I was just winding down my career as a case manager for geriatric clients and enjoying the extra free time I had to devote to my grandchildren. I never thought I’d be starting a new business at the age of 73.

Me, and my adorable grandchildren

My older son discovered escape rooms a few years ago. I would meet him for lunch and he would tell me about them with such passion. He had this wonderful enthusiasm from the experience of playing the games.

An Escape Room is an immersive, themed entertainment experience where you are “locked” in a room with a collection of people and have a set amount of time to solve original puzzles, find hidden items and figure out a way to escape. You are not truly locked in the room. There are emergency exits that remain open.

Since my primary business was winding down, I needed a new focus. An escape room sounded exciting and intriguing. I thought why couldn’t we open a room of our own? We have the talent. One son is creative, one has business acumen. Our daughter-in-law has expertise in all types of marketing and my husband has a lifetime of experience in engineering and information technology skills. I’m somewhat crafty and could be the cheerleader of the project. And, of course, bake the chocolate chip cookies.

I first had to try an escape room out to see what it was like and if it was really something I wanted to pursue. I attended one with my husband and son. It was in an abandoned restaurant with the bar, kitchen, tables and chairs still in place. This room could accommodate twenty participants. We waited outside until all the players arrived. There were about sixteen of us. All were much younger than my husband and I. Part of the group was celebrating the birthday of one of the players.

I first had to try an escape room out to see what it was like and if it was really something I wanted to pursue.

When the whole group had arrived we were invited in. The door was closed and the fun began. It was hard to imagine where the clues could be because the room looked so much like an ordinary restaurant. Everyone spread out and began frantically looking for clues. I followed suit. When something of interest was found it would be placed on one of the tables and we would try to piece the clues together to ultimately find the key to let us out. My husband solved one important clue by working some magic on a prop calculator. That gave a combination to a lock that was an integral part of the clue chain.

It was amazing how everyone worked together without really knowing each other. That was part of the fun for me, solving the clues along with the “kids”. It made me feel young. I liked the adrenaline rush when one part of the clue chain would be solved, and the excitement of getting one step closer to “escaping”. There’s a great sense of accomplishment on unlocking that final door. We only “escaped” with a couple of minutes to spare.

It was amazing how everyone worked together without really knowing each other.

I was sold. It didn’t take much convincing for the other members of my family to join in the venture. We found a location in Brea, CA and went through a long journey before we were finally able to open our first room, Midnight on the Bayou.

Our new family business

Our website is www.redlanternescaperooms.com. I must admit I’m not a risk taker so this venture is out of my comfort zone. But, hey, you only live once.