Katie Dufort is the owner of Puzzle Rides, a mobile escape room-style scavenger hunt on golf carts that take guests through Old Town Scottsdale and Downtown Prescott. “We specialize in multi-generational, family fun on our regular Puzzle Rides, ‘Think to Drink’ fun on our Puzzling Pub Crawls and our Puzzle Relays offer the most unique team-building challenges in town.” Learn about Katie Dufort…
Hometown: Adrian, Michigan
First job: I had a paper route for The Daily Telegram.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in AZ: I’m always heading to Prescott where I lived for eight years. I love hiking, biking, antiquing and thrifting, but I especially enjoy picnicking on Courthouse Square.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Bringing my elderly father home to live with us after my mother’s unexpected death. At first, he was pretty self-sufficient, but after a hospital stay this winter he was completely bed-bound. I honestly didn’t think I could care for him and run the business, but with the help of my daughter and Hospice of the Valley, we were able to keep him at home up until his final week. In caring for him, I learned more in a year than I had in a decade. I strongly believe we should normalize caring for our parents in their later years whenever possible.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: We were set to open Puzzle Rides on March 13, 2020, and everything closed March 12 due to the pandemic! We had to move our opening to Prescott and ended up bootstrapping everything. Two years later, we are thriving and growing substantially!
Someone who inspires you and why: My late grandmother, Nana, has recently been a huge inspiration. When my mother passed away last year, she had a photo of her mother (my Nana) that I put up in my office. My aunt told me she used to create scavenger hunts for her children in 1940’s Boston, although desperately poor. I often look at her photo and wonder what she would have done as I create new entertainment offerings!
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Entrepreneurship is the amazing journey of first, working for others, second, learning great customer service and, third, finding your niche. I am my toughest boss!
Favorite quote: “Never, never, never give up.” —Winston Churchill
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I’m not very good at most puzzles!
What makes someone fabulous: When they are truly grateful and treat those around them with grace.