Things I've Learned, with Alissa Guthrie

Alissa Guthrie is an entrepreneur and early childhood educator. She is the owner and director of Mudpies and Lullabies Preschool, the owner of Mountain Air Trampoline Park and Bouncing Off the Wall inflatable rentals with her partner, Eliot Collins. As a mother of five, she brings the same commitment to her family as she does to her businesses, believing that strong relationships and lifelong learning are the foundation of lasting success.

Alissa Guthrie and her youngest child, Evan. Credit: Photo by Kaley Broberg Photography

Who are your role models?

I’ve been fortunate to have several role models throughout my entrepreneurial journey, starting with my parents. They were both business owners, but they brought very different strengths to the table. My dad was incredibly smart and business-savvy, while my mom excelled at building relationships.

What drew you to the children’s entertainment industry?

It really started by noticing what was missing in Bend around 2005–2007. When my family moved here from Portland, I was surprised by the lack of places that combined purposeful play with a party experience.

The tipping point came during my second son’s birthday party at a local pizza place. We were sharing the party room with another family, and a child wandered over, stuck his fingers in my son’s birthday cake, and started opening his presents. I remember thinking, “There has to be a better way.” That evening, I began writing the business plan that would become Bouncing Off the Wall.

What lessons from parenting have helped you in your career?

In many ways, the lessons I’ve learned as a mom have become the foundation of my approach to business. A few that guide me every day are:

You can’t control people—you can only influence them.
Clear expectations prevent most conflicts.
You can’t please everyone.

What have you learned from your kids?

I truly feel like the luckiest mom in the world. My five kids each know who they are and have chosen their own paths.

My oldest son, Jacob, turned his passions for professional mountain biking and woodworking into his career. He’s taught me that sometimes you have to leap first and trust that the net will appear.

My second son, Matthew, is heading into his senior year of college and is preparing to apply to medical school. Despite the demands of an incredibly rigorous academic path, he still makes time for recreation. He’s reminded me not to wait to enjoy life.

My third son, Andrew, is entering his senior year of high school. He’s shown me that surrounding yourself with great people can take you much farther than trying to do everything alone.

My daughter, Ashlynn, is nine years old and completely, unapologetically herself. Her confidence and joy light up the room.

And my youngest, Evan, who is six, reminds me to slow down. He notices the beauty in a flower and never passes up a good snuggle.

How is this generation of children different from yours?

I think today’s kids are growing up believing the sky truly is the limit. They’ve been encouraged to dream big, express their emotions and advocate for themselves. Those are all incredibly positive changes.

At the same time, I see a challenge. Many children these days have grown up with every need carefully anticipated and every obstacle quickly removed. As a result, experiences like boredom, hard work and healthy boundaries sometimes get overlooked.

The goal is finding the balance: empowering kids to pursue their dreams while also helping them understand that success is built through perseverance, sacrifice and grit.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

I’d love to see myself through my children’s eyes. They often see strengths, possibilities and goodness that I overlook in myself. I imagine it would be a powerful reminder to extend the same grace to myself that they do so naturally.

This article appears in Bend Nest Fall 2026.