We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Sed and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Sarah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
We didn’t have a lot of money growing up. For most of my childhood, my Dad was working on his Doctorate, and grad students aren’t exactly raking in the dough. So, I started cutting grass for my neighbors around the age of 10, and was soon cutting everyone’s grass for the whole block. My parents insisted that school was my main job, but as long as I kept my grades up I was allowed to do both. Eventually I added on babysitting and selling candy. I kept that work ethic up through college and always had multiple jobs to keep me from being a truly broke college student.
Once I entered the working world as an adult I always had a second job. Eventually one of those second jobs gave me the opportunity to take over ownership and it seemed like the logical next step. I had management experience, and was looking for a change. So we (My husband & I) decided to take a chance and became one of the first escape room locations in the country before it really started to take off. Eventually we heard about axe throwing and transitioned over. We haven’t looked back and are always looking for the next cool thing that is going to sweep the nation.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Houston Axe Throwing was the first axe throwing facility in Texas, and 3rd in the country. We spend a lot of time training our coaches to get people sticking as quickly as possible. In addition to regular bookings and walk in times, we also offer leagues. Leagues are a great way for people in the axe throwing community to connect with each other. We offer Axe (Hatchet), Big Axe, Knives & Duals (2 player teams) leagues.
At both Houston Axe Throwing locations we host large group and team building events any time by appointment. Including fully guided sessions where the coach will provide hands on training for the whole time, call scores, pick games and make sure that everyone is having a fun and safe time.
Our newest feature is splatter painting. It’s the newest way to create a unique piece of art while making a mess and having fun. Participants get a poncho, canvas, and art supplies to smear, flick, splatter and toss paint across their canvas. We also have fun add ons such as squirt guns, bigger canvases, and blacklight splatter painting.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whenever someone comes to visit, I always recommend hitting a few places: Paulie’s
NASA
Killen’s BBQ
Galleria Mall
Waugh Drive Bat Colony
Hermann Park
Discovery Green
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
On a personal note, I couldn’t have done this without the love and support of my husband, Matt. He took a risk and jumped right in with me and we haven’t looked back. I also owe a lot to my long time friend and business partner Marty, who is always looking for the next fun idea or venture.
As an axe throwing facility owner I am very grateful for The World Axe Throwing League, which has been innovating and helping grow the sport since 2017. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to help the sport grow as well, through my participation on their Advisory Council & chair the Rules & Judge Committees. The community has been very supportive for throwers and owners alike. Everyone truly just wants to see each other succeed whether it’s celebrating a fellow league member’s promotion, opening their own facility, or becoming a better thrower. The community is what truly makes this sport great.
Website: www.houstonaxe.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houstonaxethrowing/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HThrowing
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoustonAxeThrowing/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/houston-axe-houston-2
Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@houstonaxethrowing