Indoor playgrounds have become a much more common sight in urban neighbourhoods and various environments today, and these lucrative business enterprises have made many a parent and their child happy. Indoor playgrounds and indoor play cafes have sprung up like mushrooms, and they contribute to a community by enabling parents to spend time with their children and by creating a positive and highly-encouraging impact, not just for parents but for other businesses as well. But launching and opening an indoor playground or café can be quite a feat, just like any other type of business. However, if you are keen on doing it, here’s your step-by-step guide to launching and opening your very own indoor playground or café.
- Create a good business plan
Oftentimes, the owners of businesses will only think of a good business plan once they have reached the end of their resources and need a lifeline to keep their business afloat. But your business plan should start from the beginning. Take your time coming up with a good business plan, as this can help you avoid any pitfalls and problems which you may not even think about if you don’t have a strategic and well-designed business plan.
- Select a good location
Location is key for any business. You have to think about more than a few factors, which include the size of the space, the area, and so on. For the area, consider the neighbourhood you are eyeing – does it have a good population density with a lot of young families residing there? Do you have any competitors as well? The third factor is the visibility of your location. While it’s always good to be on a main road or thoroughfare, you don’t have to make this the be-all and end-all of your business. This is because many parents don’t decide to try out an indoor playground just because they happen to drive by – they will be more likely to ask friends, colleagues, go on social media, or search Google for activities in the area. This is an opportunity for you to make yourself highly visible online and get word-of-mouth going.
- Focus on planning your space
Once you have chosen your location and space and you have signed the lease, it’s time to plan it. Plan your space as carefully as possible, and know that if you want customised playground structures and indoor play equipment, it may take a few weeks to finish, so make your reservations and decisions early. You may also need the help of an architect so you can plan your space accordingly, especially in terms of special building regulations and codes.
Think carefully about the streams of revenue you will have for your business. Will it come from birthday parties, daycare, camps, or classes? When you know your prospective streams of revenue, it will be easier for you to plan the space following this revenue stream as well. You may, for instance, need to provide more private spaces or rooms to accommodate such activities. The better your planning for your space, the better your indoor playground – and don’t forget to factor in some technological advancements such as sensory rooms as well, as this can help you stand out from the crowd.
Image attributed to Pixabay.com
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