Founder & Owner at Imagine That Indoor Play Village
Leanne Howell is the Founder and Owner of Imagine That Indoor Play Village, located at 1410 Atlanta Highway, Suite A, in Madison, Georgia. She is a former classroom teacher (Pre-K through first grade), children’s ministry director, and mother of three.
Her background in education heavily influenced her vision for the business. Observing her son’s love for role-playing at museums, she set out to create a dedicated space that blends education with imagination. Unlike traditional soft-play indoor playgrounds, Imagine That is a mini indoor town where kids can step into everyday adult roles, such as running a grocery store, working in a veterinary office, or serving as firefighters.
The facility is approximately 6,000 to 6,500 square feet, with about 3,000 square feet dedicated to the interactive play area. Leanne developed an innovative sponsorship model where local businesses and non-profits sponsor individual buildings within the village, receiving signage, social media mentions, and participation in themed events.
The facility operates on structured two-hour play sessions capped at 20 children, allowing for thorough cleaning between groups. Revenue is generated through admission, three party rooms, and a retail section selling toys.
Fun fact: Leanne did not know much about marketing when she started, but word of mouth in her small town of Madison has made Imagine That a household name.
Leanne Howell shares the story behind Imagine That Indoor Play Village in Madison, GA, including her innovative sponsorship model where local businesses fund individual buildings in the village. She discusses her journey from classroom teacher to attraction owner, the importance of structured play sessions, and how word of mouth in a small town became her most powerful marketing tool.
Host Dmitry Mikhaylov interviews Leanne Howell about Imagine That Indoor Play Village in Madison, Georgia.
Key topics: the play village concept vs traditional soft-play, the innovative local business sponsorship model, marketing through organic social media and word of mouth, structured play sessions for quality control, and revenue streams including party rooms and retail.
Notable quotes: "I just wanted to create a place where imagination could run wild, but also have that education experience." - Leanne Howell. "Honestly, marketing is everything. I did not know that going into this." - Leanne Howell
