The Profitable Play Podcast

Michele Caruana
  • 5.0 (169)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 3D AGO

    356: Buying, Running, and Pivoting a Play Café: Hard Lessons, Smart Decisions, and What Comes Next with Kaylinn

    What’s it really like to buy an existing play café instead of starting from scratch? In this candid conversation, I sit down with Kaylinn from Kay’s Play Days — former owner of Monkey Around Play Café and now floor manager at Wise Wonders Children’s Museum — to talk through the real behind-the-scenes of purchasing, running, and ultimately closing a play space. Watch on YouTube instead: https://youtu.be/FV7nwc-nBZA She shares what she wishes she had verified before buying, lessons around finances and leases, and the operational realities that don’t always show up in a business plan. We also talk about the personal side of ownership — how the long hours and stress impacted her family — and why stepping into a museum leadership role has given her more balance without leaving the industry she loves. If you’re considering buying, selling, or simply questioning whether ownership is right for you, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and practical lessons you can apply immediately. We Cover: • Buying vs. starting from scratch • Due diligence and financial transparency • Lease and landlord challenges • Hidden operational realities of ownership • Why she’d skip bounce houses next time • Simple ways to empower your team • Creative staffing partnerships • The personal and family impact of ownership • Pivoting into a museum leadership role Connect with KaylinnFollow @kaysplaydays on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook Ready to Open Your Own Play Café?Get the complete step-by-step blueprint inside Play Café Academy + a free month of Play Maker Society. Start here! More 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  TOOLS & OTHER LINKS: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving Active Campaign Free Trial Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

    48 min

  2. FEB 2

    355: Retain Customers And Get Repeat Bookings By Creating A "Disney-Level" Experience At Your Play Cafe With Vance Morris

    Retain your customers and get repeat bookings by creating a Disney-level experience at your indoor playground business or play cafe business! Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/S5mc-itOHuk What if the reason families don’t rebook birthday parties, memberships, or repeat visits isn’t your pricing, marketing, or competition—but your customer experience systems? In this episode, I’m joined by Vance Morris, a former Disney leader who spent over a decade designing and operating guest experiences at Disney—and now helps brick-and-mortar businesses create raving fans for life without overspending or burning out. This conversation is especially relevant for indoor playground and play café owners who are: ...Facing increased local competition ...Frustrated with always chasing new leads ...Tired of the social media hamster-wheel and getting new customers in the door each day ...Competing against chains or copycat concepts ...Relying heavily on birthday parties for revenue ...Trying to stand out without discounts or constant promotions In this interview, we cover: ...Why customer retention beats customer acquisition for play businesses ...How Disney delivers consistent, magical experiences using systems—not perfect staff ...The biggest mistake small businesses make when training employees ...How scripts, SOPs, and onboarding create freedom instead of rigidity ...Low-cost ways to create tellable moments that drive referrals ...How experience impacts party rebookings and guest-to-customer conversion ...What indoor playground owners should focus on after the party ends Vance also shares real examples of how small changes—many costing little to nothing—can dramatically increase repeat business and lifetime customer value. If you want families talking about your business, choosing you over competitors, and coming back year after year, this episode will completely shift how you think about experience. Resources & Links: Download: 52 Ways to Wow Your Customer Without Breaking the Bank Learn more about Vance: vancemorris.com More ways to implement Disney magic at your play cafe: https://bit.ly/3M7MVFU 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 TOOLS & OTHER LINKS: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving Active Campaign Free Trial Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

    36 min

  3. JAN 26

    354: Managing Parties, Capacity, and Staff in a Large Play Café With Kristina Lai From Busy Bee Play Cafe

    What does it actually take to run a successful play café once you’re past the opening phase—especially when your space is larger than most independent, non-franchise-chain locations? In this episode of the Profitable Play Podcast, I sit down with Kristina Lai, owner of Busy Bee Play Cafe in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their 8,500+ sq ft facility is on the larger side for a non-chain indoor playground business, which brings its own unique challenges and advantages. On the challenge side, a larger space means a bigger team (often with a high number of teenage staff), higher capacity to manage, more moving parts operationally, and the ability—and pressure—to run a high volume of birthday parties every single week. On the flip side, that size also creates real opportunities: multiple parties running at once, diversified revenue streams beyond open play, a full balloon bar, stronger café potential, and more flexibility in how the business actually makes money. In this conversation, Kristina shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how she navigates both sides of that equation. We cover: ...Operating a larger independent play café without franchise systems ...Managing a large, mostly teenage team in peak seasons ...Running a high volume of birthday parties each week—and why systems matter ...Hosting multiple parties at the same time without overwhelming staff or guests ...Real revenue breakdowns: open play, parties, memberships, café sales, retail, and balloons ...Building a profitable balloon business after Party City closures ...Using reservations and memberships to control capacity in a high-traffic space ...When memberships attract the wrong families—and how to handle it ...Letting go of problem members and employees (and why some money isn’t worth it) ...Launching hot food in a play café without turning it into a full restaurant ...The emotional toll of running a large play business and being “always on call” ...How ownership impacts family life when your kids grow up alongside the business This episode is especially helpful if you: ...Own or are planning on opening a play café or indoor playground ...Are considering (or already running) a larger-than-average independent space ...Run frequent birthday parties and want better systems ...Want multiple revenue streams without burning out ...Are managing staffing, capacity, or boundaries 👉 Busy Bee Play Cafe Website: https://www.thebusybeeplaycafe.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusybeeplaycafe/ 🎧 Prefer video? Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/xIss67qwn3I 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  TOOLS & OTHER LINKS: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving Active Campaign Free Trial Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

    1h 1m

  4. JAN 19

    353: Facing Competition, Adding A Cafe, And More First-Year Trials and Successes With Charlesee and Max From Little Dreams Play Studio

    In this episode, I’m joined by Charlesee and Max Woosley, the husband-and-wife owners of Little Dreams Play Studio in Dayton, Ohio. They opened in March, expanded quickly, added a café, and almost immediately faced new competition. We talk about what that actually looked like behind the scenes—and how they’ve navigated growth, staffing, pricing, and marketing without losing focus or burning out. In this episode, we cover... Opening as the only play space—and handling nearby competitionExpanding their space and adding a caféHiring lessons and early staffing mistakesWhy birthday parties grew faster than expectedBooking parties from Google and social media without prior visitsA local TikTok that drove real foot trafficAdjusting hours based on data, not guessworkUsing simple systems to run the business day-to-dayRunning a play business as a married coupleStaying anchored to purpose during stressful seasonsConnect with & follow Little Dreams Play Studio: WebsiteInstagramTik 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  TOOLS & OTHER LINKS: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving Active Campaign Free Trial Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

    53 min

  5. JAN 12

    352: 2026 Trend Predictions For The Indoor Play Industry (Part 2- Operations and Day-to-Day)

    This is Part 2 of my annual indoor playground and play café industry trends episode — a series I’ve released every single year since 2019. Part 1 focused on business design and planning. Part 2 is about operations, systems, and the decisions owners are making behind the scenes that will quietly determine who is still standing in 3–5 years. These aren’t “ideas to try.” These are structural shifts happening right now inside profitable, sustainable play businesses. And if you miss them They’re expensive to fix later. In this episode, I break down the operational and ownership trends shaping 2026, including: Why owners are stepping back earlier — and how systems (not hustle) are making it possibleThe rise of businesses designed to function without the owner presentWhy you cannot out-market a broken layout, bad flow, or poorly designed spaceHow intentional design decisions reduce staffing costs, customer friction, and burnoutWhy some owners are quietly cutting hours — and increasing profitThe shift toward making money during downtime, not just peak hoursHow smarter owners are evaluating revenue streams based on profitability and energy, not egoWhy “just add more offerings” is becoming a dangerous strategyThe growing gap between owners who track numbers weekly and those who “feel busy”How over-reliance on AI without real-world context is already costing new owners time and money RESOURCES MENTIONED: BLOG For This Episode Little Play Avenue Episode 105: Call Forwarding Systems To Better Customer Service Episode 84: Making Money As A UGC Creator Episode 349: Business Sponsorships with Jayci from Tiny Play Episode 341: Lead Your Team Better in 2026 Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society 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  TOOLS & OTHER LINKS: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving Active Campaign Free Trial Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

    1h 6m

  6. JAN 3

    351: 2026 Trend Predictions For The Indoor Play Industry (Part 1- Planning and Design)

    Every year (since 2019!), I release a trends episode for the indoor playground and play café industry — and this year, there was simply too much to cover responsibly in a single episode. BLOG For this episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/2026-play-cafe-trends As I reviewed what I shared in my 2025 trends video (linked below) alongside what I’ve been seeing all year in Play Maker Society, my live events, and 1:1 coaching, the trends naturally fell into two buckets: 1) planning and design decisions that are expensive to undo 2) operational choices that determine whether a business actually runs sustainably That’s why the 2026 trends are split into two parts. Part 1 focuses on planning: space design, revenue structure, and early decisions that quietly lock owners into years of unnecessary stress if they get them wrong. Many of the 2025 trends from last year's episode are still very relevant — including indoor/outdoor spaces, experience-led design, and bold, playful use of color — but the cost of missing these shifts is higher than ever. This year's list is less about what's "new" and more about what's becoming non-negotiable to have a competition and receccsion-proofed business (that YES: actually pays you). What’s IN for 2026 (Planning & Design): Treating cafés as a core profit driver, not a side featureDesigning spaces that increase length of stay and per-visit spendInclusion and universal design as the standard, not a bonusIntentional layouts that reduce friction for families and staffRevenue models that prioritize retained profit, not just top-line salesDesigning businesses that work with family behavior, not against it What’s OUT for 2026 (Planning & Design): Over-relying on AI to plan your business without real-world validationRelying on hustle to fix structural problemsDepending heavily on third-party vendors for food and party add-onsSkipping cafés without a clear replacement revenue strategyTreating inclusion as a marketing angle instead of a design foundationAssuming volume will make up for thin marginsBuilding spaces that look good online but don’t function well in real life This episode sets the foundation for Part 2, where we’ll shift from planning to execution — covering operational trends, optimization, and how owners are building businesses that run without burning them out. 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  TOOLS & OTHER LINKS: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving Active Campaign Free Trial Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

    1h 7m

  7. 12/31/2025

    350: My 7 Best Pieces of Advice for Indoor Playground Owners as We Head Into 2026

    As I wrap up 2025, I wanted to record an episode that goes deeper than trends (but YES, my annual trends prediction is coming up next!)— because what I’m seeing across the industry right now isn’t necessarily a lack of ideas. It’s a lack of foundations. BLOG for this episode After a full year of interviewing indoor playground and play café owners, working through countless 1:1 sessions, and supporting owners inside Play Maker Society, the same patterns keep showing up — regardless of location, size, or years in business. Owners are busy, but still stressed. They’re marketing constantly, but not converting. They’re deeply involved, but exhausted. This episode brings together the seven pieces of advice I’m giving to (and getting from!) current owners right now — not based on theory or predictions, but on what I’m actively seeing work (and not work) in real businesses. These are the areas where small leaks are creating big problems — and where tightening the fundamentals can immediately change how a business feels to run in terms of quality of life for YOU, the owner. In this episode, I break down: Why what you post matters more than how often you postHow most websites and patched-together booking systems quietly lose you moneyWhy open play can’t be the thing holding your business upHow recurring and high-ticket revenue change how the business feels to runWhy email is still one of the most effective tools owners aren’t fully usingHow cafés, retail, and small add-ons raise spend per visit without more trafficWhat actually has to be in place for you to step out without everything breaking I also share real examples from owners I’ve interviewed, coached, and worked alongside — including how some have intentionally reduced owner dependency, diversified revenue, and designed businesses that work even when they’re not physically present. This episode isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about tightening what’s already there and focusing on the few things that actually make a difference right now. If you’re heading into 2026 feeling busy but still stretched thin, this will help you get clear on where your attention really needs to go next. RESOURCES/ BUSINESSES MENTIONED: BLOG for this episode Little Leaf Play IG Little Play Avenue IG (BLOG) Maximizing Cafe Profits (And Why You NEED A Cafe) Evergeen Facebook + IG Ad Basics Google Ad Basics Interview with Jayci From Tiny Play Interview with Justine from Liv and Mimis Interview with Jessalyn from The Playroom WV The Art Factory and Party Place Grandma's Playroom 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  TOOLS & OTHER LINKS: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving Active Campaign Free Trial Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

    53 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    349: How Tiny Play Café Uses Business Sponsorships, Cafe Sales, and Camps to Create Long-Term Stability

    In this episode, I sit down with Jayci, owner of Tiny Play Café, for a thoughtful, experience-based conversation about what it looks like to operate a play café several years into the business. Jayci shares how her café fits into the overall revenue picture, including how the café itself contributes to monthly sales and why local B2B sponsorships have become a meaningful and reliable part of her business model. We dive into how she uses summer camps strategically to help offset slower seasons, what finally made camps work for her, and how timing, structure, and staffing played a role in their success. We also discuss staffing realities, running a business from nearly an hour away, lessons learned during the build-out process, and how Jayci is thinking intentionally about the next phase of the business as her season of life evolves. If you’re looking for practical insight, real examples, and perspective from an owner who has successfully navigated multiple seasons of this business, this episode offers a lot to learn from. Tiny Play Cafe Website Tiny Play Cafe Tik Tok Tiny Play Cafe Instagram 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  TOOLS & OTHER LINKS: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: Support@michelecaruana.com  Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving Active Campaign Free Trial Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

    1h 2m
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Michele Caruana
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    366
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Profitable Play All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Profitable Play Podcast

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