Business keeps kids hopping in St. Charles
An Algonquin couple recently opened a business that keeps children jumping for hours.
Kathy and Scott Soeder launched Jump Zone at 731 N. 17th St. in St. Charles. This is the second franchise of its kind in Illinois. The other is in Mokena. Additional Jump Zones are planned for Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg and Bolingbrook.
The new business includes a 12,000-square-foot arena with eight large inflatables featuring different licensed themes from Batman to Disney princesses.
In addition to a variety of party packages, the firm offers open play times. For $8, children can play from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Friday. Thursdays the facility is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for children ages 2 to 6. All ages can participate from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays. Family night runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday where pizza and drinks are available. The cost is $30 for a family of four.
Looking at what their own children would enjoy, the Soeder's discovered Jump Zone while looking to start a family-oriented business.
"My husband, who is analytical, looked at all children's entertainment businesses," said Kathy Soeder, who grew up in Geneva.
They found Atlanta-based Jump Zone made the best fit.
"As parents, we're always looking for fun, safe things for the children to do," she added.
The couple has two children, Sydney, 5, and Alexandra, 2. The couple met years ago while working at Ameritech where they handled the cable startup division. "We liked the entrepreneurial spirit. We were intoxicated by it," Soeder said.
For the past eight years, Soeder has operated her own consulting business. She continues to cooperate My Business Partner consulting firm. Scott Soeder now works for Caremark.
The new facility also features a toddler area for younger children. "It's a safe haven for little kids," Kathy added.
For more information, call (630) 444-1422 or check out www.jumpzoneparty.com.
The place to work: Tasty Catering based in Elk Grove Village was named the No. 1 Best Place to Work in Illinois in the small-to-medium category of 25 to 249 employees.
The rankings were determined through criteria developed by Best Companies Group.
Tom Walter is the president and co-founder of the catering firm that competed with 19 other candidates. In May the company was selected as one of four recipients of the 2008 Entrepreneurial Quest Awards given by DePaul University's Coleman Entrepreneurship Center.
Tasty Catering, a corporate catering and event planning services company, has been in operation for more than 20 years.
Leather issues: Ronald C. Nelson, owner of Color-Glo Quality Leather Restoration in Hawthorn Woods, was recently awarded the 2008 Everett Smith Award at the Color-Glo International conference.
The annual award is presented to the franchisee who best exemplifies characteristics of loyalty, trustworthiness, personal courage, excellent customer relations and corporate friendship.
Color-Glo is a mobile service for cleaning, repair and restoration of leather furniture, auto interiors and other leather and vinyl products. Check out www.qualityleatherrestoration.com.