Michele Caruana

The Profitable Play Podcast

Business EN ↓ 376 episodes

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

Author

Michele Caruana

Episodes

265: When To Expand Your Team And How To Keep Them Truly IGNITED With Expert Amy Pearl 17.01.2024 53:36

Work Ignited Website: https://www.workignited.com/ Amy's “20 Ways to Keep Calm and Carry On”: https://www.workignited.com/keepcalm Lead United Program (Use Code LEAD For 20% Off!) Before February 8, 2024: https://www.workignited.com/lead-ignited FREE FUNDING MASTERCLASS January 17, 2024 at 12pm ET: https://www.michelecaruana.com/playground-business-funding-2024 RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & P...

264: My 6-Step Plan To Pay Off $18k Worth Of Business Debt in 6 Months 15.01.2024 28:55

Yes, you read that right! Due to a billing oversight, I was forced to put together a specific plan to overcome $18,000 in debt by changing my marketing strategy, imposing a spending hault, and more! If you ever find yourself in significant business debt, you're NOT alone and there IS a way out! FREE FUNDING MASTERCLASS January 17, 2024 at 12pm ET: https://www.michelecaruana.com/playground-business...

263: How to Open An "Unstaffed" Indoor Playground With a Keypad Entry With Heather Gauthier 10.01.2024 44:06

Hear why owner Heather Gauthier decided to create her indoor playground in a way that allows parents to access the play space using a keypad pin entry! In this conversation, we discuss... What inspired Heather to open this unique indoor playground business concept What systems she uses to make her play space happen logistically How parents gain access to the indoor playground via a keypad pin entr...

262: 6 Tips To Sell MORE Summer Camps In 2024 08.01.2024 19:18

Web Design Services: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-cafe-business-web-design-services 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 Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses...

261: How To Effectively Cater To The Homeschooling Community With Elan Page 03.01.2024 45:25

In this episode, guest expert Elan Page from the Homeschool Our Way Podcast lifts the veil a bit for those of us who are NOT a part of the homeschooling community and she is going to cover things like… What she looks for in a play space The most important things you need to stand out to homeschooling families as a play space What types of programming and classes she’s looking for Where we as busin...

260: My Year Of NO Versus My Year Of YES (And How To Decide Which YOU Need in 2024) 02.01.2024 42:10

FREE FUNDING MASTERCLASS January 17, 2024 at 12pm ET: https://www.michelecaruana.com/playground-business-funding-2024 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 Your Indoor Play Business: ht...

259: How To Bring a TOY Product To Market AND Work With Independent Toy Creators As a Play Space Owner With Azhelle Wade 20.12.2023 46:49

In this episode, Azhelle Wade AKA "The Toy Coach" is bringing us her step-by-step system for launching a toy product as an independent business or as a revenue stream for your play space! She will also discuss her industry insight regarding how we as play space owners can curate an intentional retail section with a focus on independent toy creators to both increase sales and better our customer ex...

258: 10 "Trend" Predictions for The Indoor Play Industry for 2024! 18.12.2023 29:23

Indoor playground businesses: what's coming in 2024! YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3eLbOsmFBs This is my 5th annual prediction video! I am really looking forward to what's coming in the indoor play space industry including more COLOR, more accessibility and inclusivity, and more DIFFERENTIATION! It seems like play spaces are popping up left and right- so let's talk about what it'...

257: Creating a Waldorf Inspired Play Space With Expert Jennifer Buzzotta of Alchemy Kids 13.12.2023 49:48

Creating a Waldorf inspired play cafe with 20+ year Waldorf expert Jennifer Buzzotta, founder of The Alchemy Kids! Jennifer's IG: https://www.instagram.com/alchemykids/ Jennifer's Website: https://www.thealchemykids.com/ Jennifer's Resources: https://linktr.ee/alchemykids Jennifer holds a Master’s in Waldorf Education, alongside Waldorf Teacher Certification. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts...

256: A Realistic End-of-Year Checklist for Your Indoor Playground Business 11.12.2023 25:46

BLOG for this episode with  links: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/indoor-playground-year-end-checklist Web Design Services: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-cafe-business-web-design-services RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Getting Started YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo&list=PLKNxpFOU7ITc6BrH_EHl4DuHqWqdUoT...

255: How To Hire Your Kids And Set Up Their Financial Future + Enjoy Various Tax Benefits As A Business Owner With Expert Jamie Trull 07.12.2023 40:00

How to hire your kids in your local business, beginning as young as babies and toddlers! Jamie's FREE "Hire Your Kids" Guide: https://bit.ly/hireyourkidsguide Jamie's "Hire Your Kids" FULL Toolkit (Step-By-Step): https://bit.ly/hiringkidstoolkit  In this insightful video, CPA and Profit Strategist Jamie Trull shares valuable guidance on how to ethically and legally hire YOUR young children in...

254: Holiday Sale Recap & Why LESS Cash Now Can Be BETTER Than MORE Cash Later 05.12.2023 28:30

Web Design Services- Book A Free Call: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-cafe-business-web-design-services 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 Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit....

252: 4 Creative Balloon Offers You May Not Have Thought Of (YET!) 27.11.2023 34:45

Checklist for this Episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/balloons Web Design Services: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-cafe-business-web-design-services OTHER RESOURCES: Getting Started YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo&list=PLKNxpFOU7ITc6BrH_EHl4DuHqWqdUoTZU What's Working 2023 Guide: http://bit.ly/3GwXQAS Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bi...

251: Why I'm So Grateful For My Indoor Playground Ownership Journey (Including The Good, The Bad, and The UGLY!) 22.11.2023 22:56

Watch me record this episode from behind-the-scenes: https://youtu.be/LcWIvS4mIaY ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 OTHER RESOURCES: Getting Started YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo&list=PLKNxpFOU7ITc6BrH_EHl4DuHqWqdUoTZU What's Working 2023 Guide: http://bit.ly/3GwXQAS Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Fund Your Indoor Play...

250: Your Blueprint For Stress-Free, Insightful, and Productive Year-End Employee Reviews For Your Indoor Playground Business 20.11.2023 32:35

Blog for this Episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/how-to-conduct-employee-reviews OTHER RESOURCES: Web Design Services: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-cafe-business-web-design-services Getting Started YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo&list=PLKNxpFOU7ITc6BrH_EHl4DuHqWqdUoTZU What's Working 2023 Guide: http://bit.ly/3GwXQAS Play Cafe Academy & Play M...

BONUS: 3 Personal Development Books I Loved This Year and 5 More I Plan To Read in 2024 17.11.2023 11:18

My BUSINESS Book Recommendations: https://bit.ly/3R4RKzG Recommendations From This Episode: The Courage To Be Disliked: https://a.co/d/buDUa07 Alcohol Lied To Me: https://a.co/d/9GHNHco Two Weeks Notice: https://a.co/d/cWSWTgL Mindset: https://a.co/d/d38801w ReWork: https://a.co/d/3D2r1X0 The Go Giver: https://a.co/d/3kagWTk It's Not About The Coffee: https://a.co/d/8ieawn8 If You're In My Office,...

249: The Indoor Playground Owners' 2023 Holiday Gift Wish List 16.11.2023 32:08

Blog For This Epsiode (With Links!): https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/indoor-playground-owner-gift-guide-2023 Web Design Services: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-cafe-business-web-design-services OTHER RESOURCES: Getting Started YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo&list=PLKNxpFOU7ITc6BrH_EHl4DuHqWqdUoTZU What's Working 2023 Guide: http://bit.ly/3GwXQAS Play Caf...

248: 16 MUST-HAVE Details To Include In Your Customer Contract Or Membership Agreement 13.11.2023 35:03

Blog For This Epsiode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/indoor-playground-contracts ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD The Time We Banned A Customer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPtJtRaHyEE&t=546s OTHER RESOURCES: Getting Started YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo&list=PLKNxpFOU7ITc6...

247: 12 Ways To Make Extra Cash (Or Give Back To Your Customers and Community!) With Your Excess Party Favors and Event Supplies 09.11.2023 31:53

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD OTHER RESOURCES: Getting Started YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo&list=PLKNxpFOU7ITc6BrH_EHl4DuHqWqdUoTZU What's Working 2023 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:...

246: 6 Tips For Maximizing The Space Inside Your Indoor Playground Business 08.11.2023 30:47

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-aB_TGzjUc Get Visuals on The Blog: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/planning-a-small-play-cafe-or-indoor-playground-business Getting Started YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo&list=PLKNxpFOU7ITc6BrH_EHl4DuHqWqdUoTZU OTHER RESOURCES: What's Working 2023 Guide: http://bit.ly/3GwXQAS Play Cafe Academy & Play Mak...

245: 4 Tips For Increasing Your Prices (And What You Might Want To Do Instead) 30.10.2023 23:55

What's Working 2023 Guide: http://bit.ly/3GwXQAS OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Web Design Services: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-cafe-business-web-design-services 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 Instag...

244: Add $1,000+ In Revenue To Your Thanksgiving Week With This Outside-The-Box Strategy 25.10.2023 27:50

Web Design Services: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-cafe-business-web-design-services OTHER RESOURCES: 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: ht...

243: 3 Unique Promotion Ideas For A Boost In Black Friday/ Cyber Monday Sales 23.10.2023 17:10

Book More Birthdays Challenge: https://www.michelecaruana.com/2023birthdaychallenge OTHER RESOURCES: Book More Birthdays Challenge: https://www.michelecaruana.com/2023birthdaychallenge 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...

(BONUS) Why I Chose Aluvii For Party Booking (Plus Get The Latest Updates From Co-Founder Robert Brinton!) 20.10.2023 35:14

Schedule a Demo and Unlock Play Maker Pricing: https://aluvii.com/play-cafe-academy Book More Birthday Challenge: https://www.michelecaruana.com/2023birthdaychallenge TOOLS & OTHER LINKS: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com   TOOLS: Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!) Simplify and Sca...

242: 5 SPOOKY Mistakes Indoor Playground Owners Make 18.10.2023 26:22

Video for NEW Owners: https://youtu.be/YZSwxD0eEbA Episode Numbers Mentioned: High ticket and recurring revenue (115) Call forwarding software (105) Email welcome sequence (2) Evergreen Facebook ads (29) Hiring a manager (34) Hiring a virtual assistant (163) Hiring contractors (165) Hiring interns (37) Money Making tasks (114) Search Engine Marketing (241) Book More Birthdays Challenge: https://ww...