Chamber Insider Blog

Thank you to Kelsey Mitchell from Escape Room LoCo for answering our questions, and congratulations on being a finalist for Destination Business of the Year! View all of the finalists here.

Join us for the 27th Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards on Friday, October 29, 2021 at The National Conference Center. Ticket information here.

Tell us your story of how your business evolved into what it is today?  

Escape Room LoCo opened in 2016 with just 2 themes and mostly lock and key puzzles. Since that time we have built another 10 themes. Each theme has gotten more and more elaborate and the technology in the puzzles has constantly improved!

What are you most proud of about your team? 

My team works hard to provide a fun and exciting experience for customers. My tech team is constantly coming up with the most amazing ideas that wow you in the room. The gamemasters paint an amazing picture that immerses guests into the experience and joke around and laugh with everyone. Escape Room’s are meant to be fun!

In what ways do you give back to the community?

Escape Room LoCo often gives free rooms to several raffle fundraisers done by local businesses. We have also held several charity events for local nonprofits. Supporting our local businesses is our passion!

What would it mean to you and your business to win a Small Business Award?

Winning a small business award would be such an accomplishment! We work hard to provide something different and exciting for the community to enjoy and winning would show us we’re doing it right! There’s so many amazing businesses in Loudoun, to win would be an honor.

What is the smallest thing that has made the largest impact on your business?

One of my first hires has been with the company since the beginning and is now the backbone of the operation. I couldn’t do it without him!

Who is the one person that has influenced you the most in your career?

My father. He has always been intelligent, hard working, and supportive. He owns his own business so it’s natural I’m following his lead, I couldn’t do it without him.

What is your favorite thing about running a business in Loudoun County?

Loudoun County has such an amazing community of fellow business owners who genuinely care for your success and work together to support one another. That’s pretty rare to find, and I couldn’t imagine running a business without that support.

What did you want to be when you grew up as a child? 

A pilot! I even went to college to be a pilot, but life had much bigger and better plans for me!

What is one book that changed your life and why?

“Who Not How” by Dan Sullivan. As business owners we can not do everything by ourselves. Growing a team to help you achieve your goals is key. Asking who can help you get something done instead of how you can get it done has made a huge impact on my business.

If you’re not in the office where can we find you/what is another passion you have?

Traveling with friends and family. I try to take a trip; whether big or small, every other month. I enjoy experiencing and seeing new things and spending time with those I don’t get to see very often.

How do you see your business evolving in the next 5 years?

We are always evolving! Every room gets completely replaced every 1-2 years with something new, exciting, and even better than the last! We hope to provide Loudoun County with a challenging and entertaining night out for many years to come.

To learn more about Escape Room LoCo, check out their website.