Tim Carstensen, Founder of Foam Party All Stars, shares how a summer side hustle turned into a thriving entertainment business that brings joy to kids (and relief to parents) across the Chicago suburbs. A full-time elementary PE teacher by day, Tim started the business with one foam cannon, a DIY website, and a few postcards—and quickly grew it into a multi-location operation serving hundreds of daycares, schools, and families each year.
We explore:
✅ How Tim’s entrepreneurial streak—and a knack for working with kids—helped him build a fast-growing brand from scratch
✅ The marketing tactics that fueled early growth, including old-school postcards and parent referrals
✅ How he balances teaching full-time, running a seasonal business, and raising three kids
✅ The challenges of scaling—hiring the right people, automating marketing, and keeping up with demand
✅ What it means to build a brand that parents trust and kids absolutely love
Tim shares candid lessons on starting small, thinking creatively, and staying intentional about growth—even when your “side hustle” takes off faster than expected.
👉 Learn more about Foam Party All Stars: https://foampartyallstars.com
👉 Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-carstensen-b6a914a/
Connect with me (Dan Ritzke):
I’m a Fractional CMO who helps FamTech companies position their brand, sharpen their messaging, create marketing strategies that drive growth, and oversee execution to make sure those plans turn into results.
👉 Visit my website: https://danritzke.com/
👉 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ritzke/
Apply to be on the podcast or nominate a founder:
👉 Founders in Full: https://danritzke.com/podcast/
