We had the good fortune of connecting with Danny Walls and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danny, how do you think about risk?
I calculate risk very carefully and only proceed when I have the evidence that the proper research and decisions have been made. When it came to deciding to run my business full time and leave the safety and reliability of my corporate career, I planned carefully. Starting my business in 2016, I continued to work full time while learning how to grow the business and forecast its potential. By 2019 I was fully burning the candle at both ends, working my full time corporate job while still finding time to host over 70 client events for my business. Taking every PTO day, and then some, hiring part time help and sometimes doing both jobs in the same day, 2019 proved the evidence was there for the jump to full time. I had the proof that my small business was not only far more enjoyable than life in a corporate office, but it was also more profitable. The date was set and I left the cocoon of corporate safety on January 31 2020. The one risk that I could not have ever predicted was a global pandemic that would turn off the events and meeting planning industry like a switch. Within two weeks of leaving my job the first real news of COVID started, and then within a month we had every event for 2020 canceled or postponed. I had never thought that something like this could have such wide reaching effects or that it would ever happen in my lifetime. But as with all risk planning I had a back up. I had made sure many years in advance that should I lose income from some unforeseen event that I would have enough savings, and access to additional resources to navigate an income downturn. This planning has helped us weather the storm and we hope to be able to build back up to pre COVID levels by 2022. The past years have been very tough, but we are hopeful there is a bright future ahead.

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.
I started my first job on the side of a mountain in West Virginia at 17 on a Christmas tree farm. After High School, I moved out on my own, and started what was to end up being a 25+ year career in sales. I had first hoped for a career in music and after dropping out of music school I realized, music would always be my hobby but would not be how I would pay the bills. Over the next 15 years I would perfect my sales skills at several large employers and reached what seemed to be a ceiling in my career. I was doing well, had been able to buy a home, and even a few investment properties, but I felt this was as far as I could go in jobs that required me to wear a plastic name tag. I wanted to advance, and felt that my sales and people skills were adaptable to a next level career move. In 2011 I began a daily search and applied to what seemed like 100’s of jobs. After some time I landed an interview with the COX Automotive corporate sales team and was hired on the spot! Out with the plastic name tag, and in with the office cube and desk name plate. Working for COX was a great experience and taught me a lot about different aspects of sales, management and overall corporate life. This was where I had my first exposure to team building events. In 2016 after purchasing Adult Big Wheels to ride around Atlanta for fun, the Ah Ha moment happened. I saw an opening and need for something new and engaging in the world of corporate team building events and Adult Big Wheel Club was born. I took from my own experience seeing what was missing and needed in team building and set out to solve these issues with my own offering. Creating a one of a kind experience that is fun, engaging, inclusive, and built on the core values of building Communication Skills, Memory, and Consistent Teamwork.


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?
I would suggest they visit for the week of Labor Day. This is the weekend that hosts for me, the most amazing event in Atlanta, DragonCon. This event changed my view of Atlanta and will forever be an event I look forward to and always have fun inviting new guests to. There is absolutely nothing like it. In addition, a trip to my favorite music and dance venues is a must. Dancing at MJQ, and the Basement is a must, depending on your music taste there is surely a night that will meet most peoples need to move their feet. Dining and local friends hang out spots, such as Book House Pub, Argosy, and The Local, are a must, along with many other food destinations such as Krog Street, and Buford Hwy.


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?
There are two people that I could not of built this business without. My wife Marta, and my best friend Pete. Marta was there from the very start and helped with planning, design and hosting of our first events. She has encouraged me and provided endless amounts of moral support and business insights. Pete has also been there from the very start and has been my event assistant on 90% of all the events we have hosted. His physical help and friendship is only matched by his encouragement and insightful business advice.

Website: www.adultbigwheelclub.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adultbigwheelclub

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-walls-56665436/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adultbigwheelclub

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/adult-big-wheel-club-atlanta-2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9x7jS3Rprc

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