Support Wiggle & Play: Kenosha Indoor Play Space

This GoFundMe is super uncomfortable because it doesn't feel right accepting money when I am not able to offer something in return, and it is so amazing and selfless of those that choose to donate. So my way of saying thank you and make sure you feel 100% sure what you are helping with I wanted to be 100% transparent about what this money would be used for. Below is a list of the expenses that I am behind on that this money will be used to help catch up. All of our other bills are caught up at this point. This is what is left as of January 4th.

Rent (2.5 months plus late fees) - $6,307.50

AED (3 months) - $458.94

Loan Repayment (loans such as SBA and a personal loan we took for the added start up construction cost)- $3,700.84

Credit Card (Card we used to help buy furniture to start and other bigger items to start) - $786

As we step into 2025, I find myself not planning a bright future for Wiggle & Play but simply hoping we can make it through January. Social media might make things look cheerful, but the truth is, we're in serious trouble.

Every day, I’m met with calls, texts, and emails reminding me of overdue payments and mounting debt. Yesterday, I received this bill that felt like a gut punch and a serious reality check. I paid it with a credit card just to keep the lights on, but I can't keep doing this. I’ve reached my financial and emotional limits.

When we started Wiggle & Play, we didn’t get off on the greatest foot. We were hit with a lot of unexpected startup costs, which added about $2,000 extra per month in debt repayment. This has been a huge strain on the business from the beginning. I hoped our “busy” season would help us pay down this debt, but instead, we’ve only added to it unable to break even, worsening the situation. We originally had planned on 2 loans to cover our entire start up cost, but with the delays from the city and then doubling the cost of build out due to having to add a second bathroom and changing our original plans we went from about $80,000 start up to around $200,000. Our planning was spot on with our original numbers. If we didn't have the unexpected extra expenses added at the beginning we would have been breaking even and be a MUCH better spot this season. Unfortunately this was just the hand we were dealt and I have tried really hard to make up for this and pay it off.

This business has been a labor of love for us for our community, but love alone isn’t enough to sustain it. We need our community to show up. We need YOU.

If January doesn’t turn things around, we’ll have to close our doors after fulfilling any party commitments.

I know the value this space brings to families and our community—I’ve seen it and heard it! But it only works if we have consistent support. Don’t assume someone else will step in to help or show up. Whether it’s attending a class, visiting for open play, or signing up for an event, every bit helps.

This hasn’t been easy to share. My family and I have given everything we can—time, energy, and money—but there’s nothing left. I’ve tried to make events and classes as affordable as possible, sometimes to the detriment of sustainability. I never wanted to run this business for profit; I wanted to create a space for families to connect and kids to thrive that could sustain itself.

I can’t do this alone. If you believe in this space and its role in our community, please come visit, spread the word, and help us turn things around.

To those who have supported us through it all: Thank you. No matter what happens, your belief in this dream has meant the world to me.

Sincerely,

Alyssa