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

175: The 4 Biggest Mistakes I Made While Licensing My Indoor Playground Business 06.03.2023 44:30

In this episode I share several of the mistakes I made when we licensed our indoor playground concept. While the location did reach profitability and years of success, my own failure to put certain stipultaions and requirements in place in our conrtact led to long-lasting results in terms of the level of success they'd ultimately be able to achieve. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Part 1 of Licensing/ Franch...

174: What Makes A Quality Franchise Program With Expert Brian Beers 03.03.2023 39:58

More About Franchising and Licensing: http://bit.ly/3Z7aQXb 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/3Ia4P...

173: Thinking of Expanding, Licensing, or Franchising Your Family Entertainment Center or Indoor Playground Business? Listen To This First! 01.03.2023 39:49

Episode 173 Blog: http://bit.ly/3Z7aQXb 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...

172: Prepare Your Indoor Playground Or Play Cafe Business For A Recession (Your Complete 10 Step Plan) 27.02.2023 39:40

RECESSION PREP PLAYLIST: https://www.michelecaruana.com/recessionprep If you own and indoor playground or play cafe business and want to know what you could be doing right now to best prepare for an economic downturn or recession, this epsiode is for you! SOURCES: Alex Hormozi: http://bit.ly/3SBNF4X NYT Article: http://bit.ly/3maVUJh OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Curren...

171: Creating FOMO With Your Membership Offer (Without Discounting Your Services) 24.02.2023 13:19

RESOURCES MENTIONED: How Memberships Can Help You Sell Your Business Someday: https://bit.ly/3IwqxAe Creating Your Perfect Membership Offer: https://bit.ly/3m5eP8p Example Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CoudK7-uw5i/ OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners- Apply To Play Maker Society: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Co...

170: Booking Out Your Birthday Calendar Or Core Offer With A Content Blitz (2/2) 22.02.2023 28:04

Is there an offer in your indoor playground business or a specific service you launched, that isn’t quite selling as much as you’d like? In this part 2 example (go to episode 169 for pt. 1!), I share how to book out your BIRTHDAY calendar with a strategic content blitz! EPISODES MENTIONED: Book More Birthdays Challenge:https://www.michelecaruana.com/birthdaychallenge OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Aca...

169: 10 Steps To Executing A "Content Blitz" To Get BIG Sales Results Quickly 20.02.2023 43:52

Is there an offer in your indoor playground business or a specific service you launched, that isn’t quite selling as much as you’d like? One of my favorite strategies to educate our potential customers and spread awareness (and YES, get a major boost in sales!) is a super strategic and intentional content blitx. In this epsiode I share exactly how to execute this strategy, step-by-step, all using...

168: Some Of Your Offerings Not Selling Like You'd Hoped? This May Be Why! 17.02.2023 11:20

In this episode I share a story of a failed launch turned multi-six-figure-offer, and I share exactly what turned sales around! I also share how you can apply the SAME lesson to any offering that isn't selling as much as you had hoped in your indoor playground, play cafe, or family entertainment business! TOOLS & OTHER LINKS: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Q...

167: Do You Have An Insecure Attachment Style With YOUR Business? Here's How To Tell, and How To Fix It! 15.02.2023 33:14

I loved chatting with guest expert Amanda Bybel, host of the Related Podcast, during this episode! In this conversation that is unlike anything else I have shared on this podcast before, Amanda shares how you know if YOU are practicing a secure or insecure attachment style with your business, and how to establish more confidence and security in EVERY single thing you do! Trust me, your customers W...

166: The 4 Differences Between My Free And Paid Content (And How To Apply The Same Concept to YOUR Biz) 13.02.2023 31:42

I frequently get asked what the difference is between my free and paid content, and WHERE I draw the line between what I am willing to give away for free and when I decide to charge for my expertise. Hear more about my decision making content and how you can apply the 3 VERY different levels of content to your own business! RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners- Apply...

165: Hiring Payroll Employees Versus Independent Contractors in Your Family Entertainment Center Business 10.02.2023 30:32

Let's talk about the difference between payroll w2 employees and hiring independent 1099 contactors for your indoor playground business and discuss some pros and cons of each strategy! Read this information on my blog here: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/employees-versus-independent-contractors SOURCES: Episode 35 (How to Afford A Team): http://bit.ly/3wVWnkr Episode 109 (Hiring, Recruiting,...

164: Tips For Hiring And Working With A Virtual Assistant (2/2) 08.02.2023 15:47

Let's talk about hiring a virtual assistant or remote team member for your family entertainment business! Read this episode in blog form: https://bit.ly/3wYnT0J RESOURCES MENTIONED: Creating Standard Operating Procedures: http://bit.ly/3kXm8yg Money-Making Tasks: http://bit.ly/3ULBl1F Create A Social Media Strategy: http://bit.ly/3Yh2bRk LastPass: https://www.lastpass.com/ FREE Canva Pro Trial: ht...

163: Could Your Business Benefit From Hiring A Virtual Assistant Or Team Member? (1/2) 06.02.2023 14:57

162: 3 Canva Tips I Learned From Certified Canva Expert Brenda Cadman 03.02.2023 16:00

Canva FREE Pro Trial: https://bit.ly/3XR7Wp5 Brenda's Canva Training: http://bit.ly/3Rk4Lnc Splurge vs. Save on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3HHgEk1 Clip From Brenda's Training: https://bit.ly/3JxI2lR OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Current Owners- Apply To Play Maker Society: http://bit.ly/3kQsNtQ Fund Your Indoor Play Business: http://bit.ly/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting:...

161: I Don't Know Who Needs To Hear This But... Delete THAT Line Before Sending 01.02.2023 23:05

In this epsiode we talk about how customer comments and complaints can often trigger our defensiveness as indoor playground or play cafe business owners, causing us to feel compelled to respond an a way that is less-than-becoming as a community leader and business owner. Let's explore that compulsion and quash it in this episode. EPISODES MENTIONED: Responding To Negative Reviews: http://bit.ly/3Y...

160: Answering FAQ's About Offering Summer Camps As An Indoor Playground Owner 30.01.2023 19:57

In this epsiode, I tackle some questions I got asked about the legalities and regulations surrounding offering drop-off care at an indoor playground or play cafe setting. We'll talk about juggling camps with open play, handling bathroom issues, how to find your local laws, what to do in case of emergency, and more! RESOURCES MENTIONED: Preparing For An Emergency: http://bit.ly/3Del8vL Promoting Su...

159: 6 Tips For Executing A Successful (And Profitable!) Summer Camp Program 27.01.2023 25:36

READ THIS EPISODE IN BLOG FORM: http://bit.ly/3Y4HEPO EPISODES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED: Emergency Prep: https://bit.ly/3Del8vL Planning & Promoting Summer Camps: https://bit.ly/3HuUWj6 Repurpose Reviews For Profit: https://bit.ly/3Xu9OE1 How To Price Camps: https://bit.ly/3wvac9s OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy: https://www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Current Owners- Apply To Play Ma...

158: 10 Tips For Booked-Out Summer Camps At Your Indoor Playground Business! 25.01.2023 33:30

READ THIS EPISODE IN BLOG FORM: http://bit.ly/3RoMUM3 RESOURCES: FREE TRAINING: Fund Your Indoor Play Business: https://www.michelecaruana.com/playground-business-funding Play Cafe Academy: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Current Owners- Apply To Play Maker Society: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-maker-society-application-page Fund Your Indoor Play Business: https://www.michelecaruana....

157: Play Space Need A Face Lift? Try This Creative Funding Strategy For Existing Businesses! 23.01.2023 17:38

RESOURCES:  FREE TRAINING: Fund Your Indoor Play Business: https://www.michelecaruana.com/playground-business-funding Play Cafe Academy: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy  Current Owners- Apply To Play Maker Society: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-maker-society-application-page  Fund Your Indoor Play Business: https://www.michelecaruana.com/playground-business-funding &nbs...

156: 5 Tips For Pinterest Ad Success For Your Indoor Playground Or Play Cafe Business 18.01.2023 24:10

In this episode I share some tips that will help you get the best results for your money using Pinterest ads for your indoor playground or play cafe business! EPISODES MENTIONED: Why Pinterest Ads?: http://bit.ly/3QPLFW8 Facebook Pixel 101: http://bit.ly/3XADVJs FB and IG Retargeting Ads: http://bit.ly/3GIGbHN OTHER RESOURCES: Facebook And Instagram Ads Course: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playgr...

155: The Ultra-Effective Advertising Platform You Might Be Missing Out On 16.01.2023 19:13

EPISODES MENTIONED:  Facebook Pixel 101: http://bit.ly/3XADVJs  FB and IG Retargeting Ads: http://bit.ly/3GIGbHN  Organic Pinterest Strategy Pinterest: http://bit.ly/3GNhv11  Google Ads 101: http://bit.ly/3GJAfhR  OTHER RESOURCES:  Facebook And Instagram Ads Course: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI  Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC  Michele’s...

154: Boost Your Instagram Engagement And Reach By Including These 4 Things On Each Graphic 13.01.2023 9:17

LINKS AND RESOURCES: NEW 2023 What's Working Guide: https://www.michelecaruana.com/whatsworking Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Podcast Website: https://www.michelecaruana.com/playpodcast Play Cafe Academy: www.michelecaruana.com/playcafeacademy Current Owners- Apply To Play Maker Society: https://www.mich...

153: When Should You CANCEL An Event Due To Low Registration? 11.01.2023 12:31

In this episode I share 4 helpful questions to ask yourself as an indoor playground or play cafe owner if you are considering canceling an upcoming event or class due to low registration numbers. And these questions go BEYOND the obvious-- beyond determining the "break-even" point where your event would cost you more to host than to cancel and refund. SO much in business is NOT black and white, so...

152: Make THIS Your 2023 Business Resolution 09.01.2023 23:04

How much do you consume vs. create? Let's talk about LEARNING as a procrastination tactic in this episode! Recurring & Big Ticket Revenue (Ep 115): https://bit.ly/3XjjvV8  OTHER LINKS:  NEW 2023 What's Working Guide: https://www.michelecaruana.com/whatsworking  Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC  Michele’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmich...

151: Could Your Character Event Advertising Land Your Indoor Playground Business In Hot Water? 06.01.2023 9:53

Interview with Tiffany: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqQ1lR075Qk&t=2s Helpful Article: https://www.upcounsel.com/disney-trademark-infringement OTHER LINKS: NEW 2023 What's Working Guide: https://www.michelecaruana.com/whatsworking Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmichelecaruana/ Michele’s Website: https://www.michel...