising.
Fundraisers for youth groups and discounts to schools for field trips are other ways the Hamiltons get kids through BounceU's giant red and purple doors.
They also set up an e-mail database of more than 1,000 loyal customers, who receive weekly messages about discount options and available party times.
Expanding private party options has been another way for the Hamiltons to reach people who can't afford the more expensive parties. Before the economy went sour, BounceU offered only large party sessions, with prices ranging from $200 to $500. Now parents can book smaller weekday parties for $155. And people can walk through the doors during open “bounce” sessions for just $7.95 per kid.
“Our parties are an advertisement in itself,” said Julie Hamilton. “If we get new kids in here who love it, they'll want to come back.”
