Meet Leah Carter | Owner/Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leah Carter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leah, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Passion over profits. Most indoor playground owners do not get into this business to become millionaires. We enter this industry because we are passionate about children and families and our communities.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana where good food was the heart of our culture and family. No one ever mentioned that consuming too much good food would lead to being overweight and unhealthy! I entered college overweight and unhappy.

I started taking group exercise classes in college and fell in love with fitness. I lost weight but more importantly, I was mentally and physically healthy. I became a personal trainer to help people get healthy and get excited about exercise. After owning a personal training business for over 10 years I started a family of my own. But still had a heart for entrepreneurship.

6 months ago, my husband Nick and I sought to fill a need for toddler activities in our community and came up with the idea for A Play Cafe. An indoor playground where parents can meet a friend to catch up over coffee while their little ones enjoy. In addition to a coffee, pastry, and café style menu, we offer mommy and me fitness classes, play therapy, crafternoons, and much more in one space!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This may come as a surprise but the “Best Southwest” is a hidden gem in the DFW metroplex. As a Duncanville resident, we would start our journey there with breakfast at Kim and Jenny’s in Duncanville followed by a visit to A Play Cafe, also in Duncanville, to let our kids play while we have coffee and plan out the rest of the week. Day two would start off with an early morning hike at Cedar Ridge Preserve followed by a trip to Cox Farms farmer’s market for some fresh produce to make a smoothie. After making smoothies at home so we can shower and change, we’ll head to Hillside village in nearby Cedar Hill to do some shopping. Then it’s back to downtown Duncanville for pizza on the patio at Roma’s Italian Bistro. Day 3 would start out back in Duncanville with breakfast at Judy’s Cafe followed by shopping at Knick Knacks antique mall. It’s over 10,000 square feet so it’ll take us all day to explore. We can close out the day with dinner and live music on the patio at Mud Hook in downtown Duncanville. Day 4 would be spent on Joe Pool lake back in Cedar Hill. Day 5 will be spent in Desoto and dedicated to Arts and Culture as there is always some type of arts festival in Desoto. Day 6 we can catch a play at the Duncanville Community theater followed by dinner at nearby Roma’s Italian Bistro. Day 7 we will check out the newly renovated Red Bird lanes that is now equipped with Axe Throwing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shout out to my mother, Judy. She is fearless. As a single mother of 6 children, my mother earned bachelors and masters degrees before becoming an entrepreneur. My mom owned and operated childcare facilities for many years. Now as an entrepreneur myself, she is a constant source of support, mentorship, love, and encouragement. The biggest business lesson I learned from her is that the success or failure of your business depends on how well you treat people. And this includes all people, (employees, vendors, landlords, etc.) not just your customers.  I use this principle as well as my faith in Jesus Christ to guide every aspect of my business.

Website: www.aplaycafe.com

Instagram: aplaycafe

Facebook: aplaycafe

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Image Credits
Tim Plummer – TP2 Productions