Meet Lena Magenheimer!  Lena’s company, Jump City, provides a wide range of inflatables that create the life of the party. She has classic bounce houses for jumping, ones with fun water features, and more!

Jump City is DFW’s largest and best rated bounce house rental service. They offer a full day bounce house rental, stress-free service, and guaranteed fun for all ages. You can contact them for your party at (972) 899-0135 or email them at moreinfo@jumphouses.com.

Lena has a long history with Flower Mound.  As a woman in business, her story of overcoming difficult challenges speaks to her strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.  We are so excited to shine a spotlight on our neighbor and friend, Lena.

Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?

A: My husband and I started the business in 1999 when he was diagnosed with malignant Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; they gave him 3 years to live.  We knew we had to do something fast to ensure the family income because we had 4 children. We started our business with just 5 basic jump houses and added to our inventory each year. Initially, it was just me and my 3 girls showing up in people’s yards with bounce houses.  Miraculously for our family, my husband lived 15 years instead of 3, so we were able to grow the business that would eventually sustain our family. 20 years later and I still love it! The best part is the happiness and joy I see in people’s faces when I arrive at their homes to set up for their event. Now everywhere I go, there’s a party!  The “fun” factor of the business is very rewarding.

Q: Do you have a hobby or interest that you enjoy?

A: Yes. When I’m not working I enjoy horseback riding. I started when I was 40 years old. I wasn’t even sure I liked horses at first, but I needed some type of  therapy when I lost my husband,  so I chose horseback riding. In the 5 years that I’ve been riding, I’ve actually learned a lot. I’ve ridden 5 different horses and competed in 3 events.  My latest competition was on my birthday, 3 years ago. I took 3- 4th places!

I also enjoy CrossFit in Flower Mound on 407. They are like family to me. It takes a lot of strength to do my job since I’m involved in the setting up and taking down of the inflatables, and they’re not lightweight!  Crossfit helps keep me in shape.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Flower Mound?

A: I was born in the Ukraine but I have lived in both Russia and Ukraine, therefore I speak 3 languages fluently: Ukrainian, Russian and English. I can also read and write in these languages. When I was 19, I came to visit  the United States and met my husband and from there, we fell in love.  That was the beginning of our story. We moved to Flower Mound in 2000.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Flower Mound, and what do you love there?

A: Yellow Rose at Parker Square. I’ve tried everything on their menu over the years but my favorite is a chicken salad; I also love their wine and their desserts. Yellow Rose feels like my second home because my friend Svetlana owns it.  She’s also from Russia like me! We speak in Russian, she feeds me, takes care of me, the atmosphere is warm and the conversation is comforting.  I love it there.  I highly recommend it!!

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Flower Mound?

A: Donald Driver (a former American football wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers). One day he needed a bounce house at a party for his kids.  He Googled and then hired us to take care of his party.  He personally helped me get the bounce house into a very difficult spot on his property and we became fast friends.  Later, we figured out we were actually neighbors! Donald is easy to talk to and always kind.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?

A: I would love to go back to Russia and visit St. Petersburg.  Even though I grew up in Russia and have  been to many places, I’ve never been to St. Petersburg. I would love to see the Summer Palace and the Heritage Museum. There is so much to do there because the Russian culture is very rich.

Q: What is your favorite vacation that you have ever taken?

A: France! My mom and I visited last year and stayed for a week in Paris.  We had a wonderful time.

Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?

A: My favorite movie is Doctor Zhivago.  The movie is based on the book written by Boris Pasternak. I also love Tolstoy’s War and Peace. However, the first movie I saw in the United States was Pulp Fiction. It came out the year I moved here. I was mesmerized by the speed, color and sound;  everything was new to me,  so I’ll never forget that movie.

Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?

A: Never give up on your dreams and just keep trying. I truly believe that because when we started our party business, we worked extremely hard to make it successful. I think if you start a business and work hard with passion, you will succeed.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

A: I’ve been skydiving twice already. I jumped from 10,500 feet.  My next goal is to jump from 17,500 feet!

Q: What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (past or present)?

A: I love country music and I like girly songs about love. Dixie Chicks were my favorite, I would listen to them while I was working. I like Rascal Flatts too. Imagine a Russian girl who likes country music!

Q: What is your favorite shop in Flower Mound?

A: My favorite store is Belk. I like clothes, shoes and cosmetics. When I work I have a really sporty look, so when I’m not working I enjoy getting dressed up!

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Flower Mound?

A:  It’s the Mound. I’ve heard a church was built there several times and each time tornadoes took it down, so that’s really fascinating to me.

Q: Are you involved in anything in Flower Mound that you enjoy?

A: CrossFit, I try to do as many competitions as I can.  I have made a lot of friends there, and many of them are local business owners.  I’m also part of a Business Book Club.

Q: What is your favorite quote or saying?

A: “The best never rest.”

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

A:I want to keep running my business.  I want to  stay active, which is  why I work out.  I want to be the one in the truck when I deliver to my customers, because when I’m working,  I am 100% involved. I know when the units need repair, when they need cleaning and  if I need to replace them, etc.   I like to talk with the customers and ask them what else they think we should add next year. Clients often give me great ideas about what I can implement in the future.  They appreciate that I want their opinion and I’m happy to provide new items for their next party.  We just got a more “girly” house added to our inventory- it’s purple!

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

A: Since I grew up in Russia, my mom and my Grandma taught me how to knit and sew, so I actually have made a lot of awesome sweaters. When I fell in love with my husband, I made him a really nice sweater.   I pull it out and wear it when I miss him.  He passed away 6 years ago.

Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

A:Flower Mound, Wellington and my kids.

Q: What do you think is the word that your favorite people would use to describe you?

A: I hope they would say I am kind, passionate and giving.

Q: If you could have a super power, what would it be?

A: Flying!

Q: If you had a full time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?

A: Physical Fitness Trainer for sure because I want to be the best I can be. We’re all getting older. Staying strong and active is very important to me.

Q: What is your favorite book that you’ve read during the past year?

A: Right now I’m still reading  Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. When I was in my teens, I read it in Russian.  Now I’m reading it in English, and I’m impressed how easy it is to read.