Discovery Playhouse

Year established: 2006

Product or service offered: Children's Museum providing fun, educational experiences for children and their families.

Number of employees: 6

Location: Cape Girardeau

Owner(s): Southeast Missouri Children's Museum Board of Directors

Describe your business/occupation in exactly five words.: Creating "learning through play" experiences

What is your vision for your business and/or your industry in 2012?

Jennifer Mullix

Jennifer Mullix, executive director: The Board of Directors and staff are continuing the forward momentum, started by our founders. We have new exhibits, events and educational programs planned. Our unofficial tagline has become "Every time you visit, something is different."

Give us an example or two of an idea that came to fruition in the last couple of years, and how has that helped your consumers or clients?

JM: We are never lacking of ideas! We are so honored to have two of our most recent exhibits be in the memory of a family's loved one. "Kim's Secret Water Garden" and "Grandma Ruth's Farm" are wonderful exhibits that inspire hands-on learning. We are lucky to have half of our operating costs supported by our earned revenue sources (admissions, gift shop, rentals, annual memberships, etc). As a non profit 501 c 3 organization, we also rely on generous donations from the community.

Does your business have a mission statement? What is it?

JM: The Discovery Playhouse's mission is to create fun, educational and interactive experiences for children and caregivers as they play, discover and learn. The museum also strives to be inclusive to all children and families living in the region. As we expand up onto our second floor, we are in need of an elevator to create accessible access for all of our guests. We are hopeful that a sponsor will help us with this important element of our Phase 2 expansion.