Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Kampbell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I did not start out as a game designer. I have a rather unique background. I have a Master’s degree in Anthropology with a focus on Underwater Archaeology and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Byzantine History. None of which prepared me for running my own business (or really anything)!
After I graduated, I stayed home with my children for a few years and then decided that I was ready to work. As returning to academia was no longer an option, I started searching out something that I love that I could throw myself into. In 2015, I played my first escape game. I was hooked. I knew instantly that I wanted to design and build escape games.
I opened my first themed room, Inheritance in March of 2016 with a second, Mad Scientist, opening two months later. In 2017, I opened two more rooms: Rivals’ Revenge and Spellbound. They were a blast to build and much to my relief a blast to play.
Has it been a smooth road?
Opening Vault Escape has not been an entirely smooth road. Starting a new business never is. I have discovered that I love to design escape rooms, to build escape rooms and to play escape rooms. I do not, however, love accounting and marketing. I’m working hard and getting better, but I have also learned to keep opening new rooms so that I can stay connected to my game-loving roots.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Vault Escape – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Vault Escape specializes in escape games that are challenging but super exciting. We build our own sets and props, design our own puzzles and games, and have been recognized as among the best in Illinois and among the best in Chicago. I think what sets us apart is that our rooms stay true to the theme, we don’t just have a bunch of random puzzles thrown into the room.
In addition, our rooms don’t have logical leaps in them. That means that the games are inherently solvable. The puzzles may be challenging, but you don’t have to randomly guess for an answer, there is always something in the room leading you to it.
I think what really separates us from the pack is our array of portable escape games. We have 15-, 30- and 60-minute games that we can bring to you! We recommend our shorter options for things like fairs, parades, carnivals. For team building exercises, weddings, birthday parties or anything of a larger nature we have an elaborate 60-minute game that accommodates up to 300 people playing simultaneously.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I moved to Chicago from Seattle almost five years ago now. I love so many things about Chicago.
The array of restaurants is wonderful. I feel like I could always eat somewhere new. Chicago has an energy about it that keeps your motion. What I don’t like about Chicago is the horrendous traffic!
Pricing:
- Tickets are $32 per person for our Riverside location
Contact Info:
- Address: 3234 Harlem Ave Riverside, IL 60546
- Website: www.vaultescapechicago.com
- Phone: 7089903029
- Email: sarah@vaultescapechicago.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vaultescapechicago/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaultescape/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/vaultescape
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vault-escape-riverside
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
