The Profitable Play Podcast

If you own or manage an indoor play center, play cafe, indoor playground, family entertainment center, mobile soft play rental business or really any business that serves local children and families, and you want to operate with more EASE and JOY, all while making the living you dreamed of– I created the profitable play podcast just for you. Join me, your host, Michele Caruana, for small but mighty tips every single weekday that will all add up to a BIG impact on your mindset, your business, and your bottom line. Stick with me to keep the PASSION and GROW the profit in YOUR play-based business

Last refreshed: July 11th, 2025 at 12:32 PM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

069: Pricing Your Membership Offer + Integrating It With Your Other Offers

Doors are OPEN! Enroll In Stu's TME With My Bonus Experience: https://www.michelecaruana.com/tme Join My Free Pop-Up Facebook group: https://bit.ly/popupmembershipgroup This is Episode 7 of my mini-series all about membership businesses-- the business model Forbes ranked as #2 for 2022! Membership Business Guide: https://www.michelecaruana.com/memberships Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruan...

Apr 20, 2022•27 min

068: Why Most Indoor Playgrounds Don't Sell, OR Sell For A Loss (HINT: It's Likely NOT What You Think)

Doors are OPEN! Enroll In Stu's TME With My Bonus Experience: https://www.michelecaruana.com/tme Join My Free Pop-Up Facebook group: https://bit.ly/popupmembershipgroup This is Episode 6 of my mini-series all about membership businesses-- the business model Forbes ranked as #2 for 2022! Membership Business Guide: https://www.michelecaruana.com/memberships Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruan...

Apr 18, 2022•15 min

067: How "Play" Coach Juliana Took Her Skills Online, Increased Her Impact, Retired Her Spouse, and Designed Her DREAM Business

Doors are OPEN! Enroll In Stu's TME With My Bonus Experience: https://www.michelecaruana.com/tme Juliana's FULL Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycLESk3QJ_A&t=16s Other Membership Owner Stories: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3DI88XEt6SNPlHJqrfsXQ8twR05AVt0u Join My Free Pop-Up Facebook group: https://bit.ly/popupmembershipgroup This is Episode 3 of my mini-series all about membership businesses-- the business model Forbes ranked as #2 for 2022! Membership Business Guide: http...

Apr 15, 2022•21 min

066: How To Identify Your Ideal Member so You Can Create An Irresistible Membership Offer

Doors are OPEN! Enroll In Stu's TME With My Bonus Experience: https://www.michelecaruana.com/tme Join My Free Pop-Up Facebook group: https://bit.ly/popupmembershipgroup This is Episode 4 of my mini-series all about membership businesses-- the business model Forbes ranked as #2 for 2022! Membership Business Guide: https://www.michelecaruana.com/memberships Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruan...

Apr 14, 2022•13 min

065: Why & How To Add ONLINE Components To Your Play Based Membership Offer

Doors are OPEN! Enroll In Stu's TME With My Bonus Experience: https://www.michelecaruana.com/tme Join My Free Pop-Up Facebook group: https://bit.ly/popupmembershipgroup This is Episode 3 of my mini-series all about membership businesses-- the business model Forbes ranked as #2 for 2022! Membership Business Guide: https://www.michelecaruana.com/memberships Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruan...

Apr 13, 2022•36 min

064: 7 Reasons Memberships Should Be A TOP Priority For A Profitable Indoor Play Space

Join My Free Pop-Up Facebook group: https://bit.ly/popupmembershipgroup This is Episode 2 of my mini-series all about membership businesses-- the business model Forbes ranked as #2 for 2022! Membership Business Guide: https://www.michelecaruana.com/memberships Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruana.com/mini-course-library-play-cafe-academy Michele’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmic...

Apr 12, 2022•30 min

063: 7 Different Types of Memberships You Can Offer (Online OR In-Person!)

Doors are OPEN! Enroll In Stu's TME With My Bonus Experience: https://www.michelecaruana.com/tme Join My Free Pop-Up Facebook group: https://bit.ly/popupmembershipgroup This is Episode 1 of my mini-series all about membership businesses-- the business model Forbes ranked as #2 for 2022! Membership Business Guide: https://www.michelecaruana.com/memberships Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruan...

Apr 11, 2022•26 min

062: Are You Sharing Your Story With your Customers?

Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruana.com/mini-course-library-play-cafe-academy Michele’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecaruana.com Follow on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PlayCafeAcademy Play Cafe Academy: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Suppor...

Apr 08, 2022•16 min

061: Three Notifications To Turn OFF To Protect Your Energy

What's Working 2021-22 Guide: www.michelecaruana.com/whatsworking Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecaruana.com Follow on YouTube: youtube.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF ...

Apr 07, 2022•11 min

060: How To Train Your Cafe Staff Effectively + Efficiently (2/2)

Apr 06, 2022•14 min

059: How To Train Your Cafe Staff Effectively + Efficiently (1/2)

Apr 05, 2022•12 min

058: 2 Ways To Increase Cafe Sales And Decrease Staff Overwhelm (Simultaneously!)

EPISODE LINKS: What's Working 2022 Guide: https://www.michelecaruana.com/whatsworking Indoor Playground Business Programs: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecaruana.com Follow on YouTube: youtube.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com Simplify an...

Apr 04, 2022•15 min

057: Cafe Tips From 5 Current Indoor Playground Owners

EPISODE LINKS: What's Working 2022 Guide: https://www.michelecaruana.com/whatsworking Indoor Playground Business Programs: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecaruana.com Follow on YouTube: youtube.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy BUSINESSES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: My Play Cafe: https://www.myplaycafe.com/ Backyard Play Cafe: https://www.backyardplaycafe...

Apr 01, 2022•12 min

056: 3 Cafe Tips From a 10-Year Starbucks Manager Turned Indoor Playground Owner!

What's Working 2022 Guide: www.michelecaruana.com/whatsworking Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8LB_6UTsig&t=277s Indoor Playground Business Programs: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecaruana.com Follow on YouTube: youtube.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions a...

Mar 31, 2022•14 min

055: Why Your Indoor Playground Business Needs A Cafe (2/2)

YouTube Tour of Our Cafe Equipment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03ILVn_JQFo&t=233s What's Working 2021-22 Guide: www.michelecaruana.com/whatsworking Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecaruana.com Follow on YouTube: youtube.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly...

Mar 30, 2022•26 min

054: Why Your Indoor Playground Business Needs A Cafe (1/2)

What's Working 2021-22 Guide: www.michelecaruana.com/whatsworking YouTube Tour of Our Cafe Equipment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03ILVn_JQFo&t=233s Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecaruana.com Follow on YouTube: youtube.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly...

Mar 29, 2022•19 min

053: The Email Tip You MUST USE To Lead From A Place Of Compassion (And Keep Your Email List "Healthy"!)

FREE MEMBERSHIP GUIDE: https://www.michelecaruana.com/membershipguide YOUTUBE TUTORIAL FOR THIE EPISODE: https://youtu.be/5DkbLlu6EgM EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE: 001: Make Money While Growing Your Email List: https://apple.co/3IdRLtC 034: Increase Your Revenue From Email By 89%: https://apple.co/33j1vnP PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruana.com/mini-course-library-play-ca...

Mar 28, 2022•10 min

052: Where To Find Inspiration For Your Next BIG Business Idea (Even When You Feel Stuck Or Burnt-Out)

FREE MEMBERSHIP GUIDE: https://www.michelecaruana.com/membershipguide EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE: 005: The "Love Note" Strategy: https://apple.co/3Kkr8oM 034: Why Your Business NEEDS A Manager: https://apple.co/3tBnl01 032: Dealing With Nasty Comments: https://apple.co/3Ld3n1s PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruana.com/mini-course-library-play-cafe-academy Michele’s Instag...

Mar 25, 2022•14 min

051: Are You Making This Major Mistake With Your Team Members?

FREE MEMBERSHIP GUIDE: https://www.michelecaruana.com/membershipguide EPISODES LIKE THIS ONE: 035: Affording + Hiring A Manager: https://apple.co/37XY3Rs 034: Why Your Business NEEDS A Manager: https://apple.co/3tBnl01 036: Hiring and Retaining Gen-Z Employees: https://apple.co/3wA3ZKK PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruana.com/mini-course-library-play-cafe-academy Mic...

Mar 24, 2022•22 min

050: 6 Boundaries You Should Be Setting As A Business Owner

Firing a Customer (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPtJtRaHyEE Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruana.com/mini-course-library-play-cafe-academy Michele’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecaruana.com Follow on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PlayCafeAcademy Play Cafe Academy: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Acad...

Mar 23, 2022•18 min

049: Should You Consider Adding a Service Fee / Automatic Tip To Your Parties?

Mar 22, 2022•13 min

048: A Reminder To SEGMENT Your Marketing Messages

Mar 21, 2022•19 min

047: Getting Ready For Your Busy Indoor Play SEASON

Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Here in Western New York, our “busy” indoor playground season typically starts in November and stretches through May. So even though play spaces HERE are winding down from our busy open play season, I know play spaces down south and even across the world are getting ready for their weather to HEAT up, sending droves of families indoors. In this episode I am going to piggy back a bit off of yesterdays episode where I...

Mar 18, 2022•18 min

046: 5 Tips For Handling Extra Busy School Break Weeks

Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy If you are a parent whose child is preschool-age or above, you understand how “break weeks” can be. Routines go out-the-window, and it’s easy to get stir-crazy, especially if you live in an area that stays cold well-through spring break like it does here in Western New York! It can be very tempting to plan a fun outing for every day of the week, yet here’s the thing; Everyone else is also planning to do the same. Th...

Mar 17, 2022•15 min

045: Go To Therapy, My Fellow Burnt-Out Business Owner

Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy 4 ways going to therapy more consistently has made me a better business leader, spouse, parent, friend... everything! Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.michelecaruana.com/mini-course-library-play-cafe-academy Michele’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecaruana.com Follow on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PlayCafeAcademy Play Cafe Academy: www.mich...

Mar 16, 2022•10 min

044: Are You Upselling Enough In Your Play Based Business?

Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy In episode 41 and 26 I touch on upselling-- but this topic REALLY deserves its own episode. Why? Upselling is a way you can increase the amount of revenue you get from EVERY purchase made online on your website- and also increase the level of CONVENIENCE you are offering your customers which leads to more overall satisfaction-- and more business! Get some ideas for upselling in this episode! Indoor Playground Busine...

Mar 15, 2022•9 min

043: Boost Your Profit + Customer Experience By Better Accommodating Food Allergies (Even Severe Ones!) With Expert Corinna Meckelborg

Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy How to make your indoor playground food-allergy safe so you can be more inclusive AND grow sales! Join me for this clip of my interview with food-allergy safety expert Corinna Meckelborg as we discuss not only WHY we should care about safely accommodating food allergies from an inclusivity standpoint (which we likely already know)-- she also breaks down the business ramifications of taking this stance! Especially if...

Mar 14, 2022•16 min

042: Just Do Something Nice Today (An Example That Made Me Cry)

Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker Society: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Sharing my recent experience with the "law of attraction" and how one person taking a few moments out of their day completely shifted the trajectory of my week when I was goin' through it. This episode is a little twist on the "Love Note" strategy I shared in episode 5. Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecarua...

Mar 11, 2022•10 min

041: The "Birthday Child Experience" Strategy To Up Your Open-Play Sales + Deliver A Truly Special and Memorable Experience

What's Working 2021-22 Guide: www.michelecaruana.com/whatsworking Learn our secret strategy for turning a child's special day (their ACTUAL birthday, so not necessarily their party day) into a memorable experience for them, PLUS a profitable venture for us! Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecaruana.com Follow on YouTube: youtube.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy: www.michelecaruana.co...

Mar 10, 2022•20 min

040: How To Execute Events For Maximum Profit + The Best Customer Experience

What's Working 2021-22 Guide: www.michelecaruana.com/whatsworking Executing events at your space can be a tricky business. Here are my best tips to help your customers get the absolute MOST out of every single event they attend, and keep booking more events in the future! Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: www.michelecaruana.com Follow on YouTube: youtube.com/playcafeacademy Play Cafe Academy: www.mi...

Mar 09, 2022•22 min

← Prev Next →

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android