Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to James Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

James , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for Kool Kids Club came from my everyday experience as a father of three. I’ve been living in Los Angeles, specifically Koreatown, for over ten years. When I was single, LA felt like an exciting city with endless things to do. But once I had kids, I started to notice how different the city looked through a parent’s eyes.

One thing that stood out was how hard it was to find a clean, safe, and comfortable space for kids to play—especially indoors. There are some playgrounds around, but not all of them felt safe or well-maintained. And when the weather got too hot, those outdoor spaces just weren’t an option. I’ve always believed that kids should be moving, exploring, and having fun—not just sitting at home staring at a screen. I knew other parents felt the same way.

When we visited Korea, I was amazed by how many indoor kids’ spaces were available. They had all kinds of play zones, structured programs, snack areas, and places where kids could meet and interact with others. It didn’t matter if it was raining or scorching hot—there was always somewhere to go. It made me wonder why there weren’t more places like that here in LA.

That’s when the idea for Kool Kids Club really started to take shape. I wanted to create a space that felt warm, fun, and welcoming—where kids could play freely and parents could relax. I also knew it had to be affordable. As a parent, I know how quickly costs can add up, and I didn’t want price to be a barrier for families.

I also thought a lot about the details—things like parking, which can be a huge hassle for parents juggling strollers and diaper bags. So when I searched for a location, I prioritized accessibility and convenience, especially for families in or near Koreatown.

What got me most excited was the chance to build something meaningful—not just a business, but a space that solved a real problem for families like mine. Kool Kids Club was born out of a mix of frustration, inspiration, and love—and that’s what still drives me today.

James , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m James Lee – a father of three, a lifelong creative, and the founder of Kool Kids Club. I’ve always loved building things—whether it’s a business, a space, or a meaningful moment—and Kool Kids Club was born from a mix of parenting challenges, inspiration from my travels, and a deep desire to create a better experience for families.

After more than a decade living in Los Angeles, I realized something was missing for parents like me. Yes, LA has amazing outdoor destinations—Santa Monica beaches, state parks like Angeles National Forest, and more. But for parents of toddlers and preschoolers, especially those juggling work and daily life, those places aren’t always realistic for quick visits.

What we truly needed were safe, clean, and convenient indoor spaces right in town—places where little ones could move freely, laugh, and play, even if you only had an hour or two. Somewhere families could stop by without the stress of a long drive or crowded public spaces.

As a parent, I didn’t want my kids growing up glued to screens. I wanted them to be active, curious, and social. But unless we planned an entire day out, it was tough to find nearby options where young children could simply enjoy being kids—especially on hot or rainy days. That’s when the idea for Kool Kids Club really started to take shape.

When my family visited Korea, we were inspired by the abundance of indoor kids’ spaces—clean, creative, and full of thoughtful activities. Kids could explore, learn, snack, and make new friends—all in one place. I kept asking myself: “Why doesn’t something like this exist back home?”

Kool Kids Club became the answer to that question.

We’re an indoor birthday party venue and play space near Koreatown, LA. We specialize in private, customizable parties for kids ages 2–6, where families can decorate, celebrate, and play at their own pace. Every detail—from soft play zones to themed backdrops—is designed to create a magical, memorable experience.

What sets us apart is that we think like parents. We chose a location with plenty of parking, designed the space with safety and cleanliness in mind, and kept pricing affordable. We’re not here to upsell—we’re here to support families and make every celebration feel personal.

More importantly, we see Kool Kids Club as more than just a party venue—it’s a space that supports our community. We want to offer families a reliable, joyful space where they can take a break from the stress of daily life. Whether it’s hosting affordable events, partnering with local businesses, or offering weekday enrichment activities in the future, our goal is to grow with our community and be a place families can count on.

What makes me proudest isn’t just seeing happy kids—it’s when they don’t want to leave. When a child clings to their parent, crying because they want to stay longer, I know we’ve created something truly special. And when they come back again, smiling and excited to play—that’s the real win. It means we’ve built a place where kids feel safe, free, and genuinely happy.

Kool Kids Club isn’t a franchise or a cookie-cutter party place. It’s a community-driven, heart-first space built by a dad who just wanted better for his kids—and yours.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

Yes, Kool Kids Club was built with multiple, complementary revenue streams in mind—something I learned through years of experience running other small businesses, including a coffee shop I previously owned. While I’ve since sold that business, many of the lessons I learned there have directly influenced how I designed Kool Kids Club.

The concept isn’t revolutionary, but it’s a model that has proven to work—similar to what you see in places like Disneyland. You create a space where kids want to be, charge a fair admission fee, and then offer thoughtfully designed add-ons that enhance the experience.

At Kool Kids Club, our main revenue stream comes from admission—through day passes and private birthday party bookings. But once families are inside, we also offer kid-friendly drinks and snacks, which add to the fun and make visits more convenient for parents.

We’ve also begun offering a small selection of retail items—such as toys, books, and themed party favors—that kids can take home or parents can purchase as gifts.

In the future, we plan to introduce enrichment classes and take-home craft kits for families who want to continue the fun even after their visit.

Each of these revenue streams is intentionally aligned with our mission: to provide a joyful, low-stress, and memorable experience for families. We’re not here to upsell—we’re here to add value in ways that feel natural and supportive.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Running a business means constantly solving problems—big and small. That’s something I’ve come to accept, and even appreciate. Looking back, I think resilience is really just the ability to keep moving forward, one decision at a time, even when things don’t go as planned.

One of the first major challenges I faced while building Kool Kids Club came during the design and planning phase. My wife and I spent over a month working closely with a designer and a manufacturer to plan out the layout and custom play structures. We discussed everything in detail—functionality, safety, budget—and after weeks of back and forth, we were finally ready to go.

But when the final estimate came in, the cost was way over our agreed-upon budget. Somehow, after all that work, the scope had shifted without a clear explanation. We were frustrated, especially since we had invested so much time. It meant starting over, redesigning elements, and negotiating all over again.

Shortly after, we hit another roadblock. The custom play structures were ready to be shipped from overseas, but due to political uncertainty around the upcoming U.S. election, international shipping costs suddenly skyrocketed—more than double what we had budgeted. That unexpected jump in freight costs really shook our timeline and finances.

And then, just when I thought we were through the hardest part, we encountered an even more frustrating issue: the layout of our leased space didn’t match the architectural drawings we received from the property. We had built our entire playground plan based on those measurements—only to find out they were off. We had to change the entire layout on the fly, and unfortunately, a few pieces we had custom made couldn’t even be used.

There were so many moments where it felt like things were falling apart. But instead of giving up, we adjusted. We worked with what we had, re-measured, repurposed, and kept going. Looking back, it wasn’t one big moment of resilience—it was a series of small ones: staying calm, staying flexible, and doing the best we could with the reality in front of us.

Every challenge taught me something new—not just about business, but about patience, adaptability, and letting go of perfection. Kool Kids Club wasn’t built in a straight line—it was built through detours, tough calls, and a lot of perseverance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://koolkidsclubla.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koolkidsclubla/