Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Frenkel, Owner of Moving Target ATL mobile axe throwing events.
Hi Kara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Sure! I grew up in Macon, Ga, and at the age of 21, I started a company with my parents and learned all the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur. Together, we grew our business to 5 locations in 5 years. Unfortunately, I lost both my parents within a year and a half of each other, and we sold the business just after my father’s passing. This was my first business venture and where I found a love for business.
Following the sale of our company, my family moved to Stockbridge, GA, and I worked throughout the Southeast for over 23 years in executive management; Mainly retail and big box gyms. No matter who I worked for, customer service was always my passion.
Prior to Starting Moving Target ATL, I was in the entertainment business running multiple brands across the country, one of which was brick and mortar axe-throwing. In March of 2020, all my locations were forced to close following the COVID protocols, and my role immediately changed to remote management with a goal to keep the teams engaged and ready to return in a few weeks when “we flattened the curve.” After three months, it was apparent that we were not reopening anytime in the near future. In June, I resigned from my position to determine what my “next” would be. Soon after, my husband saw a sketch of an axe-throwing trailer and it peaked my interest for sure. The only part of the entertainment industry that I found challenging was the fact that although customers were coming to us for fun and entertainment, they often arrived already frustrated due to traffic, delayed ride shares, late arrivals requiring shortened sessions, etc. Mobile entertainment would remove all of these obstacles and truly allow the experience to be logistically simple and truly enjoyable for the hosts and guests start to finish.
Moving Target ATL mobile axe throwing was in business on November 1, 2020. On our one-year company anniversary, right when we got really good at our craft, we started over and added an additional unit to allow for twice the availability and started training new owners/operators. Now we have currently completed the partner process again and have added our newest owner/operator and unit three is being built. Here we GROW again!
I am so proud of the amazing brand that we have built and how quickly the brand recognition in GA has grown. There is so much that sets us apart from other mobile axe-throwing companies. Since 2020, the mobile axe-throwing industry has exploded across the country. There are now probably hundreds of mobile units, yet none that I feel touch what we have created. Not only do we provide a top-notch product, we offer a fully interactive and engaging guest experience second to none.
One of my favorite quotes has also become our mission in everything we do. “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution.” We will never stop improving what we do, and are so excited to continue expanding territories throughout the state with additional units and new owner/operator partners.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Working for yourself in any capacity is never a “smooth road.” If it was, everyone would be in business for themselves.
The biggest struggle we have had along the way is needing to grow territories faster than we have new business partners and owner/operators ready to go. This type of business isn’t for everyone. When it comes to operators, they must be unique with an outgoing personality and the life of the party, yet also be mechanically inclined with a good head for troubleshooting. The operators also drive to every event, so they must have advanced driving skills relating to large trailers. The places we have to position our large units can be sometimes challenging for sure.
Making sure we have talented event teams is critical to our events running smoothly. We NEVER do an event as a one-man show. This is one thing that really sets us apart in the industry. We run every event with an owner/operator on site, as well as 1-3 additional team members to make the event flow perfect.
We have been so fortunate this year when it comes to our event staff. We have 7 small business owners who work for our company as part-time contractors simply to make a little extra money while having some stress free fun. They already understand small business and what we need delivered, and each one of them truly add to the event experience.
So, has it been easy? Not at all. Working for yourself never is…. but has it been fun? Absolutely! Every. Single. Day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Moving Target ATL?
First of all, the sport of Axe Throwing has really taken off in the United States in the past six years. It is now a highly competitive worldwide sport and seen on ESPN. With this considered, there are so many people who still have no idea that axe throwing is offered as a form of entertainment, let alone as a mobile event. This is exciting to us.
There are many places that you can go to experience axe throwing, but this is what makes us different. We bring the entertainment directly to you, making the events convenient and logistically simple in all aspects. We handle everything! Your team, staff, clients, or guests just show up and we make it exceptional.
It’s safer than you think! Our units were all built with safety as the #1 priority. We remove any risk regarding our onsite events, as we provide full, general liability insurance that can even list the company and property owners as additional insured just for more peace of mind.
Most mobile axe-throwing companies across the country focus on festivals and street events. Moving Target ATL specializes in corporate events from staff team builders to client appreciation events and everything in between. For private events and corporate events, we have custom team game models to keep all guests engaged throughout the event. Even spectators have a blast with us!
We have partnered with over 180 corporate clients in the past two years, and have exceeded the expectations of 100% of our clients which is simply amazing. In many cases, we have become the favorite annual event for many corporate partners. We also work with many universities, public and private schools, HOAs and churches.
If you have ever seen Moving Target ATL, you can easily recognize the extent we go to in providing a “WOW” factor in every way. You can not find any other company that provides everything we do for our events. We pride ourselves on over delivering for our clients and hosts.
Not all mobile axe throwing is created equal. If the CAGE isn’t RED, it’s NOT Moving Target ATL!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Our clients and hosts deserve so much credit for our success! Because of word of mouth referrals, we have not done any marketing campaigns to date. Happy clients equal amazing referrals!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.movingtargetatl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movingtargetatl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movingtargetATL
