How Much Money Does My Soft Play Centre Make?

[@user-pe9qg3hg3k]

I came to this video thinking it was an ad, wondering where the sell was. I left this video with knowledge and as a subscriber. Your delivery is exceptional, congratulations on your well deserved success

[@amazingsatisfy9694]

He has a BUYING BUSINESS MASTERCLASS but yeah, not really selling it that hard, and that's great

[@fred5528]

This is a really interesting topic. I never thought about how much a soft play center could make. It's great to see behind the scenes.

[@annddyyy-6920]

Absolutely. It’s surprising what goes on behind the curtain. There’s a lot of potential out there.

[@dominicleong4385]

For sure. I’ve been thinking about ways to boost income. It seems like having a good plan is key.

[@bigelbow4854]

Definitely. I heard about Larysa Caba. She seems to help people find ways to enhance their earnings with smart strategies.

[@leticiaenraz8514]

That's a great point. I’ve heard good things about Larysa too. She seems to have a thing for guiding people in the right direction.

[@jasperflontes4289]

I know Larysa Caba. she trades for everyone I have come across. I met her twice at a meeting in Germany and after her lectures from Ella I had to personally ask her to be my financial advisor. she is definitely good.

[@deepmind3996]

New viewer, genuinely amazed by your content. I've just hit the subscribe button which is quite rare for me. Keep up the great work 👏👏👏

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Welcome aboard!

[@hyugahyuga3761]

Most books repeat the same old advice, but Uncommon Paths to Wealth by Borlest is different. It’s filled with strategies that changed the way I think about success

[@Ben_conduit]

The value in these videos is insane, Thank you so much for telling us how it really is in business and giving us advice on how to improve the business model!!! This is why I watch every video you post on here. 🔥🔥🔥

[@saelaird]

Excellent video. I run a B2B Ltd co... but have always wondered about softplays. Fab content, definite subscriber.

[@deangoddard821]

Came across this today! You are a super guy 😅 Here’s to making money 🍺 😁👍

[@WeixDraqz]

Would be great to see a video from you, James, regarding company structures, holding companies, LLP, etc etc. When would you need to do any of these, the benefits, etc.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

@@WeixDraqz we discuss this stuff more on my podcast channel.

[@barandbeyond3763]

When you were talking it felt like it was me talking. I love that my thinking is becoming so alike to yours! Learnt alot from you! Looking forward to our podcast in Jan! The business has scaled a fair bit since I applied 👀

[@Grumpygrandad68]

Just been looking at companies house, and checking out his portfolio of companies. He’s legit for sure and worth a few quid. He has 12 active directorships so this man knows what he is talking about. Hats off to the knowledge and sharing of info. Nice one.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

27 active companies actually but companies house has me existing at 4 different people. Who knows why ! Thanks for your kind words.

[@Grumpygrandad68]

@ where do you find the time? Even if all these were managed by a trusted and faithful manager, and with your YT channel you have to be doing 12-16hrs a day? Similar to Daniel Louisey from Asheville, another of my YT subs. Where is your work/life balance set James? Recreation, partner, relaxation etc? Serious question!!!

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

@@Grumpygrandad68 I do work every day, but I don’t manage any of it. It’s just not my skill set; never has been. I’ve always employed people to do the managing. I am growing the companies they’re operating them. I think “who can do this better than me not how can I do this”

[@Grumpygrandad68]

@ do you find it difficult seeking the right trusted manager? What is retention like James? You must have such trust and treat them well, it’s the only way. Carrot or stick?

[@B3J-n3o]

This guy is the man!

[@adambritain5774]

Can’t begrudge people like this a single bit of their success. 100% deserved and imagine what you’d learn if you could spend a week with them.

[@benm868]

Really insightful thanks. Do you have any videos on the specific systems and processes that you put in place for your businesses? It seems like that is the most important aspect of scaling, so would be great to see a video on it

[@dalcoo]

Thank you for putting in the ground work and sharing your knowledge

[@noisyneighbors1106]

Great explanation and really smart work 👍

[@odds87]

I’m a business owner. I know and practice a lot of this stuff, but still found your video really interesting, especially as you’re in very different sectors. You should definitely go and talk at colleges or universities if you can find the time. I’d have loved to have someone like you come and talk to me when I was an 18-year-old business studies student.

[@srisouthall]

I love this, real practical business advice explained in a straightforward way, no fluff, easy to grasp high level concepts. Thanks a lot!

[@pem9751]

One of my favourite channels ❤ thanks for another fantastic videos 😊

[@garryc8744]

Your a great man to put such an effort in to share your experience with us!

[@renetiemessen]

Thank you again for a valuable lesson learned!!

[@NoName-vy8vu]

Nice one James, love the level of detail 💪

[@harrylongman3152]

Really clever James, I remember seeing you at the Basildon party man world on stilts 😂

[@hengineer1]

Fantastic video and what a guy! Really open and honest appraisal of the leisure and hospitality industry - well presented and nicely animated. Best of luck with the business and thank you for sharing your story. You've got a new subscriber!

[@etsyconsultant]

I have to leave another comment, this is like business Pimp My Ride..."I'm gonna put a business....inside my business!"...brilliant video, in before 100k.

[@marshallsonmotorsltd2101]

Love your transparency in the businesses you are involved in 👍❤️

[@ShapeyFiend]

My area used to have 4 of these playcentres now it's only got two, and one of them is opening and closing seems shakey. The one that's doing well is open late doing bowling, lazer tag, astropitch soccer etc. and is part of a national chain. The thing I saw cited as crushing them was insurance costs. Lots of news articles about 90k quotes. The particular clientele you get in these spots can be unusually litigious. I think taxes on these type of businesses in Ireland is quite favorable which is why so many farmers are incorporating petting zoo's or other tourism and leisure elements. Maybe insurance is more competitive in the UK we have a lot monopolies over here with insurers and banking.

[@NazTheGreat]

7:10 Blimey, you need a bigger whiteboard James!😮

[@fernandes297]

Outstanding video, i learn more from these than any business course or degree. Thanks for sharing

[@thehypesthype2614]

Interesting, soft play centre locally to me declined dramatically over a 5 year period. Started off great, was packed most of the time, had all the new mod cons and air guns etc. Then after a few years, things were breaking and ball pits were becoming sparse. This is the bit on your graph where the place needed fixing/replacing items/investment. Unfortunately, all that happened was the balls got topped up and then the customers dipped, the place got worse until almost everything was in need of repair. They just shut up recently, took a load of money off people for birthday parties and ran off into the sunset. Was actually disgusting really, they called up people to get money upfront for the upcoming parties booked, knowing it would close shortly. Great insight, glad you painted the picture so clearly, you certainly know your stuff. I feel well equipped to take something like this on now, but sadly lack the dedication to submit so much energy into a hospitality/leisure business, fair play to you.

[@Asylum5g]

One of your best videos. Simply superb! Ty

[@johnbuckley1533]

Morning James, thanks for sharing your journey.

[@johnmarchant3660]

Morning James. I’ve been waiting for you to do a video on this subject as it’s something I’ve been interested in doing for years.Id like to have a soft play and themed mini golf next to each other possibly sharing the kitchen,we have nothing round our way like this.Unfortunately I’ve spent last ten years being busy earning a living in the plumbing industry so never got round to turn ing my dream into reality.I will be coming to you course next year so hopefully I can grow my plumbing business and step back from the tools allowing me to follow me dreams.

[@uvsarah]

I absolutely love videos like this! I hadn’t really considered the economies of scale aspect of it. As a service based business based upon me as the service provider I can retain a much higher amount of the profits but it’s not as scaleable if just my time for money.

[@alik4325]

No ego. I like that sir.

[@dannycooke18]

i really appreciate listening to you over the last year or so. I'm about to launch a new business too, a beauty salon. i have 2 solid business models for inside but still looking for me opportunity

[@andrewmyers9982]

Do you use Sport & Play for your equipment out of interest? It is run by some friends of mine.

[@leehaywood8013]

Wouldn’t you include Employers NI in your labour? Pensions, employers NI, Gross Wages?

[@fhrjbeidbfjsnabs]

I'd love to see you make a video on how much you think building a business is down to luck, how much to strategy & what these things do to aid or hinder your risks/diversification.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Plenty on the channel around that. I think luck helps only if you don’t look for it.

[@fhrjbeidbfjsnabs]

@@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur Thank you

[@brandonjones779]

Hi James I left another question on one of your other videos but I am a new business owner myself and how do you know which employees or managers to trust with your money and how do you know they are not short changing you or dipping their hands into the till , how do you prevent this.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

People always steal from you. It’s your job to minimise it using systems and controls.

[@YseraEditor]

I'm in hospitality and am around ~33% profit margin across my 27 Airbnb's. Hearing aiming for 10% is good, made me feel slightly wealthier lol as 4 years in, still not used to that feeling of keeping the minority of what one brings in

[@samnectar]

So much value in this. Subscribed!

[@Ayeayecapn88]

Video idea - what did you organise and what did the business plan look like for you to get the bank to loan a 21 year old £300,000

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

That’s definitely been covered here on the channel. Watch my 0 to 1m video ( if I had to start again)

[@Ayeayecapn88]

@ will check it out 👍🏻

[@liamc5783]

Prior to the 08 financial crash, such finance was achievable. In today's world there is not a bank who would provide that finance to a 21 year old. Or anybody for that matter unless of course they already had cash or assets to act as collateral. Walk into a bank asking for £300k and a business plan and you will be laughed back out of the door, sadly.

[@ldn876]

James for PM .

[@Liam-iu8ti]

Love his confidence in front of the camera. Go on son

[@hello5659]

Most soft plays probably close at 4pm . About the model or E.E, could you close for an hour and re-set up the space you have e.g flat pack the soft play and move in arcade equipment (bar area- snooker) or even turn into a night club 🎵, for then the older generation to have there fun while still in one empire. Soft play close at 4, reopen at 5pm- 1am same place but different style. Just a thought keep it up mate 👍🏼 (easier said then done) also merchandise or school trips to your centre (contact schools in off peak)

[@bennylush]

Is it still easy to purchase the property noone around me is selling and the prices would be ridiculous

[@tonyhigginson8534]

learning curve every video i watch. awesome stuff

[@vladaslav]

How do you set up a bank???

[@StuartTaylorEsquire]

15 years ago there was 10 new soft play centres around here, today, there isn't a single one. They all did parties. They all did nursery and crèche. After 4 years they all looked tired and grubby. Now they're gone. Plenty of chimney pots...and more being built. I think i have a plan 👊

[@dillon84]

I work for company that make and supply fitters with netting, rope cargo nets, v bridges/step bridges spiders webs, buoy swings etc.. We are so busy at the moment. Love my job.

[@ArgyllPiper90]

80-100k in pocket money after all that effort just really doesn't seem worth the headache and continued effort, it doesn't weigh up. This country really is set up to suck every penny from business owners.

[@fishmanc5357]

It's the legacy that building the business brings. 100k profit over 10 years is 1m! You can work 10years at a regular 9-5 and never see a glimpse of that. You can have 100k in a savings account and not make anything close to that % even with compounded interest. Yes it's more effort and the long game but that's the entrepreneurs journey I guess.

[@notformodernsociety9054]

That’s why you get people to work for you, and that’s why you scale your business and open more locations.

[@ollyrukes]

He’s not working day to day in the business. He owns multiple of them. With ten of those, that’s £1m - not too shabby at all!

[@zachary3603]

I have 600-1m liquid and 5 family members (whom I support) eager to work 24/7. I'm at a loss what to start at the moment. We do lots of property development, however the profit is getting worse and worse so it's only really covering our labor atm. Interested to hear your thoughts on what you'd do with 5x time + money in the bank. Appreciate it!

[@ReActiv8R]

Thanks, great insights James!

[@MrTrapper28]

How did you fund the original set up (age21)?

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

I started as a magician doing kids parties and saved and worked liked a dog and borrowed as much money as I could.

[@calanhorsman6817]

Enjoy your videos James. One thing about this particular example though is that the day nursery is a completely different business, different staff, different space, so there aren't really any shared costs in running the 2 businesses. A better example, if staying within food, might be using a restaurant to create pre-prepped meals or a product that could be sold wholesale, so using the same location and staff to run the additional revenue stream. Enjoyed the video though, it gives people a great way to think about using their existing overheads to increase revenue.

[@steve6375]

Heating costs and rent/mortgage costs are presumably 'free'. Sounds like a good fit. Now he just has to think about how it can make money in the early mornings and evenings - maybe show movies or a pub or fitness center for adults whilst kids are playing?

[@calanhorsman6817]

Rent is charged per sq ft. So dividing the space doesn’t make it free, it just means it’s shared, but the cost is paid by one of the businesses. Same for heating. Day nurseries require a lot of space, def not free. This particular example is not an additional revenue stream, it’s a separate business entirely.

[@ollyrukes]

Some staff would be different, but the kitchen, for example, would be the same and share its costs across the two businesses. The kitchen wouldn’t need to be any bigger because it would be used at different times. during the regular school day from the nursery, then at weekends/holidays for the soft play.

[@chriscampbell1309]

What do you think about dilution of focus with all these streams? You mentioned supermarkets who went big on this, but most retreated once profits fell and was due to them trying to do too many things

[@dwolfendale99]

Hi James, I’m a fellow Basildon boy and I think you may have even entertained me when I was younger! It’s truly inspiring to see a local lad build a business empire and succeed in different industries. Congratulations on all your success and I hope you’re still enjoying the journey! I started my entrepreneur journey in 2021 by starting a sports coaching business in Basildon and the surrounding areas called Bright Boots Coaching. The goal, to help as many children achieve their potential and make the world a nicer place. Giving the next generation a brighter future through sport. It would be amazing if we could meet or whether I can have a moment of your time over a call to ask some questions as I’d love to go on a similar journey to yours. In the meantime, I hope you keep posting these insights and helping the next generation of entrepreneurs achieve their goals! I hope to hear from you soon, Dan Wolfendale

[@danielkimbo901]

A friend of mine has a soft play unit. Half of its soft play & half a day Nusery. His now looking at doing adult nights where adults can use the soft play. Sell more expensive food & drinks.

[@michaelbanks9544]

Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity 😊

[@TheRealASN]

Had a rolling membership for 2 years. No other sites come close for kids in Essex

[@LordToogood]

I have over 30 years in a field, very little over heads, I have engaged with a market that I know struggles on their own and requires my services, nation wide and I think they are all making the same mistake. I have an idea that I don't think anyone else uses, maybe there is a reason, maybe they haven't thought of it. How do I start it and grow it and gradually scale it with next to no funds and nobody wants to risk their 9-5 secure job to take a chance and grow something I think is sustainable and scalable?

[@readmycomment3157]

Amazing value in this video. Thank you.

[@steveharman8907]

Great stuff as always James....see you in Rossi again soon

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Sounds good!

[@su7421]

Thank you very much, James!

[@jinglyjones1677]

Just found your chan, subbed. But I do wonder; how much does this YT chan make vs your time & effort? I can't imagine there's much direct promotional benefit? Then again I know nothing so do correct me!

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

This channel is fast becoming something of serious value. The connections and deals it opens me up to are nothing short of amazing. I also love doing it. I love speaking at seminars too. I’ve met some amazing leaders, raised money, bought companies all from doing this. If someone wants to sell their company. They think of me before an estate agent, I’ve also recruited mega talented people from viewers of the channel. Lastly it also makes a pretty penny too. It didn’t but it does now. I can trace back millions of pounds of leads, deals and connections that happened because of me building this thing called a “personal brand” so in summary - it’s absolutely worth my time.

[@jinglyjones1677]

@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur thanks! Great to hear, sometimes the things that are the hardest to quantify provide a tonne of value. V different fields but makes sense to me. Also must be nice to be able to share some of that knowledge you've built up over the years so directly with all of us, the anonymous internet herd! Cheers!

[@StephanLivera]

Great video thanks James

[@Arrowboy29]

James, why don't you have the following in these centres to bring in more options and profit: arcade, photo shoots, Karaoke, circular dodgem cars, VR that are additional spend items not covered by entry

[@CarpSocial]

“🌹 Labour can be the thing that kills you” 👏😂 Very clever!

[@chriscampbell1309]

NI and minimum wage increases will be the final nail in the coffin for many businesses like this

[@TheCell28]

Labour is trying to kill the UK

[@investinnnnn]

What can we do with 10k$ only

[@benzyny21]

Fair play 👏

[@dillon84]

Who fits and fixes your play areas SPI Global?

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

This one was SPI

[@dillon84]

@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur cool, they are our biggest customer. They have ordered a lot recently, struggling to keep up with there demands haha

[@SamuelCoupland]

Good video

[@chrismph5239]

I came, I saw, I learnt

[@robdavy4468]

As the owner of 3 Laser Tag anchored FECs in Canada, this was very interesting! What's the age range of your end users James? I'm guessing under 6? We're extremely Birthday party focused, but our core user is aged 6-12. We've found that's the sweet spot for us, and it's very hard to do under 6 and over 6 in the same location. The needs and expectations are so different

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

I totally agree.

[@prunebear]

Be good to hear you dicuss capital allowances James. looks like you would have some chunky allowances in what you do. 😅

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Yes we do.

[@tcg-uk1094]

You say you lose 20% to VAT costs, VAT payable is 16.6% of turnover not 20%

[@luissamouco2518]

Really great content

[@NFS-RFM]

The one on Braintree is disgusting by the way, massive opportunity to make more money out of that, but it’s just never clean and the food is terrible

[@nonono7585]

Think there is a problem with signing up for the news letter James I’ll try again tomorrow 😊😊

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

If you have any problems please drop me a DM on insta

[@markdraycott3974]

Shouldn’t it be 1/6 for VAT, not 20%? And VAT isn’t a running cost as you charge on top of your costs for it, the consumer pays that tax bill for you.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

When the rate goes up over the years and you don’t charge more - I see it as a turnover tax. The rate for service based industries are just too high IMO. Most other countries have a much lower rate for tourism and leisure as there is nothing to offset.

[@hahabobblehead2059]

100k soon James! I predict before 31st December 2024.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@TheHazards2011]

There is 2 mistakes in the whiteboarding costs section. - you say of £1 generated you pay 20% vat, but your price charged already includes vat. If you charge 83.35p and add on 20% vat, that would give £1 revenue, not 80p as your example refers to. The effective rate on that £1 on gross margin is 17.65% not 20% - you include corporation tax as a tax on gross revenue of 10%, corp tax is only charged on profit so you need a huge profit margin for the effective gross rate to be 10%, so that isn’t accurate as you say 5% is the typical profit margin

[@thehypesthype2614]

I think i'll trust his whiteboard more than yours :-)

[@coolco1619]

Hard to find good reliable and qualified nursery staff though.

[@Hff19927]

My company supplies children’s arcades. Could be an extra source of income for your venue if you are looking for something like that.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

We absolutely have arcades

[@Hff19927]

I can see if we can get in touch :)

[@jimz1024]

If only we could all go back to the 2007 economy to have these chances in the UK

[@Kick9494]

As a fellow entrepreneur, you are doing a great service for those wanting to start out AND for those experienced people who can sometimes lose their way. Keep it up mate.

[@humanrightsactivist101]

Cool. All i need is £300,000 from the bank to start. I'll contact the bank manager straight away. Update: The business is so successful that I need a KZbin channel to subsidize my income.

[@Tom_murray89]

A great video

[@AmanAli-v9g]

Can u give me a part time job in London😊

[@SM_TheTraveller]

Beast ❤

[@AmanAli-v9g]

Can u give me a part time job😊 in London

[@HollyGarwell]

Hit 240k today. Appreciate you for all the knowledge and nuggets you had thrown my way over the last months. Started with 24k in August 2024.,,.

[@ElliGConcepcion]

I would really love to know how much work you did put in to get to this stage

[@HollyGarwell]

I will be forever grateful to you, you changed my whole life and I will continue to preach on your behalf for the whole world to hear that you saved me from huge financial debt with just a small Investment, thank you Jihan Wu you're such a life saver

[@RichardArthurBaker]

As a learner in this, it’s essential for you to have a mentor to keep you accountable. Jihan Wu is also my invest analyst, he has guided me to identify key market trends, pinpointed strategic entry points, and provided risk assessments, ensuring my investment decisions align with market dynamics for optimal returns.

[@GregFunnell-q9f]

Jihan Wu Services has really set the standard for others to follow, we love him here in Canada 🇨🇦 as he has been really helpful and changed lots of life's

[@JimJamieson-z4h]

His guidance allowed me to restructure my retirement plan, resulting in an estimated $700,000 more by the time I retire.

[@1physics]

Serious flaw in his vertical integration model. If he's paying suppliers £1M then they are making loads of profit at his expense but only because they have massive scale that he won't have. And he will need to charge himself loads just to survive. So he now has far more overheads than the supplier company and he has to charge much more to his other companies....the money doesn't magically appear from nowhere. He's greedily licking his lips at the prospect of £1M coming his way when it's his £1M and it's used to pay for the staff, costs, taxes etc of the company he was so excited to have in house. Compared to the efficiency of paying a company making hundreds of millions, who have real economy of scale and don't have to charge as much to make money as he will when he owns it 😂😂😂

[@thehypesthype2614]

He definitely doesn't look like someone that has flawed ideas/plans lmao you;re acting like he's only supplying himself as one company, when in relaity as explained by himself, he now sells to many other businesses!

[@AmanAli-v9g]

Can u give me a part time job 😊 I need it

[@waynelewis5656]

I wonder how many miles your hands travel in this video?

[@JamesSmith-fm3ry]

I used to be quite entrepreneurial, then I realised I was just a slave to the tax man.

[@AmanAli-v9g]

Can u give me a part time job😊

[@SpencerD-v4h]

Are you worried about the Labour government James?

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Yes. I think their attacks on business is utterly counter productive. I am worried about youth unemployment rising. That we will become a nation of super sized businesses and no room for the SME to weather the storms.

[@jkutv]

@@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur "attacks on business"? You're a multi millionaire apparently. How much money do you need? How many ice creams can you steal from yourself at rossis James?

[@SpencerD-v4h]

Yes I agree they have no idea completely economically illiterate, taxes going up government getting bigger 4 day week same money for government employees while the private sector which pays for it all will be struggling. Going to be an extremely tough 5 years for a lot of business owners I truly believe there is chance they may bankrupt the country especially if our government borrowing rates keep high. Would you invest in businesses abroad,? I know it’s not the same but I have moved a lot of my money in pensions and shares to companies abroad as I just don’t see where the growth will come in the UK with Labour’s policies. You will do well if you are goverment/public sector management or a human rights lawyer under Labour.

[@SpencerD-v4h]

@jkutv politics of envy, he has worked hard for it and most importantly taken risks, if it was that easy everyone would do it. Instead of moaning try to set up a business yourself and see how you get on.

[@jkutv]

@@SpencerD-v4h I didn't say it was easy and I wasn't moaning. I said how much money do you need when you are a multi millionaire. Can you read?

[@CryptoConnoisseur888]

Stop trying to jump out of my screen.

[@RoundBrushStevesteve]

Step 1: have lots of money.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

I had no money when I started - I absolutely assure you of that.

[@RoundBrushStevesteve]

@@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur I applaud you for making it, just saying it's so much easier to make money when you have lots of it. Renting out a property you own, for instance.