Paula Salceda - Red Monkeys Play Area
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Paula Salceda - Red Monkeys Play Area
What is Red Monkeys and where is it located?
Red Monkeys is a Childrens Play Centre with Internet Facilities, Where children can have fun and make as much noise as they like, draw on the walls, have their birthday parties etc. We are based in Ciudad Quesada Rojales on Calle los Arcos N7 next to the Himalayan Indian Restaurant. (first left before the arches)
When and why did you start Red Monkeys?
Myself and My partner Donald started Red Monkeys on the 2nd May 2008. When we first moved here we felt there was nothing for the children to do in the area and therefore decided to resolve this issue as kids need their own place to go too.
Was it easy to start Red Monkeys or was there lots of paperwork and red tape?
I must say that on the Spanish legalities altho it was hard and there was alot of paperwork and issues involved we were extremely lucky with the Rojales Town Hall who have been fantastic. The other problems we had were with the English builders unfortunatley.
What facilities does Red Monkeys offer?
We have a soft play area for 0 - 3 year olds and then for 4 - 13 years. We have internet facilities, refreshments, food, birthday parties, disco, pixies and fairies, homework club, spanish class, mums and Tots, Dads and Tots, Art Classes, Cooking classes, Lunch Club, Bingo, I guess the question is what will Red Monkeys not offer as long as it is the aid of children.
What groups/services do you offer for children and parents?
We are currently awaiting a reply back from a midwife to come and possibly run baby clinics and Pre and Post Natal care for parents from Red Monkeys as well as Mums and Tots and Dads and Tots. We do have Spanish classes for children as well as adults also and homework club too.
Is Red Monkeys mainly for Expats or do you have many local parents and children?
Honestly most of our users live in and around the area, we do get alot of holiday makers too and as for our birthday parties, due to the price and what is included we have a few spanish and norweigin parties too.
What are your goals for the next year?
On a personal level to have a day off with my children to be able to take them to the beach and be able to pay the mortgage and bills. On a business level to be successful business and look at the possibility of expanding.
What are the main challenges you face running your own business?
Always keeping one step ahead and making sure that everything you do you do right as in our case we cant afford any mistakes. There are always things out there to challenge you and you just have to overcome them.
How does running a business in Spain compare to running a business in the UK (if relevant)?
There are different laws and the legislation is hard to comprehend at times.
What do you think the main advantages and disadvantages of running your own business are?
Advantages are that you are your own boss so in theory you introduce the ideas and if a success then you feel good and you keep going. I would say you set the hours and days of work but in our case we work 7 days a week and 12 hours per day. The disadvantages at the moment are that I do not have enough family time, and I love being with my partner and kids so thats hard.
What advice would you give to other women who are thinking of 'going it alone' in Spain ?
Keep fighting for what you beleive as if it is really what you want you will do it and I truley beleive that, Just beleive in what you do and love what you do.
