The Power of Play at Little Puffins Discovery Playland
Located in the Peninsula Center Mall is a playland dedicated to the inspiration and power of play year round for children and their families. With playhouses, stations, and hands-on activities, there is something imaginative and explorative for every child from 1-12 years old.
Owners, self-proclaimed big kids, and parents themselves, Mike and Patience Williams recognized the need for an inviting and educational place for families to enjoy. They worked with the Alaska Small Business Development Center (Alaska SBDC) in Soldotna to put their ideas on paper.
“Starting a business is a bit of a daunting journey; just knowing where to start can be tricky.”
To get started, they took part in the Alaska SBDC’s no-cost Starting a Business class to work on their goals. From there, they began working with Kenai Peninsula Center Director and Business Advisor, Cliff Cochran.
“The great thing about the Alaska SBDC is that they are with you along the way, offering support in a variety of different formats (email, in-person classes, webinars, and in-person consultations). We were able to take the classes that pertained to the stage of the business setup we were at when it was convenient for us.” – Mike Williams
Mike and Patience worked hard on their start-up preparations and met with Cliff as they prepared to complete their business plan to put on the finishing touches. Of their experience, they shared, “Cliff provided us with a to-do list of tasks we would need to complete prior to opening our doors. He also provided a list of professional resources in the area that allowed us to identify the right resources to help us set up our business. It seemed like there were more steps than we had anticipated when it came to setting up a business, so Cliff’s to-do list helped keep us organized and on track. We are excited to open our business and are so appreciative of the help and support that the SBDC gave us.”
Cliff, in turn, raved, “It has been a pleasure to work with Mike and Patience. They were well-prepared from day one and their exceptional planning has produced one of the best startups on the Kenai Peninsula in 2019. Their combined skill set, with Mike’s carpentry abilities and Patience’s administrative expertise, has resulted in a fantastic small business for our community. This is a great example of an SBDC client who has benefited not only from advising but also our robust workshop program. We will be taking our little one there soon.”
To discover the power of play and learn more about Little Puffins Discovery Playland, visit their website at https://www.littlepuffinsdiscoveryplayland.com/ and follow them on Instagram!
