The Profitable Play Podcast

Michele Caruana
  • 5.0(164개의 평가)
  • 기업 운영
  • 매주 업데이트

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

  1. 2일 전

    347: Quick Strategies To Finish the Year Strong Even After a Slow Black Friday

    If your Black Friday weekend fell flat or December sales feel slower than expected, this episode is for you. In this episode, I share proven, mid-December strategies that boost revenue quickly and with minimal stress. From annual membership offers to 2025 party pricing, holiday break camps, summer camp gift cards, retail live sales, low-lift holiday events, and more — you’ll learn exactly what works now, why it works, and how to implement it at your indoor playground or play café business. BLOG for this episode In this episode, you’ll learn: Why December often feels busy but not profitableHow annual membership sales generate thousands in a weekWhat email sequence converts existing monthly membersHow to sell 2026 parties right now — even if parents don’t have a date yetWhy holiday break camps are a revenue lifesaverHow to sell summer camp gift cards even before your program is finalizedA unique and fun way to clear out retail inventory using live videoLow-lift event ideas that sell out, especially for baby familiesHow to pick ONE initiative at a time to avoid overwhelmThe mindset shift that makes all these strategies work: ease > priceLinks: Learn more or join Play Cafe Academy and Play Maker SocietyLive Event WaitlistEpisode referenced: Low-Lift Holiday Events That Actually Sell OutEpisode referenced: Customer Avatars 101Aluvii Demo With PCA Discount! OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Getting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist] What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 Guide Fund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training] Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting Waitlist Michele’s Instagram Michele’s Website Play Cafe Academy YouTube Channel ETSY Template Shop Prepare Your Indoor Playground For a Recession Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving: https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy Active Campaign Free Trial: https://www.activecampaign.com/?_r=D6IYK3HG

    34분

  2. 12월 1일

    346: Turning Your Retail Section Into a Reliable Revenue Stream With Justine From Liv and Mimis

    In today’s episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I’m joined by Justine, the owner of Liv and Mimi’s Play Café, who is now two years into her business journey. WATCH on YouTube (plus get a tour of Justine's retail section: https://youtu.be/BpxtDLo8SNIz) If you’re inside Play Maker Society, you already know how thoughtful and generous she is with her real-world experience—and today she’s sharing it all. We focus heavily on retail, because Justine brings a strong background in merchandising and has used that expertise to turn her retail section into a powerful, profitable part of her business. She walks us through how she chooses products, how she thinks about display and flow, what sells best for her audience, and the small changes that have had the biggest impact on her sales. Beyond retail, we dig into the lessons she’s learned in her first two years of ownership—what she expected versus what surprised her, what she changed after year one, and how she continues to refine her operations, staffing, birthday parties, and membership strategy based on customer behavior. If you’ve been wanting to grow your retail revenue—or you’ve felt stuck trying to choose the right products or manage inventory—this conversation will give you tons of practical insight and real examples you can apply right away. Tune in to hear how Justine approaches retail with intention and how those strategies have contributed to both her revenue and her customer experience at Liv and Mimi’s Play Café. Justine's Website Justine's IG Justine's Tik Tok OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Getting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist] What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 Guide Fund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training] Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting Waitlist Michele’s Instagram Michele’s Website Play Cafe Academy YouTube Channel ETSY Template Shop Prepare Your Indoor Playground For a Recession Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving: https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy Active Campaign Free Trial: https://www.activecampaign.com/?_r=D6IYK3HG

    59분

  3. 11월 28일

    345: 9 Things I'd Tell A Prospective Play Cafe Owner If I Was NOT Afraid To Hurt Their Feelings

    In this episode, I’m sharing the exact tough-love truth I give my one-on-one clients inside Play Cafe Academy and Playmaker Society—the things I say privately that genuinely help people avoid incredibly expensive, stressful, and sometimes irreversible mistakes when opening an indoor playground or play café. This audio is pulled directly from a YouTube video I recently published, and I wanted to share it here because it’s that important. But if you want to make sure you never miss content that doesn’t make it over to the podcast feed, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel as well. If you’re in the planning phase, this is the reality check you need before signing a lease, building a business plan, launching a GoFundMe, choosing a location, or assuming open play alone will carry your business. I walk through the most common misconceptions I see every week—unrealistic revenue projections, relying too heavily on vendors, expecting your customers to be loyal, thinking you can bring your kids to work, underestimating the impact on your relationship, and more. I’m also diving into why no one wants to fund your dream, how crowdfunding can work when used as a marketing strategy (not a funding plan), and why your startup budget, projected revenue, and marketing spend need to align if you want the business to be sustainable and your life to stay intact. My intention isn’t to scare you—it’s to give you the full, unfiltered picture so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and realistic expectations. A play café can absolutely be profitable and joyful, but only if it’s built on truth, not wishful thinking. If you enjoyed this episode and want a part two for current owners, send me a message or leave a review. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Business Plan Toolkit Why You Can't Bring Your Kids To Work What Opening an Indoor Playground Costs OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Getting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist] What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 Guide Fund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training] Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting Waitlist Michele’s Instagram Michele’s Website Play Cafe Academy YouTube Channel ETSY Template Shop Prepare Your Indoor Playground For a Recession Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving: https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy Active Campaign Free Trial: https://www.activecampaign.com/?_r=D6IYK3HG

    37분

  4. 11월 24일

    344: Year 1 Of Opening A Play Cafe With Owner Jessalyn Pustay From The Playroom WV

    Year 1 Of Opening A Play Cafe With Jessalyn Pustay From The Playroom West Virginia! This interview is also available on YouTube as a video here! You can also get a summary of this episode on our blog here! In today’s episode, I’m talking with The Playroom owner Jessalyn Pustay about her first year in business and the lessons she learned while creating a high-quality play and programming space in West Virginia — something she desperately wanted for her own kids after relocating from Washington, DC. In this interview, we cover: ...How her staffing model grew from just herself to a small, reliable team that can now handle emergencies and weekend coverage. ...The tech struggles she faced early on, why pieced-together systems held her back, and why she’s excited to try something new. ...The marketing channels that actually work in her town. ...How she adjusted pricing and added unlimited memberships, plus which revenue streams perform best. ...The strong seasonality in her area and how she planned ahead financially to make summer slowdowns manageable. ...Her shift away from certain offerings, like read-and-plays and drop-off events, and the themed playgroups and holiday events that consistently sell out. ...The birthday party add-ons that made the biggest difference in profitability. ...How customer feedback shaped her hours and upcoming plans like co-working mornings and homeschool days. ...The vendor and community partnerships that drive real revenue, from bakers and roasters to photographers and local activity providers. ...Her biggest wins and biggest learning moments. ...How her personal workload has shifted — now just three short on-site days a week — and what she’s beginning to delegate. Jessalyn closes with heartfelt advice for prospective owners: learn from people who have already done it, set boundaries early, and don’t let the business drain the energy you need to run it well. If you’re planning, opening, or in your first couple of years, this episode is packed with practical insight and honest reflection. TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@theplayroomwv WEBSITE: www.theplayroomwv.com INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theplayroomwv/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/theplayroomwv PLAY SPACE BRAIN: https://playspacebrain.com/ PROFITABLE PLAY RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Getting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist] What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 Guide Fund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training] Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting Waitlist Michele’s Instagram Michele’s Website Play Cafe Academy YouTube Channel ETSY Template Shop Prepare Your Indoor Playground For a Recession Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving: https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy Active Campaign Free Trial: https://www.activecampaign.com/?_r=D6IYK3HG

    1시간 3분

  5. 11월 18일

    343: Want Your Customers To "Shop Small" Instead Of On Amazon? The Honest Truth (And What You Can Do To Win Back Holiday Sales TODAY)

    In this bonus episode, I’m breaking down a tough but important truth about holiday retail: parents aren’t loyal to Amazon—they’re loyal to convenience. If you want families in your community to “shop small” with your indoor playground or play cafe business, you have to make buying from your business as simple and friction-free as possible. I walk through exactly how indoor playground owners can streamline both in-person and online shopping, including mobile-first website fixes, tap-to-pay checkout, same-day pickup, local delivery, gift guides, and quick fulfillment systems. When we make shopping with us the easiest option, we win more holiday retail sales—without having to compete on price. Blog for this episode Let Us Fix Your Website (Schedule A Free Call) OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Getting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist] What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 Guide Fund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training] Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting Waitlist Michele’s Instagram Michele’s Website Play Cafe Academy YouTube Channel ETSY Template Shop Prepare Your Indoor Playground For a Recession Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving: https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy Active Campaign Free Trial: https://www.activecampaign.com/?_r=D6IYK3HG

    18분

  6. 11월 14일

    342: Highly Profitable, Low-Lift Holiday Events To Add To Your Calendar (That Are NOT Santa Visits!)

    In this episode, I’m sharing the simplest, most profitable holiday events you can add to your calendar — even in the middle of the December chaos. These ideas are designed to increase revenue, visibility, and loyalty without overwhelming you or your team. BLOG for this episode I talk about why you don’t need to compete with free community events, why age-specific offerings (especially for babies) are incredibly strategic, and how a few thoughtful touches can make small, curated events feel premium and sell out quickly. In this episode, I cover: • Why the holiday season feels overwhelming — and how to keep events simple • Why free events aren’t your competition • The power of baby-focused and age-specific programming • How to use small group sizes to your advantage • High-impact, low-lift event ideas you can run immediately If you want to boost revenue without burning out this holiday season, this episode will give you everything you need. PROFITABLE PLAY RESOURCES: BLOG for this episode Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Getting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist] What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 Guide Fund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training] Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting Waitlist Michele’s Instagram Michele’s Website Play Cafe Academy YouTube Channel ETSY Template Shop Prepare Your Indoor Playground For a Recession Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving: https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy Active Campaign Free Trial: https://www.activecampaign.com/?_r=D6IYK3HG

    46분

  7. 11월 10일

    341: Earn Respect From Your Employees as A Leader With These 10 Important Habits

    If you’re already open, you know this — and if you’re getting ready to open, you’re about to find out: managing a team is one of the hardest, most complex, and most draining parts of running an indoor playground or play café. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 leadership habits that have helped me earn the respect and trust of my team — not because they had to follow me, but because they wanted to. These are lessons I’ve learned the hard way over the years, adapted specifically for our unique industry where most employees are part-time, often young, and juggling a lot outside of work. I’ll walk you through how I: Model the behavior I expectCommunicate clearly and address issues earlyListen to my team and act on their feedbackTake ownership publicly and coach privatelyEmpower instead of micromanageRecognize wins that build moraleStay calm when chaos hitsStay fair and consistentInvest in my team’s growth, even if they won’t stay foreverLead with humility and openness Because leadership in this industry isn’t about barking orders — it’s about setting the tone, building trust, and creating a culture that runs smoothly even when you’re not in the room. If you’re ready to create that kind of team — one that respects you, supports each other, and helps your business grow — this episode is for you. BLOG for this Episode YOUTUBE VIDEO for this Episode PROFITABLE PLAY RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Getting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist] What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 Guide Fund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training] Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting Waitlist Michele’s Instagram Michele’s Website Play Cafe Academy YouTube Channel ETSY Template Shop Prepare Your Indoor Playground For a Recession Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving: https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy Active Campaign Free Trial: https://www.activecampaign.com/?_r=D6IYK3HG

    46분

  8. 11월 4일

    340: Checking in With Sunshine Play Cafe Owner Sarah Kobin 1 Year Later On What's Worked and What Hasn't After 18 Months In Business

    In this episode, I’m catching up with play café owner Sarah Kobin, who I first interviewed about a year and a half ago when she was still in the early opening phase of her business. Now that she’s been open for 18 months, Sarah shares what’s changed — from which revenue streams performed best (and which didn’t) to how her team, systems, and daily operations have evolved. We talk about what’s surprised her most since opening, what she’d do differently if she could start over, and how her role as the owner has shifted as the business has grown. If you’re curious what the first full year of running an indoor playground really looks like — the wins, the lessons, and everything in between — you’re going to love this follow-up conversation. Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving Sarah's Website Sunshine Play Cafe Facebook Sunshine Play Cafe Instagram Meet Sarah PROFITABLE PLAY RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Getting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist] What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 Guide Fund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training] Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting Waitlist Michele’s Instagram Michele’s Website Play Cafe Academy YouTube Channel ETSY Template Shop Prepare Your Indoor Playground For a Recession Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving: https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy Active Campaign Free Trial: https://www.activecampaign.com/?_r=D6IYK3HG

    53분
모두 보기(357개)

5
최고 5점
164개의 평가

소개

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

정보

  • 제작진
    Michele Caruana
  • 방송 연도
    2022년 - 2025년
  • 에피소드
    357
  • 등급
    전체 연령 사용가
  • 저작권
    © 2025 Profitable Play All Rights Reserved.
  • 웹사이트 보기
    The Profitable Play Podcast

좋아할 만한 다른 항목