We recently connected with Paige Zen and have shared our conversation below.

Paige, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

We’re on a mission to help people become their most favorite selves.

As a young 20-something I was overweight, overwhelmed, and looking for my “more”. I was in college working at a local liquor store and visited a festival for my first time in 2004. I was absolutely in awe of these graceful hula hoopers who seemed lost in the moment – totally in bliss. Shortly after I found my own hula hoop and fell in love with a tiny plastic circle – and myself. I was confident in my brain and my body for maybe the first time in my life. I found a community of like-minded people. I was so incredibly happy!

This relationship with my hula hoop – and myself – brought me to create my first festival: PlayThink Movement, Music, & Arts Festival which brought in over 200 workshops on movement, health, and self-development.

Every time I started an event from that moment forward it was a way for me to give an experience to others that I needed for myself.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the founder and visionary of a production company focused on bringing conscious and transformative experiences to humans who know there is “more”.

PlayThink started when I found myself in love with a little plastic circle. I wanted nothing but to bring that love – of the hula hoop and myself- to anyone and everyone.

Since then, we host 4 festivals and a myriad of domestic and international retreats throughout the year.

We help people find themselves and take the path with the most ease and joy.

We also sell items that speak to the positive lifestyle and nourishing elements of our events such as Mushroom Cacao Latte Mix, Lions Mane Tincture, clothing, soap, flow toys, and more.

PlayThink, our first event that help found the business, has been a family centric and sober since day 1 which has helped build a wholesome foundation for all of the events.

I am the most proud of how far we have come in 13 years – we have impacted thousands of peoples, changed countless lives, and brought so much JOY to the world.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

It’s a myth that most businesses are started by entrepreneurs. Most of us have no idea what we’re doing and learn on the go. We figure out our business values and how to switch from a doer to a manager to a visionary as the business is growing. Early on I had to learn that I couldn’t take workshops or participate in my events as I was running them. I had to learn the different ticketing platforms. And, I had to learn how to let go of my “baby” (my business) and delegate to employees and contractors – while letting go of the expectation that they would run things inthe same way I would.

One year, a particularly fun and scary year, PlayThink hit our first ever $50,000 gross year. Because this was a first for me, my ticketing platform had not let me know – or I was unaware – that once you hit that benchmark, your account stops funneling money back into your back account until post event.

I went ahead writing checks and before the event was over I was looking at a bank account that was $20,000 over drafted. TWENTY THOUSAND in the hole with checks to maybe 100 contractors, performers, musicians, etc. I had to make a statement to each person and work with my ticketing platform to get the funds transferred as quickly as possible, but nothing prepares you for the gut clenching moment that your bank account falls that much in the hole – no matter the reason.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

As a 25 year old I was working for the Kentucky Department of Aviation. I got my undergraduate degree in Aviation Administration with a business minor and continued on to get my Master of Public Administration while working (for 10 years) in the department. I knew that it was the perfect degree set for what I wanted to do and a position that I could help support both the aviation industry and the education system by offering exciting content for children to learn core content curriculum. Who doesn’t love to learn about airplanes?

However, I was the most education, least paid, and one of the women int he office. This led to a job that wasn’t very fulfilling. At a time that I was dancing with hula hoops and finding confidence in other areas I started a side career of performing and creating events for people. My first big event, PlayThink, was in 2012. By 2015 I had my son (December 2014) and decided not to go back to my aviation career so that I could be at home with my son.

I’m not sure I would have made the leap without my son – but it is one of the very best things I’ve ever done for myself!

Since then I have continued to scale my business my increasing the number of events I host, reaching more people, and connecting at a more intimate level with my audience by hosting smaller retreats.

Each time a new event is started it is a key milestone! Each time the events bring in a new high number, it’s a key milestone. Hiring my first event manager who has since taken over all 4 of my main festivals is probably the biggest milestone yet. Hiring someone who is willing to take my vision and bring it to life with my own personal and business values is better than I ever imagined when I first started this journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: playthinkfestival.com
• Instagram: @playthinkfest
• Facebook: @playthinkfest

Image Credits
Headshot is by Hilary Nichols Others by Kaitlyn Silvestri and Bailey Elle