Owning and operating a children’s recreational facility is an adventure – equal parts joy, challenge, creativity, and grit. In this candid and experience-rich presentation, we journey through more than two decades of real-world ownership, exploring the unpredictable tides that come with building, sustaining, and evolving a child-centered business.
Participants will gain an inside look at the successes, setbacks, industry shifts, and personal lessons learned along the way. From staffing and safety to programming, customer expectations, community building, and economic fluctuations, this session reveals what it truly takes to stay afloat – and thrive – in a business where fun is the product, but resilience is the backbone.
Whether you’re a current or aspiring facility owner, a program director, or simply passionate about children’s enrichment, you’ll walk away with practical insights, relatable stories, and strategies to navigate the waves of this uniquely rewarding field.