Maggie Ochoa

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

It’s so nice to meet you, too! My name is Maggie, and I’m originally from a small town in central Wisconsin. I moved to Long Beach, California, in 2011 to attend Cal State Long Beach for graduate school, and what began as a move for my education eventually became home.

My background is in dance and education. I hold both a BFA and MFA in Dance, along with a Physical Education teaching credential, and spent 10 years directing dance programs at local high schools throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. Creativity, movement, and creating meaningful experiences for children have always been central to my work.

Today, I’m a mom to three young boys, ages 3, 4, and 6, and they were truly the inspiration behind my business, Coastal Kids Playspace, a Montessori-inspired children's play and party space in Long Beach. Becoming a mom gave me a new perspective on the importance of play, exploration, and having welcoming spaces where children can learn and grow while families connect. Opening Coastal Kids Playspace when my youngest was just about 1 year old was a leap in a new direction, but it brought together so many of my passions in a way that felt incredibly meaningful. It's been an exciting journey of combining my background in education with my experience as a mom to create something special for families in our community.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

One of my favorite things about Long Beach is the sense of community and the beautiful coastal lifestyle. There’s something special about being able to spend time outdoors with my three boys, enjoy the sunshine, and explore everything our city has to offer. I love that Long Beach has such a family-friendly, creative energy, and that people genuinely value supporting local businesses and connecting with one another. It’s a place that has truly become home for our family, and I love being able to build a business here that brings families together.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

Coastal Kids Playspace is a cozy Montessori-inspired children's play and party space in Long Beach, California, designed to give children ages 0-6 a place to explore, imagine, create, and play while giving parents a welcoming space to connect with other families.

The idea really started with my own three boys. As a mom, I was looking for engaging spaces where my children could play, explore their independence, and interact with other kids in a smaller, thoughtfully designed environment. I realized there was an opportunity to create something special for families in our community, and the idea for Coastal Kids Playspace grew from there.

With my background in dance and education, I wanted to create a space that encourages creativity, hands-on exploration, and learning through play. In addition to open-ended play, we offer birthday parties and celebrations, as well as a monthly enrichment program featuring sensory play and educational experiences led by talented local professionals. These programs give children opportunities to discover new interests, engage their senses, and learn in fun, interactive ways while connecting with other children and families in our community.

At its heart, Coastal Kids Playspace is about more than just a place to play. It's about creating meaningful experiences for children and making it easier for parents to find community, celebrate their little ones, and enjoy those fleeting early years. As a mom myself, I understand how valuable it is to have a space where both kids and parents/caregivers feel welcome. I love being able to bring together my background in education, my experience as a mother, and my passion for supporting local families to create something truly special for our community.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

My biggest piece of advice is to believe in your idea and be willing to take the leap, even if you don't have every detail figured out yet. Starting a business can feel overwhelming, and it's easy to get caught up in all the things you don't know. But you don't have to have all the answers before you begin. Be willing to learn, ask questions, and figure things out along the way.

One of the most valuable things you can do is find a mentor or connect with someone who has experience in your industry. Having someone who understands the business side of things and can help you navigate the challenges is incredibly helpful. If you're not sure where to start, I highly recommend looking into your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC at Long Beach City College was an incredible resource for me when I was starting Coastal Kids Playspace. They helped me develop financial projections, evaluate whether my vision was financially realistic, and connect with opportunities to grow my business knowledge through workshops, small business loan resources, and other support. I learned so much from that process, and I think many aspiring entrepreneurs underestimate how many resources are available to them.

Lastly, remember your "why." For me, Coastal Kids Playspace was inspired by my three boys and a desire to create something meaningful for families in our community. Having that purpose to come back to has helped me navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. You don't have to have everything figured out to get started, but having a clear vision, being open to learning, and finding the right people to support you can make all the difference.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

One comment that has really stuck with me came from one of our members during our first anniversary in May. She said, "I don't know what I would've done without this place." Her children are two and three, and hearing those words was incredibly meaningful to me and our whole team.

One thing I’ve come to realize through Coastal Kids Playspace is that what we offer goes far beyond a place for children to play. Those early years of parenting can sometimes feel isolating, especially when you're home with very young children. Having somewhere to go, familiar faces to see, and other families to connect with can make such a difference. We have so many families who meet up regularly, build friendships, and genuinely look forward to seeing one another when they come in.

As a mom of three young boys, I understand how important that sense of connection can be. I started Coastal Kids Playspace wanting to create a place for children to explore and play, but seeing the community that has grown around it has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. Knowing that our space has become part of a family's routine, support system, and village is something I never take for granted.

That comment really reinforced for me that we're creating something much bigger than a playspace—we're helping families feel a little less alone during a really important season of life.

Where do you see your company in the future?

When I think about the future of Coastal Kids Playspace, I’m excited about continuing to grow what we’ve built in ways that serve our families and strengthen our community. One area I’d love to expand is our regular programming, offering more activities and enrichment opportunities on a weekly basis that give families even more reasons to come in, connect, and make CKP part of their routine.

I also want to continue building relationships with local businesses and community partners. There are so many talented people and wonderful small businesses in Long Beach, and I think there’s a lot of potential in finding creative ways to work together that benefit the families we all serve.

Ultimately, my goal is to build a sustainable business that can be part of the Long Beach community for years to come. That means continuing to support our team while making sure Coastal Kids can thrive long-term and remain a welcoming, reliable resource for local families. I want to keep creating a space where children can learn and play, parents can find connection, and families can feel like they have a village. If we can continue to make that kind of impact for years to come, I’ll feel incredibly proud of what we’ve built.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

I think there are actually two big misconceptions. The first is that an indoor children's playspace is simply a place for kids to burn off energy. With my background in dance and education, I see how important play is for children's development. It helps them build confidence, practice social skills, explore their independence, and learn through hands-on experiences. I also think people underestimate how meaningful these spaces can be for parents and caregivers, who benefit from having a welcoming place to connect with other families and feel less isolated during those early years of parenting.

The second misconception is that opening an indoor playspace is relatively easy or affordable. Because our focus is on young children, with smaller-scale play equipment and toys rather than large climbing structures, I think it can look deceptively simple from the outside. But the upfront investment can be significant, especially when you're starting with a commercial space that requires extensive interior construction, renovations, and work to bring everything up to code. There are so many behind-the-scenes costs, logistics, and safety considerations that people don't necessarily see. Creating a space that is safe, thoughtfully designed, welcoming, and financially sustainable takes a tremendous amount of planning, time, and investment. I think it's important to be transparent about that side of entrepreneurship, because the finished product is only a small glimpse of everything it takes to get there.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of the biggest challenges has been figuring out the unique operational needs of such a niche business. Coastal Kids Playspace is designed primarily for very young children and their families, and that comes with its own set of considerations. Everything from scheduling events and enrichment programs to figuring out the best times for families to visit requires a different approach when you're serving little ones whose routines often revolve around naps, meals, and early bedtimes!

Another challenge has been finding the families who are specifically looking for the kind of environment we've created. There are lots of different options for children's activities and play spaces, but CKP is intentionally smaller, cozier, and community-focused. We're not trying to be the biggest or busiest playroom; we want to create a comfortable environment where young children can explore at their own pace and parents can get to know one another. Finding the families who value that kind of experience and helping them discover us has been a learning process.

I've dealt with these challenges by listening closely to our members, paying attention to what works, and being willing to adjust as we grow. Our families help us understand what they need, and I've learned that building a business like this requires a lot of flexibility. You can't always get everything right the first time, and that's okay. The goal is to keep learning, stay connected to the community you're serving, and continue creating something that genuinely meets their needs.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

For athletes, I'd have to say all of our Team USA figure skaters! I grew up figure skating (ice dance & synchro) alongside my dance training, so I've always had a deep appreciation for the artistry, athleticism, and incredible discipline that the sport requires. I love how figure skating combines technical skill with performance and storytelling.

As for musicians, that's a tough one! Growing up as a dancer, I listened to such an eclectic mix of music that it's hard to narrow it down to just one artist. I think that exposure to so many different genres helped shape my appreciation for music in all its forms!

Any shoutouts you want to make?

There are so many people I'd love to thank, and I'm always afraid of leaving someone out! Coastal Kids Playspace would not be what it is without the incredible people who have supported me along the way. I'm so grateful for our team, the local professionals and small businesses we partner with, and the families who choose to spend their time with us and help make this community so special.

I'd also love to give a special shoutout to Bianca Sisillo-DeFries, who owns and operates Inspired Play Cafe in Kansas City, Missouri. She was an invaluable mentor to me in the early stages of bringing Coastal Kids Playspace from a business plan to life, and I'm so grateful for her willingness to share her knowledge, experience, and guidance as I navigated opening a business in this unique industry. Having someone who understood the ins and outs of this type of business was incredibly helpful.

And of course, a huge thank-you to my family, especially my husband and my three boys, who inspired this whole adventure in the first place. Building a business takes a village, and I'm incredibly thankful for everyone who has encouraged me, shared their expertise, spread the word, and believed in what we're creating. Every bit of that support matters, and I don't take it for granted!

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about Coastal Kids Playspace by visiting our website at www.coastalkidsplayspace.com and following us on Instagram @coastalkidsplayspace.

We're located in Long Beach, California, and love connecting with local families, small businesses, and community partners. Whether you're looking for a fun place to play with your little ones, planning a birthday celebration, or hoping to connect with other families, we'd love to welcome you to Coastal Kids Playspace!

You can find information about our play and party offerings, upcoming enrichment programs, and all the ways to get involved with our community on our website and social media. We hope to see you soon!