Marci Blevins
Owner/HR Director/Accounting
Splash Kingdom, Inc.
Canton, Texas - U.S.A.
Shreveport, Louisiana - U.S.A
Hudson Oaks, Texas - U.S.A
Greenville, Texas - U.S.A
Nacogdoches, Texas - U.S.A
Featured in
World Waterpark Magazine, July/August 2021
WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
I received my B.S. in education with a specialization in early childhood. I taught in the Texas Public School systems for 6 years. I took time off from that awesome experience to stay home with my son and was able to teach private ALS Recerts with the American Heart Association to private practices. We had the opportunity to travel around the country with my husband’s businesses and decided to develop some type of FEC in our hometown. We went to the WWA meetings and the rest is history in the making.
WHAT CERTIFICATION OR LICENSING DO YOU HAVE?
I received a Texas elementary teacher certification. Also, I am a former CPR instructor for Red Cross and American Heart Association
WHAT HONORS, AWARDS OR SPECIAL RECOGNITION HAVE YOU ACHIEVED?
Our parks have received: Entrepreneur of the Year of Parker County (Hudson Oaks location); Community Builders Award (Canton location); Large Business of the Year (Canton location); Locals Love Us Award (multiple years, Shreveport location); various WWA Wave Review awards in advertising/marketing.
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD?
We were looking to invest in the lives of the residents in our local community—from job training young people to providing a safe, fun recreational experience for families.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST?
I love the training aspect of our industry in all departments, helping individuals to grow beyond what they could have ever imagined.
WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
My incredible managers and seasonal staff who work tirelessly to run safe facilities and to help customers have a great experience.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK
CAREER?
The fire that took our corporate headquarters and operational facility for our Canton location 10 days before opening. We were able to clean it up and open for the first school field trips using portable ticket windows, food trucks, tents for retail and trailers for offices.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED?
I focus on how blessed I am to work at a company with my family and walk through our waterparks and see families making memories.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY?
The summer goes by very quickly. There is a lot of prep work to be done during the off-season so you will need to prioritize and work well with your group.
WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION?
The Bible and
Streams in the Desert by Lettie Cowman.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
Watching the growth of our employees over the course of the summer season; and then witnessing the returning employees take supervisor and leadership positions.
WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN?
I would probably look into child psychology or pediatric nursing. I love children and helping families through difficult times.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA?
We were investigating the industry 2 years before we began building our first waterpark and the WWA Symposium & Trade Show was invaluable in helping us design and implement plans for our facility.
WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS?
Even though I love to make people smile and have a great time, I have this uncanny ability to see ‘hurt’ in someone’s eyes. My friendly, “how are you today?” usually ends in the person crying and telling me their current struggle. Sometimes people just need to get things off their chest and I’m humbled and honored to help. We never know what people are silently struggling with, so it never hurts to be kind to everyone we meet..