Meet Yessica Arellano | Soft Play Area Creator

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

Hi Yessica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Almost a year after I lost my mom to lung cancer, I decided to start a side hustle to help me with the process of grieving. My mom would always say, “busy minds were better” and since I worked for a financial company for over 10years assisting small business owners start and grow their businesses, I felt comfortable starting one on my own little did I know that being in the front end of your own business is completely different than just advising. I wanted to have a business that brings happiness and joy, so I decided to jump into the trend of soft play areas. Two years ago, Soft Play Areas businesses were still somehow new for most people coming out of Covid. I started ordering my first equipment off Amazon and within the first week I had my first set up. After two years of creating a personal area for each of my customers I still have the same feeling of happiness. About year ago, I was displaced from my job, but I always tried to focus on the positive and instead of seeing the glass full, I knew it was time for me to dedicate my full attention to my small business, since then I have been able to learn more about this industry and also advise new soft play area businesses in Houston and other states. My mom also inspired our logo, her dream was to one day visit Disney World so if I will have to say who inspires me every day to continue growing Magical Party Land, I will say it’s my MOM.

What should our readers know about your business?
Magical party Land just turned 2 years old, and we are happy to see how far we have come. We had set up more than 350 play areas and I can say each of our areas are customized to match each party theme. Our customers like the simplicity of our booking process and most of them let us run free with ideas knowing that their play area will Wow their guests. Having experience as a business consultant help me to understand business cycles and our customer’s needs. It’s very important for me that our customers don’t break their savings trying to celebrate their kid’s special day. Growing our own business has not been easy and is definitely a 24/7 job where you wear many different hats, but the lovely feedback I get from my own customers push me to continue growing. My Mom is the heart of my business for her, birthdays were occasions to celebrate big so it’s my goal to make every each of our play area into something Magical.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting Houston, we would start our day with a walk at the Buffalo Bayou then grab a coffee at Tout Suite. We would also visit the museum district and for lunch we would go to Ojo de Agua for their delicious food and drinks. At night we will go to Fabians to dance some salsa wrapping up our night with some good street tacos.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I will say my dear friend Monica Delao from Vibrant Bounce House has been the person who has encourage and mentor me during this amazing experience. Her guidance comes from her heart, and she does not hesitate to share any tips she has learn along the way. She wants everyone to make it big.

Instagram: @magical_party_land_

Facebook: @Magical Party Land

Image Credits
All pictures were taken by me.