In this episode I chat with Trevor Arndt of Aesthetic Climbing Gym in Lake Forest Ca. Trevor shares his inspirational story of how he and his brother built the successful gym despite surrounding skepticism and how they managed to not just keep the vulnerable business afloat during the pandemic, but how through perseverance and community support, the gym remains the only standing family-run climbing gym in Southern California.

Something about climbing changes people; we don’t know how or when it happens, but somewhere between the ascent and summit, every climber feels it. Your hands get clammy, your muscles deaden; it’s just you and the mountain, and one of you is going to lose. In that moment, every climber is posed with a very difficult question. Am I strong enough? Can I do this by myself? The mountain is bigger than I thought, and the summit…so far off.  

- Trevor Arndt

Aesthetic Climbing Gym was founded by Trevor Arndt & Dillon Arndt in 2012. Through shared experiences and combined knowledge of construction, the Arndt brothers set out to pursue their dream of opening one of the top climbing facilities in Orange County. It took over 4 years of going to meetings with investors, accountants, marketing specialists, and business gurus for the planning of ACG to get underway. It took 3 months of long days and endless nights for Aesthetic to be fully constructed and doors were finally open on September 2, 2012!! Since then, Trevor Arndt has continually sought ways to expand the facility and keep raising the bar on what should be the ultimate indoor climbing experience. ACG was named the best climbing gym in Orange County in 2014 by the OC Weekly and currently ranks amongst the top gyms in all of Southern California.

www.aestheticclimbinggym.com

My Bright Idea is a weekly interview podcast that celebrates successful small businesses and their owners who have taken the leap to make their ideas and dreams a reality.

www.mybrightideapodcast.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/groups/mybrightidea

Instagram - My Bright Idea

Twitter - @mybrightideapod

Music by audionautix.com