JUMP ON IT

Erin and Rob Arnold were vacationing in DisneyWorld in Florida when an idea for a new business back home jumped out at them.

“It was a rainy day,” Erin explains. “And we were jumping in this indoor trampoline park. We just had a blast. And while we were jumping we looked at each other and said, ‘We to do this in Rhode Island.’ We literally spent the rest of the vacation running numbers.”

Both had experience in business. Erin operated Basket Case, a gift shop inWakefield, R.I., with her mom before leaving to care for her first baby. Rob is the owner of Efficient Exteriors, a home improvement and construction company focusing on decks, garages, and the like.

They had a plan, but needed a business partner. Rob had completed a job for former New England Patriots NFL cornerback Ty Law, and mentioned the idea to him. Law was in, and Launch Trampoline Park, on Route 2 inWarwick, was born. (www.launchri.com)

The facility features a concession, arcade games, and a seating area for birthday parties, fundraisers and corporate retreats. There are open jump hours and a separate trampoline area for young children; as well as structured fitness classes for adults, with certified instructors.

“It’s low impact — modifiable for all levels. And it’s fun. You get exercise without even realizing it. So it’s a great way to get back into working out,” she says.

Erin— a personal trainer, and an avid gymnast growing up — admits to taking a few flips into the foam pit during offhours. Her own kids are young— Isla is 3 and Rock is 5. Although they love to jump, she says, they’re pretty nonplussed about their good fortune in having constant access to building full of trampolines.

“I tell them all the time—‘You have no idea how lucky you are,’” she laughs. “It really is a huge family thing here. We’re very fortunate.”