The Profitable Play Podcast

Schedule an Aluvii Demo: aluvii.com/play-cafe-academy Read this episode's blog article: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/last-minute-holiday-tips OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Getting Started YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo&list=PLKNxpFOU7ITc6BrH_EHl4DuHqWqdUoTZU What's Working 2025 Guide: http://bit.ly/3GwX...

In today's Profitable Play Podcast episode I have a coaching call for you to listen in on with Natalie Goodall, owner of Playgrounds Cafe and at the time this was recorded Natalie had been open for just under 5 months. In this call we cover things like: -how to choose a business focus -how to maximize the revenue obtained from parties already booked -how to fill empty party slots -how to expand yo...

In today’s episode because we are getting into another hot topic amongst families and the play and education industries in general and that is the concept of Microschools. Now by definition, a Micro-shcool is a small, independent learning community that typically serves a limited number of students. These schools are characterized by personalized, student-centered education that is often tailored...

In this episode I'm joined by Nicole Heritage, the owner of Magnolia Play Cafe in Louisiana. We recorded this coaching call back in July, just a few weeks after Nicole opened her doors. In this conversation, we dive into Nicole’s vision for her business, the challenges she faced during the opening process, and her invaluable advice for new business owners. During our coaching session, we explore t...

In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of opening a brick-and-mortar play cafe with Mackenzie Tyson, owner of Playgrounds Play Cafe in Ohio. Mackenzie shares her experiences from the first seven months, including the hurdles of launching a business, unexpected expenses, and slower-than-expected bookings. We discuss the importance of pivoting and optimizing your business mod...

Two of the biggest roadblocks we face as indoor playground and play cafe owners are funding and sustaining cash flow- right? We need the money to get our business started and launched successfully and we need a constant flow of money to keep our business running. And one tactic to help overcome either or both of these roadblocks that I feel is pretty underutilized is B2B sales in the form of busin...

In this episode of the Profitable Play Podcast, we dive into the crucial steps every indoor playground owner must take to ensure a safe and profitable holiday season. With the gifting season fast approaching, it’s essential to not only curate an appealing retail inventory but also to vet your vendors thoroughly. Your reputation is on the line, and selling unsafe or non-compliant products can have...

In this essential episode of the Profitable Play podcast, host Michele Caruana sits down with Kayla Coburn, Inclusion Specialist and Educational Consultant and the owner of Inclusion Starts Now, to explore how indoor playground owners can make their spaces more accessible for all children. Kayla shares her expertise on creating inclusive environments that cater to diverse needs, ensuring every chi...

Social media can be overwhelming and time-consuming, especially for small business owners who wear many hats- like you might if you’re listening to this podcast. From creating engaging content to figuring out the best platforms to reach your audience, it's a lot to juggle.  But fear not, because in today's episode, we're going to break it all down for you. In this episode we hear from Leslie...

As entrepreneurs, we are always looking for a way to increase sales, especially during what should be our busiest months. And as the holiday season approaches, even though we are still many weeks away, we as indoor playground owners have a unique opportunity to align their marketing strategies with emerging social trends to ensure this happens. One such trend gaining momentum is the "underconsumpt...

Join The Bootcamp: https://www.michelecaruana.com/bootcamp Episode With Heather: https://bit.ly/3Z1lsKi Join Amy, myself, and thousands of other aspiring & experienced course creators for this $47 bootcamp-- doors close TOMORROW! TOOLS & OTHER LINKS: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com   TOOLS: Play Space...

In this episode, host Michele Caruana sits down with Alyssa Fox, owner of Wiggle and Play in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Alyssa shares her journey of transitioning to a larger space for her indoor playground business, discussing the launch process, funding, and overcoming unexpected roadblocks. Learn about the various revenue streams that sustain her business, her hiring philosophies, and her hands-on app...

In this insightful episode, we dive into the world of job sharing with Melissa Nicholson, the visionary creator of Work Muse. As many of our listeners are on the brink of launching their own play cafes, they often face the daunting challenge of balancing their current full-time jobs with the demands of starting a new business. Melissa shares how job sharing can be the perfect solution for those lo...

Register For The Course Creation Bootcamp (and unlock my bonus training): www.michelecaruana.com/bootcamp FREE Guide to creating digital classes or products: https://bit.ly/3Mfg7aC Learn About Heather's Course Story & Her Kindergarten Readiness Program: https://bit.ly/3Z1lsKi How "Play" Coach Juliana Took Her Skills Online, Increased Her Impact, Retired Her Spouse, and Designed Her DREAM Busin...

FREE Guide to creating digital classes or products: https://bit.ly/3Mfg7aC Get 50% Off WellnessLiving (My POS System of Choice): https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy To celebrate my milestone of reaching 300 Profitable Play Podcast episodes -- I did something a little different. I dedicated my 300th episode (and 301st episode!) to rounding up some of (what I consider to be) my BEST...

To celebrate my milestone of reaching 300 Profitable Play Podcast episodes -- I did something a little different. I dedicated my 300th episode to rounding up some of (what I consider to be) my BEST pieces of advice, that (and here's the catch)-- almost NO ONE takes or implements. For links to all videos and resources mentioned here, visit the blog for today’s episode: https://www.michelecaruana.co...

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 tailor...

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 a...

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 rela...

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 s...

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,...

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: P...

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 previ...

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 8...

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 yea...