Craft Axe Throwing Springfield | From Driver to Franchise Owner | Living in the Ozarks

John Lepant went from delivering pizzas to owning the first franchise location of Craft Axe Throwing — and he's built something far bigger than a place to throw sharp things. Based in downtown Springfield, Missouri, John runs a one-of-a-kind entertainment venue where team building, date nights, and genuine human connection all happen under one roof. In this conversation, he shares the full journey: the pivot from escape rooms to axe houses, the sleepless nights of early ownership, and what it really means to run a business that puts people first. We talk about franchise ownership, pricing strategy, Google advertising, the evolution of downtown Springfield, AI in small business marketing, what cottonwood has to do with customer experience, and a new venture called RC Dirt Box that John is building out inside the venue. This episode is packed with insight from someone who learned business from the ground up — one lane, one guest, one decision at a time. If you're in Springfield or passing through Southwest Missouri, Craft Axe Throwing belongs on your list. This episode is part of the Ozarks Experience series — long-form conversations focused on the people behind the work shaping the Ozarks.