In an earlier blog post, I spoke that the 7 items I no longer do in my indoor playground company as I have matured and grown as a business proprietor.

I chased Michael Hyatt, who, in most of his books and programs continuously describes designing your ideal weeks and days as”the appetite zone.” Operating inside your desire zone, even as he describes it, simply means you’re spending the majority of your time doing what you love AND are good at.

1) COMMUNICATE WITH BIRTHDAY CLIENTS

At Growing Vines Cafe and Play, we have chosen our exceptional personal birthday parties as the main focus of our business.

Because of this attention, I’ve chosen to plan the primary aspects of each celebration we sponsor. Whenever someone books their occasion with us, they get a comprehensive confirmation which includes my contact info and mentions that I will be personally in touch because their event draws near.

While I do not normally take care of the execution of our parties, I really do still act as the main touchpoint for parents and gather all of their information and preferences. Ten days prior to each party, I send a personalized celebration”questionnaire” that comprises all of the details we’ve gathered up to this point, provides added day-of info, and inquires about last-minute particulars.

I answer all queries that the host might have in response to that email and– following a few back-and-forth communication– I record all of their event info on what we call a”party prep sheet.” Because we have around 6 all-inclusive events in one weekend, this business is indispensable!

The party-prep sheet is a very thorough document that makes it possible for 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 nonetheless still feel confident we’re delivering an above-and-beyond birthday party experience.

After the celebration, we deliver a questionnaire to each hosting family. If they have feedback, whether it be positive or negative, I follow up personally. This closes the loop on clients’ expertise and makes sure they understand I truly care about their child’s special day. This method has resulted in a substantial number of repeat bookings and consistent referrals from previous parties.

Not only is planning these parties something that I excel in, but additionally, I take great joy inside . Event planning is the way I got into this business in the first place, therefore I’m more than pleased to take on this endeavor. If I’m ever feeling overwhelmed with the details, I know I have amazing team members I will lean on.

2) OVERSEE HIRING AND FIRING

Speaking of our amazing team members, another task I choose to have a hand is our hiring and firing procedure. While I really 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 anybody in for a meeting.

Having spent many years shooting and hiring my fair share of workers, it’s easy for me to spot red-flags on applications and also find”diamonds in the rough.” Since we have the majority of our normal operating procedures optimized and documented, I would rather hire based on character and excitement instead of experience.

In addition, I make sure I welcome each worker to our team and touch base with them frequently to check in and gather feedback from them.

Another task that lies within my present”desire zone” is navigating the general direction of our organization and coming up with fresh tactics to best serve our community.

Since I no longer spend time doing these 7 items (and more!) , my time and energy have been freed up to investigate what our ideal clients want and need and find out a way to integrate that into our business model.

As an instance, I noticed that our birthday party bookings were slowing down in the summertime. When I requested a couple of clients, they mentioned that they DID love our events and attention-to-detail but chosen a Summer party to be out at their home (since many have backyards and pools). We then started offering cellular events, where we’d bring decorations, food, and activities for your children to their houses, and it was a hit!

Another illustration is our events. We are always adding fun new occasions that allow customers, especially working parents with limited weekday accessibility, to see us out of hours and get an enhanced experience through the theme of the event, course, or activity.

If I were I doing EVERY job in my business, I would not have nearly enough time to do as much innovation or research.

4) CONNECT WITH CUSTOMERS

If it comes to understanding how to innovate and the best way to provide, it starts with forging a real connection with customers.

It’s because of this that I love interacting with our customers all time (when I can) and on social networking. I opt to work parties, events, as well as open-play if my family’s schedule allows it so I could stay active and aware of what’s happening during the day-to-day. It also gives me the opportunity to observe how clients are using our space first-hand and listen to any concerns or queries they have. Although at this age of technology there are reviews, types, and polls, I have discovered that NOTHING can replace using a face-to-face conversation with customers using your space (and probably visits competitors too!)

It’s because of this you will also see billionaire CEOs seeing 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 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 customers to understand that I’m fully invested in their own happiness.

5) HELP OTHER ENTREPRENEURS ALONG Precisely the Same PATH

While I no longer do one-on-one consulting for individuals hoping to open indoor playgrounds, I really do spend a substantial amount of time creating absolutely free content for them on my blog and above on YouTube. I also have a totally 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 info and determines they still would love to move forward with their plans, I have an internet program named Play Cafe Academy where I assist entrepreneurs gain from daydream to opening-day in less time and less strain than they ever believed possible.

When I was studying this business model, there was not a great deal of info out there. Current owners really keep all their business secrets near their vest, and now that I do not blame them! It is hard as soon as you’ve worked for years and years to set up a profitable business to wish to give those secrets away for nothing. Even if you charge a consulting fee, you’re still kind of giving away the keys that you have worked so hard for and it’s very easy as a company owner to acquire a little smug and protective of your own research and development.

As it came time to open my own company, I wound up making a ton of mistakes (and I suggest a TON of errors ) since I simply didn’t know any better. When I began getting calls and emails to consult for other possible play cafe owners, I couldn’t keep all this info to myself. As soon as it’s easy for me to feel like an imposter or that there are other small business owners more qualified than me to share this advice, I know that there’s a 4-years-ago me sitting somewhere waiting for another concept to leap out in them.

And honestly, I don’t need to see one more company close because someone who is walked before them didn’t share any information! Why not share it myself?!

But my time is valuable. I have two little children and also run another business… I do not have 12 hours to spend hand-holding each standpoint owner through the procedure. (And let me tell you, it will require at least 12 to 24 hours of compensated one-on-one consulting to break the surface of everything you need, including documentation.)

Students can go through those modules at their own speed, and I do not have to spend some 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 that I want for my family and other commitments.

In general, this business model can truly be anything the owner wants it to be. I understand many owners that choose to do ALL of the items inside their business, and it works for them because most of us have different”desire zones.”

Are and may design my”ideal” weeks so. If I was burning the candle on both ends trying to tackle everything myself, I’d do myself, my loved ones, and my customers a significant disservice.