Meet Brandon Oropallo | Founder, DFW Scavenger Hunt

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

Hi Brandon, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own business was not a decision I made lightly, though in retrospect I probably should’ve lightened up a little bit. When my family moved from Los Angeles to Dallas, I was faced with a decision point — continue pursuing a career in marketing, or switch things up and do something for myself. Although I’d grown weary of marketing and corporate gigs, it was my role at home — father of two — that convinced me that self-employment was too risky an option. I needed benefits, a paycheck, no matter how bored and unhappy I’d be. So I found a job at an agency in town… and immediately realized what a bad fit it was. Worst of all, I carried the unhappiness home with me, so my efforts to be a better family man weren’t exactly paying off. I was stressed, worried, and a real bummer to be around. I credit my wife with the kick in the pants I really needed. And, let’s be honest, it was her stable paycheck and family benefits plan that truly made it possible.

I set about researching ways to create a scavenger hunt business, a way to help people be better through knowledge, collaboration, and creativity. I considered the things I was passionate about. Puzzles and games, entertaining, and learning more about the place I love. I considered a city walking tour, a trivia company, and other options, but the one that combined all those passions was a scavenger hunt company. Now, we get to showcase North Texas to the people who live here through unique experiences, whether it’s for team building or birthday parties. Meanwhile, I get to spend way more time being a dad, and I’m much happier.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
DFW Scavenger Hunt was founded on a philosophy of making people better by bringing them together, by challenging folks to use their brains to discover how much they already knew. As a family that’s always looking for unique activities in Dallas, we were delighted to offer an option! We’re so proud of the way we can surprise people in their own cities, and it’s always a delight to watch folks unlock a riddle — to see that aha moment when they finally get it is a genuine thrill. We know that businesses are always looking for a new team building experience, especially outdoor activities, and it’s so great to solve that puzzle for them. We’ve had challenges, of course — the pandemic forced us to spend a year hosting virtual scavenger hunts — but we’ve always pivoted and found new ways to offer experiences to folks. We’ve hosted birthday parties for 10 year olds in Seattle, a baby shower for a mom in Los Angeles, and team building experiences for folks in Boston, India, and Sweden. Here in Dallas, we’ve been so lucky to work with many great businesses and charitable organizations. Since we offer scavenger hunts in Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Grapevine, and beyond, there’s so much we can offer people.

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 think we’re in a unique position to showcase a few hidden gems in Dallas because that’s literally what we strive for on our hunts — finding ways to introduce people to a part of the city they might not have noticed before. The Texas Sculpture Garden is the site of our scavenger hunt in Frisco and it’s a fantastic collection of sculpture and artwork definitely worth exploring. Our hunt in Plano takes you right by Lockwood Smokehouse and it’s a delicious spot to pop into for Texas BBQ once you’re ready to celebrate. And while we’re talking restaurants, you must try Zoli’s for pizza and Trompo for tacos. Both are mind-blowing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I must shoutout my family. I chose this career path for them, but I’m able to do it because of them. I’m so grateful my wife, Kara, who keeps a full time job that provides family benefits and makes it financially possible to pursue a weird career like this. She watches the kids when I’m off on hunts and keeps the family running. And to my kids Jack and Irene, who are so cool and supportive, I’m so grateful. All three of them are cheerleaders who keep my spirits high. I also want to shoutout the many many friends around the country who supported the business during our toughest time. The pandemic meant it was impossible for us to offer in-person events for a while, but when we started offering virtual scavenger hunts online, those friends were the first to reach out to hire the business and, frankly, keep the business alive.

Website: http://www.dfwscavengerhunt.com

Instagram: dfwscavengerhunt

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oropallo/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfwscavenger

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

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dfw-scavenger-hunt-dallas

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGjgS3e8zH7ZUYKBdzSodxQ