Kristen Loescher, owner of Arsenal Events is the creative force behind Arsenal Events. Discover what motivated Kristen and her husband Ken to launch their race timing business, their journey through the challenges of 2020 shutdowns, and the rewarding moments of celebrating victories with clients and athletes. Learn how they prioritize community engagement and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Learn more about Arsenal Events on their website, https://www.arsenal-events.com/
What inspired you to start your own business, and what have been the most rewarding aspects of your entrepreneurial journey so far?
Throughout my career, I was inspired by other business owners and leaders in our community. Their drive, creativity, generosity, and confidence were a source of motivation! I thoroughly enjoyed working in various roles at the Rappahannock Area YMCA and Jeff Rouse Swim and Sports Center, and I felt like the next opportunity for personal and professional growth was going to be found through creating and building a business of my own. Thankfully, my husband, Ken, was on board with this idea!
The most rewarding aspects of my entrepreneurial journey thus far have been the race day moments with clients and athletes. We love celebrating their victories whether it be hosting their very first race or finishing their first 5K or 50K.
Can you share a particular challenge your business faced and how you overcame it? What lessons did you learn from that experience?
The largest challenge we faced as business owners were experiencing the shutdowns that took place in 2020. We were set to launch our race timing business in April of 2020, and the shutdowns began in March of 2020. It may not have been the best time to start an events-based business. We quickly learned that we needed to adapt and create new race day plans to prove that we could safely host races in a pandemic environment. It required a lot of teamwork, trust and problem solving, and a lot understanding from our athletes as they adapted to new race requirements. We really learned that you have to willing to adapt and create creative solutions, or your business may not survive. Thankfully, we can say that we survived and the business is now thriving.
How do you prioritize building relationships with your local community, and what strategies have you found most effective in engaging with your customers?
We are fortunate to work with many non-profit organizations who host 5K events in order to raise funds for their cause. Some of my favorite people on the planet are race directors who have a heart for others and are passionate about their mission! Our mission is to support our clients in every way possible leading up to race day to ensure a safe and successful event. We also give back to the community and are proud to support the FredNats Booster Club, Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation, the Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail, and Project Lifesaver through the races we host.
We make it a priority to take advantage of all of the opportunities to stay connected with the local community – from LeadShare groups within the Chamber of Commerce and Network at Nite events to sporting events and fundraisers. There is no shortage of networking opportunities in Fredericksburg!
As a small business owner, how do you maintain a healthy work-life balance? Any advice for managing stress and avoiding burnout while running a successful business?
As a small business owner, you have to realize that no one is going to take better care of YOU than yourself! The two most significant ways that I’ve avoided burnout have been through regular exercise and scheduling time for professional development throughout the year. There’s no better feeling than pushing through a challenging workout or completing a run or a walk in the sunshine – endorphins are your friend! I strive to make it a priority to exercise at least 4 days during the regular M-F work week, and the Arsenal Events team stays active on the weekends working at the races we host and time. It’s amazing how many steps we get in on race day! Find an exercise that you enjoy and show up!
I am intentional about scheduling time for professional development and personal growth. I don’t want to be the exact same person one month from now or one year from now. I tell myself that if I’m not learning, I’m boring. Attending conferences, seminars, and workshops is energizing and it’s also a wonderful way to make new connections within your industry and your community.
