11 minute read
Hi, My Name is
PROFILE ON LOCAL BUSINESS: SIMON KREISBERGER
MY COMPANY & TITLE IS….
The Play Factory, Desert Ridge Marketplace. I am its owner, creator and officially the biggest kid there. Yes, I refuse to grow up. That why The Play Factory is the perfect office for me.
A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE INCLUDES…
I pride myself on not only being a passionate, hands on business owner but also the world’s greatest husband and hands on father to my 3 boys. With that comes a whole lot of prioritizing and organizing
each day to make sure you squeeze in the important things. My mornings are always filled with lots of good morning hugs, cereal with the kids on the couch watching cartoons and sending them off for the day. Once they’re off, I run to the nearest phone booth, get into my superman outfit and I am full on into super multi-tasking mode throughout the day. I’m always working through my endless to-do lists to get everything done from emails and phone calls, running errands, trying to make all my scheduled meetings on time (that’s where the cape comes in handy) and balancing all my business projects along with the personal responsibilities of raising a family. Most people if asked how your day going would sarcastically reply “living the dream,” or “another day in paradise.” I on the other hand have been living the American Dream in paradise. I am truly blessed with healthy children, an amazing wife and incredible stories around the dinner table at night of life, love and laughter.
THE PLAY FACTORY IS LOCATED IN DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE AT 21001 N. TATUM BLVD., #38-1335, PHOENIX, AZ 85050
MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING/WORKING IN THE DESERT RIDGE AREA IS…
The atmosphere. I love the North Phoenix vibe especially on the District at Desert Ridge where it’s dynamic and hip. I love the families who frequent my store. Amazing young families with a zest for life which always helps keep my day fun.
YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE YOU COULD NEVER GET TIRED OF WATCHING AND WHY...
Three Amigos. “Would you say I have a plethora of piñatas?” First I’m an 80’s movie buff so pretty much anything from that era works for me especially anything with Chevy Chase in it like the National Lampoon series. Classic.
MY FAMILY…
Is my rock and the foundation on which I can only survive. They are the only people I would want to venture into and through this thing called life with. Best teammates anyone can ask for. They are the backbone of the entire operation!
THE BUSINESS LESSON I LEARNED THE HARD WAY IS…
Once you’ve finally taken that leap of faith, are all in and pursing your passion, it’s really important to understand the economics of business and how to sustain your growth and build your dream through making smart decisions and at the same time following your instinct and understanding this one little things called cash flow. I knew nothing of this when I started out. I just thought ‘if you build it they will come’ and they did…until they didn’t. With the onset of the economic depression in 2008, disposable income for everyone went down the tubes. I made it through those times with great advice from people much smarter than me who have been there before and came out a much stronger business owner as a result.
ONE THING I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT…
If we are talking about material
things, it would be my legal notepad with my to-do list on it. I use my smartphone for a lot of things but I’m old school when it comes to checking things off my list. If we are talking food, it would be chicken parm and spaghetti. If we are talking more spiritual, I would have to say laying with each one of children at bedtime where they teach me that every day is so precious and life goes by too fast.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WANTED TO BE…
A fighter pilot. My father was an aerospace engineer at Northrop Grumman and his work inspired me from a young age but when I got through high school, I realized my passion lied in other spaces.
THE SONG I WOULD SING AT KARAOKE NIGHT IS...
Paradise City and Sweet Child O Mine by Guns and Roses. Both of those songs bring back incredible memories of my teenage years back in New York where I grew up. Good times. Good times.
THE ONE PERSON WHO MOTIVATES ME IS…
My wife. Not only is she my number one supporter but she inspires me every day with her work over the past 20 years as one of the most dedicated, passionate Kindergarten teachers. I cannot take any credit when it comes to getting it all done. My wife Lauren is
HI, MY NAME IS...
the glue that holds it all together and I am awe everyday how she gets it all done. I can never complain and I don’t.
The last thing that made me laugh out loud was… this comedian I was listening to on the Sirius XM comedy channel. I still have no idea who he was but he made me laugh so hard while driving that I started to cry and almost had to pull over. 30 minutes later in a meeting, he crept into my mind and I couldn’t stop laughing. Yes, I looked a bit strange.
THE PERFECT DAY WOULD BE…
Today, tomorrow and the next day. I am so blessed and so thankful for what God has given me. With everything going on in the world, to see how people are effected and how they are living and going through each and every day, I know what we have is close to perfect. I am so appreciative of our health, our freedom and the opportunities I have been given to pursue my passions.
MY FIRST JOB WAS…
A film editor at one of the largest post production houses in New York city where we cut film for various broadcast stations. Graduating from the Walter Cronkite School at ASU in 1996, my first passion was film followed by broadcast news.
MY LIFE…
Is a gift from God and my parents of course.
I’m currently working on… the next chapter in my life, a bucket list item that you will all hear about soon if you haven’t already. I am in the process of building one of the largest drive though holiday light shows in the southwest called “Illumination” right on the I-17 Freeway and Jomax which I hope you will all take your families to and experience the magic I have felt in my heart for years that I have finally been able to bring to life.
If that wasn’t enough, I am also a wine producer. I import some of the most incredible wine from all over the world and I distribute here all over Arizona. If you have a restaurant, bar or hotel, I can help you build the most amazing wine list to offer your customers.
THE BEST GIFT I’VE EVER
RECEIVED WAS...my life. Think about it. The most obvious and popular answer would be my wife and kids but I have to tell you that without God and my parents giving me the gift of life, I wouldn’t have been able to receive all the beautiful gifts I’ve been given throughout my own life including my wife and kiddos. Love you mom and dad!
THE ACTOR I WOULD WANT TO PLAY ME IN A MOVIE OF MY LIFE IS...
Tom Cruise. I do all my own stunts and if I fall down, I just get back on keep on going and whenever I do something I am in it for the long haul. Tom Cruise has been around a long time and loves his craft as do I love what I do every day.
MY DREAM VACATION WOULD BE TO…
build a tiny house and travel the country with my kids before they go off to college. We have been fortunate to travel the US and throughout many parts of the world together but it’s been on our bucket list to do the tiny house thing. Love HGTV!
MY WORDS OF WISDOM TO ASPIRING BUSINESS OWNERS...
Is what any other small business owner would say and knows and that’s to put it all on the line. Take the leap of faith, follow your passion, leave the status quo behind and do whatever it is you love. But do something that will make a difference in other people’s lives. My passion is creating experiences for people that will create beautiful memories for a lifetime. It’s my life’s mission statement. Figure out your purpose, your passion, don’t listen to your parents and dive head first in. It’s the most amazing feeling once you get there.
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COVER STORY
As the weather cools and Arizonans emerge from their air-conditioned summer sanctuaries, outdoor activities are once again in full swing. It’s time to get up a little earlier, rack up more steps on that Fitbit or Apple Watch, take the dog on more walks and meet up to reconnect with family and friends to spend more time outdoors.
In short, it’s Farmers Market season! Kicking off the season in a big of more than 90 vendors (and Want to take home fresh baked way is the Farmers Market on growing at the time of publica- breads and sweet treats? This is High Street in north Phoenix. tion) offering food and fun for the place. Could we interest you After a several year hiatus, the Farmers Market on High Street returns bigger and better than ever. Appearing every third Sunday of the month October through April, the Farmers Market on High Street boasts a full block all ages. Looking for farm fresh produce? You got it. Craving locally-sourced honey? Check. in olive oils, barbecue sauces, fresh seafood, delicious tamales, German sausages, flowers, ” “ We welcomed more than 4,000 guests to the first market in October and we’re excited to see how many people will attend in the coming months.
organic brownie mixes, kettle corn, hummus, baby clothes, jewelry, artsy home décor and so much more? We thought so.
COVER STORY
is friendly when meeting thousands of new people.
“We’ve revived the Farmers Market on High Street to fill a significant void of quality markets in the north Valley”, said Bryan Laurel, marketing spokesperson for High Street. “Our intent is to grow our Farmers Market every month. We insist on growth, quality and variety so when regulars return each time, they’re experiencing something
larger and with more offerings”. If haven’t yet visited High Street, you’re missing out. If you think you know High Street, it probably more than you remember. For the uninitiated, High Street is the north Valley’s growing entertainment district and a gem in the Desert Ridge area offering an alternative to typical malls and strip centers. High Street has become a favorite with locals and winter visitors alike with its eclectic mix of quality restaurants, bars, shops and services. High Street makes for a perfect afternoon or evening out in a relaxed, pedestrianfriendly urban neighborhood atmosphere. If you want to grab a drink after work, have a romantic dinner, listen to live music, get pretty for a night out, get crafty or just stroll and window shop, High Street is the place.
High Street’s major tenants include: Ocean Prime, Blue Martini, La Bocca, Modern Margarita, Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy, Growler USA, Mellow Mushroom, Kona Grill, Torch Cigar Bar, YogurtTime, Sprouts Express Market, Firehouse Subs, Pinspiration, Anytime Fitness, Primp and Blow, M3V Nail Bar and Abode Fine Furnishings to name several.
Located next to Desert Ridge Marketplace at 56th Street and the Loop 101 in North Phoenix, High Street’s main entrance is at 54th Street and Deer Valley Road.
For more information about the monthly Farmers Market on High Street and to see a full list of restaurants, shops and services you can enjoy every day of the week, visit HighStreetAZ.com.
