Mom of the Month: Sam, owner of The Paperback Playhouse
We’re delighted to introduce our September Mom of the Month, Samantha Shores—mom of two, lifelong creative, and the heart behind The Paperback Playhouse. Sam’s journey is rooted in family, education, and a passion for giving children a safe place to learn through play. What started as a simple dream during her days as a stay-at-home mom has grown into a welcoming indoor play space designed to inspire kids while also supporting parents and caregivers in the community.
Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
Hi Friends, Samantha Shores here! The founder & heart behind The Paperback Playhouse. Paperback brand new educational, indoor play space located at 40 & 7 in Blue Springs, Missouri. I am ‘wife’ to Paul, the nicest human to ever exist, ‘momma’ to Baker and Oaklee, the reasons I live and breathe. I am an educator, an artist, and a proud Kansas City Native.
You can find me drinking lattes at a local coffee shop, curled up behind a cheesy rom-com novel, laughing out loud at a Gilmore Girls rerun, relaxing lake-side at the Ozarks, or cheering on our Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead.
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What inspired you to start your business?
As a stay-at-home momma of two littles, I found myself researching destinations outside of home where our girls could play and learn. It was apparent that their little bodies not only needed a release of energy but that their minds had a desire to imagine and discover the world around them. My days often consist of building magnetic tile towers, judging dress-up fashion shows, sipping invisible tea from plastic tea cups, and re-reading storybooks so many times over that I could probably recite the words in my sleep. This has been an exciting and fulfilling season yet a simple desire to converse with humans over the age of 4 is often hanging overhead. After sharing these feelings with my husband (and therapist :D) I realized that the ‘place’ I was envisioning was not only a need for our community but also a need for my mental health as a mother. Knowing that there was a high likelihood that many other caregivers were sitting at home with similar thoughts….I figured why not attempt to fill that need myself? It was at that point I started to sit down and dream about what is now, The Paperback Playhouse.
What does a typical day look like for you as a mom and business owner?
Umm...Organized chaos?! Since Paperback is still so new, my little family is still figuring out a routine that actually works. Paul and I joke that two kids is perfect—one for each of us! We split the tasks, trade off school drop-offs, and juggle it all the best we can based on our schedules.
Once the girls are off, I head into Paperback to get everything clean, cozy, and ready for visitors. My favorite part of the day is chatting with guests, building new relationships and trying to get a sense of what our community needs in a gathering space. In the afternoons, my girls often pop in to play (aka mildly take over the place). The transition from having Mom around 24/7 to me working full-time has definitely come with its highs and lows, but knowing they can come hang out in a space that feels safe, warm, and a little magical makes it all feel right.
Evenings are all about family: dinner together, running around outside until the sun goes down, reading endless bedtime stories, and finishing it all off with a ridiculous number of snuggles and kisses.
What’s been the most rewarding part of running your business?
The most rewarding part of running our business has been sharing the journey with our daughters. From the moment we first stepped into the empty space, they were right there beside us, watching, helping, and experiencing the transformation firsthand. Even at 2 & 4 years old they sanded wood, painted walls, helped carry supplies, and ran their little sweaty selves along-side us as we turned an idea into something real. It’s been a family project, a labor of love. Now, when they come to play, their joy reminds me why we did it. Seeing them enjoy something we created together makes all the hard work well worth it.
What challenges have you faced balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship?
Time....there’s just never enough of it. I don’t think I’ll ever feel like I have enough hours in the day to soak up all the time I want with my kids and still pour energy into my career, hobbies, and everything else that makes me, well, me. When we first opened Paperback, it felt like I was working around the clock. Both at the shop and at home. Eventually, I realized I had to make a conscious choice to set some boundaries. Now, I try to wrap up emails, phone calls, and social media before I head home, so I can actually be present with my husband and girls without constantly checking devices. They’ve all given up a lot so I could chase this dream. And at the end of the day, what matters most is that my kids know that they come first.
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What advice would you give to other moms thinking about starting a business?
Starting a business as a mom can feel like juggling a hundred hats at once. I have sacrificed my hobbies and me time, for late nights researching business ideas, editing websites, planning events, ordering supplies, etc. etc. It’s easy to lose yourself in the process and forget the passions and goals that inspired you to start your business in the first place. My advice is to just keep truckin’, even on the exhausting days. Remind yourself of your ‘why,’ and give yourself grace. Bit by bit, you’ll get closer to building a rhythm that works for both your business and your family.
How do you and your family like to spend time together when you're not working?
The best moments of my life have been spent with Paul, Baker, and Oaklee. Living in the country, we try to spend a lot of time outside. When the weather is nice we love going to the park, swinging, swimming, and taking trips to the lake. Paul and I were both athletes growing up so even at a young age our girls enjoy both playing and watching sports. When it's late or chilly outside we love crowding together on the couch for family movie nights or to read picture books. We play board games, watch Chiefs games, have Taylor Swift dance parties, eat way too much pizza ... ya know, the norm. :)
Follow Samantha’s journey and learn more about The Paperback Playhouse:
💼 The Paperback Playhouse
📍 Location: 786 SW US 40 Hwy., Blue Springs, MO
📞 Phone: 816-288-4360
📧 Contact: Sam@paperbackplayhouse.com
🌐 Website: www.PaperbackPlayhouse.com
📸 Instagram: @PaperbackPlayhouse
👍 Facebook: @thepaperbackplayhouse
Sam, thank you for your vision, your creativity, and your passion for building a space where families can connect, play, and make lasting memories. You’re an inspiration to moms navigating the balance of motherhood and entrepreneurship!
👉 Know a mom who deserves the spotlight (including yourself)? Nominate her for our next feature by emailing brittanym@macaronikid.com or by filling out this form!
