I am so excited to introduce you all to Sarah Brown, one of the founders of southwest Austin’s newest play gym and indoor play place, The Therapy Xploriment! They host open gym, classes, workshops, camps, birthday parties and so much more!
Hi Sarah, thanks so much for sitting down and talking with us at Greater Austin Moms!
My name is Sarah Brown. My business and life partner’s name is Greg Dolan. My daughter’s name is Jordana (she’s 7 years old), Greg’s kids names/ages are Liam (12), Wyatt (9) and Addy (7). We both share our kids with our ex-spouses and when we don’t have the kids we are working on making our dreams come to life at our business, The Therapy Xploriment (TTX). I grew up in a suburb of Cleveland , Ohio, finished Grad School for my Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2009, finished my clinical’s in Austin TX and began my career here as an OT. When I’m not creating something new for TTX, I like being active with running, sailing, and exploring -which can be anything from finding a new restaurant, taking a trip or cooking a new recipe.
Tell us more about The Therapy Xploriment
My business, The Therapy Xploriment, is a multi-sensory kids gym retrofitted into a large 5,000 sf ranch-style home on 3 acres in Dripping Springs. We opened our doors on August 2nd 2024 and we haven’t stopped creating and adding to our offerings since then. Our uniquely designed space offers kids and family’s of all demographics a fun welcoming place where they can come and “Xplore” different sensory mediums and ways to play. We encourage everyone from ages 1yo-12yo to come and climb, run, jump, feel and create as well! Our offerings include open play, birthday parties, day camps, summer camps, enrichment classes and eventually a micro-school planning to launch in fall of 2025. The Therapy Xploriment has ended up evolving into more than I could’ve imagined and I know this is just the start. Families need more than what they’re being offered right now. They need a place that each of their kids- whether sensory seekers or highly sensitive to noisy over-stimulating play gyms can come to and “just be a kid” at. Not only is the space unique from any other place you’ve been to our team and programs offer an elevated product due to the clinical knowledge, experience and passion put into it.
Our mission is to Give Moms the Gift of Time — What are your best time-saving tips/resources as a mom
It’s a multi-step process for me-
1-Forcing yourself to STOP cleaning and caretaking sometimes, however that may look, whether you outsource dinner, or get a babysitter, it’s absolutely VITAL to use those “easy buttons” to give yourself a break.
2- After you get a moment to rest and re-set it’s time to re-prioritize. Things change so rapidly as it is you need to look at your list from the day before and ask yourself “What’s most important TODAY?” and set those little goals and focus on JUST THAT for the amount of time you block out for it. You may not finish it all in one block of time but it important to allow yourself the grace to put it down and do something for yourself (whether it’s the gym or nail appointment or whatever!) so you’re ready to be mom in the “head-space” your kids deserve.
3- ASKING FOR HELP!- Don’t wait until it’s too late and sh*t’s hit the fan already! You’d be surprised at how many people are willing to help if you just ask. Know you’re limit and stay well below that limit so you can take care of the most important things- yourself and your kids.
Dream big- Where do you see The Therapy Xploriment in 5 years?
Several different locations with fully built curriculums and more”therapeutic-type” offerings for kids and their families.
What has been your biggest struggle or challenge you have faced in your business?
Playing all the roles at first- Interior designer, some construction, administrative, accounting, marketing, HR etc. It’s so much! But as soon as I was able to find people trust and understand my goals and vision and be able to off-load some of the roles and responsibilities that’s when I felt like I’m not just “treading water.”