MHM PULSE CHECK: WEEK OF MAY 20TH

🎙️ This Week’s Podcast: Mama’s got a Play Cafe

Meet Dana Warncke, full-time teacher, cheer coach, mom of four, and co-owner of Little Dreamers Play Cafe in Wall, NJ. In this week’s episode, Dana keeps it real about juggling 18 jobs (or so it feels), growing a brick-and-mortar kid business, and still showing up with heart.

✨ In this episode:

• How she started Little Dreamers with her husband (and no business background)

• Pivoting the business model after closing her first space

• Why character events and toddler pods are now the real moneymakers

• What to know before starting a Play Cafe

🎧 Listen to the episode here → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-hungry-mama/id1807126458
📺 Watch on YouTube →https://youtu.be/ydLNMny8djM
📱 Follow Dana → @littledreamersplaycafe

💻 Keep an eye out for YouTube Drop

Ever dream of owning a kids' event space or play café?
This week’s video walks you through what actually makes money in the kid entertainment space—and what’s just cute but costly. If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own Play Café or soft play biz, don’t skip this one.

📺 Coming Soon 

✨ Hustle Corner: How to Make Play Pay

Dana dropped truth bombs this week that every aspiring play space owner needs to hear:

💡 Lesson 1: Open Play won’t pay your rent. Period.
💡 Lesson 2: Lean into events, preschool pods, and birthday parties—those are your bread and butter.
💡 Lesson 3: Don’t wait for perfect timing. Her business started while she was pregnant and bartending on the side!

Pro Tip: If you’re considering this path, look for seasonal rental spaces (like Dana’s nine-month lease) that let you avoid those brutal summer slumps. Genius.

🔦 Side Hustle Spotlight: Event-Based In-Person Income

Not every mama’s hustle is digital—and Dana proves that you can build community and consistent income in real life. From themed birthday parties to Mommy & Me classes, she created a business that fills a local need and warms hearts.

Thinking about launching something local?
✔️ Start small
✔️ Show up for your community
✔️ Build a brand people trust with their memories

🎉 Want a model to follow? Dana’s blueprint is a beautiful place to start.
📲 Follow her → @littledreamersplaycafe

💌 Before You Go…

A mama who teaches, coaches, parents, runs a business, and STILL wants to start a second business? That’s Dana. And that’s exactly the energy we need in our circle.

Whether you’re running a play café or playing around with your next big idea, remember:
You don’t need permission to build the thing on your heart. Just start.

—

With hustle & heart,
Brittany (your fellow mama on a mission)
👩‍💻 @Themoneyhungrymama