The Profitable Play Podcast

By Michele CaruanaBusiness Entrepreneurship

The Profitable Play Podcast episodes

April 01, 2024 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

TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS:
Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software
Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)
Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving
Active Campaign Free Trial
Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
52 min
March 25, 2024 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

TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS:
Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software
Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)
Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving
Active Campaign Free Trial
Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
42 min
March 18, 2024 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: [email protected]

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

TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS:
Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software
Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)
Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving
Active Campaign Free Trial
Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
29 min
March 11, 2024 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

TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS:
Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software
Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)
Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving
Active Campaign Free Trial
Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
44 min
March 04, 2024 276: Recorded Coaching Call With Indoor Playground Owner Leena From The Little Play Avenue
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: https://thelittleplayavenue.com/
The Little Play Avenue IG: https://www.instagram.com/littleplayavenue/

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 Society: 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

TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS:
Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software
Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)
Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving
Active Campaign Free Trial
Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
1 hr
February 26, 2024 275: How To Create a Compelling Brand Story That Works As A Lead Machine For Your Business
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 share a really impactful business origin story while protecting your privacy. Or maybe you just don’t know what to say, or don’t think people will care.

Whatever your reason may be for NOT yet putting together your play cafe or indoor playground brand or business story and sharing it far and wide– I want to put an end to it TODAY. My guest today, Mariana Henninger is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker who is as obsessed about beautiful, personal and intimate video storytelling as she is about marketing and sales.

Her stories have been on the homepage of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, TIME Magazine and many others. She’s worked as a Senior Producer for NBC and Peacock for 5 years and with brands such as Microsoft, Hulu, Wells Fargo and the UN telling emotion-driven stories.

She’s also the founder of Brand Magnetic where she helps entrepreneurs kill painfully long sales cycles, build trust faster and sell faster with a 2-4 minute emotion-driven Brand Video.

And in this episode Mariana is going to share…
✅WHY every business needs a powerful brand story
✅How to structure yours in a way that grabs your audiences attention
✅How and where to share your story in a way that actually results in more customers and sales
✅How to still tell your brand story even if you don’t want to be the FACE of your business

And much more.

Whether you’re already open or you’re still laying your plans– I know you have an amazing story and I am so excited to welcome Marianna to the show to help you tell it in a way that moves your business forward by forming real connections with your audience.

Brand Magnetic Website: https://brandmagnetic.com/

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 & 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

TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS:
Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software
Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)
Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving
Active Campaign Free Trial
Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
57 min
February 19, 2024 274: Interviewing Indoor Playground Owner COUPLES!
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 more!

Natural Nest Play Cafe Website: https://naturalnestplay.com/
Natural Nest Play Cafe IG: / naturalnestplaycafe
Busy Bee Play Cafe Website: https://www.thebusybeeplaycafe.com/
Busy Bee Play Cafe IG: / thebusybeeplaycafe
TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS:
Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software
Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)
Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving
Active Campaign Free Trial
Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
34 min
February 14, 2024273: Adding A Play-Based Discovery School To Your Indoor Playground With Project Play Owner Alera Owens!
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 time

How she continues to promote her fully booked-out school by forming relationships with her potential customers online

What other revenue streams she offers in her business

Some things she has changed along the way and some things that have surprised her about this industry

What advice she would give to someone considering adding a preschool or similar type program as a revenue stream for their indoor playground business
And alera is actually going to talk about a resource she’s created to fast track your success if that IS a path you choose (Modern Microschool linked below!).

Project Play IG: https://www.instagram.com/projectplaymuseum/
Project Play Website: www.projectplay.net
Modern Microschool Website: http://www.themodernmicroschool.com
Modern Microschool IG: @modernmicroschool

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: 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

TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS:
Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software
Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)
Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving
Active Campaign Free Trial
Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
56 min
February 12, 2024 272: 8 Steps To A Successful Founding Member Launch (Even If You ALREADY Sell Memberships)
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: 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: 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

TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS:
Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software
Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)
Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving
Active Campaign Free Trial
Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
35 min
February 07, 2024 271: How Former Teacher Heather O'Donnell Creates Impact and INCOME Beyond The Classroom With Digital Products
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 teachers use their teacher skills to make an impact and an income beyond the classroom. She is also the host of The Teacher Biz Podcast.

Heather's FREE Challenge Starting SOON: https://bit.ly/heatherschallenge
Teacher Biz Podcast: https://bit.ly/47YYIvm
Teacher Biz Website: https://teacherbiz.com/
Heather's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teacherbiz/

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: 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

TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD
Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS:
Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software
Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)
Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving
Active Campaign Free Trial
Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS
57 min

About The Profitable Play Podcast

From the publisher's feed

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,…