Community Highlights: Meet Anna Stovall of Escapology Glendale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Stovall.

Hi Anna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Cody (my brother), Leah (his wife), and I officially began our Escapology journey in 2019, but in many ways, it grew out of how we were raised. We grew up in a family that has always loved games, puzzles, and creating ways for people to come together. That spirit of play and problem-solving naturally evolved into a vision of running a business where we could bring those same experiences to our community.

Opening our first Escapology location in 2019 was both a leap of faith and a labor of love. We quickly discovered how much people valued immersive, shared experiences, and that first venue soon became a staple in the community. Encouraged by that success, we opened Escapology SanTan in Gilbert, AZ in 2021, Escapology Tempe in 2023, and most recently Escapology Glendale in October of this year.

From the start, we divided responsibilities in a way that plays to our strengths. Cody oversees operations, staff, game builds, and venue maintenance, while I focus on finances, marketing, and expansion. That balance has allowed us to scale strategically while keeping our hands on the details that matter most.

At its core, Escapology has been the perfect blend of our personal background and professional drive — a way to create spaces where people can disconnect from daily routines, connect with each other, and make lasting memories.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most entrepreneurial journeys, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Anytime you’re building a business from the ground up, you face unexpected challenges. For us, some of those early struggles were learning the ins and outs of a brand-new industry, navigating financing and build-outs, and of course, managing the people side of things — building strong teams and creating the right culture.

The key for us has been staying adaptable, keeping perspective, and remembering that our relationship as siblings always comes first. We’ve learned to look at challenges as opportunities to refine how we do business and get stronger. Every hurdle we faced — whether it was delays in construction, staffing adjustments, or figuring out marketing in a new market — ultimately taught us skills that made our operations more resilient.

So no, it hasn’t always been easy, but we wouldn’t trade those lessons. They’re the reason we’ve been able to grow successfully and create venues that are both profitable and really meaningful in the communities we serve.

As you know, we’re big fans of Escapology Glendale. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Escapology is a premier escape room entertainment venue where friends, families, and coworkers come together to solve puzzles, crack codes, and race the clock. We specialize in high-quality, immersive games that are professionally designed — from the set design to the storylines, every detail is crafted to create a fully engaging experience.

What really sets us apart is the guest experience. Unlike many escape rooms, we never combine groups — you’ll only ever play with the people you came with. That makes it more comfortable, more personal, and ultimately more fun. We’re also proud to be the only national escape room brand offering a dedicated ‘kids mode,’ which allows children ages 7–12 to play independently without adults. It gives them a sense of accomplishment and ownership, and parents love that their kids get a safe, immersive experience designed just for them.

Beyond the games, we’ve built our brand around connection. Our venues are gathering spaces for everything from birthdays to corporate team-building events, and our focus is on making sure every guest feels welcomed, valued, and excited to come back.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud that we’ve created venues that are both staples in their communities and part of a trusted national brand. Guests know they can expect professionalism, attention to detail, and lasting memories every single visit. At the heart of it all, Escapology is about bringing people together — through challenge, laughter, and shared experience.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What we love most about Glendale is the sense of community. It’s a city that’s growing and modernizing, but it still has that welcoming, connected feel. We’ve been excited to see how supportive local families, schools, and businesses are of one another — it really makes it a special place to build something that’s all about bringing people together.

As for what we like least, I wouldn’t call it a dislike so much as an opportunity. With all the growth and development happening, sometimes traffic or construction can be a challenge. But honestly, we see that as a sign of a thriving city — it shows that Glendale is on the rise, and we’re proud to be part of that momentum.

Pricing:

• Individual pricing – $35-40
• Birthday Parties – call for quote
• Venue Buyouts – call for quote

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.escapology.com/en/glendale-az
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapologyglendale/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/escapologyglendale/