Moms Know What Moms Want (& Dads Too)- How my need for a latte and a jungle gym helped birth my 3rd baby!
How could I possibly see my 2 year old, who just darted behind the giant play truck, while nursing my newborn on a seat meant for a toddler tush, not a tush owned by a mom who just gave birth? This was the dilemma that fanned my entrepreneurial inner flame. There should be a place where a mom can keep and eye on more than one child at a time, where she can sit on a comfy couch, where the kids can play & everyone can have a yummy healthy meal. While we are at it this place needs some seriously strong coffee. Where was this heaven sent place? NOWHERE! That's where.
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I was so determined to sit, and sip and visit and play that I built it myself. I found a business partner and got to it. My little girl's first year was literally spent in lawyers offices & construction meetings, and the Oakland Planning & Zoning commission knew us both by name. Did I mention that she insisted on nursing at every single meeting? How many times have you had to wheel and deal with a commercial broker with your blouse wide open. (Don't answer that.) After a year of designing, dreaming, begging, borrowing, & building, the doors to my play cafe were finally open. The first day that I saw a mom curl up on the couch , latte in hand, while her baby crawled beside her and her toddler played in view, I sighed and smiled. I had done it. My employees ask why I come in with my daughter on my day off. Didn't I want a break? I tell them I spent 150,000 for my admission and I'm sitting on this couch!
The real work has only just begun. I've built it, they've come and now it's time to grow. This year I bought out my initial partner, renamed the cafe in honor of my 2 inspirations, Sadie & Dey, and rebuilt the whole place based on all that I had learned in my first two years of running this cafe. Now I want to find an additional higher traffic location, with a higher per capita demographic of toddlers, so I can increase my regional following and caffeinate more mommas.
Deylan is my first born, who's curious nature would constantly lead him out of my line of sight and sweet Sadie, my 2nd in line, is now as rambunctious as her big bro. My third child is therefore SadieDey's cafe. SadieDey's is growing and changing just like my kids and just as messy too. Have you seen 30 kids spill their mac 'n cheesy at the same time? I have and it's not pretty. Ours is now a complete family affair, born out of necessity for both food and fun, and is serving up both daily for weary families of the Bay Area.
Combining 2 good business models does not automatically equate to a one GREAT business model. It's not that it can't be done, it just takes more finesse than you might think. You have to consider how the client of business "1" (a cafe) might be canceled out by the client of Business "2"(a play park). In my case, concentrating on selling coffee to moms, eliminated others of the coffee drinking demographic who don't want to be surrounded by toddlers.The trick is to try to keep the perfect balance.
Comments
Great story and good advice
Very amusing entry. Sue's wit is part of the fun. It's rather dry but terrific when we catch on. And the coffee alone is worth going.
Thanks from a regular customer of the cafe!
I have to tell you the truth. I don't even have kids....yet. But, I have fallen absolutely head over heels in love with Sadiedey's cafe. I researched all the places close to home where I could take my future unborn children and as I was thinking about a place like this, I found it. I pray it stays open for a very long long long time, because when Im due, my first outting will be to Sadiedey's cafe. My child's first birthday party will be at Sadiedey's cafe. I can't wait for that.
This is such a great and inspiring story. Makes me so proud of other mommies being creative and thinking out of the box and being able to give back to other families while balancing family and a passionate work environment
This is a great sample of the owner of SadieDey's humor and warmth. She is quick witted and terribly busy during peak periods but I have earned to thoroughly enjoy her style. I have meetings there and appreciate having the play space as well as great coffee.
Where are you thinking of for your second location? Please consider North Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito. Pretty please!!!!!
Great idea - and even greater reality!
great story! thanks for sharing. i wish there was a SadieDay's cafe where i live.
My whole family LOVVVES going to SadieDey's Cafe. Mommies' perspective: The food and drinks are great, the staff is always very friendly and helpful and the place is clean, clean, clean! Kids perspective: fun, fun, fun! Lots of great activities for me (age 5) and my brother (age 1), I can see mommy no matter where I play, I get snacks and make new friends when I go. Sometimes there's singing and sometimes there are movies.
My whole family LOVVVES going to SadieDey's Cafe. Mommies' perspective: The food and drinks are great, the staff is always very friendly and helpful and the place is clean, clean, clean! Kids perspective: fun, fun, fun! Lots of great activities for me (age 5) and my brother (age 1), I can see mommy no matter where I play, I get snacks and make new friends when I go. Sometimes there's singing and sometimes there are movies.
what a daunting task this balancing act must be. bet it keeps you on your toes!
Sue has SO MUCH energy and it's put to great use here. What a wonderful idea and a successful implementation.
I love SadieDey's! It soothes my need to see parents supported, relaxing and really enjoying their little ones. And the Cafe's hip, fun interior & good food is uplifting to my adult-soul. Keep it going Sue!
Where was this when my son was little? I would much rather see these than Chuck-E-Cheese or Starbucks.