Your Name: Chutilak (Art) Phanichewa
Job Title: Managing Director, Rockin’ Jump Bangkok
What is your nationality and background? Throughout my childhood, I’ve been raised in both the States and Bangkok so I would consider myself a Thai- American. I grew up in a very large extended family full of cousins but I’m an only child. Most of my childhood was spent growing up in San Francisco Bay area but my family kept me intact with the Thai culture and values by forcing me to speak Thai at home and getting involved at the Thai temple. I received my Undergrad degree from Cal and finished my Masters at SASIN.
What is your profession?
Before Rockin’ Jump, my field was marketing and property management. At the moment I’m overseeing Rockin’ Jump and managing franchise sales.
What are the key skills and responsibilities of this role?
Being a master franchisee, my major role is to maintain a smooth park operations and assuring that all park standards and protocols are followed. The necessary skills for job is to be passionate about it and get your team to share the same goals. Everyone is a piece of a large jigsaw puzzle so we all have to complete each other.
How did you get involved in your profession?
I guess you can say my kids lead me to this path. I would never have imagine waking up one morning and managing a trampoline park. The first park location which opened 5 years ago was close to where our relatives in the States lived and my kids just enjoyed it so much when my aunt first took them there. My son would spend 3 hours jumping every time he goes to the park. My girls also got a chance to socialize and just have fun. I myself tried jumping for 30 minutes and was totally exhausted. So, the idea came 5 years ago when I thought about how much fun the kids would have if we had it in Thailand. So, I took the liberty of approaching the owner and presented the idea.
How does your role enhance the wellbeing or experience of children?
Being a full-time mom when the kids were younger, I’m always seeking ways to entertain them and keeping them occupied. We are pretty adventurous and love trying new things the local way. The traveling experiences gave them exposure to various cultural experiences. Aside from the cultural experiences, I’m supportive of any sports they are involved in. Keeping them healthy sounds easy but its difficult to compete with all the electronic gadgets that they are glued to sometimes. So, trampolining is a great alternative to their screen time. It’s in fact a form of fun and competition in disguised so they are staying fit.
What challenges do your face in this role?
The most challenging part is keeping kids safe and making sure they follow the park rules. At the same time, we want jumpers to go home with a smile.
What do you hope to achieve within your industry?
I hope to encourage families & kids to get into a habit of maintaining a healthy life so that they can live a longer life than my generation.
Who or what inspires you?
CNN Heroes & my mom inspire me.
Only a Bangkok local would know…
The best time to avoid traffic is between 2am-4am.
For more information on Rockin’ Jump Bangkok, please click here.
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