Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Klein
Hi Amanda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My background is in children’s theatre, and I’ve taught in elementary schools for over ten years. I have always loved working with kids, but got burnt out as a classroom teacher, working at multiple schools with over 500 students in just one semester.
I had my first baby in 2019, and shortly after the world shut down. I think I was already feeling sort of isolated by the massive life change and anxiety around being a new parent. I really struggled to find community. I’m also a mom to kids with special needs, and traditional kid-friendly activities like museums and parks were extra challenging. I was looking around and thinking that I can’t be the only one who’s struggling with this and looking for an indoor space for their kids where parents can actually relax and connect with each other.
I have always felt that art is really rooted in play, and it just felt exciting to create this immersive space rooted in literature and children’s stories that we all know and love.
We really believe in the power of stories and the power of play, and our connection to and with literature is what really sets us apart and makes us unique.
I think people often assume OB is not especially kid-friendly, but that’s just not true! There are so many young families here, and our goal is to create a supportive and friendly space for them as they navigate the ever-challenging early childhood years. Our play space is small by design. You can see the kids from anywhere in the room. We want to help alleviate some of the stress of planning and supervising activities.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our main challenge was finding a space in the heart of OB that had what we needed. It was really important to me to open our business here, in the community we’ve chosen to raise our family in. We feel really lucky to have found our spot, but it also comes with its own challenges and I’m constantly looking for ways to make our space more accessible.
People have asked me if the recent influx of other play spaces opening has been an obstacle and I don’t think so! I think the fact that so many play spaces have opened in the last six months or so really just speaks to the needs that young families have and the desire for community.
Our main obstacle has just been getting the word out and getting folks in the door to see what we can offer. I’m also mainly a one-woman show, and I’m still working my remote day job. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything I want to, both with my own family and our Bluebird family.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Bluebird Play is an indoor playspace and children’s bookstore. Our unique literary-themed play structures and activity centers provide a fun and safe way for children and their grown ups to explore, play together, use their imaginations, and engage with other children and parents. We strive to provide a clean and safe environment for children and their grownups to connect with each other and with literature. Studies show that exposure to books and stories at a young age contributes to building a strong foundation for later reading and writing abilities. We try to make these stories come to life in a fun and interactive way. More than that, we want to serve the community by also providing a space for events and classes, providing caregivers with the opportunity to bond, learn, and grow.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When I first started working on Bluebird, there really weren’t a ton of these spaces open in San Diego, so I was really going it alone. I think I’ve managed to put together a really great team and I have a ton of folks who have reached out and have different areas of expertise that have been able to offer advice. I’ve also just been so thrilled that other mom-owned play spaces both here in San Diego, and other places have been so open to not only collaborating, but sharing resources and information, so I feel so lucky to be surrounded by women who feel like we can all win! Shout out to Monica at Little Lane and Kate at Sunshine Indoor Play for being such amazing cheerleaders while running their own incredible spaces.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.bluebirdplay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebirdplayspace/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdplay
