We were lucky to catch up with Monica Pena recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Monica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Our mission is to provide babies & toddlers with a fun and safe entertainment option for their parties, all while ensuring that moms can relax and enjoy the celebration without worry. We also take pride in making these experiences aesthetically pleasing and beautiful, leaving a lasting impression on our clients’ guests.
This mission is deeply meaningful to us because it was born out of a personal need and a desire to enhance the lives of families in our community. We understand the challenges parents face in planning and hosting memorable events for their children. We’ve been in their shoes, juggling various responsibilities while wanting the very best for our kids.
Our journey started when we realized that there was a lack of suitable, safe, and visually appealing entertainment options for kids’ parties. We saw an opportunity to fill this gap, and our mission was born. It’s about making parents’ lives easier, giving kids a fantastic time, and creating beautiful, memorable moments for everyone involved.
The smiles on the children’s faces, the relaxation of the parents, and the joy we bring to these celebrations are what make this mission truly meaningful. We take pride in making a positive impact on families and communities, and that’s why we are passionate about what we do.
Monica , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Monica Peña, a single mother to my two-year-old daughter, Sophia. In 2021, I embarked on a journey that led to the creation of Toddler Paradise Soft Play. My motivation was to craft the most unforgettable birthday experience for my beloved daughter. The challenge lay in the unpredictable mid-February weather of Texas, I wanted to provide something fun the could do indoors and soft play was the perfect choice .
After extensive research, I discovered a scarcity of suitable options in my area. Most soft play rental companies were located in Houston, requiring expensive delivery fees. Given my location in the outskirts of Willis and my financial constraints at the time, this was not an option. That’s when I had an epiphany: why not buy the equipment and use it for my daughter’s birthday, then rent it out a few times to recoup my expenses? It felt like god had really put this in my heart, but I was filled with doubt and uncertainty as I added items to my cart, repeatedly questioning if this was the right decision.
Finally, I summoned the courage to click “check out,” and that marked the beginning of my journey. Fast forward to my daughter’s party – it was a resounding success. Everyone, especially my daughter, had a blast. At that moment, I realized I needed to share this experience with other moms so that their children could also have fun and enjoy a safe and age-appropriate activity on their birthdays. I created an Instagram page for my business and gave it the name “Toddler Paradise.” Posting mock pictures on the Facebook Marketplace was the modest start.
Soon, people started inquiring, and I received my first booking. Unfortunately, a few days later, I was unexpectedly laid off from my job, which was devastating as I had been with the company for four years. This was a challenging time, especially because I was in the process of buying a new house. Nevertheless, I persisted by continuing to post and securing more bookings. In the first official month of April, we were fully booked every Saturday, a true blessing that helped us pay our bills until I found another job.
This journey was far from easy; I made numerous mistakes because I had no prior experience in this business. However, I was determined to make it work, learning and improving with each booking. By the end of the month, I had secured a new job close to our new home. In addition, I became a single mother, and the labor part of the business that my daughter’s dad had handled was no longer an option.
I faced a tough decision – to either sell everything or manage the business on my own. I couldn’t ignore the joy and happiness that soft play brought to babies and toddlers and the gratitude of parents for the fun their little ones experienced. So, I took on the challenge. I juggled cleaning, packing, sending contracts, creating videos, and posting pictures during my weekends and late nights after putting my daughter to bed. Gradually, I expanded my inventory, starting with one set and growing to over seven soft play options and four bounce houses within a year. All our sets can be customized, offering endless possibilities.
A year later, I left my corporate job and now I am running this business full-time alongside my daughter. This journey has been far from easy, with its share of ups and downs, mistakes, late nights, early mornings, and immense dedication poured into the business. However, I love what I do. Bringing my clients’ visions to life and witnessing the joy on children’s faces when they see the soft play or bounce house all set up for them to play inside makes every challenge worth it.
I take pride in providing a safe and fun experience for children’s parties, and I believe what sets me apart is my dedication, determination, and passion for creating memorable moments for both children and parents. I want potential clients to know that I am committed to making their child’s birthday celebration an unforgettable experience. My brand, Toddler Paradise, offers a wide range of soft play options and bounce houses that can be customized to suit their unique preferences.
I’m most proud of the growth and success I’ve achieved in a short span, despite the challenges I’ve faced. I want potential clients and followers to know that I’m not just a business owner but a mother who understands the importance of making special memories for children. I pour my heart and soul into my work, and I’m excited to bring their visions to life and see the joy on children’s faces when they experience our play equipment.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe what helped me build my reputation within the market is a combination of factors. Firstly, it’s about being unique and providing services that no other company in the area offers. Setting Toddler Paradise apart from the competition has been a priority, and offering something distinct has garnered attention and trust from customers.
Additionally, staying true to myself and my values has been crucial. Being authentic and transparent with clients by disclosing any potential issues or challenges, as well as learning from past mistakes, has fostered a sense of trust and reliability. This transparency has allowed me to establish strong relationships with my customers.
Lastly and one of the most important is providing the best customer service to each and every client is a fundamental principle. Treating all clients equally, regardless of the scale of their event, is important. You never know how a small service can impact your business, and maintaining a consistent standard of excellence and genuine care for all clients has contributed to a positive reputation.
In summary, it’s about being authentic, offering unique services, addressing challenges transparently, and always striving for perfection and showing love in everything we do. These principles have helped me build a strong and trustworthy reputation in the market.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Yes, my side hustle, Toddler Paradise Soft Play, has evolved into my main and full-time business. The journey began when I decided to create an extraordinary birthday experience for my daughter in 2021. I recognized the need for a reliable indoor party entertainment solution in Texas due to the unpredictable mid-February weather.
The initial idea was to purchase soft play equipment, use it for my daughter’s birthday, and then rent it out a few times to recover my investment. This concept stemmed from my inability to find similar services in my area, given that most soft play rental companies were based in Houston, with expensive delivery fees. This presented a challenge as I lived in the outskirts of Willis and had financial constraints at the time.
So, I took the leap and purchased the equipment, despite my initial doubts and fears. The turning point came at my daughter’s birthday party, which was a huge success. Witnessing the joy on her face and that of other children convinced me that this was something I needed to share with other parents.
I created a business Instagram page, “Toddler Paradise,” and began posting mock pictures on Facebook Marketplace. The response was positive, and I secured my first booking. However, I faced a significant setback when I was unexpectedly laid off from my corporate job. This was a challenging period, especially as I was in the process of buying a new home.
Despite these challenges, I continued to post and secure more bookings. In April, the business began to thrive, and we were fully booked every Saturday. This helped me cover our expenses while I searched for a new job. I made numerous mistakes and had no prior experience in the industry, but I was determined to learn and improve.
By the end of the month, I had a new job close to our new home, but I also became a single mother, making it necessary for me to handle all aspects of the business myself. The decision was not easy, but the joy and happiness that soft play brought to children and the appreciation of parents inspired me to continue.
Over time, I expanded my equipment options , starting with one set and growing to over 10 soft play options and 5 bounce houses within a year. Each set could be customized, allowing for endless possibilities.
A year later, I left my corporate job and running Toddler Paradise full-time alongside my daughter. Despite the challenges, late nights, and early mornings, the passion for creating memorable experiences for children and parents has kept me going.
Key milestones in this journey include the decision to purchase the initial equipment, the success of my daughter’s birthday party, securing my first booking, managing the business after losing my job, and the expansion of our equipment
The experience has been far from easy, but the love and dedication I put into this business have been well worth it. Toddler Paradise Soft Play has transformed from a side hustle into a full-time business, and I am excited to see where the future leads.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.toddlerparadisesoftplayco.com
- Instagram: toddlerparadisesoftplay
- Facebook: toddler paradise softplay