Overland Park business specializes in offering heat relief and fun

During these hot summer days, it’s hard to beat the fun of cooling off in an 18-foot inflatable water slide.

Bryan and Kim Engelman have been busy providing this method of heat relief by renting inflatable watersides and other products through their business, KidZone Kansas City. The Engelmans operate the inflatable rental business out of their Overland Park home.

“Right now water slides are flying out the door, along with movie screens,” Kim Engelman said.

In addition to the inflatables, KidZone Kansas City rents concession items such as snow cone, popcorn and cotton candy machines and supplies as well as carnival games, tables and tents.

“People will call and ask us what we suggest and we can make those recommendations,” Kim Engelman said.

Inflatables can be rented for indoor or outdoor use.

Q: How did you get into this business and why?

Both Engelmans had been working in corporate jobs.

Bryan Engelman worked in human resource development. Kim Engelman, who holds a doctorate in childhood developmental psychology, was teaching and doing research in the public health arena. Bryan’s brother-in-law started in the inflatables business in Indianapolis seven years ago, and the couple was looking to make a change.

“We co-developed the strategy, and he runs the same kind of business there, but we are separate businesses,” Bryan Engelman said. Active in youth ministry through their church, the Engelmans’ thought the inflatable business would combine both their professional skills and their passion.

“We felt this was a good product to serve the community,” Bryan Engelman said. “We wanted to give back to the community and this is fun for us. We want to bring happiness and joy...one event at a time.”

The couple started KidZone Kansas City in March 2015. Bryan Engelman continues doing consulting work in change management; Kim works for an area nonprofit, but both are committed to running KidZone together.

“We draw upon out professional skills all the time,” Bryan Engelman said. “I probably manage more of the operations and execution of the supplies and Kim does more of the order entry, marketing and sales as well as the website. The couple’s children — 8-year-old Maya and 10-year-old Logan — are “our quality assurance testing team,” said Kim Engelman with a laugh.

The Engelmans also bring on a handful of part-timer workers during the summer months when KidZone Kansas City is at its busiest.

Q: Specifically describe your inventory.

KidZone Kansas City carries commercial grade vinyl inflatable recreational inflatables.

“They are strong enough to withstand kids and adults jumping around in them,” Kim Engelman said.

The Engelmans store the inflatables and concession supplies in a warehouse.

Q: How does the process work for the customer?

“We have an interactive website that customers can place their order and pay on line or they can call us,” Kim Engelman said. Customers put half down when booking an inflatable; the remainder is due upon delivery.

“Because our inflatables are commercial grade, they are 150 to 200 pounds, so we don’t expect our clients to be able to transport or set them up...we do that for them,” Kim Engelman said.

Rentals are for a minimum of four hours. Customers get email reminders leading up to their event as well as a telephone call a day or two to complete the details. KidZone Kansas City staff shows the customer how to operate the equipment safely. Staff can stay for the event for an additional charge.

“And we sanitize using an anti-microbial each time,” she said. The company is also fully insured.

Q: What is your customer base and how do you market?

Anyone is a potential client for KidZone Kansas City.

“Our typical clients are businesses, churches, nonprofits for events and families,” Bryan Engelman said. “We do a lot of social media posting to market and word of mouth has been key for us.”

Knowing what their customers’ think is also important to the Engelmans.

“We send out an email questionnaire afterwards asking them to fill it out or leave a review on Google,” Kim Engelman said. “We have a high level of customer satisfaction.”

“We are very customer focused,” Bryan Engelman said. “If it is not raining or snowing and the client agrees they want the unit we will deliver.... If the weather will prevent the unit from being used safely, we work to reschedule or see if we can move the event indoors.”

This story was originally published July 26, 2016 at 11:06 AM with the headline "Overland Park business specializes in offering heat relief and fun."