Conversations with Nick Schuler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Schuler

Hi Nick, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started working at Playground World as a helper installer during Covid in the Cleveland area. At the time, I was going to Ohio State pursuing a degree in Agricultural Systems Management. I still remember it like it was yesterday – we came home for Spring break and never ended up returning that year. A friend of mine had started working at Playground World just before the Covid quarantines started, and he shared with me via text that they were looking for additional installers and that the job was a ton of fun. I figured “at least I’ll make some money while we are on lockdown,” and started working there soon after.

I quickly discovered, seemingly at the same time, that a degree in Agricultural Systems Management is difficult to pursue online, and that I really enjoyed working in the backyard fun industry! Bringing joy into families’ lives all across Northeast Ohio during what was surely one of the most difficult times in our collective lives definitely brought me a lot of comfort. I soon decided to pursue Playground World full time and put my studies on hold.

Fast forward a year, and I was promoted into the lead installer role and got to run my own install truck. Having the added responsibility really helped me to develop professionally. I soon asked if I could try my hand at sales, to which Playground World’s owner and president, Tony Adamic, enthusiastically agreed to. I would often work sales at our Medina or Warrensville Heights location on Saturdays, and continued to run an install truck Monday through Friday.

In the fall of 2021, I met my soon to be wife, who is from West Jefferson, at a mutual friend’s wedding. We hit it off right from the start, but at that point she was working as a travel nurse and was preparing to work in Hawaii for 4 months.

The following year, she decided to hang up the suitcase and permanently move back home to West Jefferson. At the same time, Playground World acquired the territory rights to all of Ohio for the products that we sell. I knew that if I wanted to get serious about her that I would have to consider moving down to Columbus. I approached Tony, Playground World’s President and owner, and explained the situation that I was in – I wanted to move to Columbus, and I wanted to take Playground World with me. Tony, once again, enthusiastically agreed and we began working on finding a location.

In May of 2023, I moved down here and I opened up our Columbus location on May 24th, 2023. Since then, Playground World has taken off, I proposed to my (now) soon to be wife, and I couldn’t have been more blessed with how everything worked out!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were certainly many challenges along the way! The biggest struggle that I found was when I was deciding on what to do in regards to my education vs. career. I knew that whatever decision I made would have lasting implications.

Secondly, its a lot of work running both the storefront as well as the installations down here! With that said, having a passion for what I do – bringing backyard fun to as many families as possible – is certainly my driving force. During our busy season especially, some work weeks can be 6 or 7 days, but I feel like I’m incredibly blessed to be able to say that I look forward to going to work everyday.

Third, moving away from everything I knew to open up a new market was inundated with challenges. I spent a lot of time learning that there were things I didn’t even know I didn’t know (feel free to reread that). With that said, working for a small, family owned and operated company certainly has its perks, and I knew that any answer I needed was only a phone call away. I couldn’t have done it successfully without knowing that I had Tony’s full support and belief in me.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Here at Playground World, we specialize in creating lasting lifetime memories in your backyard. We sell and install playsets, basketball hoops, trampolines, and play surfacing. Our Woodplay brand of playsets carry the best warranty in the market: lifetime on all of the lumber. Our Goalrilla and Goalsetter basketball hoops also carry an industry leading lifetime warranty, and our AlleyOop trampolines are the safest and most durable springed trampoline that exists, all while carrying another industry leading 10 year warranty on the frame.

I do both the sales and installations for our Columbus market – which is always surprising but relieving to prospective customers. I fully believe in the quality of the products that we sell, and I take great pride in delivering a professional and punctual installation.

I fondly remember the playset I had as a child, and the long summer days that were spent on it with my mom and my sister. I remember creating our own stories while swinging on the swings, watching my (at the time) toddler aged sister build up the confidence to go down the slide on her own, and the time spent imaginatively reenacting the Star Wars movies on top of the clubhouse with my friends. These memories will last a lifetime, and I’m really proud to be able to play a role in that for other children.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
While I have never thought of myself as much of a risk taker, this question caused me to reflect on the risks that I did take in pursuing this career. To put it bluntly, I dropped out of college to do this full time which was a risk in and of itself (my grandfather made sure to let me know all about that!). In moving down here to open up Playground World Columbus, I was certainly nervous and had the nagging question of “What if it doesn’t work out?” I think that as long as you have enough motivation and will power to overcome the obstacles that will surely show themselves when taking a risk, you can safely bet on yourself to be successful. Has this journey been without challenges? Absolutely not. But it has certainly been worth every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears.

Pricing:

• Playsets start at $2999
• Basketball Hoops start at $1499
• Trampolines start at $1699

Contact Info:

• Website: https://playgroundworld.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pgwcolumbus/