Short description of your business:


The Warp Zone Bar & Arcade is a family-owned, retro-themed bar & arcade. Enjoy our game-themed signature cocktails, your favorite domestic and locally brewed craft beer, and a wide range of low and no-ABV beverages. We have arcade games that range from a 1987 Asteroids cabinet to Jaws, our newest Stern pinball machine. And we have many video games and consoles you can play for free!

What motivated you to start your business? What drives you each day?
 

It’s a mix of loving games and wanting to contribute to the community by building a fun spot for people to hang out. Watching people get excited when they see something that reminds them of their childhood never gets old. I will never get tired of watching the younger crowd playing Duck Hunt for the first time.  

What’s unique about your business?
 

We’re all about the experience. It’s not just about throwing games into a room—we want people to connect, compete, and have a blast! Whether it’s the nostalgia in playing N64 Mario Kart on a couch that your grandma probably had on or the novelty of playing Duck Hunt on an old tube TV, our goal is to create an unforgettable night out. 

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome as you grow your business?

We took the top spot for the SCGO Innovation Market in March 2020. The event was on a Wednesday, and by that Sunday, everything had shut down. Given how uncertain everything was for a while, it would have been pretty easy to call it off; however, being forced to slow down was probably the best thing that could have happened for us.  

I had a decent understanding of what goes into opening a new business, but navigating everything leading up to occupancy was completely new. Financing, the SBA program,  planning the build-out, and understanding city codes were all very unfamiliar.  

What has been your greatest reward? 

It is easy to feel like you are screaming into the void while trying to promote your new business, so whenever someone has feedback, I will happily take it. It feels great when someone tells you they had a great time, but I love it when someone comes to you with a suggestion or critique. I see this the most with the pinball community. They are all great about letting me know what is working and what isn’t, literally and figuratively. I see that they are invested in what we are doing and want to see us be successful. 

How have you benefited from the startup community in Sioux City and the region? What resources did you use? 

Aside from the innovation market, participating in Venture School through the University of Iowa helped us drill down what we were trying to accomplish. A big part of the program is interviewing 70-100 people about the problems you are trying to solve and how to solve it. It also connected us to a TON of successful small business owners. It was a lot of work, but I highly recommend the program.

Are there any experiences that were particularly influential in that regard? 


Collaborating with other local businesses has been eye-opening. Anytime we team up for an event or promotion, it really highlights how much small businesses can help each other grow.  It’s a solid reminder that community matters.

Why is it important for the community to support startups and small businesses? What more can be done to help them?

Small businesses give a city its character. You won’t get the same experience from big chains. Supporting local shops, bars, and restaurants keeps things interesting and keeps the community thriving. Not only that but when the community is invested in us, we put that money right back into the community. You can see that in every festival, annual event, rec league team sponsor, and more. When you spend here, your money stays here. 

There are many resources for small businesses if you know where to look. More outreach or mentorship programs would encourage startups to grow and succeed.

What is one thing you know now that you wish you knew when starting your business?

You will never know everything, so surround yourself with people who can fill in your gaps.  Accepting this has helped me say yes to more ideas and offers than I would have before. 

For example, a Morningside student suggested having a Dungeons and Dragons menu item that would vary based on the roll of a d20. It sounded like a neat idea, but my DnD knowledge is pretty limited. Instead of scrapping it, I presented it to the bartenders. I think by having this conversation with my employees, a lot of things happened:

It reinforces to the staff what our mission is – To create an unforgettable experience.

They know I value their opinions and ideas.

They take pride in their work and feel a sense of ownership.

With their collaboration, we created a fun experience for anyone who comes to The Warp Zone and orders a Saving Throw.  

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a business?


There is no one-size-fits-all map to starting your business. You will never feel 100% ready. Go for it, but stay flexible. Things won’t always go the way you planned, and that’s okay. Keep your passion at the center of what you do, and make use of every tool, resource, and connection you can find.

How can the community continue to help your business?


Keep showing up, spreading the word, and telling your friends! The more people who come out and get involved in our events, the more we can keep things fresh and fun. 

What are some future goals for your company?

We are looking to make more room for our always growing game inventory. Our moonshot is to open more locations and franchise our brand. 

We will continue to pack our events calendar with events, tournaments, themed nights, and more. You can stay up-to-date by following our socials or sign up for our newsletter at www.thewarpzone.biz.