The Profitable Play Podcast

By Michele CaruanaBusiness Entrepreneurship

The Profitable Play Podcast episodes

November 10, 2025341: 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 expect
Communicate clearly and address issues early
Listen to my team and act on their feedback
Take ownership publicly and coach privately
Empower instead of micromanage
Recognize wins that build morale
Stay calm when chaos hits
Stay fair and consistent
Invest in my team’s growth, even if they won’t stay forever
Lead 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: [email protected]
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
47 min
November 04, 2025 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: [email protected]

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
53 min
October 28, 2025 339: The Hidden Risks of Joining a Play Café Franchise
In this episode, I’m breaking down the truth about play café and indoor playground franchising — and why this model has failed to deliver lasting success for most owners, outside of what you may see on social media.

I’ve worked with countless franchisees who believed joining an established concept would simplify their startup journey, only to discover overwhelming fees, lack of flexibility, and corporate systems that didn’t fit their local markets.

In this episode, I share real examples of owners who struggled under these agreements and explain the key red flags to watch for if you’re researching a franchise opportunity (and we get VERY specific!).

You’ll learn:
• Why big national brands like The Little Gym or Goldfish Swim School can make franchising work — and why smaller ones rarely can.
• The financial math behind royalties, marketing fees, and hidden costs.
• Common build-out and permitting pitfalls new franchisees face.
• The importance of local flexibility in pricing, programs, and menu offerings.
• How to read the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and spot deal-breaking clauses.
• Smarter alternatives to franchising for aspiring owners who still want systems and support.

If you’ve been tempted by the promise of “done-for-you” business ownership, this episode will help you make a truly informed decision before signing anything.

Blog for this episode
Old Pros and Cons of Franchising Article Mentioned
What's Working Guide for 2025-2026

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: [email protected]

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
41 min
October 20, 2025338: Whether You Sell or Liquidate, Every Play Cafe Needs an Exit Plan (Here's The Why and HOW)
At some point, almost every play cafe owner will exit their business — whether it’s by selling, transitioning to a new owner, or closing and moving on to the next chapter. It’s a natural part of the business lifecycle, but it’s something most of us don’t think about until we have to.

In this episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I’m breaking down what it really means to sell your indoor playground or play cafe business versus liquidating it — and how to know which option makes the most sense for you.

If you’ve ever wondered what your exit strategy could look like — whether that’s years down the road or something you’re actively considering now — this episode will help you start preparing your business to be both sellable and sustainable.

Watch this episode on YouTube instead
Read This Info On The Blog

Here’s what I’ll cover inside:

Why some owners choose to sell versus liquidate
What a buyer is actually purchasing when they buy your business
What liquidation really looks like — and when it might be the right move
How to prepare financially, legally, and emotionally for either scenario
Why building a “sellable” business now makes it far more scalable long-term

I’ll also walk you through practical steps to get your finances, systems, and lease ready — so you can protect your investment, reduce your stress, and keep every possible door open for your future.

Whether your business is thriving or you’re simply feeling the weight of ownership right now, this conversation will give you the clarity, confidence, and next steps you need to move forward intentionally and on your own terms.

Resources Mentioned:
Ep 68: Why Most Indoor Playgrounds Don't Sell, OR Sell For A Loss
Video: Exit Strategies For Play Cafe Owners
Video: My Tips For Selling Or Closing Your Business
Video: Breaking Your Commercial Lease

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: [email protected]
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
38 min
October 14, 2025337: 10 Last-Minute, Low-Cost Halloween Ideas for Indoor Playgrounds and Play Cafés
If Halloween snuck up on you this year—don’t stress. In this episode, I share 10 quick, low-cost, and high-impact ways to boost October profits and make your indoor playground or play café feel festive without draining your time or budget.

These ideas will help you attract families, boost engagement, and create memorable experiences—whether you have a day or a week to prepare.

BLOG for this episode: https://www.michelecaruana.com/blog/halloween-ideas

In This Episode, You’ll Learn How To:

Run a simple costume photo contest to increase social media reach (learn more in episode 127 here!)
Create baby- and toddler-friendly Halloween activities for families too young to trick-or-treat
Offer themed drink or café specials that feel fun and seasonal
Turn leftover party favors into a creative indoor trick-or-treat setup
Add low-cost décor and staff costumes to transform your space overnight
Host quick themed activities like story-time or dance parties
Introduce small upsells like crafts or glow play for extra revenue
Use Halloween to boost memberships or party bookings before year-end

OTHER RESOURCES:
Take a Vacation As An Owner (FREE Download)
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: [email protected]
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
24 min
October 01, 2025 336: Worried About Protecting Your Play Cafe Business Legally? I Ask MY Lawyer MJ Morley Your Legal Questions
Prefer to read? This episode's takeaways are summarized here!
Prefer to watch? This interview's also on YouTube here
ETSY Template Shop

Work with MJ Morley Law: https://www.mjmorleylaw.com/

Thinking about opening a play café or indoor playground business? Or maybe you already own one and want to be sure you’re legally protected? Understanding trademark protection and cease and desist letters is essential for both new and current owners.

In this episode, I sit down with my lawyer to get clear, practical answers to the most common legal questions play café and indoor playground owners face, including:

...How to avoid infringing on someone else’s trademark before you launch

...What a cease and desist actually is (and how it differs from a lawsuit)

...The right steps to take if you ever receive one

...Whether or not you should share cease and desist letters publicly

...What types of names, logos, and phrases are trademark-able

...If and when you should file your own trademarks to protect your business

...The potential consequences of sending meritless or false cease and desist letters

Whether you’re still in the business planning phase or already operating your play café and want to protect yourself legally if you ever receive a cease and desist, this conversation will give you the knowledge you need to safeguard your brand, avoid costly mistakes, and move forward with confidence.

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: [email protected]

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
September 23, 2025335: Pre-Opening Secrets for Play Café Success And A Look Inside The Business Opening Process With Amy Bowman
In this episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I sit down with Amy Bowman, founder of the soon-to-launch live music–themed play space, The Jamboree Club in Pennsylvania.

Amy is right in the middle of business planning and finalizing her location, so we dive deep into the most important steps every indoor playground or play café owner should take before opening their doors.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
Pitching your business plan to investors and what they’ll expect
Securing sponsorships from local businesses
Defining your role as an owner when you’re also a busy parent
What to handle before signing your lease versus after
Creating the perfect pre-launch marketing runway and generating pre-opening sales and bookings
The biggest mistakes new owners make during this phase—mistakes I’ve made too

If you’re anywhere in the business planning stage, this episode is packed with insights to help you avoid common missteps and set yourself up for success.

Follow Amy’s business on IG: instagram.com/thejamboreeclub/
Website: https://www.thejamboreeclub.com/

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: [email protected]

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
58 min
September 15, 2025334: 10 Sales Automation Strategies for Indoor Playgrounds — Get Time Back & Grow Revenue
As indoor playground owners, we didn’t open our spaces to spend nights chasing late payments or answering 10pm DMs. We opened to build community and have time with our families.

That balance is possible—with automation.

In this episode, I’m sharing 10 sales automations you can set up THIS week to recover lost bookings, increase revenue, and free up your time, including:
Abandoned cart emails & texts
Evergreen social media ads
Exit pop-ups & nurture sequences
Chatbots for off-hours
Party follow-ups, win-back campaigns & renewal reminders
Upsells & review requests
MUCH more!

These automations plug the leaks in your funnel so you stop losing sales—and stop choosing between being present at work or at home.

📚 BLOG For This Episode

🔗 Episodes Mentioned
Episode 1: How To Incentivize People To Opt-In
Episode 2: Generate 89% MORE Revenue With An Automated Welcome Sequence
Episode 44: Upselling—How To Increase Average Transaction Value
Episode 195: Abandoned Cart Sequences

Active Campaign Free Trial

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: [email protected]
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
43 min
September 01, 2025333: Why Your Indoor Playground Needs A Cafe (And More Hard Truths) With Funtown Play Cafe Owner Kate Mitchell
Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving: https://discover.wellnessliving.com/playcafeacademy

In this episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I sit down with Kate Mitchell, the inspiring owner of Funtown Play Café, to hear the real story behind how she turned her vision into a thriving family destination.

Kate shares the highs, the lows, and everything in between—from the spark of inspiration that started her journey, to the challenges of the build-out process, to how she developed such a strong and recognizable brand that immediately resonates with families.

We also dive into:
How Kate’s branding and marketing have fueled her growth
Which marketing channels have been most effective for her
How she chose the right play equipment, layout, and amenities for her community
The systems, tools, and training that keep her team consistent and her business running smoothly
Which revenue streams have been strongest so far—and which ones didn’t quite hit the mark
The most surprising challenges of day-to-day operations
What’s been most rewarding about owning a play café
How Kate balances entrepreneurship with motherhood

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to bring a play café to life—or you’re looking for practical tips and encouragement to keep moving forward—this conversation is full of golden nuggets you won’t want to miss.

👉 Listen in and get inspired by Kate’s journey to creating Funtown Play Café!

Funtown Play Cafe Website
Funtown Play Cafe IG

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: [email protected]

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
45 min
August 25, 2025332: Thriving Through Your First Months Of Indoor Playground Ownership With Jan From Kinderland
In this episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I share a recorded coaching call with Jan from Kinderland Play Cafe in Hendersonville, TN that covers the exact questions so many indoor playground and play café owners face when setting up their systems and preparing their business for growth—or even a future sale.

My guest’s long-term plan is to eventually sell their business, so every decision they make now is with that end goal in mind. During our conversation, we dig into:

How to realistically set up and enforce cleaning procedures with staff so you don’t need to rely as much on outside cleaners
When and how to delegate customer communication—whether that’s email or social media messages—without losing control
Whether to implement different pay grades for staff, and how that impacts team harmony
Handling tricky operational details and bottlenecks that present themselves as you go through your first weeks and months of operation
How to navigate software costs and adjustments as your customer base grows
And finally, how to streamline the entire party booking process—from the initial reservation all the way through confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups

If you’re in the trenches of creating processes, figuring out how much to delegate, or looking to build a business that’s scalable and eventually sellable, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

Kinderland Website: https://www.kinderland-hendersonville.com/
Kinderland IG: https://www.instagram.com/kinderland.hendersonville

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: [email protected]

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 7 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,…