Play’s not just for kids—it’s a trick entrepreneurs use to grow. Picture a startup team at Topgolf, swinging clubs and munching nachos. Between missed shots, they solved a marketing puzzle that doubled their signups.
That’s the power of play: it shakes things loose, connects people, and draws in customers. Apps like Zwift and venues like Topgolf show how it works. Here are five ways founders bring play into their businesses, with stories to prove it’s no gimmick.
1. Make Your Office a Hangout
Nobody loves a gray, quiet office. Smart founders shake things up with arcade games, ping-pong tables, or cozy lounges. Picture teams tossing around ideas while shooting hoops or grabbing snacks in a break room that feels like a coffee shop. Spaces like these get people chatting, not just staring at screens. A quick game sparks new thoughts, and teams tackle challenges with fresh energy. A lively workspace keeps everyone pumped, turning casual moments into ideas that push the business forward.
2. Plan Events That Pop
Customers stick around when events create lasting memories. Founders host gatherings that feel like celebrations, like outdoor game nights or themed pop-ups. Imagine a retail shop throwing a lively trivia contest with music and snacks, where folks laugh, snap selfies, and share the fun online.
These moments make a brand unforgettable. People talk up the excitement, spreading the word naturally. Party-like events turn casual visitors into loyal fans, driving sales with every tagged post.
Atomic Golf Las Vegas takes it even further, blending high-energy games, music, and nightlife into one unforgettable experience. Events like these make your brand the one folks remember. They snap selfies, tag you online, and keep coming back, boosting your sales without trying too hard.
3. Turn Goals into a Friendly Contest
Work hits different when it feels like a game. Some founders set up scoreboards or goofy challenges to light a fire under their team. That same playful energy can even streamline your ad campaigns—when your team’s engaged, creative ideas flow faster and land better. When people enjoy chasing goals, they work smarter, not just harder, and that pushes the business up.
4. Build Products That Don’t Feel Like Work
The best founders make products that feel like playtime. In leisure tech, this is huge. That’s the point: fun keeps people hooked. Along the way, users build product knowledge without even trying.
Companies like this attract fans who can’t stop using their stuff and love spreading the word. If you want to grow your startup, think playful—products that spark joy stick around. They build loyalty and momentum in ways plain ones just don’t.
5. Brainstorm Like You’re Kids Again
New ideas need room to get weird. Founders run brainstorming that’s more like play than a meeting. Some tech firms I might have teams pitch ideas by acting them out, like charades.
Another company might use “idea picnics,” where folks jot thoughts on napkins outside. Play takes the edge off, so crazy ideas can shine. That kind of thinking gives businesses the edge to stand out.
Play’s the Real Deal
Play’s not a distraction—it’s a shortcut to a better business. Cool offices, fun events, team contests, playful products, and loose brainstorming make your crew stronger and your customers happier.
Topgolf’s crowded nights or Zwift’s obsessed riders show it’s legit. If you’re running a business, give play a shot. Pick one of these tricks and see what happens. It might just be the spark that makes things click.
Entrepreneurship
