293 episodes
The Profitable Play Podcast Michele Caruana
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- Business
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5.0 • 114 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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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 -
277: Your Perfect Pre-Launch Marketing Plan For Your Indoor Playground Business (From Daydream to Opening Day!)
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 exhilarating and a tad overwhelming, especially when it comes to getting the word out.
And here's why pre-opening marketing is especially essential: it's like laying down the welcome mat before your guests even arrive. By building buzz and excitement ahead of time, you're not just opening your doors; you're going to be the toast of (and the talk of!) the town!
But let's face it, marketing can sometimes feel like trying to juggle a dozen inflatable balls at once (which, coincidentally, might be excellent training for your future customers!). That's why this checklist is here to lend you a helping hand. From social media strategies to local partnerships and everything in between, we've got you covered.
Here's your pre-marketing checklist PDF: https://www.michelecaruana.com/marketingchecklist
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
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!
Amazing!!
Michelle is so knowledgeable in this field and i am hoping to join playmakers society one day to increase my knowledge in more areas than just her free content.