Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Turner.
Hi Samantha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Bright Imaginations was created from a dream that was placed in my heart after moving to Texas a few years ago. I was a work from home Mom with a 2 year old in a new place with no friends and no time to travel with my Son into Austin or New Braunfels to be able to play indoors with him. When my Mom decided to follow us out to Texas a year into us being here, The Lord placed on my heart again the need for somewhere for families indoors in Hays County. What started as a small off the wall conversation between my Mom and I slowly became something much bigger. We began dreaming about creating a space together that would bring families together and give our community a place filled with Imagination, warmth and most of all connection.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. It took us over 10 months to find a space for the play cafe. I knew the need for something like this was very needed in hays county so that was one of our obstacles was not having a huge selection of spaces. Many landlords weren’t crazy about leasing their spaces to a young Mom with no business owning experience. Luckily after months and months of searching we got into our space that we are at now. Then we struggled with completely redesigning a not very large space into a place where kids could imagine and explore and parents and adults could relax and enjoy coffee and pastries. It took us several
Months to get permits approved and then for construction to be finished before we were finally able to open our doors. Also learning how to open a whole business with no experience and just a vision in my Mind on exactly what I wanted was a large hill to overcome and figure out.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Bright Imaginations Play Cafe was created with families and the community in mind. Before I opened the Play Cafe I was a work from home mom for 3 years and I dreamed of a space that I could bring my laptop to and get some work done, have some coffee and my son could play in a safe enclosed environment.
We are a family-owned indoor play cafe in Kyle, Texas, combining imaginative play with a full-service cafe serving handcrafted coffee and specialty drinks. Our play space is designed to encourage screen-free, creative play, while our cafe gives parents a comfortable place to sit, connect with other adults, get some work done, or simply enjoy a really good cup of coffee while still being able to see their children play.
What truly sets Bright Imaginations apart is that we didn’t want either side of the business to feel like an afterthought. We aren’t simply a children’s play place that happens to serve coffee, or a coffee shop with a few toys in the corner. We’ve intentionally created an experience for both children and the adults who care for them.
In addition to open play, we offer memberships, special events, children’s birthday parties, and beautifully curated party experiences. More than anything, though, we want Bright Imaginations to be a place of community, a place where families can connect, friendships can form, and parents can feel like they have somewhere they belong.
Brand-wise, one of the things I am most proud of is that Bright Imaginations is a faith-based business. My faith is at the heart of why I created this place, and from the beginning, I knew I wanted to use the business to glorify God and be a light in our community. Our brand is rooted in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world,” and that message has helped shape who we are. We want people to experience that light through the way we serve them, the way we love our community, and the environment we create.
Bright Imaginations is colorful, joyful, welcoming, and filled with so much heart. As a small, first-time family-owned business, every detail has been intentional. I thought of every detail of what I would possibly want myself as a parent and tried my hardest to bring that to life in the Play Cafe. Every toy, over table, every drink recipe, every snack has been hand picked by me. My family and I have poured our hearts and soul into this business. Our goal has never been to just succeed, but it’s truly been to give kids a place where childhood memories are made, parents feel supported, community is built, and families leave feeling a little more loved and encouraged than when they walked in.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy aside from the Lord and my family is when I see the joy on kids and parents faces when they’re in our space. Or when someone comes in for coffee and says how it’s the best drink they’ve had or getting to host a birthday party and see the little ones and families faces light up singing happy birthday. Just so much joy filling this space I’ve worked so hard to create brings much so much happiness
Pricing:
- $12 per play session for 4-10 years old
- $6 per play session for 0-3 years old
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Brightimaginationsplaycafe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightimaginationsplaycafe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BXEn5Nfab/
