Today we’d like to introduce you to Yang Yang.
Hi Yang, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Salt Lake City will always hold a special place in my heart. The 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah were my final Olympic Games, and after that season, I decided to retire.
After starting a family, I was living in San Diego and began thinking about creating a place where my kids could play, be active, and have fun. As I thought about where I wanted to bring that vision to life, my mind kept coming back to the place that meant so much to me — Salt Lake City.
Once the idea started taking shape, I knew I wanted to surround myself with the right people. I reached out to friends who had become family over the years, including former Olympians and coaches who shared my passion and vision.
And that’s how this journey began. What started as an idea inspired by my own children and my connection to Salt Lake City has grown into something much bigger than I initially imagined. Today, we’re bringing that vision to life together, creating a place where kids can be active, families can connect, and the next generation can make memories of their own.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but it also hasn’t been the most difficult journey imaginable. One of our biggest challenges was opening KidsTopia in the middle of COVID, when restrictions and mask mandates were at their peak. Starting a business during such an uncertain time brought plenty of obstacles, especially when it came to building customer confidence and getting families comfortable coming through our doors.
Like any growing business, we’ve also faced challenges with staffing, rising operating costs, and learning how to adapt as we’ve expanded. Growing from one location to three has come with its own set of growing pains, but it has also taught us a lot about leadership, perseverance, and the importance of building a strong team.
Through it all, the support of our community has made a tremendous difference. Seeing families enjoy our facilities, celebrate birthdays, and create memories together reminds us why we started this journey in the first place. It hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has helped us grow, improve, and become better at what we do. We’re proud of how far we’ve come and excited about what the future holds for KidsTopia.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I’m most proud of is watching my children grow, thrive, and discover who they are becoming. I think that’s every parent’s dream, and for me, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing my kids happy and growing into their own unique personalities.
Professionally, I’m incredibly proud of my journey as an athlete. Having the opportunity to compete in three Olympic Games and earn Olympic medals is something I will always cherish. Those experiences taught me the value of discipline, perseverance, and hard work. I believe the work ethic I developed throughout my athletic career has shaped the person I am today and continues to influence how I approach business and leadership.
Today, I’m proud to bring those same values into KidsTopia. We’ve built a team of people whose strengths complement one another, and I believe that surrounding yourself with the right people is essential to building a successful business.
At its core, KidsTopia is about family. We want to give children a safe, fun place to be active, develop their motor skills, socialize, and build friendships while giving parents a place where they can connect with other families and enjoy watching their children grow. Being able to combine my passion for family with the lessons I learned through sports and apply them to a business that positively impacts our community is something I’m truly proud of.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
One thing I’d like readers to know is that life doesn’t always take you down the path you originally envisioned, and sometimes the most rewarding opportunities come from unexpected places. After my athletic career ended, I never imagined exactly where life would take me, but becoming a mother helped inspire the idea behind KidsTopia. I wanted to create a place where children could play, be active, and build friendships while families could come together and make lasting memories.
Building a business comes with challenges, and we’ve certainly had our share, but I’ve learned that having a strong work ethic, surrounding yourself with good people, and staying committed to your vision can take you a long way.
I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, from competing on the Olympic stage to building something that serves families in our community. At the end of the day, success isn’t just about medals or business growth. It’s about the people you impact, the relationships you build, and the legacy you leave behind. I hope KidsTopia continues to make a positive difference for families for many years to come.
Pricing:
- Bluffdale & Roy Ages 0-2 is $8.99 Ages 3 and over is $12.99
- Spanish Fork Mon-Thur Ages 0-4 is $9.99 and Ages 5 and over is $15.99
- Spanish Fork Fri-Sunday Ages 0-4 is $12.99. Ages 5 and over is $18,99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kidstopia-us.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidstopia_utah?psln=MWc1azhlZ2hjbzNjOA%3D%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KidsTopiaUtah/?rdid=RfTUmi1B349EXbDV
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kidstopia-us
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/@kidstopia-us
