Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness for kids, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Allie Ticktin, founder at Play 2 Progress based in California, USA. Allie is also an author of a book titled Play to Progress

Tell us all about your business...

Play 2 Progress is a popular play-based learning platform that helps all kids build the critical developmental skills they need to succeed. With two locations in the Los Angeles area, a virtual studio, and a developmental toy line, Play 2 Progress uses the science of child development coupled with the joy of PLAY! It helps kids thrive in all areas of their lives by simply doing what they do best - play!

Play 2 Progress also offers classes for parents to educate, empower, and guide them on the journey through parenthood - from pregnancy through preschool and beyond. Our customers are parents who want to understand their child's development better while their child has a blast engaging their sensory system (and enriching their development without even realizing it).

What's your background and motivation to grow as a solopreneur?

My mission is to empower children and their parents using sensory play to thrive in all areas of their life - starting in pregnancy. I am a pediatric occupational therapist with a specialty in sensory integration. Working with children has always been my calling. From the time I was just a child, you could always find me playing with dolls and taking care of babies, which eventually led me to become an OT.

Play 2 Progress was born out of a need I recognized for kids to spend more time engaging their sensory system through play and for parents to understand the science of development truly. When parenting was new or unexpected, it was scary; it was hard to know where to turn, and – too often – the places parents turn are hard-to-understand, overly rigid, or even shameful. I wanted to create an environment that coupled the science of child development with the joy of play, and that is how Play 2 Progress was born.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Every time a parent has an aha moment in a class. Watching a parent feel empowered and better understand their child while having fun playing and engaging their sensory system is the best feeling.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a solopreneur?

Handling the unexpected like the pandemic. I will never forget the day we had to close. It was scary, but it led to our digital platform allowing us to reach families far outside Los Angeles, which has been incredible.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?

  1. Leave your comfort zone behind.
  2. Be flexible and always plan for the unexpected.
  3. Build a business you are passionate about. It is essential that you genuinely love what you are building.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Tap into your inner child to find the creativity and new ideas to help grow your business. Also, make time to continue growing as an individual while also growing your business. Building your dream business is both the best and most challenging thing you will undertake. Make sure to take time for yourself while doing it.

Where can people find you online?

Website: https://play2progress.com/pages/our-story
Book: https://bit.ly/3G3gAYW
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play2progress/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.