In a previous blog post, I spoke that the 7 items I no longer do in my indoor playground equipment - www.twitarcade.com, playground company as I have matured and grown as a company owner.
I referenced Michael Hyatt, who, in many of his novels and programs always describes designing your ideal weeks and days as"the desire zone" Operating within your desire zone, even as he explains it, only means you are spending the majority of your time doing what you both love AND are great at.




At Climbing Vines Cafe and Play, we have picked our unique personal birthday parties as the main attention of our small business .
Due to this attention, I have chosen to plan the primary facets of each celebration we host. When someone publications their occasion with us, they receive a detailed confirmation which includes my contact information and mentions that I will be personally in touch because their event draws near.
While I don't normally handle the implementation of our parties, I really do act as the major touchpoint for parents and gather all their information and tastes. Ten days prior to each party, I send a personalized party"questionnaire" which includes all of the details we have gathered up to this point, provides added day-of info, and asks about last-minute particulars.
I answer all questions the host may have in response to that email and-- after a few back-and-forth communication-- I record all their event information on what we call a"party prep sheet." Because we have around 6 all-inclusive events in 1 weekend, this organization is essential!
The party-prep sheet is a very detailed document that allows our party hosts to do the event to the exact specifications of their parents, leaving no rock unturned. This has enabled me to have most weekends free yet still feel convinced we are providing an above-and-beyond birthday celebration experience.
After the party, we deliver a survey to each hosting family. If they have feedback, whether it be positive or negative, I always follow up personally. This closes the loop on clients' experience and makes certain they understand I truly care about their child's special day. This method has resulted in a significant amount of repeat bookings and consistent referrals from past parties.
Not merely is planning these parties some thing that I excel in, but additionally, I take great pleasure in it. Event planning is the way I got into this business in the first place, so I am more than pleased to take on this task. If I'm ever feeling overwhelmed with the facts, I understand I have amazing team members I can lean on.

2) OVERSEE HIRING AND FIRING


Speaking of our amazing team members, yet another job I choose to have a hand is our hiring and firing procedure. While I really do leave the final decision up to our cafe supervisor, I prefer to write the job posts and descriptions and filter through resumes and software before bringing anybody in for a meeting.
Having spent several years hiring and firing my fair share of employees, it's easy for me to spot red-flags on software and find"diamonds in the rough." Since we've got most of our standard 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 staff and touch base with them often to check in and gather feedback from them.


Another job that lies in my current"desire zone" is navigating the overall direction of our business and coming up with fresh tactics to best serve our community.
Since I spend some time doing those 7 things (and more!) , my time and energy are freed up to research what our ideal clients want and need and figure out a way to incorporate that into our business model.
As an instance, I discovered that our birthday party bookings were slowing down in the Summer. When I requested a few customers, they mentioned that they DID love our occasions and attention-to-detail but preferred a Summer celebration to be out at their home (since many have backyards and pools). We then started offering mobile events, where we would bring food, decorations, and activities for the kids to their homes, and it was a hit!
Another example is our events. We are constantly adding fun new occasions that allow customers, especially working parents with limited weekday availability, to see us out of open hours and get an enhanced experience throughout the subject of the event, course, or activity.
If I were I still doing EVERY task in my enterprise, I wouldn't have nearly enough time to perform as much innovation or research.


If it comes to knowing how to innovate and the best way to provide, it starts with forging a genuine connection with clients.
It is because of this that I really like interacting with our clients in-person (when I can) and on social media. I opt to work celebrations, events, and even open-play when my family's schedule permits it so that I can remain active and aware of what is occurring during the day-to-day. Additionally, it gives me the chance to observe how customers are using our space firsthand and listen to any concerns or questions they have. Even though in this age of technology there are testimonials, forms, and polls, I have discovered that NOTHING can replace using a face-to-face conversation with clients who use your distance (and likely visits competitors too!)
It is because of this you will also see billionaire CEOs visiting retail places on a regular basis. Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, was famous for seeing hundreds of stores across the nation every year, spending time with the customers who had been spending their money on his products.
I love being a family owned and operated business, and that I love for my clients to know that I am fully invested in their own happiness.


While I no longer do one-on-one consulting for people hoping to open indoor playgrounds, I do spend a significant quantity of time producing absolutely free content for them here on my blog and over on YouTube. In addition, I have an absolutely free, 44-page eBook for play-cafe-owning hopefuls that they can download right on our website or by clicking here.
If a person consumes that free information and decides they would like to proceed with their programs, I have an online program named Play Cafe Academy where I assist entrepreneurs get 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 great deal of information out there. Recent owners actually keep all of their business secrets near their vest, and that I do not blame them! It's hard as soon as you've worked for years and years to set up a profitable business to want to give away those secrets for nothing. Even if you charge a consulting fee, you're still sort of giving away the keys that you have worked so hard for and it is quite easy as a business owner to acquire a little smug and protective of your research and development.
As it came time to start my own company, I wound up making a slew of errors (and I mean a TON of mistakes) because I simply didn't know any better. So when I started getting calls and emails to consult for additional possible play cafe owners, I could not keep this info to myself. As soon as it's easy for me to feel like an imposter or that there are other business owners much more capable than me to share this information, I understand that there is a 4-years-ago me sitting at work somewhere waiting for another idea to leap out in them.
And honestly, I do not need to see one more company close because someone who's walked before them didn't share any information! So why don't you discuss it myself?!
However, my time is valuable. I have two small kids and run another company... I don't have 12 hours to devote hand-holding each standpoint owner through the process. (And let me tell you, it is going to require at least 12 to 24 hours of compensated one-on-one consulting to even break the surface of what you require, such as documentation.) In the average rate of $100 to $200 an hour to actually consult, imagine what you could end up paying for just a hint of education!
Students may go through those modules in their own speed, and I don't have to spend the opportunity to walk my students through the program.
This enables me to help other entrepreneurs along their course while at the same time reserving time and energy I need for my loved ones and other commitments.
In general, this business model can actually be whatever the owner wants it to be. I know many owners who choose to do ALL of the things inside their small business, and it works for them since most of us have distinct"desire zones"
Are and can design my"perfect" weeks accordingly. If I was still burning the candle on both ends trying to handle everything , I would be doing myself, my family, and my customers a significant disservice.