Building a Modern Climbing Gym in Portland, OR

13/11/2025 36 min Episodio 4

Listen "Building a Modern Climbing Gym in Portland, OR"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I sit down with Chris Marsaglia, co-founder of Tomo Bouldering Club in Portland, Oregon.We dive into what it takes to open a new gym in a saturated market, how Tomo’s founders built a brand that balances playfulness and professionalism, and the philosophy behind their unique “T” circuit grading system. Chris also shares how they built a loyal community through thoughtful design, creative events, and an authentic approach to marketing.Show Notes:00:00 – Welcome to Tomo Bouldering Club02:15 – From kitchen table planning to opening day05:00 – Permitting delays and opening surprises 07:30 – Marketing in a crowded Portland market 09:30 – Authentic branding12:25 – Hitting 300 members15:00 – Competing with nearby gyms23:00 – Tomo’s “T” circuit system31:00 – Retention and member engagement33:00 – Future goalsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@climbinggymgrowthFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowthCheck us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/