Mini Monkeys, a specialist soft play and café venue for young children, is building a thriving community hub in Dudley after receiving targeted support through the Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) Investment Readiness Programme.
Founded by Layla Jasper, Mini Monkeys opened in March 2024 and quickly gained traction with local families. However, like many early-stage businesses, tight cashflow and limited capacity meant the business was operating in survival mode, with little opportunity to step back and plan for growth.
The main focus of support was helping Layla stabilise the business, improve financial visibility and access working capital so she could invest in staffing, systems and strategic growth activities. Through one-to-one guidance, financial forecasting and funding support, Layla moved from day-to-day reactive management to proactive leadership, with a clear roadmap for growth.
Targeted support through Investment Readiness
Layla first connected with Donna Watkins, Business Growth Adviser at BGWM in Dudley, at the ‘Love Your Business’ event on the Pensnett Trading Estate. After hearing Layla describe feeling overwhelmed and constantly ‘spinning plates’, Donna identified the need for immediate structure, clearer priorities and financial support.
Donna referred Layla to the BGWM Investment Readiness Programme, introducing her to Business Finance Specialists Sharn Haywood-Higgs and Robert Rabone, who supported Mini Monkeys with the development of detailed financial forecasts. Together, they worked with Layla to revisit the business plan, understand true costs, review pricing and income streams, and explore appropriate funding options.
This support enabled Layla to secure a £12,500 start-up loan from the British Business Bank, giving her vital working capital to ease cashflow pressure and reinvest in growth.
Sharn commented “I’ve loved working with Layla. She should be incredibly proud of everything she has achieved over the past 12–18 months. Her hard work is paying off, and she’s now beginning to see the rewards. With greater clarity and focus on her vision for the business, I’m excited to see how Mini Monkeys soft play continues to grow.”
Alongside financial support, Layla also received practical guidance around time management, automation and wellbeing, helping her create space to work on the business, not just in it.
Reflecting on the support, Layla says: “I honestly didn’t realise how much help was out there until I started working with the Investment Readiness Programme. They helped me understand the funding options and gave me the confidence to secure finance to grow the business. What felt confusing at first turned into a proper plan, and I finally knew the route I needed to take.”
Reflecting more broadly on the journey, she adds:
“I feel like I’ve finally got the space to lead my business properly, not just keep it going. The support I received made a huge difference — it turned what felt impossible into a clear plan for growth.”
How Mini Monkeys swung into life
Layla, who comes from a hospitality background, spotted a clear gap in the market while visiting soft play centres with her infant son in the Dudley region. Many venues felt too large, noisy and overwhelming for very young children, making it difficult for parents to supervise closely or relax.
“I wanted to create something calmer and more welcoming,” Layla explains. “A smaller, warmer space designed specifically for children aged 0–5.” Based at Pensnett Industrial Estate in Dudley, Mini Monkeys offers a safe, inclusive soft play environment with an on-site café, designed around comfort, community and early years development.
From survival mode to a thriving business
Since receiving support, Mini Monkeys has moved from struggling day-to-day to operating with confidence and clarity. The £12,500 start-up loan has allowed Layla to invest in staffing, improve processes, and increase capacity, while better financial planning has given her visibility over costs and cashflow.
Bookings for seasonal parties have doubled, party sizes have grown by two-thirds, and the venue is now being used for private hires, community events and collaborations with local childcare providers. Layla has even welcomed culturally themed events, from Eid to Diwali celebrations, making Mini Monkeys a true community hub.
With a stronger team, a clear growth roadmap, and a thriving community space, Layla is now looking ahead to expand the business and exploring new opportunities in the early years sector.
Funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, the Investment Readiness Programme supports SMEs, assisting both new and established companies, as well as high-growth businesses seeking investment.
