Meet Alex M. Calle

We were lucky to catch up with Alex M. Calle recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alex M. , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Purpose is such a tricky and slippery she-devil. It’s easy to get distracted. If you aren’t constantly looking to the sky and questioning your place in it, your north star can get lost amongst the other lights in the vista. So, we have to filter those lights and keep our north star in sight by identifying what triggers a purpose. Purpose is very closely related to joy. A feeling that looks like a child tasting ice cream for the first time, that sounds like the title song playing at the beginning of your favorite movie, or that feels like when your child cuddles up close next to you. It’s like that. It’s all of that, wrapped into one package. Keep on the lookout. One day, you’ll do something, find something, discuss something that will make you feel this same way and that’s your purpose trigger. It is unadulterated, it is pure, and it is intense. If you focus on what in life brings you joy; you’ve found your purpose, your reason for existing. Few people find their joy, and even fewer follow it. Do both and you’ve struck gold. Strike gold and never let it go.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a storyteller and I tell stories through businesses. Whether it be my themed entertainment design firm or our new hospitality venture servicing the aviation industry, I have found what brings me joy is finding an interesting problem that needs solving. If it’s an interesting enough problem, and the solution is equally as interesting, a clear story begins to present itself. Its that story that helps fellow collaborators, financiers, and ultimately, our users, invest into the solution that ultimately becomes a business. It’s exhilarating to build a business others engage with and love.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Hunger, Wonder, and Consistency. Hunger; to really want to follow your purpose. Wonder; to always remember the most interesting people are they ones that see the world with fresh and inquiring eyes… everyday. Consistency; to strive for your purpose everyday, even if for a bit, even if for a moment, everyday.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

We are currently exploring a business model based in the location based entertainment (LBE) space. (LBE encompasses everything from your local Chuck-E-Cheese or Escape Room all the way to 8 billion dollar developments like Shanghai Disney.) That said, venture capital is scarce, with most projects not fitting nicely into existing mixed-use models. At one end of the spectrum, the family entertainment center model is based on low capital investment (arcades), low labor costs, and relies on low admission costs for repeat visitation. At the other end, Disney / Universal models are incredibly capital heavy, high labor costs, and rely on existing intellectual property (Marvel) to sell high cost repeat visitation. There’s very little in the middle of the pack. I’m excited for just that; a venture that addresses the entertainment needs of young families within 2nd and 3rd tier cities wanting a 2.5 night, all inclusive, stay. With the advent and proliferation of Meow Wolf, Great Wolf Lodge, and others, the capital landscape is ripening. I can’t wait to see how the landscape changes in the years to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alexcalle.com/, https://www.hiddenlemons.com/, https://www.layoverclub.app/
• Instagram: @alexmcalle, @hidden_lemons, @tlc_thelayoverclub
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.m.calle
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/alexmcalle
• Other: https://imdb.com/name/nm2190307/

Image Credits

1. Great Wolf Lodge – Lobby Installation – Atlanta, Georgia, USA
2. Magic City – TV Design – Starz Network
3. Dreamworks Animation – Retail Design – Dubai, UAE
4. Mechanical Music Machine – Installation – Chengdu, China
5. Avocado Mattress – Experience Room Installation – NYC, USA
6. Better than Sex Mascara – Commercial Design – Too Faced
7. The Layover Club – Hospitality Venture – Los Angeles, California, USA
8. The Layover Club – Hospitality Venture (Interior) – Atlanta, Georgia, USA
9. The Layover Club – Hospitality Venture (Exterior) – Atlanta, Georgia, USA