The Iowa Small Business Development Center at North Iowa Area Community College assisted Tyler Anderson in purchasing an existing roller skating rink by helping him develop a business plan, financial statements, and cash flow projections, plus reviewed marketing strategies and financing options.
Tyler Anderson is a unique individual. He is a minister by education, he loves to help others, and heās always open to experiencing new opportunities, including owning his own business. He and his family moved to Mason City from Missouri in April 2011 so he could be a youth and family minister at Rhythm Church. Once he settled in, Tyler saw a need for healthy activities for the areaās youth. After looking around he found that the existing roller skating rink, Roller City, was available for purchase. Tyler was very interested in this opportunity, so he went to the North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for advice.
SBDC Regional Director Ted Bair and Mark Olchefske, Director of the North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Business Incubator and Accelerator, met with Tyler and his business partner to discuss what would be needed to purchase the business from the prior owner. Tyler and his partner bought Roller City and it re-opened for business on December 22, 2011.
In early March 2013, Tyler went back to the SBDC for further advice because he wanted to buy out his business partner. Ted helped Tyler prepare an initial business plan plus reviewed financials, helped him develop cash flow projections, and reviewed marketing strategies. Tyler and his wife purchased the business partnersā shares in early April 2013. Tyler then furthered his business education by attending NIACCās JPEC Launch and Grow Your Business class.
In 18 months Roller City has earned three times the net profit over its 2011 figures.
Roller City is a thriving roller rink and youth activity center that caters to people of all ages. The 22,000 square foot facility is not just used for roller skating; it is used for multiple fun purposes such as holding Christian Rock concerts and laser tag or private roller skating parties. Tylerās business philosophy is to provide safe, fun, family experiences. He refers to himself as Roller Cityās āChief Fun Officerā.
Tyler is active in the Mason City business community, attending entrepreneurial education programs. He is also a member of the Blue Zone Committee, which tries to get people to be more physically active. Tyler was voted the Top Kidās Entertainment in North Iowa in 2013. He is also on the Make-A-Wish Foundation and was recently voted one of the āTop Twenty under Fortyā by the Mason City Globe Gazette.
Tyler is grateful for the assistance he received from the SBDC saying, “Working with the SBDC at NIACC has been vital to my success as an entrepreneur. Honest conversations, accountability, and words of wisdom have helped turned my vision into a sustainable reality.”
For more information on this fun and exciting business and all it has to offer, visit www.myrollercity.com or the Roller Cityās Facebook page at www.facebook.com/myrollercity.
