Idea Carnival - About Us
About Idea Carnival

Builder. Strategist.
Empire Architect.

20+ Years Building Experiences That Don't Just Sell — They Transform

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Amanda Contreras - Professional headshot Amanda Contreras - Professional photo

"Businesses don't fail because they lack ideas. They fail because they lack execution, strategy, and the courage to think bigger."

— Amanda Contreras
Meet the Founder

From Building Escapes to Building Empires

It started with a simple idea: creating experiences people couldn't forget. Twenty years ago, experiential business began—not knowing it would become a life's work.

The journey began in escape rooms, where puzzles weren't just designed—entire worlds were built. Multiple concepts founded and scaled, mastering the dance between creativity and commerce.

After founding, scaling, and selling six different ventures, a pattern emerged: business owners were brilliant at their craft but struggled to transform into destinations.

That's when Idea Carnival was born—not as a consulting firm, but as a strategic partner for ambitious owners ready to build something extraordinary.

The Track Record

Proven Results, Real Experience

20+
Years in Experiential Business
6
Businesses Founded & Scaled
100+
Events Designed & Executed
$10M+
Revenue Generated for Clients

Expertise & Certifications

  • Escape Room Design & Operations Expert
  • Event Marketing Strategy & Execution
  • Seasonal Attraction Development & Design
  • Business Strategy & Growth Consulting
  • Customer Experience Design & Optimization
  • Multi-Industry Entrepreneur & Advisor
The Journey

Two Decades of Building Experiences

2005

The Beginning

Entered the experiential business industry, discovering a passion for creating unforgettable moments that drive real business results.

2008-2015

Escape Room Empire

Founded and scaled multiple escape room concepts, mastering the art of immersive experience design and customer engagement.

2016-2019

Multi-Industry Expansion

Launched ventures across entertainment, hospitality, and retail. Founded, scaled, and successfully sold six different businesses.

2020

Idea Carnival Born

Founded Idea Carnival to help business owners transform their ventures into unforgettable destinations through strategic event marketing and seasonal attractions.

2021-2025

Building Empires

Generated over $10M in revenue for clients. Designed 100+ successful events and seasonal attractions. Helping businesses become local landmarks.

The Advantage

Why Business Owners Choose Amanda

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Operator, Not Consultant

Been in your shoes. Six businesses built, scaled, and sold. No theory—only what works, proven through real execution.

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Strategic + Creative

Most consultants give strategy. You get strategy plus execution. Beautiful ideas that actually drive revenue and customer loyalty.

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Multi-Industry Experience

Entertainment, hospitality, retail—insights from multiple industries create unique competitive advantages for your business.

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Results-Driven Approach

Every event, every attraction is designed with one goal: measurable business growth. We track ROI, customer acquisition, and revenue impact.

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Year-Round Partnership

Not a one-time hire. Long-term partnerships build seasonal rhythms that keep customers coming back all year.

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Proven Systems

20 years of experience distilled into repeatable frameworks. You get tested systems that eliminate guesswork and accelerate results.

The Philosophy

How Empires Are Built

Your Business Deserves to Be a Destination

Most businesses compete on price or convenience. That's a race to the bottom. You compete on experience—creating moments so memorable that customers can't wait to come back and bring their friends.

Events and seasonal attractions aren't just marketing tactics. They're the heartbeat of a thriving local business. They create anticipation, build community, and turn ordinary visits into cherished traditions.

The Strategic Framework

  • Know Your Audience: Deep customer research to understand what truly resonates
  • Create Anticipation: Build excitement weeks before your event even begins
  • Design for Shareability: Every detail engineered for social media and word-of-mouth
  • Measure Everything: Track ROI, customer acquisition costs, and lifetime value
  • Build Seasonal Rhythms: Create year-round engagement with strategic seasonal activations
  • Scale What Works: Refine successful events into repeatable profit engines
Client Success Stories

What Clients Say

★★★★★

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Jasinta Sanchez Girls Night In Home Parties
★★★★★

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Alex Aanderund AlexAanderund.com
★★★★★

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Susie Richardson Dillon's BBQ Western Trails Ranch
★★★★★

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Samantha Apolonar Aura Salon

Ready to Build Your Empire?

Let's turn your business into the destination people can't stop talking about.

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