The Profitable Play Podcast

349: How Tiny Play Café Uses Business Sponsorships, Cafe Sales, and Camps to Create Long-Term Stability

The Profitable Play Podcast

Show Notes

In this episode, I sit down with Jayci, owner of Tiny Play Café, for a thoughtful, experience-based conversation about what it looks like to operate a play café several years into the business. Jayci shares how her café fits into the overall revenue picture, including how the café itself contributes to monthly sales and why local B2B sponsorships have become a meaningful and reliable part of her business model.

We dive into how she uses summer camps strategically to help offset slower seasons, what finally made camps work for her, and how timing, structure, and staffing played a role in their success.

We also discuss staffing realities, running a business from nearly an hour away, lessons learned during the build-out process, and how Jayci is thinking intentionally about the next phase of the business as her season of life evolves.

If you’re looking for practical insight, real examples, and perspective from an owner who has successfully navigated multiple seasons of this business, this episode offers a lot to learn from.

Tiny Play Cafe Website Tiny Play Cafe Tik Tok Tiny Play Cafe Instagram

OTHER RESOURCES: Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Getting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist] What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 Guide Fund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training] Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting Waitlist Michele’s Instagram Michele’s Website Play Cafe Academy YouTube Channel ETSY Template Shop Prepare Your Indoor Playground For a Recession Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:

Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fD Questions and Support: [email protected]

TOOLS: Wellness Living POS and Branded App Software Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!) Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLiving Active Campaign Free Trial Free Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS

More from The Profitable Play Podcast

Oct 5, 2026

Why do some indoor playgrounds and play cafés become profitable, sustainable businesses while others stay stuck, even when they have similar concepts, markets and opportunities?

Sep 24, 2026

After more than a decade in the indoor playground industry, I've developed a little bit of a sixth sense for decisions that look great on opening day but can become expensive, inefficient or incredibly frustrating later.

Sep 14, 2026

In this episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I’m sitting down with Steve and Dave from Lilliput Playhomes to talk about what really goes into designing and building play equipment for commercial spaces.

Aug 19, 2026

In this episode of The Profitable Play Podcast, I’m sitting down with Charlotte from Children’s Factory to talk all about designing indoor play spaces that are intentional, engaging, durable, and built for the way children actually play.

Jul 28, 2026

In this episode of the Profitable Play Podcast, I sit down with Karri Bowen-Poole, founder of Smart Playrooms, a design firm specializing in creating intentional play spaces for both homes and commercial facilities. We explore what makes a truly great play environment and how thoughtful design can encourage independence, spark imagination, support child development, and create a better experience for both children and their caregivers.

See all episodes →