Revolutionize Your Indoor Playground Business With These Easy-peasy Tips

In a previous blog post, I discussed that the 7 items I do in my indoor playground business as I have grown and matured as a company proprietor.
I referenced Michael Hyatt, that, in many of his novels and programs continuously describes designing your ideal weeks and days as"the appetite zone" Running within your dream zone, as he explains it, simply means you are spending the bulk of your time doing what you both love AND are good at.
While there are lots of jobs I cut completely and a few I delegate to better-suited team members, there are several duties that still lie inside my"desire zone," and that I feel are important for me to manage personally. Even though this is continually changing as my priorities (both professionally and personally) evolve, these are 5 of the jobs that I'm not giving up just yet as a company proprietor.



At Growing Vines Cafe and Play, we've picked our exceptional personal birthday parties as the main focus of our business.
Due to this attention, I have chosen to personally plan the principal facets of each celebration we sponsor. When someone publications their event with us, they get a comprehensive confirmation which includes my contact info and mentions that I will be in touch because their event draws near.
While I don't typically take care of the implementation of our celebrations, I really do still act as the major touchpoint for parents and gather all of their information and preferences. Ten days prior to each party, I send a personalized celebration"questionnaire" which includes all the details we've gathered up to this point, provides added day-of info, and asks about last-minute particulars.
I answer all queries the host might have in reaction to that email and-- following some back-and-forth communication-- I record all of their event information on that which we call a"party prep sheet" Based on customers' options, I make a list for every one our vendors (catering, party supplies, balloons, paper goods, etc.) and will usually have a team member complete the purchasing and organize all the supplies so they are grouped by party. Because we have up to 6 comprehensive events in one weekend, this business is essential!
The party-prep sheet is a very detailed document that makes it possible for our party hosts to execute the occasion to the exact specifications of their parents, leaving no stone unturned. This has allowed me to have most weekends free nonetheless still feel convinced we are delivering an above-and-beyond birthday party experience.
After the party, we send a questionnaire to every hosting household. If they have feedback, whether it be negative or positive, I always follow up . This closes the loop on clients' expertise and makes certain they understand I truly care about their child's special day. This process has resulted in a significant number of repeat bookings and consistent testimonials from past parties.
Not merely is planning these parties some thing I excel in, but I also take great joy inside . Event planning is the way I got into this business in the first place, so I'm more than happy to have this task. If I am ever feeling overwhelmed with the details, I understand I have amazing team members that I can lean on.

2) OVERSEE HIRING AND FIRING


Speaking of our amazing team members, yet another task I choose to have a hand in is our hiring and firing procedure. While I really do leave the final conclusion to our cafe supervisor, I prefer to write the project posts and descriptions and filter through resumes and software before bringing anybody in for an interview.
Having spent many years shooting and hiring my fair share of workers, it is easy for me to spot red-flags on software and find"diamonds in the rough." Since we've got the majority of our normal operating procedures optimized and documented, I prefer to employ based on character and excitement rather than experience.
In addition, I make sure I welcome every worker to our staff and touch base with them frequently to check in and collect feedback from them.


Another job that lies in my present"desire zone" is digging the overall direction of our organization and coming up with new ways to best serve our community.
Since I spend some time doing those 7 things (and more!) , my energy and time are freed up to investigate what our ideal clients want and need and figure out a way to incorporate that in our business model.
For instance, I noticed that our birthday party bookings were slowing down in the summertime. When I requested a few customers, they mentioned that they DID love our events and attention-to-detail but chosen a Summer party to be out at their residence (since most have backyards and pools). We then started offering mobile events, where we would bring food, decorations, and activities for your kids to their houses, and it was a hit!
Another illustration is our occasions . We are always adding fun new occasions that allow customers, particularly working parents with limited weekday accessibility, to visit us outside of hours and get an enhanced experience throughout the subject of the event, class, or activity.
If I had been I still doing EVERY task in my enterprise, I wouldn't have nearly enough time to perform as much research or innovation.


When it comes to knowing how to innovate and the best way to offer, it all starts with forging a genuine connection with clients.
It's because of this that I really like interacting with our clients all time (when I can) and on social networking. I choose to work parties, events, as well as open-play if my family's schedule allows it so that I could remain involved and aware of what's occurring during the day. Additionally, it gives me the opportunity to observe how clients are using our distance firsthand and listen to any concerns or questions they have. Even though in this age of technology you can find reviews, forms, and polls, I have discovered that NOTHING can replace having a face-to-face conversation with customers using your space (and probably visits competitors too!)
It is for this reason you will also see billionaire CEOs visiting retail locations on a regular basis. Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, was famous for visiting hundreds of stores around the country every year, spending some time with all the customers who had been spending their money on his products.
I really like being a family owned and operated business, and that I love for my customers to understand that I'm completely invested in their happiness.


While I no longer do one-on-one consulting for people hoping to open indoor playground equipment; https://www.twitarcade.com, playgrounds, I really do spend a substantial amount of time producing absolutely free articles for them on my blog and over on YouTube. I also have a totally free, 44-page eBook for play-cafe-owning hopefuls they can download directly on our website or simply by clicking here.
If a person consumes that free information and determines they would like to move forward with their programs, I also have an internet program called Play Cafe Academy in which I assist entrepreneurs gain from daydream to opening-day in less time and with less stress than they ever thought possible.
When I was studying this business model, there wasn't a lot of info out there. Current owners really keep all of their business secrets near their vest, and now that I do not blame them! Even in the event that you charge a consulting fee, you're still kind of giving away the keys that you have worked so hard for and it is very easy as a company owner to get a little smug and protective of your research and development.
As it came time to start my own business, I ended up making a slew of errors (and I mean a TON of mistakes) since I just did not know any better. When I began getting calls and emails to consult for other possible play cafe owners, I could not keep all this information to myself. While it's easy for me to feel like an imposter or there are other business owners more qualified than me to discuss this information, I know that there's a 4-years-ago me sitting somewhere waiting for another idea to leap out at them.
And honestly, I do not need to see one more company close because somebody who is walked before them didn't share any information! Why don't you share it myself?!
But my time is valuable. I have two little kids and run another business... I don't have 12 hours to spend hand-holding each standpoint owner through the process. (And let me tell you, it is going to take at least 12 to 24 hours of compensated one-on-one consulting to break the surface of everything you need, such as documentation.) In the average rate of $100 to $200 an hour to really consultwith imagine what you might wind up paying for just a sign of education!
Students may go through these modules in their own speed, and I don't need to spend the opportunity to walk my pupils throughout the program.
This enables me to assist other entrepreneurs in their path while at the same time reserving time and energy that I want for my family and other commitments.
In general, this business model can actually be anything the owner wants it to be. I understand many owners who choose to do all the items inside their small business, and it works for them since most of us have different"desire zones."
I feel really lucky I have learned through the years what my strengths (and weaknesses!) Are and can design my"perfect" weeks accordingly. When I was still burning the candle on both ends trying to handle everything , I'd be doing myself, my loved ones, and my customers a significant disservice.