Darren Janesky is the founder and owner of Big Round Wheel Amusements, based in Blacksburg, South Carolina. Known for his relentless focus on ride safety, community involvement, and ethical business practices, Darren has built a respected amusement company that serves both high-profile clients and underserved communities. A Town Council member since 2011 and a longtime advocate for children through service roles with Habitat for Humanity, Cherokee County Hospice, and the South Carolina Guardian ad Litem program, Darren balances professionalism with deep-rooted civic values. He is also passionate about international business expansion, particularly in the Middle East, and regularly documents safety procedures and ride assembly insights through educational video content.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Most days start early. I like quiet mornings—coffee, then checking ride schedules, safety checklists, and emails from clients or team members. We’re either prepping for an event, in the middle of one, or wrapping up. My productivity comes from being hands-on and having a process. Every ride is checked twice. Every decision is cross-checked. I stay close to the work so I never lose track of what really matters—safety, service, and people.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by testing them. I don’t jump in fast. I build models, do mock-ups, or run a limited version of the idea at a small event. If it works safely and adds value—either to the guests or the client—I scale it. I also talk to my team. A lot of good ideas come from the people building the rides or interacting with the public.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Using entertainment as part of brand engagement. Marketing through experiences isn’t new, but companies are getting smarter about it. Amusement rides in the middle of a product launch or brand activation? That’s exciting. It’s interactive, it draws attention, and it creates memories that last longer than any billboard.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Writing things down. I don’t rely on memory. Whether it’s a part we need, a conversation with a town official, or a note from a client—I write it down, review it later, and follow up. Simple habit, but it saves hours of confusion.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t try to fix everything in one day. And don’t expect people to care about the details as much as you do. Focus on doing the job right, and build slow and steady. Quality compounds over time.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think carnival rides can be tools for education. Not just engineering or mechanics, but ethics and discipline. We’ve used them to teach responsibility, focus, and attention to detail. Most people just see the fun, but I see the structure underneath it.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Take time to recheck your work—especially if you’re sure you did it right the first time. That second check is where the mistakes usually show up. It’s where you prove that you care.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I walk the lot. I get away from the office and go see the equipment, the team, the setup. Seeing the work in progress brings me back to center. It reminds me why I’m doing this.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Stay small where it matters, and scale only when the structure is in place. We never rushed to become the biggest. We focused on becoming the most trusted. That trust is what led us to the bigger clients and more complex jobs.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Years ago, I trusted an equipment supplier without checking their records. The parts we bought weren’t up to code. It delayed an event and cost us money and reputation. After that, I built my own system for verifying everything. Lesson learned: if it carries your name, it needs your inspection.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A traveling pop-up workshop that teaches young people about amusement ride engineering and safety. Set it up in schools or community centers. Give kids hands-on lessons on mechanics, teamwork, and problem-solving. It would blend STEM and storytelling in a memorable way.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use OneNote to keep everything organized—event schedules, safety records, notes from council meetings, and client follow-ups. It syncs across devices and helps me stay on track without needing 10 different apps.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink. The idea that leaders are responsible for everything in their world really hit home for me. If something’s wrong, it’s on me to fix it, not blame someone else.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed Ford v Ferrari. It’s a story about people who care deeply about their craft and push through massive obstacles to build something great. That tension between innovation and tradition, speed and control—it really speaks to the kind of pressure we deal with in the amusement industry. You’re balancing engineering, deadlines, and safety, all while trying to create something memorable. I related to teamwork, the risks, and that drive to get it exactly right, even when others don’t see the value in the details.
Key learnings
- Safety is not a feature—it’s the foundation. Darren’s insistence on double-checking everything is what makes his company trustworthy in a high-risk industry.
- Growth should follow trust, not lead it. Darren built his business slowly and with intention, favoring long-term reliability over quick wins.
- Service starts at home. From local council to free carnivals for foster children, Darren’s success is rooted in his connection to the community around him.