Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Jones.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lindsay. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I have always loved to be around kiddos. Being a Speech Therapist at a children’s hospital on the Neuro Rehab Unit (focusing on neuro patients and feeding with trach dependent children) was my dream. I still have a huge passion for feeding, swallowing, and neuro patients and I can talk about it all day long. However, working on the neuro unit can take a toll, emotionally. When my husband and I decided it was time to start preparing for a family, I knew I needed a break from that role.
If you know me at all, you know that I like to be in charge. It was only a matter of time before I branched out and started my own thing. This idea is one that I have been throwing around for a few years and finally made the jump. Fort Worth clearly needed this, and I am so happy that I was the one to introduce this concept, here, and have it enjoyed by so many.
I loved working at a drop-in facility when I was in high school and while in graduate school. My friend, who owns a drop-in facility where I previously worked did a fantastic job modeling this concept. I used my experience there, coupled with my knowledge from being an SLP, to create my own designs and concept. I knew I wanted to have a variety of gross motor, fine motor, and cognitive/problem-solving activities to engage children in a way that they don’t get to experience regularly. I also had the vision of keeping the facility fun while not overstimulating. I strongly believe that kids learn more when engaged in one activity at a time but are allowed free-play for their creativity to flow.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
WOW, I feel as though I should write a book on this! I came from a healthcare background, so the IT/tech world along with the finance and accounting side of things have been two major challenges for me. Luckily I have a great support system, but I know my sanity will continue to hang by a thread as I continue to navigate my way through bookkeeping.
There are so many small details regarding payroll and staffing, as well as taxes and day to day accounting, that I am always worried I am missing something. I fear I will miss something major and get a random bill in the mail for $5 million. Regarding IT, I had to change my entire software system the first week TPS opened because the process was not working. I have always considered myself “tech-savvy”, but that gave me a run for my money!
We are now in the process of opening a second location in Willow Park, and I am really trying to get ahead of the foreseen issues to have a smoother transition this time around. Challenges aside, I have loved every second of owning a small business in Fort Worth. Building relationships with the families TPS serves and making connections in the community, make it all worth it for me.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The PlaySpace story. Tell us more about the business.
The PlaySpace is an upscale, hourly, drop-in playcare facility that opened in July 2017 to accommodate the needs of families in the area. We are an emerging business creating relationships with each family by encouraging free play and socialization for kids while parents take care of needs, guilt-free.
The PlaySpace has created a name for drop-in playcare, in Fort Worth- now expanding to Willow Park, and has proven to be a successful model for families. “TPS” is becoming a household acronym commonly used by parents and children.
What makes us different: TPS, of course, is locally owned and operated. I have developed this concept based on my knowledge and background and will always be a part of this business. I love being a part of the day-to-day operations and I truly value the relationships with the customers that we serve in this small Fort Worth community.
Also, the “Drop-in PlayCare with Purpose” makes me very different than other drop-in facilities. To me, “with purpose” is a term that encompasses how we connect to children, but also how we assist parents. For kiddos, the purpose is an educational based play that engages their creativity, as well as enriches their cognitive/problem solving and gross motor skills.
We encourage learning through play and socialization with peers, during their time in the space. For parents, the term “purpose” allows for parents to be productive outside of time with their kiddos while not feeling guilty. Also, parents should always keep a piece of themselves while having a family- if this means getting a pedicure, relaxing with their spouse, or socialization with friends- it gives meaning to all family members individually.
These two things were really important to me in designing the concept as a whole. I am so very proud to call The PlaySpace mine. I work very hard to ensure that the caregivers are happy, as well as the parents and kiddos. Sometimes I look at the big picture and think “Wow, what just happened?” As I really consider my feelings, there is absolutely no way to put the right words on paper to describe my sense of fullness and relief that it all worked!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
To me, luck is hard to define. In the business, not a single thing has been “easy,” and I would hope that all other business owners would say the same (or maybe I am doing something wrong- haha). The variables change day to day and the challenges and victories alternate by the second.
For me, working hard and always paying attention to detail gives me the satisfaction of success which some people may say is “luck.” I would never say that my personal or business life has good or bad luck- everything seems to be based on a series of decisions and actions that I have made at some point along the way.
If something goes wrong, I learn what to do differently next time, if something goes well, it’s because in some way or another I made that happen. The lottery is a “luck” game, and I am not a gambler- ha!
Contact Info:
- Address: Fort Worth: 3206 Collinsworth Street, Fort Worth 76107
Willow Park/Aledo: 147 Willow Bend Drive, Willow Park 76008 - Website: www.theplayspacefw.com
- Phone: 817-708-2885
- Email: info@theplayspacefw.com
- Instagram: @theplayspacefw
- Facebook: @theplayspacefw
Image Credit:
Jason Kindig
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