Nine Things Your Mom Should Have Taught You About Indoor Playground Business
In a previous blog post, I discussed that the 7 items I no longer do in my indoor playground equipment, www.twitarcade.com, playground business as I have grown and matured as a company owner.
I referenced Michael Hyatt, that, in most of his novels and programs continuously refers to designing your ideal days and weeks as"the appetite zone" Operating inside your desire zone, as he describes it, only means you're spending the bulk of your time doing what you both love AND are good at.
Due to this attention, I've chosen to plan the principal facets of each celebration we sponsor. Whenever someone publications their event with us, they receive a detailed confirmation which includes my own contact information and mentions that I'm in touch because their event draws near.
While I don't normally take care of the execution of our parties, I do act as the main touchpoint for parents and collect all of their information and preferences. Ten days before each party, I send a personalized celebration"questionnaire" which comprises all the details we've gathered up to that point, provides additional day-of information, and inquires about last-minute particulars.
I answer all queries that the host might have in reaction to this email and-- following a few back-and-forth communication-- I record all their event information on what we call a"celebration prep sheet" According to customers' choices, I make a list for all our vendors (catering, party supplies, balloons, paper products, etc.) and will ordinarily have a team member complete the shopping and organize all of the supplies so that they are grouped by party. Since we have up to 6 comprehensive events in 1 weekend, this business is essential!
The party-prep sheet is an extremely detailed document that allows any of our party hosts to do the occasion to the specific specifications of the 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 celebration experience.
After the celebration, we send a survey to each hosting family. If they have opinions, whether it be positive or negative, I follow up personally. This closes the loop clients' experience and makes sure they know I truly care about their child's special day. This method has resulted in a significant number of repeat bookings and consistent referrals from past parties.
Not merely is planning these parties some thing I excel in, but additionally, I take great joy inside . Event planning is how I got into the business in the first place, therefore I'm more than happy to have this task. If I'm ever feeling overwhelmed with the facts, I understand I've amazing team members that I will lean on.
Speaking of our amazing team members, yet another job I choose to have a hand in is our hiring and firing process. While I do leave the final conclusion to our cafe supervisor, I prefer to write the job posts and descriptions and filter through resumes and software before bringing anyone in for an interview.
Having spent many years hiring and firing my fair share of employees, it is easy for me to spot red-flags on applications and find"diamonds in the rough." Since we have the majority of our normal operating procedures optimized and documented, I would rather hire based on personality and excitement instead of experience.
In addition, I make sure I welcome each worker to our team and touch base with them often to check in and collect feedback from them.
3) DREAM UP NEW INITIATIVES
Since I spend some time doing those 7 things (and more!) , my time and energy are freed up to research what our perfect clients want and need and figure out a way to integrate that in our business model.
As an example, I discovered that our birthday celebration bookings were slowing down at the Summer. When I requested a few clients, 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'd bring decorations, food, and activities for your children to their houses, and it was a hit!
Another example is our events. We are always adding fun new occasions that allow customers, particularly working parents with limited weekday accessibility, to see us out of hours and get an enhanced experience throughout the theme of the event, course, or activity.
If I had been I doing EVERY job in my business, I would not have nearly enough time to perform as much research or innovation.
4) CONNECT WITH CUSTOMERS
If it comes to understanding how to innovate and what to provide, it starts with forging a real connection with clients.
It is 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 I could remain active and aware of what's occurring during the day-to-day. It also gives me the opportunity to observe how customers are using our distance first-hand and listen to any concerns or questions they have. Although in this age of technology you can find testimonials, forms, and polls, I have discovered that NOTHING can replace having a face-to-face conversation with clients using your space (and probably visits competitors too!)
It's for this reason you will also see billionaire CEOs seeing retail locations on a regular basis. Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, was famous for seeing hundreds of stores around the nation every year, spending some time with all the clients 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 am completely invested in their own happiness.
5) HELP OTHER ENTREPRENEURS ALONG Precisely the Same PATH
While I do one-on-one consulting for people hoping to start out indoor playgrounds, I really do spend a substantial amount of time producing absolutely free content for them here on my blog and above on YouTube. In addition, I have an absolutely 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 determines they still would love to proceed with their plans, I also have an online program called Play Cafe Academy in which I assist entrepreneurs get from daydream to opening-day in significantly less time and 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 actually keep all of their business secrets close to their vest, and 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've worked so difficult for and it is very easy as a business owner to get a little smug and protective of your research and development.
As it came time to start my own company, I wound up making a ton of mistakes (and I mean a TON of errors ) because I simply did not know any better. So when I began getting calls and emails to consult for other potential play cafe owners, I couldn't keep this information to myself. While it's easy for me to feel like an imposter or that there are other small business owners more capable than me to share this advice, I know that there's a 4-years-ago me sitting at work somewhere waiting for the next idea to leap out in them.
And frankly, I don't need to see an additional business close because someone who is walked before them did not share any info! Why don't you discuss it myself?!
But my time is valuable. I've got two little children and run another business... I don't have 12 hours to devote hand-holding each perspective owner through the procedure. (And let me tell you, it is going to require at least 12 to 24 hours of paid one-on-one consulting to break the surface of everything you require, such as documentation) At the average rate of $100 to $200 an hour to really consult, imagine what you might wind up paying for just a sign of schooling!
PCA is broken up into eight modules at which I pay everything from writing your business plan to deciding on a place and signing the right rental to organizing your flows of earnings and much, much more. Students may go through those modules in their own speed, and I do not have to spend the time to walk my pupils throughout the program.
This allows me to help other entrepreneurs along their path while also reserving the time and energy I want for my loved ones and other commitments.
I know many owners who choose to do all the things inside their small business, and it works for them because most of us have distinct"desire zones"
Are and may design my"perfect" weeks so. When I was burning the candle on both ends trying to tackle everything myself, I'd do myself, my family, and my customers a significant disservice.
