294 episodes
The Profitable Play Podcast Michele Caruana
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- Business
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5.0 • 115 Ratings
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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
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283: Successfully Launching a Physical Product For Parents With Pluie Founder Addie Gundry
How to successfully launch a physical product with Female Founder of the Year and TIME Best Invention winner, Pluie Founder Addie Gundry!
In this video, 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 discuss Addie's clever company naming strategy, the launch process for a physical product, and the growth of Pluie into major outlets like CVS and Starbucks-- PLUS her expansion into more products for parents.
Additionally, Addie provides valuable insights on overcoming challenges like imposter syndrome and the fear of failure.
This conversation also offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Shark Tank's production process, highlighting Addie's tenacity and confidence in Pluie's positive impact on parents everywhere.
If you need a fresh dose of energy or motivation, OR if you're feeling called to launch a physical product but you're feeling scared or STUCK- this video is for you!
Pluie website: https://hellopluie.com/
Pluie IG: https://www.instagram.com/hello_pluie/
Addie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/addiegundry/
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 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 Website: https://www.michelecaruana.com
YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3JDkSe7
FREE 14-DAY Active Campaign Trial: https://bit.ly/3rjp5bP
ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4
Recession Prep Playlist: https://www.michelecaruana.com/recessionprep
Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com -
282: Recorded Coaching Call With Indoor Playground Owners Kaylinn and Jeremy From Monkey Around Play Cafe
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 fire at one of their locations recently. This has caused them to move to a pop-up/ temporary location until they can rebuild.
If you are interested in buying an existing business that needs a little (or a LOT of) TLC, or if you're interested in what opening a temporary pop-up space would look like, this is the conversation for you!
We also talk a great deal about marketing- which is one of my FAVORITE topics, so you KNOW it's a good episode!
Monkey Around IG: https://www.instagram.com/monkeyaroundplaycafe/
Monkey Around TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@monkeyaroundplaycafe
Monkey Around Website: https://www.monkeyaroundbillings.com/
Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK
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 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 Website: https://www.michelecaruana.com
YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3JDkSe7
FREE 14-DAY Active Campaign Trial: https://bit.ly/3rjp5bP
ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4
Recession Prep Playlist: https://www.michelecaruana.com/recessionprep
Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com -
281: Timed Open-Play Sessions Vs. Drop-In Play: Which Is Right For YOUR Indoor Playground Business?
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 aligns with your business goals, customer preferences, and operational capabilities, and even consider a hybrid approach for added adaptability!
READ this content on the blog: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/timed-open-play-sessions-vs-drop-in-play
Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK
Episode on Memberships/ recurring revenue: https://bit.ly/44nGkKV
Busy Bee Play Cafe: https://www.thebusybeeplaycafe.com/
OTHER 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 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 Website: https://www.michelecaruana.com
YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3JDkSe7
FREE 14-DAY Active Campaign Trial: https://bit.ly/3rjp5bP
ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4
Recession Prep Playlist: https://www.michelecaruana.com/recessionprep
Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com -
280: From Quiz to Conversion: How Quizzes Can Drive Sales for Indoor Playground Businesses With Lindsay Roberts
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 (Our Recommended QUIZ Software): https://bit.ly/43DFKtG
Lindsay's Quiz: https://www.femfrontier.com/take-quiz
Lindsay's Website: www.femfrontier.com
Instagram: @FemFrontier
Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK
OTHER RESOURCES:
Getting Started YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYkEnvPJdo&list=PLKNxpFOU7ITc6BrH_EHl4DuHqWqdUoTZU
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 Website: https://www.michelecaruana.com
YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3JDkSe7
FREE 14-DAY Active Campaign Trial: https://bit.ly/3rjp5bP
ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4
Recession Prep Playlist: https://www.michelecaruana.com/recessionprep
Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com -
279: Texting Trends: Modern SMS Marketing Techniques for Indoor Playgrounds
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 Website: https://www.michelecaruana.com
YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3JDkSe7
FREE 14-DAY Active Campaign Trial: https://bit.ly/3rjp5bP
ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4
Recession Prep Playlist: https://www.michelecaruana.com/recessionprep
Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com -
278: Hosting A Successful (And Profitable!) Mother's Day Vendor Event At Your Brick and Mortar
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 your customers, your vendors, and your own indoor playground business.
Get Event Visuals on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiBxLBF1EyE&t=51s
Michele’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Ia4PTK
Michele's Email: Michele@michelecaruana.com
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: 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 Channel: https://bit.ly/3JDkSe7
FREE 14-DAY Active Campaign Trial: https://bit.ly/3rjp5bP
ETSY Template Shop: https://bit.ly/40RF5D4
Recession Prep Playlist: https://www.michelecaruana.com/recessionprep
Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Socity: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com
Customer Reviews
Amazing Tips!
I’ve been listening to Michelle’s podcast and YouTube videos for a few months now and have learned so much! She does such a great job about covering EVERYTHING from the top to the bottom of your business and from all stages across her platforms — whether you’re just considering opening a business or you’re an active owner. Even as someone with almost 12 years in the kids activity industry, I still learn things from her daily!
New Business Owner
This cafe podcast is clutch. As a new business owner opening a indoor play cafe I was all over the place trying to find a persons whom as been where I been. This was literally a breath of fresh air to know I had a podcast and YouTube channel to look to go help. This is amazing. Thanks
Awesome programs and USEFUL information!
If you’re looking to start a business in the area of play, Michelle is definitely the guru and you have come to the right place! In addition, she’s so very generous with the information. It’s been so helpful to me on my journey to starting my business in soft play and eventually a brick and mortar indoor playground. Definitely glad I found her!