Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Bahr.
Hi Katrina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We didn’t build Nido from the ground up—we rescued it. When we heard it might close, we knew Mt. Juliet couldn’t lose something with so much potential. Families needed a space like this. We stepped in because we believed Nido could become more than just a indoor playground—it could be the heart of a community.
Our vision was clear: a space where kids play and parents connect. A place that feels safe, beautiful, and intentional. We upgraded everything—clean padded floors, locally roasted coffee, thoughtfully curated events, and a team that truly cares. We built what we wished we had when we were new moms: connection, support, and a space that feels like a second home.
Today, Nido is more than a business. It’s a place where families grow, friendships form, and moms feel seen. And we’re just getting started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not smooth—but absolutely worth it. When we purchased Nido two years ago, we were stepping into a failing business with a lot of heart but not much structure. There were so many unknowns—systems to rebuild, trust to earn, and a vision to define. We had to learn quickly, pivot constantly, and stay rooted in why we took this leap in the first place: to create something that truly mattered for families.
There were moments we weren’t sure we’d make it. But slowly, we found our rhythm—and more importantly, we found our people. The moms who showed up, the kids who laughed their way through the playroom, and the community that wrapped their arms around this space and helped us grow.
Now, two years in, we’ve not only stabilized Nido—we’ve elevated it. And we’re dreaming bigger. We’re currently planning to expand to five more locations, always leading with quality over quantity and the same heart that got us through the hardest days.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Nido, we’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’re a niche business—and that’s intentional. We serve families with kids 5 and under through a thoughtful mix of open play, a cozy café, community events, enrichment classes, and coworking with childcare. But at the core, what we really do is hold space for parents in the messy middle—the ones balancing babies, businesses, burnout, and everything in between.
We’ll never be the biggest, and we don’t want to be. Our playspace is intentionally designed so parents can breathe easy. You can see your child from every angle. You can relax. You can sip coffee and know your little one is safe, engaged, and free to play. We learn your names. We become the “auntie” your child runs to. And we mean it when we say: you belong here.
What sets us apart is the quality of our staff and the depth of our passion. We’re living this life too—school drop-offs, toddler meltdowns, sleepless nights, and all. We’ve created the kind of space we wish we had when we were new moms—clean (like actually clean), calm, warm, and filled with people who get it.
We’re not franchising some cookie-cutter brand. We’re building something meaningful—something that can grow without losing its soul. We’re bringing back small-town mom communities, one suburb at a time.
What we’re most proud of? That moms walk in and say, “I’ve been looking for something like this.” And now they know—they’re not doing it alone.
What matters most to you?
That a mom never feels alone.
Motherhood is hard. It’s beautiful, yes—but also overwhelming, isolating, and often thankless. We’ve been there. We are there. And we know how much it means to feel seen, supported, and simply not alone.
At Nido, everything we do is rooted in that one belief: no mom should walk out of our space feeling lonelier than when she walked in. Whether she comes for coffee, coworking, open play, or a moment to herself—we want her to leave feeling lighter. Like she belongs. Like she’s doing enough. Like she’s not the only one.
Because she’s not.
And that truth? That connection? It’s what keeps us going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nidoplayspace.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nidoplaycafe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NidoPlayCafes
