In a previous blog post, I discussed that the 7 items I no longer do in my indoor playground business as I have matured and grown as a company owner.
I referenced Michael Hyatt, who, in many of his books and programs continuously describes designing your ideal days and weeks as"the appetite zone" Operating inside your desire zone, even as he explains it, simply means you are spending the majority of your time doing what you love AND are great at.
Even though this is constantly changing as my priorities (both professionally and personally) evolve, these are 5 of those jobs that I'm not giving up only yet for a business owner.


1) COMMUNICATE WITH BIRTHDAY CLIENTS



At Climbing Vines Cafe and Play, we have picked our unique private birthday parties as the main focus of our small business .
Due to this attention, I have chosen to personally plan the principal aspects of each celebration we sponsor. Whenever someone publications their occasion 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 do not typically handle the implementation of our parties, I really do still act as the main touchpoint for parents and collect all their information and tastes. Ten days before each celebration, I send a personalized celebration"questionnaire" which comprises all of the details we've gathered up to that point, provides added day-of info, and inquires about last-minute particulars.
I answer all queries that the host may have in reaction to that email and-- after some back-and-forth communication-- I record all their event info on what we call a"celebration prep sheet" Based on clients' options, I make a listing for all of our vendors (catering, party supplies, balloons, paper goods, etc.) and will usually have a team member complete the shopping and organize all of the supplies so that they are grouped by party. Because we have around 6 comprehensive events in 1 weekend, this business is indispensable!
The party-prep sheet is an extremely thorough document that makes it possible for any of our party hosts to do the occasion to the specific specifications of the parents, leaving no rock unturned. This has allowed me to have most weekends free yet still feel confident we are providing an above-and-beyond birthday party experience.
After the celebration, we send a survey to every hosting household. Should they have feedback, whether it be negative or positive, I always follow up . This closes the loop clients' experience and makes sure they know I truly care for their child's special day. This method has lead to a substantial number of repeat bookings and consistent referrals from past parties.
Not only is planning these celebrations something that I excel in, but additionally, I take great pleasure in it. Event planning is how I got into the business in the first place, therefore I'm more than happy to have this endeavor. If I am ever feeling overwhelmed with the details, I know I have amazing team members that I can lean on.



Speaking of our amazing team members, yet another task I choose to have a hand in is our hiring and firing process. While I do leave the final decision up to our cafe manager, I would rather write the project posts and filter and descriptions through resumes and software before bringing anyone in for an interview.
Having spent several years shooting and hiring my fair share of workers, it's easy for 9D vr games [https://www.recreationreview.net] me to see red-flags on applications and find"diamonds in the rough" Since we've got the majority of our normal operating procedures documented and optimized, I would rather hire based on character and enthusiasm instead of experience.
In addition, I make sure I personally welcome every employee to our team and touch base with them frequently to check in and gather feedback from them.


Since I no longer spend time doing these 7 items (and more!) , my energy and time have been freed up to research what our perfect clients want and need and figure out a way to incorporate that in our business model.
As an example, I discovered that our birthday party bookings were slowing down in the summertime. When I asked a couple of customers, they mentioned that they DID love our events and attention-to-detail but chosen a Summer party 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 your children to their houses, and it was a hit!
Another example is our occasions . We're always adding fun new occasions that allow clients, especially working parents with limited weekday availability, to visit us outside of hours and get an enhanced experience throughout the subject of the event, course, or activity.
If I had been I doing EVERY job in my business, I wouldn't have nearly enough time to do as much research or innovation.


When it comes to understanding how to innovate and the best way to offer, it all starts with forging a real connection with customers.
It is for this reason that I love interacting with our customers in-person (when I can) and on social networking. I opt to work parties, events, and even open-play if my family's schedule permits it so that I can remain active and aware of what's happening during the day. Additionally, it gives me the chance to observe how clients are using our distance first-hand and listen to any concerns or queries they have. Even though at this age of technology you can find testimonials, types, and surveys, I have found that NOTHING can replace having a face-to-face dialog with clients using your distance (and likely visits competitors too!)
It's for this reason that 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 around the country each year, spending some time with all the customers who had been spending their money on his merchandise.
I really like being a family owned and operated company, and that I love for my clients to understand that I am completely invested in their happiness.


While I do one-on-one consulting for people hoping to open indoor playgrounds, I really do spend a substantial quantity of time producing absolutely free articles for them on my blog and over on YouTube. In addition, I have an absolutely free, 44-page eBook to get play-cafe-owning hopefuls that they can download directly on our website or simply by clicking here.
If a person consumes that free information and determines they still 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 strain than they ever thought possible.
When I was researching this company model, there was not a great deal of information out there. Current owners really keep all their business secrets near their vest, and now I don't blame them! It's hard as soon as you've worked for years and years to establish a profitable company to want to provide away those secrets for nothing. Even if you charge a consulting fee, you are still sort of giving away the secrets that you have worked so difficult for and it is quite easy as a business owner to acquire a little smug and protective of your own research and development.
When it came time to open my own company, I ended up making a slew of errors (and I suggest a TON of errors ) since I simply did not know any better. So when I began getting emails and calls to consult for additional possible play cafe owners, I couldn't keep this information to myself. While it's easy for me to feel like an imposter or there are other business owners more capable than me to share this advice, I know that there is a 4-years-ago me sitting at work somewhere waiting for another concept to leap out at them.
And frankly, I do not need to see one more business close because somebody who is walked before them didn't share any info! Why don't you discuss it myself?!
However, my time is valuable. I've got two small kids and run another business... I do not have 12 hours to devote hand-holding each perspective owner through the procedure. (And allow me to tell you, it is going to take at least 12 to 24 hours of compensated one-on-one consulting to break the surface of what you require, including documentation) In the average rate of $100 to $200 an hour to actually consult, imagine what you might wind up paying for just a sign of education!
Students can go through these modules at their own speed, and I don't have to spend some opportunity to walk my pupils through the program.
This enables me to assist other entrepreneurs along their course while at the same time reserving time and energy that I want for my loved ones and other commitments.
Overall, this business model can truly be anything the owner wants it to be. I understand many owners who choose to do ALL of the items inside their small business, and it works for them because most of us have distinct"desire zones"
Are and may design my"ideal" weeks accordingly. When I was burning the candle on both ends trying to handle everything , I would be doing myself, my family, and my clients a major disservice.