I remember the first time I tried to get ahold of a mini trampoline park manager. It was a Tuesday, I had a list of ten parks in my area, and by noon I'd struck out on all of them. One had a "Contact Us" form that bounced back my email, another's phone number just rang into a voicemail box that was full. I sat there thinking, well, this is going to be fun.
The thing is, getting in touch with the person who actually makes the buying decisions at these places is a weird mix of detective work and patience. And I say that as someone who now supplies children trampoline park equipment for a living. Over time you figure out what works, but honestly, half the time it still feels like guesswork.
My go-to starting point is usually their website. Most parks have a contact page, and sometimes you get lucky-the form goes straight to the owner's phone. I usually keep it short. Something like, "Hey, I supply commercial-grade trampoline parts, just wanted to see if you ever need backup mats or replacement springs." I don't dump a product catalog on them right away. That's a quick way to get ignored.
Social media has been way more hit-or-miss. I once slid into a park's Instagram DMs after they posted a video of a torn jump surface. I said, "Ouch, that looks like a headache. I've got replacement mats in that exact size if you want a quote." They replied within an hour and we ended up working together for two years. But I've also sent messages that just sat there unread for months. Twitter I've pretty much given up on; it's like shouting into a foam pit.
Then there's the phone call. I still do it, but it makes me a little nervous every time. You never know if you're interrupting a kid's birthday party or a staff meeting. When someone picks up, I just say something like, "Hi, I'm a trampoline equipment supplier, is there a good time to talk or should I email instead?" Most people appreciate you being direct and not wasting their time. Sometimes they just hang up. You learn not to take it personally.
What I've learned to include in that first email or message is less of a sales pitch and more of a "hey, I saw this about your park." If they're a small neighborhood spot-like a cute small trampoline park tucked into a strip mall-I'll mention that I have compact equipment that fits their floor plan. If they market themselves as a family place, I'll point out my safety padding or the fact my gear can handle both kids and adults. I try to show I actually looked at their business. That alone puts you ahead of most generic inquiries.
I've stopped offering to send samples right off the bat. That used to be my move, but I got burned a few times sending out trampoline mat swatches that just disappeared into someone's back office. Now I wait until there's a real conversation going, and then say, "I can overnight you a sample corner piece if you want to feel the stitching." It feels less pushy.
Follow-ups are where I always get tangled up. Do I email again after three days? A week? I used to overthink it. Now I send one polite check-in, and then I let it go unless they respond. I have a note in my phone that just says, "Following up on my last message-no rush, just wanted to keep this on your radar." It's boring, but it works.
The personal side of this job is the part nobody tells you about. Every park manager has a different headache. One might be dealing with noise complaints from neighbors, another is trying to figure out how to squeeze a few more square feet out of their space. I've had late-night phone calls where a manager vented about a supplier who ghosted them, and I just listened. You build trust by actually hearing what they need, not by shoving a brochure in their face. I remember one owner who wanted to add a small trampoline park section to his existing play center, but he had a ceiling height issue. We ended up customizing the frame to shave off six inches. That kind of thing doesn't happen from a template email.
Competition is brutal, obviously. I know there are other suppliers who will undercut my pricing or promise delivery dates they can't hit. I don't try to compete on that. I just tell people, "I'll answer my phone on a Sunday if your trampoline bed rips before a busy weekend." That's honestly my biggest selling point. Not everyone cares, but the managers who do tend to stick around.
If you're trying to reach these folks yourself, whether you're a supplier or just someone with a great idea, don't get discouraged by the silence. The best connections I've made were after months of casual, friendly "just checking in" messages. And sometimes the manager you finally reach isn't the decision-maker at all-they pass your info along to the regional director, and you're back at square one. It's not a smooth process, but it's a human one.
Anyway, if you ever want to talk trampoline equipment, need a recommendation, or just want to swap "you won't believe this voicemail" stories, feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to chat, no pressure.
