THIS is one of those episodes that make me wish I could hop in a time machine back to 2015 when I was opening my business with what I know after this conversation. Knowing how to handle conflict and how to master difficult conversations with confidence would have saved me SO much anxiety, stress, and ALL the negative consequences that came from NOT having this perfected. Our guest on the show today is Elisabeth Robinson of “Mastering Difficult Conversations”. Elisabeth’s mission is to help...

Book More Birthdays with Ads Course: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI BLOG For This Episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/save-money-on-ads Today we're diving into one of my favorite topics: marketing your indoor playground or play cafe business while saving money. Facebook and Instagram Ads can be powerful tools for scaling your indoor playground business, but they often feel confusing and costly for beginners. While quick-launch ads and boosted posts are tempting, they often lack real...

Normally on the Profitable Play Podcast we talk about how to take care of your marketing, your team members, your sales and your customers, your business partners and vendors,- all that. But today, I want to talk about how we can take care of YOU, the business owner.  Because while most of us have amazing support systems and teams that help us make our missions possible– we still remain at the center of it. And if we allow our stress and anxiety and overwhelm to impact our mental and...

Since we are ALREADY nearing the halfway point of the year, today I want you to ask yourself a couple of questions (5 to be exact!) that I have gotten in the habit of asking MYSELF if I’m feeling a little distracted or unmoored in my work or personal life, because it always brings my goals and perspective back into focus. If you prefer to read this content: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/questions-to-ask-to-reclaim-focus Resources Mentioned: Kid's Night Out Video:...

How to successfully launch a physical product with Female Founder of the Year and TIME Best Invention winner, Pluie Founder Addie Gundry! In this episode, I welcome Addie Gundry, the visionary founder and CEO of Pluie, a revolutionary commercial changing table featured on Shark Tank and recognized by TIME as a best invention. Addie shares her journey from a culinary career on The Food Network to creating Pluie out of a personal need as a mom for improved public changing tables. We...

In today's episode of the Profitable Play Podcast, you get to listen in on a recorded coaching call with indoor playground owners Kaylinn and Jeremy who own Monkey Around play space in Billings, Montana. This conversation is unique for a few reasons. First, Kaylinn and Jeremy purchased their business from it's existing owners (two locations) and are currently navigating the process of revitalizing the business with fresh energy and ideas. They also, unfortunately, suffered a near total-loss...

In today's episode of the Profitable Play Podcast, we'll explore the pros and cons of timed play sessions and open all-day access for indoor playgrounds and play cafe businesses. While timed play sessions offer a structured environment and (sometimes!) more predictable revenue, they may limit flexibility and customer satisfaction. Open all-day access provides increased flexibility and continuous revenue but comes with challenges such as overcrowding and staffing issues. Choose the model that...

In this episode, Lindsay Roberts of Fem Frontier dives into the strategy of using fun and simple quizzes to build and segment email lists (and entire customer bases!) specifcally for indoor playground owners. She highlights the importance of creating engaging quizzes, promoting participation, and segmenting lists for highly-personalized, targeted marketing. Lindsay shares practical tips and best practices to empower you to leverage QUIZZES for (automated!) business growth. Try Interact...

14-Day SMS Marketing Trial: https://www.salesmessage.com/?fp_ref=nzfbw OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD What's Working 2024 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: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK Michele’s...

Hosting vendor shopping events at your indoor play space can be a great way for a quick cash boost AND to begin building a relationship with other local businesses owners and makers. However, the success of your first event is CRITICAL when it comes to enticing shoppers and booking vendors for any future subsequent events. So ensure you don't make these very common mistakes (many of which I have lived and learned from myself!) so you can create a smashingly successful Mother's Day event for...

Here's your pre-marketing checklist PDF: https://www.michelecaruana.com/marketingchecklist Even if your business is already open, this episode of the Profitable Play Podcast hosted by Michele Caruana will discuss pre-launch marketing strategies that will help you... -launch a new service or revenue stream -open a second location with success -announce new opportunities like licensing or franchising And more! When it comes down to it, launching something new can be both...

I was asked recently to bring back recorded one-on-one coaching calls with Play Maker Society members, so today I am VERY excited to be doing exactly that! A few weeks back I reached out inside of my Play Maker Society group and asked for volunteers who agreed to be recorded for the podcast and YouTube channel, and I am SO excited to bring you the first of those today! Other recorded coaching calls: https://bit.ly/49D8zZ5 The Little Play Avenue Website:...

How to tell your brand story on social media and on your website with Mariana Henninger from Brand Magnetic! Oftentimes when I am researching other indoor playground businesses, I find that ONE thing is sorely lacking from many websites and social media channels-- And that is a captivating and intentional BRAND story. Now I know you may be watching and thinking, I don’t want to put my personal business out there- I prefer to be behind the scenes.   And that is absolutely OK. You can...

Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/iFtbdMJ09Cw Interviewing play cafe owner couples and asking the tough questions for Valentines Day!   In this video, I am interviewing the owners of Natural Nest Play Cafe and Busy Bee Play Cafe and asking them questions like...   What is it like to own a business with your spouse?  What has been most challenging thus far?  What have you learned about each other along the way?  What advice would you give to prospective play cafe owners?   And...

Join host Michele Caruana as she welcomes Project Play Museum owner Alera Ownens! In this conversation, Alera is going to pull back the curtain on her amazingly successful business by sharing insights into things like How she launched her business and where she found design inspiration and what that process looked like Why she decided from the jump to have a discovery school as one of her revenue streams Exactly what her discovery school program looks like and how it has evolved over...

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD The Time We Had To Ban A Customer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPtJtRaHyEE&t=558s Mini Course Library: https://www.michelecaruana.com/mini-course-library-play-cafe-academy 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:...

Want to add digital products to your indoor playground business OR use them to fund your brick and mortar location? This is the episode for you! Heather O'Donnell is the owner & founder of Kindergarten Ready Skills, where she helps preschool moms prepare their kids for kindergarten and the owner & founder of Teacher Biz, where she helps teachers build profitable, enjoyable online businesses of their own. As a former kindergarten teacher, Heather is passionate about helping...

RESOURCES MENTIONED: Book More Birthdays With Ads Course for Indoor Playgrounds: https://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Evergreen Ads Episode: https://bit.ly/45fO8PP Ads Tutorials on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3UiUZFy 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/38KbYbz Courses & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses:...

Meal prep and planning tips for busy entrepreneurs and business owners!  In this episode, we have special guest Verona Angol, the host of the "Lose Weight with Meal Planning" podcast.  Verona is joining us to share expert insights on meal prep strategies tailored specifically for busy entrepreneurs and indoor playground owners.   Are you constantly on the go, juggling work, family, and the demands of running an indoor playground business? 🏢👩‍💼 Are you looking for practical tips and...

Web Design Services: https://www.michelecaruana.com/play-cafe-business-web-design-services Why Memberships are Crucial: https://bit.ly/44nGkKV Interview With Heather From Play Date LLC: https://bit.ly/3S81GYm 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 &...

About Mural / Adrienne Scanlan's Links: Website: www.aboutmurals.ca Coupon Code: playcafeacademy (40% Off In-Stock Murals) Blog Post: https://aboutmurals.ca/blog/indoor-playground-wallpaper-murals/ YouTube (@aboutmurals): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ-9dlAULFa8nXLrjK2n8_Q Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/aboutmurals/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutmurals Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_murals BLOG CHECKLIST: www.michelecaruana.com/blogchecklist OTHER...

ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4 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 & Consulting: http://bit.ly/3N7bPAI Indoor Playground Business Courses: https://bit.ly/37yCxAC Michele’s Instagram:...

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 & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Getting Started YouTube Playlist:...

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-funding-2024 RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity:...