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

224: 6 Hiring and Team Management Tips That Saved My Sanity (That I WISH Someone Had Given Me!) 09.08.2023 26:46

Resources Mentioned: Download These Tips Now: https://www.michelecaruana.com/224 Video (Kids Night Out): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7OCwa3aocU&t=27s Article About Brick and Mortar: https://bit.ly/3qsKser Epsiode With An HR Expert (ep 109): https://bit.ly/456r06j OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 M...

223: A Conversation On Opening, Optimizing, and Expanding A Play Cafe Business With Tiffany from MY Play Cafe 07.08.2023 37:59

Tour of Tiffany's Space: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR7z9KaeJgk&t=783s Tiffany's Interview (Character Events): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqQ1lR075Qk&t=2s Tiffany's website: https://www.myplaycafe.com/ Tiffany's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myplaycafe/ Tiffany's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myplaycafekc Tiffany's Throwback Coaching Call: https://www.youtube.com/watc...

222: 5 Ideas For Increasing Customers and Sales From Instagram Using Pinned Posts 04.08.2023 21:00

RESOURCES: ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Facebook & IG Ads Course: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI 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 Co...

221: 17 Ideas To Take Advantage Of Current Pop-Culture In Your Business 02.08.2023 20:44

YouTube Video (For Examples!): https://youtu.be/vtw--iA98tQ 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 Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners Membership Application: http://bit.ly/3kQs...

220: Are You Missing These Key Items From Your Birthday Party Contract or Membership Agreement? 31.07.2023 39:31

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 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 Co...

219: Pivoting Your Revenue Streams And Leading With Purpose With Molly Pitman 28.07.2023 24:36

In this episode I interview owner of Sweet Charlotte's in Buffalo, NY! Molly originally opened as a open-play-and-party indoor playground, but pivoted to include preschool after 4 years. Now I get to sit down with Molly 7 years later as she has over 70 students enrolled and is now getting BACK into open play and birthday parties and chat about how all of her different revenue streams work together...

218: Time and Task Management Tips for Play Cafe Owners with Expert Kelly Nolan 26.07.2023 52:01

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 importan...

217: The 1 Game-Changing Question I Asked During The Employee Interview Process 24.07.2023 20:11

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 Mich...

216: 5 MORE Cash-Injection Strategies For Your Indoor Playground Business You Can Use TODAY (Part 3) 19.07.2023 26:21

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 Fu...

215: Cash-Injection Strategies For Your Indoor Playground Business You Can Use TODAY (Part 2) 17.07.2023 27:22

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 E...

214: 4 Major Cash Injection Strategies For Indoor Playground Owners (Part 1) 10.07.2023 27:53

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 In...

213: My Top 8 Amazon Finds For Your Indoor Playground Business (Just In Time For Prime Day!) 07.07.2023 23:37

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:/...

212: Is Meta Verification Right For YOUR Business (A Look At Potential ROI From The Blue Checkmark) 05.07.2023 20:35

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 Bu...

211: Fresh Ideas To Generate Sales Even When Your Indoor Play Business Closes For The Day 30.06.2023 20:10

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: htt...

210: The Future of Indoor Playgrounds and Play Cafes: Innovations and Emerging Trends to Watch 28.06.2023 29:35

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 B...

209: 5 Sneaky Places Money Might Be Hiding In Your Business And How To Check Them 26.06.2023 19:08

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 Inst...

292: 8 Tips For Surviving The Summer Slow Down (Even If You Did NOTHING To Prepare For It!) 26.06.2023 36:31

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 outli...

208: Selling Memberships vs. Packs of Play Passes (WITHOUT Creating Confusion and Overwhelm) 21.06.2023 27:27

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/3...

207: Boost Your Visibility And Stay Top-Of-Mind With This Quick Instagram Strategy 16.06.2023 6:08

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 Webs...

206: 5 Takeaways From The Eras Tour To Apply To Your Indoor Playground Business 14.06.2023 41:36

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 (Ca...

205: Sierra Zagarri from Grandma's Playroom Shares Her Journey + Tips and Tricks! 07.06.2023 31:07

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  .....

204: Successfully Navigating Credit Card Disputes And Reports of Fraud In Your Service Based Business 05.06.2023 23:16

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...

203: Want To Sell Summer Memberships? Here Are My Best Tips For An Offer And Marketing Plan That SELLS 24.05.2023 17:48

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...

202: 5 Things I Do When I Am In A Creative Rut or Feeling Stuck In My Business 22.05.2023 30:41

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...

201: 8 Revenue-Generating Alternatives To Field Trips For Your Slow Open-Play Season 17.05.2023 20:53

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...