The Profitable Play Podcast

In this episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I’m joined by Nick Veneris, Email Marketing Expert at Aluvii, for a conversation all about email marketing, automation, and how indoor playground and play café owners can turn the customer data they already have into more bookings and repeat visits.One thing I really want to emphasize upfront: this conversation is NOT platform specific. Even though Nick is from Aluvii, the strategies we discuss apply no matter what POS, CRM, or email platform you use. This episode is really about understanding your customer journey and communicating with more intention.We talk about:Why email marketing is still one of the most powerful tools for play-based businessesThe automated campaigns that are actually driving birthday bookings and repeat visitsHow birthday, half-birthday, bounce-back, and review request campaigns work in practiceSubject lines, timing, and messaging strategies that are getting parents to engage right nowThe biggest mistakes play café owners make with email marketingHow to segment your customer list in a simple, manageable wayHow to “sell” naturally without sounding overly promotionalRealistic ways busy owners can implement these systems without adding more overwhelmIf you’ve ever felt like you’re sitting on valuable customer information but not fully using it—or like your marketing feels reactive instead of predictable—this episode is packed with practical strategies you can start applying immediately.FREE E- Mail Marketing Playbook: Click HEREBook A Demo With Aluvii: Click HEREOTHER RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

In this episode of the Profitable Play Podcast, I sit down with Kate, the owner of Sunshine Indoor Play in Lake Havasu City, Arizona—an indoor playground and play café that has evolved into a true community hub for moms and families.BLOG for this episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/non-profit-play-cafeWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HwetKpdryvQKate shares how she built a multi-revenue business that includes open play, memberships, retail, a coffee shop, birthday parties, and a nonprofit arm designed to support families through services like mental health groups, lactation support, car seat checks, and access to essential baby items.We also discuss how her personal experiences shaped both her business model and mission, and how her faith plays a central role in how she leads, makes decisions, and serves her community.Inside this episode, we break down how she raised over $55,000 in local sponsorships to fund her build-out, why being in a small town actually worked to her advantage, and the realities of opening and running a play café with no prior business experience.Kate also shares what surprised her most about her revenue streams—including why birthday parties underperformed expectations, how memberships and open play now drive nearly half her revenue, and how she’s working to grow her café sales.Plus, we talk about the challenges of managing multiple revenue streams, balancing motherhood with business ownership, and her long-term vision to build a sustainable, purpose-driven business that can eventually be passed on to another family.In this episode, we cover:How to have both a for-profit and non-profit play cafe (under one roof!)How to build a play café with multiple revenue streamsCreating a nonprofit arm within your play café businessUsing local sponsorships to fund your startup ($55K raised)Turning a play café into a true community hub for familiesHow faith can shape your business decisions and missionReal revenue breakdowns: memberships, open play, retail, and caféWhy birthday parties may not perform as expectedLessons from opening with no prior business experienceBalancing motherhood and entrepreneurshipBuilding a business with long-term sustainability and purposeWebsite: https://www.sunshineindoorplay.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshineindoorplay/OTHER RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

In this episode of the Profitable Play Podcast, I sit down with Erin and Justin, the owners of Hangtime Play Café in Arlington, Washington—an indoor playground and play café that scaled to over 250 members just two months after opening.We break down how they pre-sold over 100 memberships before they even opened, the exact strategies they used to build demand early, and how they created strong recurring revenue from day one.We also dive into how they designed a smaller 2,500 sq ft space to feel bigger, more premium, and highly functional—maximizing every square foot to support open play, memberships, and birthday parties without sacrificing the customer experience.Plus, we discuss what’s actually driving revenue in their play café business, including how their café is contributing a significant portion of total sales, how they’re balancing memberships, open play, and private parties, and what they’ve learned about capacity, pricing, and operations in their first few months.We also cover a major build-out challenge—a delayed play structure shipment—and how they used that time to build hype, collect leads, and strengthen their brand before fully opening.If you’re starting or growing an indoor playground, play café, or kids’ activity center, this episode is packed with real-world insights on membership growth, play café design, revenue streams, and what it actually takes to launch and scale successfully. WATCH on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2acgncX70RkBLOG for this episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/founding-members-play-cafeHangtime Play Cafe IG: https://www.instagram.com/hangtimeplaycafe/Hangtime Play Cafe Website: https://www.hangtimeplaycafe.com/Hangtime Play Cafe TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hangtime_playcafeOTHER RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

In this episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I’m joined by Lindsay, the founder of Spirited Play Labs—an inclusive, membership-based indoor play space in the San Francisco Bay Area designed to support neurodivergent children and their families.Lindsay is a former speech therapist, a parent of a neurodivergent child, and she now identifies as neurodivergent herself—so this conversation blends real-life inclusion, sustainable operations, and multi-location growth.We talk about how Lindsay scaled from one location to three (with a fourth planned), how she built a team structure that allows her to stay out of daily operations, and why her staff and culture are the most defensible part of her business model.We also cover the behind-the-scenes of becoming a vendor with California’s Regional Center so certain families can have memberships covered—creating a B2B revenue stream and a strong referral engine.If you want practical ideas around membership models, inclusive play design, staff training, customer experience consistency, and scaling beyond one location, this episode is for you.BLOG with top 12 takeaways: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/spirited-play-labs-interviewIn this episode, Lindsay and I cover:How she launched Spirited Play Labs after COVID and the needs she saw in her communityWhat it looks like to build an inclusive indoor playground that supports neurodivergent kids without feeling clinicalWhy she chose a membership-based model and how her first-time visit process worksHow she scaled from 1 to 3 locations (and what changed operationally as she grew)The staffing structure behind her locations: managers, training, and culture consistencyThe real lessons she learned about real estate, buildouts, and overspending early onHow she became a Regional Center vendor in California and what “B2B memberships” can look likeHow she thinks about behavior, regulation, and safety without relying on strict “rules boards”The referral engines that actually work in the disability community (and why she spends very little on ads)How being neurodivergent impacts her leadership, energy, and long-term sustainability as an ownerSimple ways traditional play cafés can become more inclusive—starting with who you listen to and who you hireConnect with Lindsay / Spirited Play LabsInstagram: Spirited Play LabsEmail: lindsay@spiritedplaylabs.comWebsite: https://spiritedplaylabs.com/Blog for this episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/spirited-play-labs-interviewRESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

What’s it really like to buy an existing play café instead of starting from scratch?In this candid conversation, I sit down with Kaylinn from Kay’s Play Days — former owner of Monkey Around Play Café and now floor manager at Wise Wonders Children’s Museum — to talk through the real behind-the-scenes of purchasing, running, and ultimately closing a play space.Watch on YouTube instead: https://youtu.be/FV7nwc-nBZAShe shares what she wishes she had verified before buying, lessons around finances and leases, and the operational realities that don’t always show up in a business plan. We also talk about the personal side of ownership — how the long hours and stress impacted her family — and why stepping into a museum leadership role has given her more balance without leaving the industry she loves.If you’re considering buying, selling, or simply questioning whether ownership is right for you, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and practical lessons you can apply immediately.We Cover:• Buying vs. starting from scratch• Due diligence and financial transparency• Lease and landlord challenges• Hidden operational realities of ownership• Why she’d skip bounce houses next time• Simple ways to empower your team• Creative staffing partnerships• The personal and family impact of ownership• Pivoting into a museum leadership roleConnect with KaylinnFollow @kaysplaydays on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and FacebookReady to Open Your Own Play Café?Get the complete step-by-step blueprint inside Play Café Academy + a free month of Play Maker Society.Start here!More Resources:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

What does it actually take to run a successful play café once you’re past the opening phase—especially when your space is larger than most independent, non-franchise-chain locations?In this episode of the Profitable Play Podcast, I sit down with Kristina Lai, owner of Busy Bee Play Cafe in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their 8,500+ sq ft facility is on the larger side for a non-chain indoor playground business, which brings its own unique challenges and advantages.On the challenge side, a larger space means a bigger team (often with a high number of teenage staff), higher capacity to manage, more moving parts operationally, and the ability—and pressure—to run a high volume of birthday parties every single week. On the flip side, that size also creates real opportunities: multiple parties running at once, diversified revenue streams beyond open play, a full balloon bar, stronger café potential, and more flexibility in how the business actually makes money.In this conversation, Kristina shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how she navigates both sides of that equation.We cover:...Operating a larger independent play café without franchise systems...Managing a large, mostly teenage team in peak seasons...Running a high volume of birthday parties each week—and why systems matter...Hosting multiple parties at the same time without overwhelming staff or guests...Real revenue breakdowns: open play, parties, memberships, café sales, retail, and balloons...Building a profitable balloon business after Party City closures...Using reservations and memberships to control capacity in a high-traffic space...When memberships attract the wrong families—and how to handle it...Letting go of problem members and employees (and why some money isn’t worth it)...Launching hot food in a play café without turning it into a full restaurant...The emotional toll of running a large play business and being “always on call”...How ownership impacts family life when your kids grow up alongside the businessThis episode is especially helpful if you:...Own or are planning on opening a play café or indoor playground...Are considering (or already running) a larger-than-average independent space...Run frequent birthday parties and want better systems...Want multiple revenue streams without burning out...Are managing staffing, capacity, or boundaries👉 Busy Bee Play CafeWebsite: https://www.thebusybeeplaycafe.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusybeeplaycafe/🎧 Prefer video? Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/xIss67qwn3IOTHER RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

This is Part 2 of my annual indoor playground and play café industry trends episode — a series I’ve released every single year since 2019.Part 1 focused on business design and planning.Part 2 is about operations, systems, and the decisions owners are making behind the scenes that will quietly determine who is still standing in 3–5 years.These aren’t “ideas to try.” These are structural shifts happening right now inside profitable, sustainable play businesses. And if you miss them They’re expensive to fix later.In this episode, I break down the operational and ownership trends shaping 2026, including:Why owners are stepping back earlier — and how systems (not hustle) are making it possibleThe rise of businesses designed to function without the owner presentWhy you cannot out-market a broken layout, bad flow, or poorly designed spaceHow intentional design decisions reduce staffing costs, customer friction, and burnoutWhy some owners are quietly cutting hours — and increasing profitThe shift toward making money during downtime, not just peak hoursHow smarter owners are evaluating revenue streams based on profitability and energy, not egoWhy “just add more offerings” is becoming a dangerous strategyThe growing gap between owners who track numbers weekly and those who “feel busy”How over-reliance on AI without real-world context is already costing new owners time and moneyRESOURCES MENTIONED:BLOG For This EpisodeLittle Play AvenueEpisode 105: Call Forwarding Systems To Better Customer ServiceEpisode 84: Making Money As A UGC CreatorEpisode 349: Business Sponsorships with Jayci from Tiny PlayEpisode 341: Lead Your Team Better in 2026Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyOTHER RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

As I wrap up 2025, I wanted to record an episode that goes deeper than trends (but YES, my annual trends prediction is coming up next!)— because what I’m seeing across the industry right now isn’t necessarily a lack of ideas.It’s a lack of foundations.BLOG for this episodeAfter a full year of interviewing indoor playground and play café owners, working through countless 1:1 sessions, and supporting owners inside Play Maker Society, the same patterns keep showing up — regardless of location, size, or years in business.Owners are busy, but still stressed.They’re marketing constantly, but not converting.They’re deeply involved, but exhausted.This episode brings together the seven pieces of advice I’m giving to (and getting from!) current owners right now — not based on theory or predictions, but on what I’m actively seeing work (and not work) in real businesses.These are the areas where small leaks are creating big problems — and where tightening the fundamentals can immediately change how a business feels to run in terms of quality of life for YOU, the owner.In this episode, I break down:Why what you post matters more than how often you postHow most websites and patched-together booking systems quietly lose you moneyWhy open play can’t be the thing holding your business upHow recurring and high-ticket revenue change how the business feels to runWhy email is still one of the most effective tools owners aren’t fully usingHow cafés, retail, and small add-ons raise spend per visit without more trafficWhat actually has to be in place for you to step out without everything breakingI also share real examples from owners I’ve interviewed, coached, and worked alongside — including how some have intentionally reduced owner dependency, diversified revenue, and designed businesses that work even when they’re not physically present.This episode isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about tightening what’s already there and focusing on the few things that actually make a difference right now.If you’re heading into 2026 feeling busy but still stretched thin, this will help you get clear on where your attention really needs to go next.RESOURCES/ BUSINESSES MENTIONED:BLOG for this episodeLittle Leaf Play IGLittle Play Avenue IG(BLOG) Maximizing Cafe Profits (And Why You NEED A Cafe)Evergeen Facebook + IG Ad BasicsGoogle Ad BasicsInterview with Jayci From Tiny PlayInterview with Justine from Liv and MimisInterview with Jessalyn from The Playroom WVThe Art Factory and Party PlaceGrandma's PlayroomOTHER RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

Most indoor playground and play café owners don’t need more ideas going into a new year — they need better execution on the ones they already have.In this episode, I break down exactly how I’m using AI right now to help my indoor playground business owner clients review numbers, tighten systems, and remove the operational friction that quietly drains time and profit.This isn’t about trends or tech overwhelm. It’s a step-by-step, practical walkthrough of how I recommend using AI as an analyst, operations assistant, and planning tool so you can head into 2026 with clearer priorities, stronger systems, and far less on your plate.BLOG for this episode05:00–11:00 Strategy 1: Revenue analysis to find 2026 opportunities11:00–15:10 Strategy 2: Fix party systems before busy season15:10–17:10 Strategy 3: SOPs that don’t depend on the owner17:10–19:00 Strategy 4: Floor-plan-based cleaning and safety19:00–23:10 Strategy 5: Prevent membership churn with AI23:10–25:35 Strategy 6: Pricing and add-on cleanup25:35–27:55 Strategy 7: Customer message scripts and decision trees27:55–29:50 Strategy 8: Policies and incident reporting systems29:50–31:40 Strategy 9: Repurpose marketing content fast31:40–34:15 Strategy 10: Website clarity, conversion, and SEO34:15–38:35 Strategy 11: Partner and sponsor generation for 2026OTHER RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

In today’s episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I’m joined by Justine, the owner of Liv and Mimi’s Play Café, who is now two years into her business journey.WATCH on YouTube (plus get a tour of Justine's retail section: https://youtu.be/BpxtDLo8SNIz)If you’re inside Play Maker Society, you already know how thoughtful and generous she is with her real-world experience—and today she’s sharing it all.We focus heavily on retail, because Justine brings a strong background in merchandising and has used that expertise to turn her retail section into a powerful, profitable part of her business.She walks us through how she chooses products, how she thinks about display and flow, what sells best for her audience, and the small changes that have had the biggest impact on her sales.Beyond retail, we dig into the lessons she’s learned in her first two years of ownership—what she expected versus what surprised her, what she changed after year one, and how she continues to refine her operations, staffing, birthday parties, and membership strategy based on customer behavior.If you’ve been wanting to grow your retail revenue—or you’ve felt stuck trying to choose the right products or manage inventory—this conversation will give you tons of practical insight and real examples you can apply right away.Tune in to hear how Justine approaches retail with intention and how those strategies have contributed to both her revenue and her customer experience at Liv and Mimi’s Play Café.Justine's WebsiteJustine's IGJustine's Tik TokOTHER RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

Year 1 Of Opening A Play Cafe With Jessalyn Pustay From The Playroom West Virginia!This interview is also available on YouTube as a video here!You can also get a summary of this episode on our blog here!In today’s episode, I’m talking with The Playroom owner Jessalyn Pustay about her first year in business and the lessons she learned while creating a high-quality play and programming space in West Virginia — something she desperately wanted for her own kids after relocating from Washington, DC.In this interview, we cover:...How her staffing model grew from just herself to a small, reliable team that can now handle emergencies and weekend coverage....The tech struggles she faced early on, why pieced-together systems held her back, and why she’s excited to try something new....The marketing channels that actually work in her town....How she adjusted pricing and added unlimited memberships, plus which revenue streams perform best....The strong seasonality in her area and how she planned ahead financially to make summer slowdowns manageable....Her shift away from certain offerings, like read-and-plays and drop-off events, and the themed playgroups and holiday events that consistently sell out....The birthday party add-ons that made the biggest difference in profitability....How customer feedback shaped her hours and upcoming plans like co-working mornings and homeschool days....The vendor and community partnerships that drive real revenue, from bakers and roasters to photographers and local activity providers....Her biggest wins and biggest learning moments....How her personal workload has shifted — now just three short on-site days a week — and what she’s beginning to delegate.Jessalyn closes with heartfelt advice for prospective owners: learn from people who have already done it, set boundaries early, and don’t let the business drain the energy you need to run it well.If you’re planning, opening, or in your first couple of years, this episode is packed with practical insight and honest reflection.TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@theplayroomwvWEBSITE: www.theplayroomwv.comINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theplayroomwv/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/theplayroomwvPLAY SPACE BRAIN: https://playspacebrain.com/PROFITABLE PLAY RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

In this episode, I’m sharing the simplest, most profitable holiday events you can add to your calendar — even in the middle of the December chaos. These ideas are designed to increase revenue, visibility, and loyalty without overwhelming you or your team.BLOG for this episodeI talk about why you don’t need to compete with free community events, why age-specific offerings (especially for babies) are incredibly strategic, and how a few thoughtful touches can make small, curated events feel premium and sell out quickly.In this episode, I cover:• Why the holiday season feels overwhelming — and how to keep events simple• Why free events aren’t your competition• The power of baby-focused and age-specific programming• How to use small group sizes to your advantage• High-impact, low-lift event ideas you can run immediatelyIf you want to boost revenue without burning out this holiday season, this episode will give you everything you need.PROFITABLE PLAY RESOURCES:BLOG for this episodePlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

In this episode, I’m catching up with play café owner Sarah Kobin, who I first interviewed about a year and a half ago when she was still in the early opening phase of her business.Now that she’s been open for 18 months, Sarah shares what’s changed — from which revenue streams performed best (and which didn’t) to how her team, systems, and daily operations have evolved. We talk about what’s surprised her most since opening, what she’d do differently if she could start over, and how her role as the owner has shifted as the business has grown.If you’re curious what the first full year of running an indoor playground really looks like — the wins, the lessons, and everything in between — you’re going to love this follow-up conversation.Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingSarah's WebsiteSunshine Play Cafe FacebookSunshine Play Cafe InstagramMeet SarahPROFITABLE PLAY RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS