Nine Ideas For Indoor Playground Business
In a previous blog post, I discussed that the 7 things I no longer do in my indoor jungle gym equipment playground business as I have matured and grown as a business owner.
I referenced Michael Hyatt, that, in many of his novels and programs always refers to designing your ideal weeks and days as"the desire zone." Operating within your dream zone, as he explains it, simply means you're spending the bulk of your time doing what you both love AND are great at.
While there are many jobs I cut completely and a few I delegate to better-suited team members, there are numerous duties that still lie inside my"desire zone," and that I believe are important for me to handle personally. Even though this is constantly changing as my priorities (both professionally and personally) evolve, these are 5 of those tasks that I am not giving up only yet for a business owner. 
At Growing Vines Cafe and Play, we've picked our unique private birthday parties as the main focus of our business.
Because of this focus, I have chosen to plan the primary facets of each celebration we host. Whenever someone books their event with us, they get a comprehensive confirmation which includes my own contact information and mentions that I'm in touch because their event draws near.
While I do not typically handle the implementation of our parties, I really do act as the major touchpoint for parents and gather all their information and preferences. Ten days prior to each celebration, I send out a personalized party"questionnaire" which comprises all the details we've gathered up to that point, provides additional day-of info, and asks about last-minute details.
I answer all questions the host might have in response to that email and-- after some back-and-forth communication-- I record all their event info on that which we call a"party prep sheet." Since we have up to 6 comprehensive events in 1 weekend, this organization 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 specific specifications of the parents, leaving no rock unturned. This has allowed me to have most weekends free nonetheless still feel convinced we are providing an above-and-beyond birthday party experience.
After the celebration, we deliver a survey to each hosting family. If they have opinions, whether it be negative or positive, I always follow up personally. This closes the loop on clients' expertise and makes certain they know I genuinely care for their child's special day. This process has lead to a significant amount of repeat bookings and consistent referrals from previous parties.
Not only is planning these parties some thing I excel in, but I also take great pleasure in it. Event planning is the way I got into this business in the first place, therefore I'm more than pleased to have this task. If I'm ever feeling overwhelmed with all the facts, I understand I have amazing team members I will lean on.
2) OVERSEE HIRING AND FIRING
Speaking of our incredible team members, another task I choose to have a hand in is our hiring and firing procedure. While I do leave the final conclusion to our cafe manager, I prefer to write the project posts and descriptions and filter through resumes and applications before bringing anyone in for an interview.
Having spent several years hiring and firing my fair share of employees, it is easy for me to see red-flags on software and also find"diamonds in the rough" Since we've got most of our normal operating procedures documented and optimized, I would rather hire based on personality and enthusiasm instead of experience.
In addition, I make sure I personally welcome every worker to our team and touch base with them frequently to check in and gather feedback from them.
3) DREAM UP NEW INITIATIVES
Another job that lies within my current"desire zone" is digging the overall direction of our organization and coming up with new tactics to best serve our community.
Since I spend time doing those 7 items (and more!) , my time and energy have been freed up to investigate what our ideal clients want and want and find out a way to integrate that in our business model.
As an instance, I discovered that our birthday celebration bookings were slowing down in the Summer. When I requested a few customers, they said that they DID love our occasions and attention-to-detail but chosen a Summer celebration to be outside at their residence (since most have backyards and pools). We then started offering cellular events, where we'd bring food, decorations, and activities for the kids to their houses, and it was a hit!
Another example is our occasions . We are always adding fun new events that enable customers, especially working parents with limited weekday availability, to see us outside of open hours and get an enhanced experience through the subject of the event, class, or activity.
If I had been I still doing EVERY task in my business, I wouldn't have nearly enough time to perform as much research or innovation.
When it comes to understanding how to innovate and what to provide, it all starts with forging a real connection with clients.
It's because of this that I really like interacting with our customers in-person (when I could ) and on social networking. I choose to work parties, events, and even open-play when my family's schedule allows it so that I could stay involved and aware of what's occurring during the day-to-day. Additionally, it gives me the chance to observe how clients are using our space first-hand and listen to any concerns or questions they have. Even though at this age of technology you can find reviews, types, and polls, I have found that NOTHING can replace using a face-to-face dialog with customers who use your space (and probably visits competitors too!)
It is because of this that you will even see billionaire CEOs visiting retail places on a regular basis. Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, was renowned for visiting hundreds of stores across the country every year, spending time with all the customers who were spending their cash on his merchandise.
I really like being a family owned and operated business, and I love for my customers to understand that I'm completely invested in their own happiness.
5) HELP OTHER ENTREPRENEURS ALONG THE SAME PATH
While I no longer do one-on-one consulting for individuals hoping to start out indoor playgrounds, I do spend a significant amount of time creating absolutely free content for them on my blog and over on YouTube. In addition, I have a totally free, 44-page eBook for play-cafe-owning hopefuls that they can download directly on our website or by clicking here.
If someone consumes that free info and decides they would like to move forward with their programs, I have an internet program called Play Cafe Academy in which I help entrepreneurs get from daydream to opening-day in less time and less strain than they ever thought possible.
When I was researching this company model, there was not a lot of information out there. Recent owners really keep all of their business secrets close to their vest, and that I don't blame them! It's hard as soon as you've worked for years and years to set up a profitable company to wish to provide away those secrets for nothing. Even if you charge a consulting fee, you are still kind of giving away the keys that you have worked so hard for and it's very easy as a company owner to get a little smug and protective of your own research and development.
When it came time to start my own business, I ended up making a slew of mistakes (and I mean a TON of mistakes) because I just did not know any better. So when I started getting emails and calls to consult for additional potential play cafe owners, then I could not keep this info to myself. As soon as it's easy for me to feel like an imposter or there are other small business owners much more qualified than me to discuss this information, I know that there's a 4-years-ago me sitting at work somewhere waiting for the next concept to jump out in them.
And frankly, I don't need to see one more business close because somebody who's walked before them didn't share any information! So why don't you discuss it myself?!
However, my time is precious. I have two small kids and also run another company... I don't have 12 hours to devote hand-holding each perspective owner through the procedure. (And let me tell you, it will take at least 12 to 24 hours of paid one-on-one consulting to even break the surface of what you require, including documentation.) In the typical rate of $100 to $200 an hour to actually consult, imagine what you might wind up paying for just a sign of schooling!
Students may go through those modules at their own pace, and I don't need to spend the time to walk my pupils throughout the program.
This allows me to assist other entrepreneurs along their path while also reserving the time and energy that I need for my loved ones and other commitments.
I know many owners that choose to do all the things inside their business, and it works for them because we all have distinct"desire zones."
Are and can design my"ideal" weeks so. When I was still burning the candle on both ends trying to tackle everything myself, I'd be doing myself, my loved ones, and my customers a major disservice.
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