In this episode, Michele Caruana chats with Katie from Adventure Brews Play Haven, a mobile business offering classes and activities as she prepares for a brick-and-mortar location. They discuss the advantages of starting as a mobile business to build revenue and a customer base, delve into effective crowdfunding strategies, and explore ways to secure business sponsorships. Michele provides tailored advice on key pre-opening steps, such as planning and preparation before signing a lease. Tune in...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Blog for this episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/add-coworking-to-your-indoor-playground FREE Wellness Living Demo With 50% Discount: https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy In this episode I am SO excited to talk about one of the HOTTEST trends in the indoor playground industry right now– and that is adding COWORKING options to your space. In the evolving landscape of work and childcare needs, indoor playgrounds have a unique opportunity to diversify their offerings and ta...
Aug 05, 2024•45 min
This episode features a coaching session with Georganne Younclaus, the soon-to-be owner of Mama's Play in New Jersey. In this unique coaching session, we take a high-level approach to discuss critical aspects of running a business. Georganne and I delve into essential questions like how to create a business that serves your mission without being dependent on you, maintaining personal life and relationships while managing a demanding business, and setting strong boundaries to protect your mental ...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Wellness Living FREE Demo + 50% Discount: https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy In this inspiring episode, we are thrilled to welcome Jody Dyer, the visionary owner of Crippled Beagle Publishing. Jody reveals the secrets behind transforming your indoor playground mission into a captivating children's book. Drawing from her own experience as a writing coach and author, Jody provides step-by-step guidance on writing, publishing, and marketing a book. Learn how storytelling can amplif...
Jul 22, 2024•54 min
We have another recorded coaching call for you on the podcast today! Today we are talking to Sarah Kobin who is the owner of Sunshine Play Cafe in Kentucky. And while Sarah’s space is what I would consider “fully staffed”, meaning she has a team running the place without her needing to be there unless she wants to be, she is still feeling that overwhelm– because even just managing a team is a LOT, especially when a business is new- for everyone involved– for you, your staff, AND your customers. ...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 12 min
BLOG for this episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/14-things-i-loved-about-this-play-cafe-business YouTube Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKtCgkmvI5I&t=296s Pre-Vacation Playlist: https://www.michelecaruana.com/prevacationplaylist Free A.I. Training: https://www.michelecaruana.com/using-ai-for-your-play-cafe-business Cafe Kiosk Ordering: https://bit.ly/3QPEUVi OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Getting Started YouTube Playlist: ...
Jul 08, 2024•30 min
Introduction: Welcome back play makers! It’s me, your host Michele Caruana, and I've got an exciting guest expert interview lined up for you today. One of the most common challenges I hear from my community is the struggle to effectively market their business while juggling numerous responsibilities. We understand the importance of marketing, yet finding the time to do so can be daunting. In previous episodes, I've emphasized the value of handling marketing efforts internally rather than outsour...
Jul 01, 2024•45 min
BLOG for this episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/8-tips-for-surviving-the-summer-slow-down-in-the-indoor-playground-industry 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...
Jun 24, 2024•37 min
FREE "Hire Your Kids" Guide: https://bit.ly/hireyourkidsguide "Hire Your Kids" FULL Toolkit (Step-By-Step): https://bit.ly/hiringkidstoolkit Indoor playground owner business coaching call with Little Harts Play Cafe owner Jessica! In today's episode, you get to listen in on a recorded coaching call with indoor playground owner Jessica who will be opening Little Harts Play Cafe later this year. In this conversation, we discuss... ... Potential layout solutions for a 3,000 square foot space ... Co...
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 10 min
In this episode, host Michele Caruana brings a refreshing and fun perspective to the Profitable Play Podcast, after a series of heavier topics featured on the podcast feed like managing stress, handling conflict, and navigating divorce as a business owner. Michele shares insights from her recent family trip to Disney, focusing on how indoor playground owners can incorporate Disney’s magic into their businesses starting TODAY. Drawing from her observations at Disney parks and resorts, she outline...
Jun 10, 2024•24 min
Today we are going to be talking about something on the more difficult side, but it’s a topic that has proved itself, unfortunately, 100% necessary in our industry. DIVORCE. Because divorce is something that you may never THINK will happen to you, until it does. And luckily, whether you ever find yourself in that position or not, there are really simple things you can do starting TODAY to prevent a lot of the conflict, expenses, and stress that come with the divorce process, specifically if you ...
Jun 03, 2024•58 min
Book More Birthdays with Ads Course: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI BLOG For This Episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/save-money-on-ads Today we're diving into PART 2 of one of my favorite topics: marketing your indoor playground or play cafe business while saving money. Facebook and Instagram Ads can be powerful tools for scaling your indoor playground business, but they often feel confusing and costly for beginners. While quick-launch ads and boosted posts are tempting, they often lack real R...
May 27, 2024•26 min
THIS is one of those episodes that make me wish I could hop in a time machine back to 2015 when I was opening my business with what I know after this conversation. Knowing how to handle conflict and how to master difficult conversations with confidence would have saved me SO much anxiety, stress, and ALL the negative consequences that came from NOT having this perfected. Our guest on the show today is Elisabeth Robinson of “Mastering Difficult Conversations”. Elisabeth’s mission is to help peopl...
May 20, 2024•56 min
Book More Birthdays with Ads Course: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI BLOG For This Episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/save-money-on-ads Today we're diving into one of my favorite topics: marketing your indoor playground or play cafe business while saving money. Facebook and Instagram Ads can be powerful tools for scaling your indoor playground business, but they often feel confusing and costly for beginners. While quick-launch ads and boosted posts are tempting, they often lack real ROI. Instea...
May 13, 2024•42 min
Normally on the Profitable Play Podcast we talk about how to take care of your marketing, your team members, your sales and your customers, your business partners and vendors,- all that. But today, I want to talk about how we can take care of YOU, the business owner. Because while most of us have amazing support systems and teams that help us make our missions possible– we still remain at the center of it. And if we allow our stress and anxiety and overwhelm to impact our mental and physical hea...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Since we are ALREADY nearing the halfway point of the year, today I want you to ask yourself a couple of questions (5 to be exact!) that I have gotten in the habit of asking MYSELF if I’m feeling a little distracted or unmoored in my work or personal life, because it always brings my goals and perspective back into focus. If you prefer to read this content: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/questions-to-ask-to-reclaim-focus Resources Mentioned: Kid's Night Out Video: https://www.youtube.com/wa...
Apr 29, 2024•35 min
How to successfully launch a physical product with Female Founder of the Year and TIME Best Invention winner, Pluie Founder Addie Gundry! In this episode, I welcome Addie Gundry, the visionary founder and CEO of Pluie, a revolutionary commercial changing table featured on Shark Tank and recognized by TIME as a best invention. Addie shares her journey from a culinary career on The Food Network to creating Pluie out of a personal need as a mom for improved public changing tables. We discuss Addie'...
Apr 22, 2024•56 min
In today's episode of the Profitable Play Podcast, you get to listen in on a recorded coaching call with indoor playground owners Kaylinn and Jeremy who own Monkey Around play space in Billings, Montana. This conversation is unique for a few reasons. First, Kaylinn and Jeremy purchased their business from it's existing owners (two locations) and are currently navigating the process of revitalizing the business with fresh energy and ideas. They also, unfortunately, suffered a near total-loss fire...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr
In today's episode of the Profitable Play Podcast, we'll explore the pros and cons of timed play sessions and open all-day access for indoor playgrounds and play cafe businesses. While timed play sessions offer a structured environment and (sometimes!) more predictable revenue, they may limit flexibility and customer satisfaction. Open all-day access provides increased flexibility and continuous revenue but comes with challenges such as overcrowding and staffing issues. Choose the model that ali...
Apr 08, 2024•37 min
In this episode, Lindsay Roberts of Fem Frontier dives into the strategy of using fun and simple quizzes to build and segment email lists (and entire customer bases!) specifcally for indoor playground owners. She highlights the importance of creating engaging quizzes, promoting participation, and segmenting lists for highly-personalized, targeted marketing. Lindsay shares practical tips and best practices to empower you to leverage QUIZZES for (automated!) business growth. Try Interact (Our Reco...
Apr 01, 2024•51 min
14-Day SMS Marketing Trial: https://www.salesmessage.com/?fp_ref=nzfbw OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD What's Working 2024 Guide: http://bit.ly/3GwXQAS Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD 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:/...
Mar 25, 2024•42 min
Hosting vendor shopping events at your indoor play space can be a great way for a quick cash boost AND to begin building a relationship with other local businesses owners and makers. However, the success of your first event is CRITICAL when it comes to enticing shoppers and booking vendors for any future subsequent events. So ensure you don't make these very common mistakes (many of which I have lived and learned from myself!) so you can create a smashingly successful Mother's Day event for your...
Mar 18, 2024•28 min
Here's your pre-marketing checklist PDF: https://www.michelecaruana.com/marketingchecklist Even if your business is already open, this episode of the Profitable Play Podcast hosted by Michele Caruana will discuss pre-launch marketing strategies that will help you... -launch a new service or revenue stream -open a second location with success -announce new opportunities like licensing or franchising And more! When it comes down to it, launching something new can be both exhilarating and a tad ove...
Mar 11, 2024•44 min
I was asked recently to bring back recorded one-on-one coaching calls with Play Maker Society members, so today I am VERY excited to be doing exactly that! A few weeks back I reached out inside of my Play Maker Society group and asked for volunteers who agreed to be recorded for the podcast and YouTube channel, and I am SO excited to bring you the first of those today! Other recorded coaching calls: https://bit.ly/49D8zZ5 The Little Play Avenue Website: https://thelittleplayavenue.com/ The Littl...
Mar 04, 2024•1 hr
How to tell your brand story on social media and on your website with Mariana Henninger from Brand Magnetic! Oftentimes when I am researching other indoor playground businesses, I find that ONE thing is sorely lacking from many websites and social media channels-- And that is a captivating and intentional BRAND story. Now I know you may be watching and thinking, I don’t want to put my personal business out there- I prefer to be behind the scenes. And that is absolutely OK. You can share a really...
Feb 26, 2024•57 min
Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/iFtbdMJ09Cw Interviewing play cafe owner couples and asking the tough questions for Valentines Day! In this video, I am interviewing the owners of Natural Nest Play Cafe and Busy Bee Play Cafe and asking them questions like... What is it like to own a business with your spouse? What has been most challenging thus far? What have you learned about each other along the way? What advice would you give to prospective play cafe owners? And more! Natural Nest Play Caf...
Feb 19, 2024•34 min
Join host Michele Caruana as she welcomes Project Play Museum owner Alera Ownens! In this conversation, Alera is going to pull back the curtain on her amazingly successful business by sharing insights into things like How she launched her business and where she found design inspiration and what that process looked like Why she decided from the jump to have a discovery school as one of her revenue streams Exactly what her discovery school program looks like and how it has evolved over time How sh...
Feb 14, 2024•56 min
Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD The Time We Had To Ban A Customer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPtJtRaHyEE&t=558s Mini Course Library: https://www.michelecaruana.com/mini-course-library-play-cafe-academy RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Getting Started YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo&list=PLKNxpFOU7ITc6BrH_EHl4DuHqWqdUoTZU What's Working 2023 Guide: http://bit.ly/3GwXQAS Fund Y...
Feb 12, 2024•34 min
Want to add digital products to your indoor playground business OR use them to fund your brick and mortar location? This is the episode for you! Heather O'Donnell is the owner & founder of Kindergarten Ready Skills, where she helps preschool moms prepare their kids for kindergarten and the owner & founder of Teacher Biz, where she helps teachers build profitable, enjoyable online businesses of their own. As a former kindergarten teacher, Heather is passionate about helping teachers use t...
Feb 07, 2024•56 min
RESOURCES MENTIONED: Book More Birthdays With Ads Course for Indoor Playgrounds: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Evergreen Ads Episode: https://bit.ly/45fO8PP Ads Tutorials on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3UiUZFy 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/37yC...
Feb 05, 2024•32 min
