Tim Murphy, former CEO of Boomer Parks, shares the story of transforming a bankrupt amusement park group into a profitable, private equity-ready asset. From revamping guest experience to shifting customer focus and optimizing pricing, Tim walks us through how he scaled operations and achieved an $18M swing in EBITDA. This episode is packed with lessons in operational turnaround, pricing strategy, and preparing for a successful exit—all essential insights for founder-CEOs eyeing growth and liquidity.

Key Takeaways:

• Define and operationalize core values early—use them to drive hiring, culture, and accountability.
• Eliminate discount-heavy pricing models that attract unprofitable customers.
• Prioritize guest experience—clean, safe, and immersive environments lead to increased loyalty and revenue.
• Use a PE mindset: start with the P&L and build value through strategic EBITDA improvements.
• Evaluate each location or asset based on demographics, profitability, and growth potential.
• Invest in operational visibility—visit locations, talk to guests, and spot red flags firsthand.
• Raise prices confidently—if the experience is there, customers will pay.
• Build a business model private equity can scale—reproducibility and clear growth paths increase exit value.

Timestamps

• 00:00 The Journey Begins: Tim's Entrepreneurial Roots
• 02:30 Transforming Boomers Parks: Leadership and Strategy
• 06:38 Core Values and Team Dynamics
• 10:47 Understanding Customer Experience and Competition
• 18:48 Pricing Strategies and Value Creation
• 23:38 Evaluating Business Potential: The Decision-Making Process
• 29:20 Private Equity Insights: What Owners Should Know

Links & Resources

• Tim Murphy
  • Email: tim@timothypmurphy.com
  • Website: https://timmurphyceo.com
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmurphyceo/

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