Two Maryville residents take on ownership of their second business with plans to acquire more in the future.

Snowie owners Adam and Ashley Marriott recently bought K&M Amusements, adding to the list of businesses operated by the couple. The inflatable-focused organization, renamed A&M Amusements, is picking up right where the business left off under its previous ownership.

Adam said he and his wife had hoped to get involved in the amusement business since they started Snowie back in July.

“Snowie started as an idea and it took almost two years to get the financing we needed, so we have been thinking about this for a long time,” he said. “We finally got Snowie up and running and knew Kermit would eventually sell (K&M Amusements). We always thought that would be two companies that would work well together. We owned Snowie for two months when we saw it was up for sale. We had to get creative with financing but we got it bought.”

Having taken the helm of A&M Amusements in early September just after opening Snowie, the Marriotts found themselves going from no business to owning and operating two independent companies in a short amount of time. Adam said learning how to balance a home life and manage an exponentially growing work life has proven to be hectic, but doable.

“Well, I didn’t use to have all of this gray hair,” he said. “It’s been crazy. Between Ashley and I, we have four boys so we’re trying to raise a big family and two companies alongside my full-time job. It’s been quite a learning curve and sometimes we can really feel lost. We lean heavily on the Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Enterprise Facilitation for guidance and advice.”

A&M Amusements is currently operating with less rentable units than in the past, but Adam said it is already seeing an increase in business compared to October numbers from last year. The couple is looking to add more slides, tables, a human whack-a-mole game and more to the collection of rentable items. Expansion is a key focus on the mind of the couple moving forward with both companies.

“Our goal is to keep growing Snowie and have multiple mobile units so we can do snow cone catering at fairs and craft shows,” he said. “With A&M Amusements, we want to expand our reach. We are definitely going to have to employ at least four or five people, and as we keep expanding, we will have to add more. We’d like to take part of the Kansas City market since our prices are a lot cheaper than options down there.”

Growth is not the only plan the Marriott family possesses for the two companies. He said the goal for the two companies is to work together to cover as many needs as possible for an event.

“We want the two companies to work together as sister companies, like we always had hoped,” he said. “Like if some school wanted to put on a fair that needs a bounce house, we could also see if they want snow cones or cotton candy stations. So we can do full-service things like that.”

The Marriotts hope to add more businesses to their list of ownership in the future, but Adam said they are not ready yet to disclose what their plans are for the future.

Those interested in renting items from the business can still go to the K&M website as the couple works with Northwest Missouri State University students on a new site for the company. Both Snowie and A&M have Facebook pages interested parties can contact the Marriotts through.

Adam said for anyone looking to start up a business to continue following your gut no matter the negativity sent your way.

“Don’t ever listen to the first 100 no’s,” he said. “You will hear nothing but no’s. But if the numbers work and you have the drive and you know the market, push through it. Find a creative way to start your business.”