Dipaly Banerjee
It’s natural for kids to be messy when they play with toys. They explore and experiment, often leading to scattered toys and disorganized play areas. While it can be frustrating for parents, it’s important to remember that this is a normal part of childhood development and creativity. Entrepreneur Kayla Lupean created the unique product Play Maysie in 2020, a portable dollhouse with magnetic furniture connected at the base of the box.
Kayla appeared on ‘Shark Tank‘ season 14, episode 20, hoping to impress the Sharks and take home a significant investment. Play Maysie is transforming how children play by introducing a distinctive collection of portable dollhouses and dolls that offer an eco-friendly, imaginative, and screen-free play experience. Since the product caught our interest, we decided to jump in and trace the company’s growth.
Play Maysie: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Play Maysie are travel-friendly dollhouses that appeal to kids and parents thanks to their functional and adaptable design. Its emphasis on sustainability sets a new standard for children’s toys, offering parents an environmentally responsible choice for their kids’ playtime while fostering their imagination and creativity. Before founding her company, Kayla Lupean worked as a Photographer. She was a self-employed owner and photographer who had established her own business under Kayla Lupean Photography.
Kayla specializes in capturing beautiful moments and turning them into cherished memories for her clients. With a passion for photography, she has honed her skills over time and is constantly improving her craft to deliver high-quality results. The CEO and founder of Play Maysie proposed a portable dollhouse on Christmas Day in 2020. At that time, she was a wedding photographer who had lost most of her business due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a single adoptive mom, Kayla noticed that her daughter’s toys had too many loose pieces, which made it challenging to keep them organized and extend playtime. She also observed that her daughter preferred playing close to her, which meant dragging toys around the house. These observations sparked Kayla’s idea for a portable, clutter-free dollhouse to offer children a sustainable, open-ended play experience.
Play Maysie is committed to sustainability and uses high-quality materials, avoiding cheap plastic parts. The brand collaborates with trustworthy suppliers in China, who have helped bring Kayla’s vision to life. Additionally, Play Maysie donates cases to children entering the foster care system with every three dollhouses sold, showing the brand’s dedication to supporting the community.
Play Maysie is Thriving After Shark Tank Spotlight
The Play Maysie portable dollhouse is a creative and modern take on the traditional one. This innovative dollhouse comes in a convenient lunchbox-style case that can be decorated with magnetic accessories provided by the brand. The dollhouses are designed to be inclusive and gender-neutral, offering a wide range of dolls that can inspire imaginative play for all children. One of the unique features of Play Maysie’s dollhouses is their magnetic floors, which are equipped with attached wooden furniture. This clever design means no loose or missing pieces, creating a clutter-free playtime experience. Additionally, it makes clean-up quick and easy, so parents don’t have to worry about searching for missing parts.
The dollhouses can be closed and stacked when packing up, making storage simple and convenient. They can be easily stored on shelves or hung on hooks so that they won’t take up too much space in your child’s room. This design feature is perfect for families living in smaller homes or apartments, allowing children to enjoy their toys without creating too much clutter. Another notable aspect of Play Maysie dollhouses is their gender-neutral design. This inclusivity enables all children to enjoy the dollhouses and fosters a sense of inclusivity and acceptance from an early age. The dolls also come in various ethnicities and body types, further promoting diversity and inclusivity in play.
Kayla started a Kickstarter campaign and raised $29,475 for her business. Play Maysie offers a diverse range of portable dollhouse cases, dolls, and accessories that cater to different play preferences. For example, the brand provides magnetic plush dollhouse dolls like Cora, Kate, and Jack, which are reversible and have interior magnetic bars. These dolls are ideal for children aged 3-8 years. The Home Case is a highly sought-after product with a living room on one side and a kitchen on the other. It comes with wooden floors, fixed furniture, and wooden magnetic accessories.
Play Maysie also offers other collections inspired by its appearance on the popular TV show Shark Tank. These include the Cozy Collection and the Shark Tank Home Collection, which offer all-inclusive play experiences with magnetic dolls, plush dolls, and holiday accessory sets. The dollhouses cost $48, and individual dolls cost extra. Each magnetic doll costs $6, and a set of 6 dolls costs $24; the Shark Tank Collection is now on sale at a discounted price of $145.80. Given its impressive performance on Shark Tank and commendable growth, Play Maysie is expected to find immense success in the coming days!
