Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Imani.
Hi Monica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It’s funny – sometimes I feel like I’ve lived ten lifetimes in one. I’ve been a business owner and entrepreneur for over a decade, but nothing quite prepared me for the journey that unfolded after I became a mom to my son in 2021. Like many new mothers, I experienced postpartum challenges and struggles with my mental health that left me feeling incredibly isolated. During that time, I realized there was a huge gap in the kind of space that both children and mothers truly needed. I wanted to create somewhere safe for kids to explore, play, and learn, but also a welcoming community for moms to connect, share experiences, and build relationships.
Little Lane Playroom was born from that desire to create the very kind of environment I wished had existed when I was a new mom. I remember walking around the North County Mall during those early months as one of the few things that helped me get out of the house. A couple years later, I stumbled across a space in the mall where the playroom is now. Something about it just clicked, and I took a leap of faith to open this business!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Since opening last August, I’ve been running everything as a one-woman show—handling day-to-day operations, marketing, and advertising all on my own. While the financials have been very challenging, the reward and fulfillment I’ve experienced from serving the community has been truly priceless. The journey hasn’t been easy, and to be honest, I’m still navigating through it. I’ve invested thousands of hours and tens of thousands of dollars into keeping the business afloat, and I was finally ready to take the next step by hiring a part-time employee to help grow the business, especially after seeing a significant improvement in sales over the last couple of months. However, unfortunately, the mall and I were unable to reach an agreement on terms that would allow me to renew my lease, which means Little Lane Playroom’s last day of play at North County Mall will be April 30, 2025 (so at the end of this month).
Despite this set back, I remain hopeful to potentially reopen in a new location in San Diego County in a few years. Although things didn’t work out as planned at the North County Mall, I’m proud of the impact I’ve made so far and continue to be passionate about supporting the community. While the future of Little Lane Playroom is uncertain, I’m optimistic about the future and the potential for growth in the right environment. I now know all the things I would need to do differently to create a fully functional and profitable play space.
Juggling multiple businesses while being a single mom is not for the faint of heart, but this work feels like a calling, and that’s why I’m choosing not to sell the business even though I’ve had several interested buyers. I am determined to keep working as hard as I can to create something meaningful for both the children and the moms who need it. It’s a labor of love, and even though the financial reward hasn’t yet come, the impact I’m making is more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined.
As you know, we’re big fans of Little Lane Playroom. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Little Lane Playroom is a Montessori-inspired play space for children 5 and under, offering 60- and 90-minute Child & Caregiver Play Sessions in a calm, home-like environment where kids can explore, learn, and play safely. What truly sets us apart is our focus on creating a clean, intimate, and nurturing space where both children and parents can thrive. For the past eight months, I’ve intentionally limited each play session to just 7 children and their caregivers to keep the environment cozy. For our final month of operations, I’ve increased the number to 10 kids, while still maintaining a small, nurturing atmosphere. It’s rare to find a play space that offers the intimacy where parents can comfortably chat while their kids play safely. This attention to detail sets us apart from other play spaces.
I also take extra care to thoroughly clean and sanitize the space between each play session, with a break in-between to clean and reset the playroom. This ensures the highest level of cleanliness and provides a fresh, safe experience for every family who walks through the doors.
In addition to our open play sessions, we host mom groups, offer special meet-ups, private playdate rentals, occasional “drop-off while you shop” services, and engaging events. With only a few weeks left before we close on April 30th, I hope your readers will come visit and experience the magic of Little Lane Playroom.
One of my greatest joys has been seeing Little Lane Playroom become a sanctuary for families. Many parents, especially those with children on the spectrum, have shared how it’s the only place where they feel truly comfortable bringing their kids. To me, Little Lane is one of the least overwhelming play spaces in San Diego County, and creating that safe haven means everything. It’s a place where children can play at their own pace, and parents can connect, share experiences, and find support in a low-stimulating, calm environment.
At Little Lane Playroom, it’s not just about fun—it’s about fostering a community for families to grow together. Whether you’re looking for a safe play space or a place to connect with other caregivers, I’m proud to offer both. The thoughtfulness I put into the design, cleanliness, and intimate feel of the space is what makes Little Lane Playroom special, and it’s what I’m most proud of as a business owner.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve definitely taken my fair share of risks throughout my life—both personally and professionally. One of the biggest risks I took was leaving college just one year shy of graduating from Penn State University to chase my dreams. I made the bold decision to move across the country to start fresh in San Diego, where I had no guarantees of success, but I felt in my gut that it was the right move for me. That leap of faith shaped the rest of my journey.
When it comes to Little Lane Playroom, I’ve taken multiple risks, including investing the majority of my savings into opening the business on my own. It’s been a huge financial and personal commitment, but I believe in the vision and the impact I can make. Every day has felt like a risk—whether it’s navigating the challenges of being a one-woman show or making tough decisions to keep the doors open this long against all odds—but I’ve learned that taking risks is part of the process of growth. It has also been so helpful to connect with other play space owners in the area (shout out to Amanda from Bluebird Play in OB!) who understand the challenges of this industry and can swap resources and advice with before taking on new risks.
I believe that calculated risks are essential when it comes to pursuing your dreams. I’ve learned that without taking those risks, we miss the opportunity for the kind of growth and fulfillment that only comes from fully stepping outside our comfort zones and ‘doing it afraid.’ At the same time, I’m a realist, and it was clear to me that staying where I am now at the current lease terms was not going to be sustainable. While some might view not being able to renew the lease as a ‘failure,’ I see it as an invaluable learning experience. I’ve gained so much from this journey, and the lessons I’ve learned will be instrumental when I hopefully reopen elsewhere in San Diego County in the future. This experience has been a catalyst for growth, and I’m excited to carry all that knowledge forward into the next chapter.
Pricing:
- $14.99 for one child & one caregiver for a 60-minute play session if booked online
- $16.99 for one child & one caregiver if walking in for a 60-minute play session (note: walk-ins are only permitted at the scheduled session time if spots are still available)
- Additional adults are $4.99
- Save $2 per additional sibling; babies 6 months & under in baby carrier are free with paid sibling
- $22 for one child & caregiver for a 90-minute play session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.littlelaneplayroom.com
- Instagram: @littlelaneplayroom
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/little-lane-playroom-escondido
- Other: Google Reviews: https://g.co/kgs/PK4hJL2
Image Credits
I took all the photos 🙂
