Over the Summer I've curated a mini series of some of my favourite episodes from the podcast so far. We revisit old episodes that have stayed rent-free in my brain! In this episode I chat to Emma Worrollo who has created Playful Den. Emma is an expert in the theory of play. Play is one the most natural human states we long to be in. But the journey to the adult-side is full of social conditioning and expectations which make us lose touch with our inner child. We forget how to play. We start feeling awkward about being silly. And somewhere in the process our dreams can start to seem childish or no longer relevant. We move away from who we once felt determined and destined to be. Play can bring that piece of you back.
We chat about how we can be more playful in our businesses, how to balance work and play, how to resist turning all of our hobbies into business and we also talk about Emma's experiences running her own small business.
Key Takeaways
- Play is Powerful Embracing playfulness in life and business opens the door to creativity, resilience, and genuine happiness.
- Experiment Boldly Small businesses have the unique freedom to try new things, pivot quickly, and learn from every experiment; so don't be afraid to play and fail.
- Redefine Failure When you approach work with a playful mindset, failure becomes just another step in the creative process, not something to fear.
- Protect Your Joy Not every hobby needs to become a business; sometimes, keeping something just for fun is the best way to nurture your creativity.
- Stay True to Yourself Building a business around your values and passions can be deeply rewarding, even if it means taking the less conventional path.
- Connection Fuels Growth Engaging with your community and sharing your journey authentically can lead to surprising opportunities and meaningful impact.
Episode Highlights
- 01:23 – Emma's background: from agency founder to play advocate
- 03:54 – The organic growth of The Playful Den and the decision to go all-in
- 07:19 – Monetizing a passion: Patreon, courses, and business pivots
- 10:17 – Branding, launching services, and experimenting with products
- 12:56 – Why small businesses can be braver and more playful
- 16:12 – Overcoming fear of failure and the Play-Doh mindset
- 19:32 – Marketing, newsletters, and building an engaged community
- 21:50 – The rewards and challenges of running a playful business
You can find out more by visiting:
Playful Den's website
Playful Den's Instagram
Playful Den's Patreon
People Who Play Podcast
I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @lizmmosley or @buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!
This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!
