User:Merle Mckenzie/sandbox

Merle Mckenzie is an American entrepreneur who has founded and created numerous businesses in his career. They include Bounce Party, 5 CrossFit gyms including CrossFit USA, CrossFit Relentless and CrossFit 033, Relentless Jeans ( now called Edison Atlas apparel), Montana Nights Axe Throwing, Odin's Keep Axe house, HK Fitness and The Truck Bar. He also created several national fitness competitions called The Beast of the East and The Festivus Games.

Early Life: Mckenzie was born in Boston, Mass and raised in East Hartford ,Connecticut along with a sister and 2 brothers. In his youth he worked as a paper delivery boy, equipment painter at Ironworks Gym, dish washer, tire changer skate guard and bouncer. A rowdy and rebellious nature in led to Mckenzie being thrown out of high school 3 times and receiving his GED from East Hartford High School. Weight lifting and boxing were early passions in Mckenzie's life that continue to this day.

Work life: A jack of all trades and master of none Merle has worked as a Coca Cola delivery driver, Price Club supervisor, Personal Fitness trainer and licensed Massage Therapist. " Each job though not interconnected led to a basic understanding of business and a desire to become self employed.

In the late 90's Mckenzie purchased and rented/sold several multi family homes. While working full time as a personal trainer he later created his first company called " Bounce party". He later sold Bounce Party to help open and focus on his first CrossFit gym, CrossFit USA. After 10 years of owning and running CrossFit gyms, competitions and an apparel company it was " time for a change" and he created his first axe throwing bar and later that year turned it into a franchise called " Montana Nights Axe Throwing". Then came Odin's Keep Axe house which he co founded with partners. His latest business is "The Truck Bar which will open in fall of 2020

Influences: George Bergren, owner of Ironworks gym in East Hartford, Joe Millet founder of Big sky Fitness and Jeff Polke of GCI Outdoors

Personal: Mckenzie is married to his loving wife Diana for the past 17 years and has 3 children. Together they : the center of his world".