Business Spotlight: Petra Rock conducts business on the precipice

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|ret|Some people call it an extreme sport. Others call it the latest exercise fad. But for Clay Frisbie and Chandler Schooler, rock climbing is a business. Frisbie and Schooler own Petra Rock Climbing Gym, where people of all ages and skill levels are taught how to climb.

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|ret|Frisbie is regarded as one of the better rock climbers in the Midwest and has been climbing for more than 15 years. He's written several books and guides on the subject.

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|ret|Schooler, who started out as a student of Frisbie, got into climbing five years ago, and the sport has consumed him ever since. After graduating from Southwest Missouri State University with a degree in physical education, Schooler approached Frisbie and asked him if he wanted to open a rock climbing gym.

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|ret|The idea wasn't a new one. In fact, two other rock climbing schools in the area one of which was owned by Frisbie had already gone out of business.

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|ret|Schooler's enthusiasm for the idea, however, was contagious. He also was tenacious, and eventually he convinced Frisbie to give it another try. With the help of other rock climbing enthusiasts and a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the two set out to build their own indoor rock climbing gym.

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|ret|They manufactured all the hand holds used in the gym and developed a texture for the climbing surface that resembles sandstone. It took five months to complete the facility, which has a 40-foot wall and various inclines that challenge climbers of all skill levels.

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|ret|Two managers, Eric Hudkins and Dave McGee, were hired along with one other employee. Hudkins and McGee handle day-to-day operations while Frisbie keeps the books and helps with training. Schooler develops the curricula for each class and does most of the marketing.

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|ret|One of the first things Schooler did to ensure the business' success is to begin building a base of regular customers.

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|ret|Schooler approached the physical education department at SMSU to see if it would be interested in offering a class in rock climbing. After some discussion, they accepted Schooler's proposition. SMSU now offers rock climbing as an intersession class. The program will expand next fall, and SMSU plans on offering two eight-week block classes in rock climbing.

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|ret|SMSU is just one of Petra Rock's regular clients. Students from public schools in Springfield, Republic and Willard attend organized classes, and other organizations, such as the Boy Scouts and various church groups, also come to Petra Rock on a regular basis.

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|ret||quot|Most rock climbing gyms are geared toward people who already know how to climb,|quot| Schooler said. |quot|I think the thing that will make our business last is the attitude you feel as a student when you come here to learn. This is a positive environment.|quot|

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|ret|Many of the classes held at Petra Rock are geared toward novices, with students advancing through the ranks to become Class 5 climbers. (In the hierarchy of classifications, Class 6 rock climbing is considered the most difficult.) All classes are held indoors, and students can rent all the gear they need for each class.

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|ret||quot|One thing that makes our school unique is that we don't just teach our students how to climb in a rock gym,|quot| Schooler said. |quot|We train students to climb outside on a variety of different surfaces.|quot|

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|ret|In the coming months, Frisbie and Schooler plan to offer guided rock climbing tours to various locations in Missouri and northern Arkansas a move Schooler believes will attract more customers. Another event Frisbie and Schooler believe will attract more clients is the Second Annual Crux Fest, set for April 22 at Petra Rock Climbing Gym. According to Schooler, the Crux Fest is the biggest indoor climbing event in the region and attracts many climbers, as well as spectators.

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|ret|Given the nature of their business, the biggest concern Frisbie and Schooler have is safety. Although students must sign a waiver before beginning a class, insurance still accounts for most of the business's overhead. According to Schooler, nobody has been injured since Petra Rock began holding classes a year ago.

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|ret|Petra Rock Climbing Gym

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|ret||bold_on|Year founded: 1999

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|ret||bold_on|Owner's name: Petra Rock Climbing Gym Inc.

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|ret||bold_on|Address and phone number: 916 N. Cedarbrook, Ste. C 65802; 866-3308

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