NEW YORK CITY — A company that specializes in selling the unexpected is offering up a shot at some bargain-priced whimsy.
SoHo-based Surprise Industries, which dreams up quirky and adventurous experiences for clients — some involving spy-training, helicopter–flying classes and fire-eaters — is now hoping to add a bit of excitement to people's lives that'll only cost about a dollar.
The company's new "The Experiment" program lets anyone interested sign up on their website for a chance at surprise. What exactly you'll get is, well, a surprise — but organizers say it can be anything from a letter in the mail, a personalized scavenger hunt or some more elaborate group escapade that pushes the boundaries of your comfort zone.
It's free for the first hundred people, then will cost $1 for the next hundred, and the cost will continue to increase by a dollar for every additional one hundred participants. Since launching last week, the Experiment has about 75 who've signed up.
One catch: you're signing up for the chance at a little shock and awe — you may not ever get anything. But, organizers say, just signing up creates a little extra intrigue in your daily life.
"The idea is just to add a little light sprinkling of anticipation into people's lives," said Robyn Long, one of the company "surprisologists." or experience designers. "Nothing might happen, or in a couple of days, or years, you'll get a surprise package leading you to an adventure."
Participants need to fill out a questionnaire that'll take about 15 minutes, and will ask some detailed multiple-choice questions, like, what "fears would like to face" and "how broad would you like your comfort zone to be."
Last year, Surprise Industries created a "Suprise House" on Governors Island — like a haunted house, but filled with unexpected happenings that aren't scary. Long said they plan to bring back their Surprise House this summer to the Island.
"We're all about adding joy to people's lives," said Long. "And adding some unexpected fun into your life is what we're really all about."
