Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcie Anne.
Hi Marcie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born into a family of skydivers. My father, Uncle and a few other family members were jumpers. In 2008 after I turned 18 I did my first tandem skydive. My family purchased the business later that season and I started working there at the start of the summer, I attended college at the University of Toledo working on a Pharmacy Degree and returned to work at the skydiving facility in the Summers.
Over the years, I realized I had found my passion. Not in working towards my degree but by skydiving and making memories with friends. The facility I was working at ended up changing its business model and in 2012 I discontinued working there. Once I graduated from Toledo I moved to Ohio and opened up a small skydiving facility of my own. It started out small with renting a plane and borrowing gear. After a few seasons went by I was able to purchase my own equipment and lease a larger plane. Our business quickly went from a small operation with about 60-100 jumpers a week to flying over 1000 jumpers in a day at times. Every day is like a dream. I get to skydive and hang out with friends from all over the world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It wasn’t always a smooth road. Although we have some of the best people in the world as part of our crew, it is sometimes hard to find qualified instructors. Skydiving is a relatively small sport and to become an instructor you have to have at least 500 jumps. A large majority of our instructors are from out of state. We have people that work with us that are from Texas, Florida and even New York. Most of these instructors travel and live in travel trailers during the season on our property. Recently, our township has informed us that we are not able to camp on site. Finding affordable housing in the area has been a bit of a battle. Not only are these instructors having to rent apartments but they are also having to find places to store their trailers. Luckily our skydive family has stepped up to the plate and have offered up bedrooms in their homes so that they could continue to work here. We have had a campsite at this location since the 60s and we are working our hardest to get it back so that we can continue to operate in Garrettsville OH.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a skydiving facility located in Garrettsville OH. We operate 6 days a week and offer skydiving for first time jumpers all the way up to professional licenses. We specialize in tandem skydiving for first time jumpers. A tandem skydive is where you are harnessed to a professional instructor who does all of the work so you can enjoy it stress free. We’re a small family owned dropzone in the heart of amish country. The scenery is gorgeous and in this area, everyone is like family. When everyone comes to our facility for the first time they tell us that it is the most friendly laid back place they have ever been to. They said that it felt like home as soon as they stepped foot in the hangar. We love being that place where everyone can come and skydive and forget about anything that has been on their mind.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Share our name. The best way to support us is to come out and try it for yourself. Overcome your fears and cross skydiving off of your bucket list.
You won’t regret it. It’s a life-changing experience and we hope to share this experience with as many people as possible.
Pricing:
- Tandem Skydive $149
- Video $109
Contact Info:
- Email: jump@clevelandskydivingcenter.com
- Website: www.skydivecle.com
- Instagram: @clevelandskydivingcenter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skydivecle
- Twitter: @jumpcleveland
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXqc-pMK3minFP0KvqE_LA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cleveland-skydiving-center-garrettsville
Image Credits
Thomas Salvatore
Bella Vilshanetskya
Moe Troyer
Logan Hall
Nate Staats
Allie Barney
Patrick Kessler
Tony Lorenzetti
