Biography of Kayla Lupean: Founder & CEO of Play Maysie -Entrepreneur
Biography of Kayla Lupean:
Journey of Play Maysie
Kayla Lupean’s entrepreneurial journey began with a passion
for creating sustainable, screen-free toys that could provide children with
hours of imaginative play. In December 2020, she founded Play Maysie, a company
dedicated to making portable playhouses designed to offer kids a creative and
mess-free play experience. Her vision was simple: to provide children with
high-quality, engaging play options while being environmentally conscious.
From Photography to Playhouses
Before embarking on her venture with Play Maysie, Kayla had
spent over a decade working as a photographer. Her career in photography
spanned more than 13 years, and she had built a successful business. However,
the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the downfall of her photography
business. This major setback, coupled with personal challenges, forced Kayla to
rethink her career path and turn to something new.
A New Dream and a Fresh Start
In the midst of the pandemic, Kayla decided to pivot and use
her savings to launch Play Maysie. With a background in visual storytelling,
she combined her love for creativity with a desire to make a difference in
children's lives. Her goal was to create a product that would not only
entertain but also foster a screen-free environment for children, encouraging
them to be more imaginative and active.
Turning Passion Into a Product
Play Maysie’s portable playhouses were designed to be both
fun and practical. Made sustainably, these playhouses were compact enough to be
taken on the go, providing a portable play option for kids without the clutter
of traditional toys. The playhouses were not only eco-friendly but also aimed
at reducing screen time, a growing concern for many parents in the digital age.
Overcoming Early Struggles
Despite her passion and hard work, Kayla faced significant
challenges in the early stages of Play Maysie. One of the toughest moments came
when her Kickstarter campaign, launched in March 2021, was essential for
getting the product off the ground. She faced difficulties in managing costs
and securing the necessary resources, even going so far as to sell her car to
fund the molds for her product.
Success with Kickstarter
The Kickstarter campaign turned out to be a success, raising
$30,000, which Kayla used to develop the molds for her portable playhouses.
This funding was crucial for Play Maysie’s growth, enabling the company to
begin production and take its first steps toward a more widespread release. The
support from the Kickstarter community proved to be a game-changer, propelling
Kayla’s vision forward.
The Shark Tank Opportunity
Kayla’s appearance on Shark Tank was a defining moment for
Play Maysie. Seeking an investment of $150,000 for a 10% equity stake in her
company, Kayla shared her personal story with the Sharks. She spoke about her
journey as a single adoptive mom, the challenges of growing a business during
the pandemic, and how she had put everything on the line for her product.
A Personal Story of Resilience
Kayla’s personal journey added a powerful layer to her
pitch. She shared that after her divorce in 2013 and the adoption of her
daughter, she had encountered both personal and professional struggles. Her
determination to succeed in business was not just for herself, but for the
well-being of her family, especially her daughter, whom she adopted.
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Barbara Corcoran's Offer
During her pitch, Kayla impressed the Sharks with her
passion and drive, especially Barbara Corcoran. Barbara made an offer to Kayla,
offering $150,000 for a 30% stake in Play Maysie, plus a $5 royalty per unit
until her investment was recouped. This offer, while significant, left Kayla
with some difficult decisions to make regarding the future ownership of her
company.
Negotiating the Deal
Kayla wasn’t immediately sold on Barbara’s offer and
countered with two alternative proposals. After some back and forth, they
settled on a final agreement: $150,000 for a 20% equity stake in Play Maysie,
along with a $7 royalty per unit sold until Barbara’s investment was fully
recouped. This deal would help fund the next phase of growth for Play Maysie.
Business Growth and Setbacks
After securing the investment, Play Maysie began to see some
growth. By the end of 2021, the company had generated $175,000 in sales.
However, despite the progress, Kayla’s profits were much lower than expected.
After expenses, only 10% of the revenue remained, making it clear that scaling
the business was going to be an ongoing challenge.
Balancing Business and Motherhood
As a single adoptive mother, Kayla struggled to balance the
demands of running Play Maysie with her responsibilities at home. The pressures
of entrepreneurship were immense, and she found it difficult to dedicate the
necessary time to both her business and her daughter. It became evident that a
shift in priorities was needed to ensure that she could maintain a healthy
work-life balance.
The Transition to Teaching
Around this time, a neighbor forwarded Kayla a job listing
for a high school entrepreneurship teacher. The position felt like a perfect
fit, allowing her to combine her business experience with a new passion for
teaching. Kayla took the job, finding a sense of fulfillment in inspiring the
next generation of entrepreneurs. This decision marked a turning point in her
life, offering her a renewed sense of purpose.
Transitioning Play Maysie to New Ownership
With Kayla focusing on teaching, she began to explore ways
to transition Play Maysie to a new owner-operator. She worked closely with
Barbara Corcoran and her team to find a solution that would allow Barbara to
recoup her investment while enabling Kayla to step away from the day-to-day
operations. This transition was a strategic move to ensure the long-term
success of the company while freeing Kayla to focus on her new role as a
teacher.
Giving Back to the Community
One of the most rewarding aspects of Play Maysie was its
commitment to giving back. Kayla ensured that for every three playhouses sold,
one would be donated to youth entering foster care. This social advocacy aspect
of the business was deeply important to her, especially as a single adoptive
mother. It gave her business a meaningful purpose, beyond just generating
profits.
Timeline for story
December 2020: Kayla Lupean founds Play Maysie, a company
focused on sustainable, screen-free toys.
2021: Kayla launches Kickstarter campaign, raising $30,000
to fund molds for portable playhouses.
March 2021: Kickstarter campaign is successfully funded,
allowing Play Maysie to begin production.
2021: Kayla appears on Shark Tank, seeking $150,000 for 10%
equity.
2021: Barbara Corcoran offers $150,000 for 20% equity and $7
royalty per unit sold.
End of 2021: Play Maysie generates $175,000 in sales, but
profits are lower than expected.
2022: Kayla transitions to teaching entrepreneurship,
stepping back from daily operations at Play Maysie.
2022: Kayla explores transitioning Play Maysie to new
ownership while working with Barbara Corcoran.
2022: Kayla ensures a donation of one playhouse for every
three sold to youth entering foster care.
