Conversations with Brandy Gunsolus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Gunsolus.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In a town that knows the value of family, fun, and finding something memorable to do together, The Splatter Place has become one of North Augusta’s most colorful answers to the question: “What should we do today?” What began as a fresh idea built around glow-in-the-dark splatter painting has grown into a lively family entertainment destination where art, action, laughter, and celebration all share the same room.
The heart of The Splatter Place is simple: give people permission to play. In its earliest form, guests stepped into black-light splatter rooms, picked up paint, and turned blank canvases into bold keepsakes. The experience was messy in the best possible way: safe, energetic, surprising, and completely different from the usual night out. Families loved it. Kids loved it. Teens, friends, date-night couples, school groups, and party guests loved it, too. Before long, the community response was clear: North Augusta wanted more.
So The Splatter Place listened. After opening with its signature glow-in-the-dark splatter rooms, the business expanded its vision and moved into a larger home at 401 W Martintown Road, Suite 117, in North Augusta. The move marked more than a change of address—it marked a new chapter. The Splatter Place evolved from a creative paint experience into a one-of-a-kind family entertainment center designed for guests who want something active, affordable, and unforgettable.
Today, the fun reaches far beyond the splatter room. Guests can dive into attractions like Nerf Wars, Archery Tag, Bubble Soccer, Fowling, Foot Pool, Street Curling, Kid-Friendly Axe Throwing, Dodgeball, the Multiball Playwall, the Slime Lab, and even the crowd-catching Human Crane. The result is a space where artists and athletes, little kids and grown-ups, birthday guests and corporate teams can all find their kind of fun under one roof.
Part of what makes The Splatter Place stand out is its spirit of inclusivity. It is not built for one age group or one type of outing. It is built for families looking for screen-free memories, teens who want something more exciting than the ordinary, adults planning a unique date night, coworkers searching for team-building that does not feel like work, and parents who want a birthday party their child will talk about long after the candles are blown out.
The atmosphere is intentionally energetic but welcoming. Guests can show up ready to get creative, compete, celebrate, or simply try something new. With private party rooms, a snack bar, group packages, and a growing menu of attractions, The Splatter Place has become a local gathering spot where the goal is not perfection … it is participation. Paint may fly. Laughter may get loud. Shoes may not leave spotless. But the memories tend to stick.
For North Augusta and the greater CSRA, The Splatter Place fills a need that local families have voiced for years: more places where kids, teens, young adults, and families can go to do something different together. Its growth reflects that demand, but also a larger mission—to create a space where imagination and movement meet, where guests can leave with a canvas, a story, or a favorite moment from the game they did not expect to love.
Whether you are planning a birthday party, organizing a group event, looking for a rainy-day adventure, or just need a place to release a little energy, The Splatter Place invites you to come make a mess, make a memory, and maybe discover a new favorite way to play. In a community that celebrates connection, The Splatter Place has found its lane by proving that sometimes the best stories begin with a splash of paint.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course, building something this different did not happen without challenges. Like many small businesses, The Splatter Place had to navigate the realities of growth: finding the right space, tackling construction and inspection issues, investing in new attractions, creating safe and well-organized experiences, and introducing the community to a concept that was anything but ordinary. We’ve been pushed to brink of closure due to expansion opening delays, but survived with the support of our community. Those obstacles became part of the business’s story, pushing The Splatter Place to become more intentional, more creative, and more committed to delivering an experience guests could trust.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As owner of The Splatter Place in North Augusta, Dr. Brandy Gunsolus has transformed a simple idea into a colorful destination for families, friends, parties, teams, and anyone ready to try something different. What began as glow-in-the-dark splatter rooms has grown into a full family entertainment center designed around one mission: giving the CSRA a place where people of all ages can laugh, play, connect, and create unforgettable memories.
Dr. Gunsolus brings an uncommon blend of professional excellence and entrepreneurial imagination to the business. Known for her work in clinical laboratory science, education, and innovation, she has spent much of her career solving problems, improving systems, and helping people. At The Splatter Place, that same spirit shows up in a very different—but equally meaningful—way: by creating a safe, welcoming environment where guests can let go, get messy, and experience joy through hands-on play.
Her leadership also carries national significance. In 2018, Dr. Gunsolus became the first graduate of Rutgers School of Health Professions’ advanced-practice Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, making her the first Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science in the United States. That milestone placed her at the forefront of a new health care role designed to bridge the gap between the laboratory and clinical care—helping physicians choose the right tests, interpret complex results, improve patient safety, and reduce unnecessary costs. Before becoming a small-business owner, she was already known as a trailblazer: a scientist, educator, consultant, and innovator helping define what the DCLS profession could become. She continues to practice as a DCLS at an academic medical center today.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
For new business owners, one of the smartest things you can do is listen closely to the people you hope to serve. Your demographic will often tell you what they need, what they value, and what they are willing to support if you take the time to ask, observe, and truly hear them. Before making your next move, do your research: study the market, understand your competition, test your assumptions, and let real data guide your decisions instead of guesswork. And when someone tells you that you can’t succeed, don’t let doubt become louder than evidence. If the numbers, customer feedback, and opportunity all point in the right direction, trust the data, trust your preparation, and keep moving forward with confidence.

Pricing:

• One-Price-Special (no mess) – $22.99/person
• One-Price-Special Deluxe (some mess) – $49,99/person
• One-Price-Special Ultimate (every attraction and messy!) – $64.99/person
• Splatter Room Only – $34.99/person
• Slime Lab Only – $26.99/person

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thesplatterplace.com
• Instagram: @thesplatterplace
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1P7iTFxuHg/
• Youtube: @TheSplatterPlace-bp5gs
• Other: TikTok @thesplatterplace

Image Credits
CD Photography