Building a Modern Climbing Gym in Portland, OR
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Building a Modern Climbing Gym in Portland, OR
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In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I sit down with Chris Marsaglia, co-founder of Tomo Bouldering Club in Portland, Oregon.
We dive into what it takes to open a new gym in a saturated market, how Tomo’s founders built a brand that balances playfulness and professionalism, and the philosophy behind their unique “T” circuit grading system. Chris also shares how they built a loyal community through thoughtful design, creative events, and an authentic approach to marketing.
Show Notes:
00:00 – Welcome to Tomo Bouldering Club
02:15 – From kitchen table planning to opening day
05:00 – Permitting delays and opening surprises
07:30 – Marketing in a crowded Portland market
09:30 – Authentic branding
12:25 – Hitting 300 members
15:00 – Competing with nearby gyms
23:00 – Tomo’s “T” circuit system
31:00 – Retention and member engagement
33:00 – Future goals
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Check us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/