Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Johnson.
Hi Brandon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It was the beginning of August 2020, and COVID-19 was everywhere you turned. In the middle of that uncertain time, a Navy brother of mine gave me a call and asked me to check out a video he had sent. The video showed a guy firing these small, water-based beads and explaining how the equipment worked. I was intrigued, so I showed it to my wife. She was just as amazed and agreed—it sounded like something we needed to pursue.
The very next day, I reached out to the man in the video and shared my vision. He was more than willing to walk me through the process. The only challenge? I didn’t have the funds to get started. That’s when I called my mom. After sending her the video, she immediately loved the idea and believed in us enough to invest in our dream.
Choosing a name was the easy part. We wanted it to represent one of the most beautiful places in California—so “Gel Tag San Diego” was born. From there, we became the first and original GellyBall business in the state of California. Once the business was on its feet, we paid my mom back and even helped her launch her own GellyBall venture before she fell ill.
Fast forward five years, and by the grace of God, we’re still going strong. Today, Gel Tag San Diego proudly operates both as a mobile service and with an outdoor location in El Cajon. We host everything from birthday parties and corporate events to private and leisure gatherings.
People often ask how well a business like this works. The truth is—it’s not as easy as it looks. But we love what we do. For us, it’s about more than just games. It’s about teaching kids safety, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones, and most importantly, helping them have fun. That’s what keeps us going.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My toughest obstacle was losing my mom last year. I almost gave up on the business, but I knew I had to keep it open for her.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Gel Tag San Diego is proud to be the first and original GellyBall business in California. We specialize in providing safe, exciting, and family-friendly entertainment through our unique Gel Tag experience. Unlike paintball or airsoft, our games use water-based gel beads that don’t stain, don’t create a mess, and are far less painful—making it a perfect activity for kids, families, and corporate groups. Our mission is simple: to bring people together through fun, laughter, and memorable experiences.
What sets us apart is not just being the pioneer of GellyBall in California, but the way we’ve built our business around safety, inclusivity, and community. We are a veteran- and family-owned business, and we pride ourselves on providing structured, well-organized events that are both safe and enjoyable. Every event includes safety briefings, referees, and hands-on guidance to ensure everyone feels comfortable—whether they’re kids trying something new or adults just looking to have fun.
We’re most proud of the reputation we’ve built as a trusted, family-first brand. Over the past five years, we’ve brought smiles to countless families, children, and organizations across San Diego. Our brand is known not just for fun and excitement, but also for professionalism, safety, and genuine care for our community. We’re also proud of how far we’ve come—starting from an idea during the height of the pandemic, to now operating both a mobile service and an outdoor location in El Cajon.
We want readers to know that Gel Tag San Diego is more than just a game—it’s an experience. We offer packages for birthday parties, school events, corporate team-building, church groups, and private gatherings. We can bring the fun to your location with our fully mobile setup, or host your event at our dedicated outdoor arena. Most importantly, we want people to know that Gel Tag San Diego is about creating safe, joyful, and unforgettable memories for all ages.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are many ways to connect and collaborate with us! First and foremost, booking an event with Gel Tag San Diego—whether it’s a birthday party, school celebration, church function, or corporate team-building event—is the best way to experience what we do and support our mission of bringing safe, exciting fun to the community.
We also welcome collaborations with schools, nonprofits, youth programs, and local organizations who want to create engaging, positive activities for their members. Businesses looking for a fresh and fun team-building experience can also partner with us to host memorable corporate events.
For those who simply want to support, word of mouth is powerful—sharing your experience, leaving a review, or recommending us to friends and family goes a long way. We’re also open to sponsorships and community partnerships that help us expand our reach and continue making an impact in San Diego. At the end of the day, any support—big or small—helps us continue to spread joy, laughter, and safe fun across the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://geltagsandiego.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geltagsd?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geltagsd?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@geltagsandiego8367?si=rJqIDlJgjJt6H7mN
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/v5249v6ZBZ
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VH95Mh1EFGSBbhq89?g_st=ipc
