Meet Stephen (Coach Mack) Mackintosh | Co-Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephen (Coach Mack) Mackintosh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephen (Coach Mack), can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was looking to change careers from the insurance industry where I had worked for most of my adult life. I met the owners of a gymnastics gym that my daughter attended, brothers Steve and Ken Fleming, and they had just built an indoor ropes course at one of their gyms that intrigued me. We became friends and, in 1998, we decided to open a team building center with a large indoor ropes course as its main attraction.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Group Dynamix “connects people in fun ways.” That is the goal, and it’s more than a tag line, it’s a duty. Groups come to GDX to begin or strengthen relationships, build camaraderie, form bonds, seek unity and share a positive experience that will be long remembered. For some groups, it’s about becoming more productive as a team. For others, it’s a fun outing where people can enjoy quality time with each other.

GDX serves youth – fourth graders and older – and adults. But unlike most of its competitors, GDX customers are groups not individuals. To book an event, you must be a group. The reason is simple – GDX is all about team building at its core, and you need a group of people to build a team. All of the activities that are facilitated at GDX are designed to connect its participants for some desirable outcome. Some refer to it as “play with purpose” because the activities are so engaging and fun. But under the hood, there is change happening and groups leave better than they arrive.

Another distinctive that separates GDX from most other “event” businesses is FRANCIS. All of our facilitators are named Francis – a name that evolved among our employees that informs the public that “it is not about us, but about you.” The attention is on the participants and their events, not on those who facilitate them.

That brings us to another GDX distinctive – facilitated events. In most places where groups go for their outings, the group is on their own and responsible for their event and its outcome. At Group Dynamix, our Francis plan and manage the group events relieving organizers the burden of creating exceptional experiences for their groups. Also, facilitators provide the right amount of structure, encourage group participation and tailor the events to the needs of the groups. The goal is 100% participation, 100% of the time for 100% fun. That’s what Francis do well.

One other distinctive that sets GDX apart is its facility. Most “team building” companies use the facilities of their customers or have to rent space to conduct their events. Group Dynamix has a 38,000 sq. ft. event center with three large private meeting rooms, an indoor ropes course and many other fun activities that are designed for groups of teens and adults.

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?
We enjoy going to the Dallas Arboretum, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Dallas Museum of Art and White Rock Lake.

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?
In 2012, due to a bicycling accident, I became a quadriplegic. Fortunately, due to friends and family I had the resources to modify my home, build ramps, purchase an accessible van and obtain various wheelchairs and other specialty equipment that improved my independence and mobility. Many individuals with spinal cord injuries and their families are not as fortunate. I joined Neuro Assistance Foundation to help those truly in need obtain the resources so that they too can increase their independence and mobility, and “get back into life.”

Website: https://groupdynamix.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/group-dynamix/

Twitter: https://x.com/groupdynamix/

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

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/group-dynamix-carrollton

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GroupdynamixGDX

Image Credits
Moise Dorsinville