Young Blood
Three 20-something entrepreneurs find early success in the FEC industry
by Mike Bederka
On the eve of a major arcade expansion, Eric Martinez and brothers Drew and Joe Dzieglowicz seem calm, which shouldn’t be surprising actually. They’ve grown accustomed to maintaining composure in stressful situations.
The trio of 20-somethings opened Zig-E’s Funland in St. John, Indiana, in August 2008, entering a level of management often reserved for people many years their senior. Their business skills and confidence came from a healthy mix of college course work at Purdue University and real life experiences.
Drew, 26, and Eric, 24, worked together at a nearby family entertainment center (FEC) for eight years. Drew served as manager/mechanic and Eric as assistant manager for the go-karts and batting cages.
When that facility closed, Drew recalls the conversation that inspired Zig-E’s. “We were sitting in the garage one day and we were like: ‘The kids aren’t going to have anywhere to go to have fun in our area. What if we could buy the equipment and build our own FEC,’” he says.
With support from their parents and the addition of Joe, 28, they purchased the equipment and began the search for a location. They settled on the current 3.4 acre spot, which after being vacant for about 15 years, badly needed repair.
“We completely rehabbed, revitalized, and rejuvenated the property,” Drew says.
Fast forward to today; the three run a staff of 20, and thanks to their early success, they have plans to grow the facility even more. Along with their recent 1,500-square-foot arcade expansion, they soon will add a Trampoline Thing attraction, an inflatable, a rock wall, and bumper boats.
Growing up, did you ever see yourself running a business?
Joe Dzieglowicz: When I was in high school, I always wanted to run my own business. I took all the business classes in college, trying to get the book knowledge.
Drew Dzieglowicz: If you asked me in 2006 if I would be here right now, I would definitely not say ‘yes.’ I would have said I would be in dental school.
Eric Martinez: It’s always been a dream of mine to be an entrepreneur and open my own business. Did I think it would happen so soon? No. But it was something in my mind that I wanted to do someday. We’re just lucky to have the opportunity to do it.
How did your parents help out?
DD: We obviously owe them. Our parents believed in us. They put up their houses as collateral so we could get this loan. That’s something you’re not supposed to do. They went out on a limb for us. They really did.
 Did it take a lot of work to get the FEC together?
DD: There were points where we didn’t think this was going to happen. We bargained for six or seven months to get the lease worked out, and we had to go in front of town council, board of zoning appeals, and planning commission. It wasn’t exactly easy.
To build the FEC, we were working 100-hour weeks, sunup to sundown. We built 85 percent of this place ourselves. It was our sweat equity that we put into this. We had an asphalter, electrician, and a couple carpenters. The rest of it was us.
What are the advantages to being young in this industry?
EM: We know our target market. We know what video games they like and what kind of entertainment they want. We were teenagers not too long ago. That’s definitely a big advantage to being young. We also talk to the customers all the time. They love us.
DD: Being in our 20s, we still have the energy to put in long days. And we do. It definitely helps to keep our payroll down. We worked so hard, we actually had a profit in the first year, which is almost unheard of. A small profit, but nonetheless, we were in the black.
We’re not rich by any means. We’re just three kids trying to make a dream for ourselves.
On the flip side, do you ever have problems where people don’t take you seriously because of your age?
JD: Working some with contractors, they’re like, “Oh, you’re the owner. You make all the decisions?” They’re dumfounded. We just shake it off, but it does surprise them that we know the business.
DD: We’re always professional with them. But geez, give us a little credit here.
What do you love most about your job?
DD: When a kid gets off a go-kart and is smiling and happy, that makes my day. That’s the great thing about this business. You can see the customers having a good time. It’s establishes what you’re doing and why you do this.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
DD: Nothing comes without hard work.
Contact Contributing Editor Mike Bederka at mbederka@IAAPA.org.
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