It can be difficult to own a business like an indoor playground or play cafe (or soft play rental business!) while also being a spouse, partner, parent, caregiver, friend, sibling, etc etc! At times it feels like something is ALWAYS going on the back-burner or a ball is always being dropped-- And if you're anything like me, it can be TOUGH to prioritize what tasks and goals are MOST important between my roles as a mom, business owner, wife- you get the idea. And once I'm done prioritizing, usual...
Jul 26, 2023•52 min
Want to better understand what's going to keep your team motivated and happy in their positions and determine if you're capable of meeting their needs and expectations BEFORE you spend the time, money, and energy hiring them? Ask THIS question in the interview process. HIRING A MANAGER (Ep 35): https://bit.ly/3KaK1fm RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Facebook & IG Ads Course: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI ETSY Te...
Jul 24, 2023•20 min
Part 1 of Series: https://bit.ly/44vVXRg Part 2 of Series: https://bit.ly/43umInF Context Blitz: https://bit.ly/3olshqb RESOURCES: Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Facebook & IG Ads Course: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI ...
Jul 19, 2023•26 min
Episode 26 (Bundle Offer): https://bit.ly/3rcYBfG Epsidoe 143 (Live Sale): https://bit.ly/3Df4z2D Episode 89 (Yearly Memberships): https://bit.ly/3rDFfAw PART 1 OF THIS SERIES: https://bit.ly/44vVXRg RESOURCES: Web Design Packages: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-cafe-business-web-design-services Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Facebook & IG Ads Course: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/...
Jul 17, 2023•27 min
Epsidoe 157 (Crowdfunding): https://bit.ly/3O6q4J5 Epsidoe 68 (Selling Your Business): https://bit.ly/3IwqxAe RESOURCES: Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Facebook & IG Ads Course: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Pla...
Jul 10, 2023•28 min
BLOG WITH ITEM LINKS AND PICS: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/amazon-favorites RESOURCES: Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Facebook & IG Ads Course: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: ...
Jul 07, 2023•24 min
RESOURCES: Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Facebook & IG Ads Course: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Website: https://www.michelecaruana.com YouTube Cha...
Jul 05, 2023•21 min
RESOURCES MENTIONED: Web Design Services: https://bit.ly/41Ac6DG Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Epsiode 26 (Bundle Offers): https://bit.ly/3rcYBfG Episode 127 (Photo Contests): https://bit.ly/3JDJjHl Episode 64 (Memberships): https://bit.ly/44nGkKV Vacation Prep Playlist: https://www.michelecaruana.com/prevacationplaylist OTHER RESOURCES: Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers S...
Jun 30, 2023•20 min
For sources, links, and pictures mentioned: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/indoor-play-area-trends-2023 MORE RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD BLOG For This Episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/indoor-play-area-trends-2023 Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Michele’s Websit...
Jun 28, 2023•30 min
ASANA: www.asana.com Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Michele’s Website: https://www.michelecaruana.com YouTube Channel: htt...
Jun 26, 2023•19 min
In this episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, host Michele Caruana tackles the summer slowdown that many play cafe owners face, offering valuable insights and practical tips to navigate this challenging season. Drawing from her own experience of facing an 80% drop in open play traffic, she emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and adapting to seasonal changes. Michele outlines eight specific and actionable strategies to help businesses survive the summer dip and take advantages of th...
Jun 26, 2023•37 min
Web Design Services: https://bit.ly/41Ac6DG Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxTvegNsJp8&t=662s Business Plan Toolkit with option to get a personalized review by me: http://bit.ly/35GyCji OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://b...
Jun 21, 2023•27 min
RESOURCES: Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Website: https://www.michelecaruana.com YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3JDkSe7 FREE 14-DAY Active Campa...
Jun 16, 2023•6 min
As you likely know if you follow me on Instagram, you saw that I was traveling to attend Taylor Swift's "The Eras" Tour this past weekend! And since I love examining my experiences through the lens of a business owner-- I want to share some things I loved about this event and exactly how they can be applied to YOUR small indoor playground or play cafe business! RESOURCES MENTIONED: Episode 153 (Canceling An Event): https://bit.ly/3PacPrB Epsiode 39 (Marketing An Event): https://bit.ly/42pihuU Al...
Jun 14, 2023•42 min
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-WuAlSiP_Q&t=699s I am so excited to share my conversation with Sierra Zagarri- who you've likely seen on TikTok or here on YouTube! In this episode, Sierra from Grandma's Playroom shares... ...How she purchased her business as an established indoor playground ...What her experience was like buying and transitioning ...What she CHANGED after buying her indoor playground business ...Some of the struggles she faces as an indoor playground owne...
Jun 07, 2023•31 min
RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Michele’s Website: https://www.michelecaruana.com YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3JDkSe7 FREE 14-DAY Active Campaign Trial: https://bit.ly/3rjp5bP What's Wo...
Jun 05, 2023•23 min
RESOURCES MENTIONED: Free Funding Class: https://bit.ly/3IxfWpp Facebook Ads for Indoor Playgrounds: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Content Blitz: https://bit.ly/3olshqb Blog for this episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/summer-memberships OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playgro...
May 24, 2023•18 min
RESOURCES MENTIONED: ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 Episode 50 (Boundaries): https://bit.ly/3q2ynfx Episode 5 (Love Note Strategy): https://bit.ly/3Womsoa Mental Health Episode (Marketing Junkie Podcast): https://bit.ly/3OtVWb4 OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playgro...
May 22, 2023•31 min
While field trips can be a great revenue generator for larger indoor playgrounds, some smaller facilities just aren't set up to safely accomodate them. In this episode I want to share 8 alternative ways you can still work with groups or schools, even if you have a smaller space OR if your physical space is not yet open! What's Working 2023 Guide: http://bit.ly/3GwXQAS RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly...
May 17, 2023•21 min
It's the 200th episode of the Profitable Play Podcast! Thank you for being here. Web Design Services: https://bit.ly/41Ac6DG OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Michele’s Website: https:/...
May 15, 2023•25 min
RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lease Negociation Tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Michele’s Website: https://www.michelecaruana.com YouTube Chan...
May 12, 2023•36 min
In this episode, we'll be discussing a topic that is unfortunately all too common in the world of small business: scams. Small business owners are often targeted by scammers looking to take advantage of their busy nature, limited resources, and lack of expertise in certain areas. But fear not - I'm here to help! Let's go over six of the most common scams that target small business owners and some tips on how to avoid them. RESOURCES MENTIONED: What's Working 2023 Guide: http://bit.ly/3GwXQAS Mor...
May 05, 2023•21 min
RESOURCES MENTIONED: ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/3p2rLxj Faceook Business Page:https://www.facebook.com/playcafeacademy Follow on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PlayCafeAcademy OTHER RESOURCES: 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: ww...
May 03, 2023•16 min
RESOURCES MENTIONED: Web Design Services: https://bit.ly/41Ac6DG Episode 1 (Lead Magnets): https://bit.ly/41KjyMT Episode 16 (FAQ Page): https://bit.ly/3ZXAa1B YouTube Video (Example Sites): https://youtu.be/tT9jeAP_Xss Episode 180 (Planning a Photoshoot): https://bit.ly/3Aq1vPz Episode 19 (Conversion Rates 101): https://bit.ly/3L4UwjX Episode 93 (Video Tour): https://bit.ly/41eRMHc Episode 176 (Add-Event): https://bit.ly/3JebqvT OTHER RESOURCES: Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://www.m...
May 01, 2023•53 min
As indoor playground owners, our businesses thrive on attracting new customers and retaining existing ones. While online marketing plays a critical role in reaching your target audience, abandoned carts can be a significant challenge for your business– and one that often goes overlooked. According to research, the average online cart abandonment rate is around 70%, which means that a majority of potential customers are leaving your website without completing their purchase or making a booking. I...
Apr 28, 2023•33 min
If you're an indoor playground owner or marketer, having a website that effectively converts visitors into customers is crucial. We'll cover the importance of having a clear value proposition and how to communicate it effectively on your website. We'll also discuss the role of social proof, high-quality visuals, and optimizing your website for mobile devices. Additionally, we'll explore creating a sense of urgency and using call-to-actions effectively. Tune in to this episode to learn practical ...
Apr 26, 2023•37 min
In this interview, Karri from Smart Playrooms shares her expertise in designing a space that is engaging, inclusive, and aesthetic-- whether you are just beginning your play space plans OR you're looking to refresh your current indoor playground! Not only does Karri share her expertise in choosing equipment and constructing the best flow for a play area, she also shares some safety measures she always ensures when designing a communal play area AND some tips on how to get parents and kiddos to f...
Apr 24, 2023•1 hr 3 min
EMAIL MARKETING RESOURCES: Episode 1: https://bit.ly/41KjyMT Episode 2: https://bit.ly/3mlmnns Epsiode 177 (More Emails = More Sales): https://bit.ly/3MwjBH5 MY RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4...
Apr 14, 2023•28 min
RESOURCES MENTIONED: FREE 2023 Membership Workshop: https://bit.ly/free2023workshop How To Better Accomodate Autistic Kids And Adults: https://bit.ly/41eRMHc Using Visual Signs and Schedules: https://bit.ly/3zPWboE FAQ Page Tips (Episode 16): https://bit.ly/3ZXAa1B OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit...
Apr 12, 2023•25 min
Visual signs and schedules are tools that use images, symbols, and/or words to provide information and instructions in a visual format. They are commonly used in various settings, including indoor playgrounds, to help individuals with communication difficulties or cognitive disabilities understand their surroundings and what is expected of them. And if you accommodate children that are under 5 or 6 years old– remember, they can’t yet read. So even if they do not have any disabilities, visual sig...
Apr 10, 2023•26 min
