What Being A Woman-Owned Business Means To Us
"My desire to instill a love of nature in children while stimulating physical and mental development guided the formation of Play Mart's and Nature of Early Play's mission to provide children the opportunity of experiencing a safe, environmentally friendly, and creative place in which to play and grow."
—Rebecca Beach, Cofounder Nature of Early Play and Play Mart
Welcome to an insightful journey with the successful CEO of Play Mart, Rebecca Beach: a woman who has steered a flourishing woman-owned business with sheer determination, perseverance, and an exceptional understanding of early childhood education. When the Beach family founded Play Mart more than 35 years ago, they saw an opportunity to align personal passions with professional goals. For Rebecca, creating playgrounds wasn't a purposeful venture into the world of woman-owned small businesses—it was a meaningful way to combine her love of nature, early childhood development, and family life.
Here, we take a closer look at why Play Mart's status as a woman-owned business matters, how Rebecca balanced entrepreneurship with raising a family, and the ways her personal values shaped the company's eco-friendly mission and commitment to quality play environments.
Rebecca's Humble Beginings
"In 1978 with everything we could cram into an old truck, we migrated the family from zero-population growth Boulder, Colorado to the rolling hills and creeks of Woodstock, Kentucky. Dennis provided for our growing family by doing remodeling, construction, and basically anything he could to keep us fed."
Brought together by their shared passion for the outdoors, Rebecca and her husband, Dennis Beach, founded Play Mart, initially under the name Beach and Sons, in 1981. Rebecca was hands-on from the start, managing the sales while Dennis took on the role of equipment designer. Their mutual goal was simple: to bring the joy of outdoor play to children worldwide.
Their family of seven resided in a two-bedroom trailer, relying on Dennis's skills in landscape architecture and construction for sustenance. When a local PTA asked for a new playground, the Beach family took the opportunity, and in the process, a business was born.
"In 1978 with everything we could cram into an old truck, we migrated the family to the rolling hills and creeks of Woodstock, Kentucky."
Born From a Heart for Family
Raising her five children in rural Kentucky, Rebecca devoted herself to homeschooling them with a curriculum that was much more than textbooks and classrooms. Mornings may have been dedicated to book work, but afternoons overflowed with hands-on experiences like organic gardening, hiking, and imaginative play. The Beach family spent countless hours in the great outdoors, fostering a love for nature and creative exploration.
Over time, this lifestyle blended into the family's business operations. It wasn't uncommon for Rebecca to balance marketing playgrounds and helping design play structures while guiding her children's education. Rebecca thrived while meeting the challenges of running a growing business and home-schooling her five children, encouraging them to learn beyond the confines of traditional education systems through organic gardening, sewing, baking, imaginative play, and nature exploration. As she saw her children learn and grow through their activities, she continually tried to apply those concepts to play structures that would help participants, teachers, and daycare staff enjoy the benefits of imaginative play to their charges.
The Journey to Becoming a Woman-Owned Business
"When I think about my involvement in the company, the focus was never on Play Mart as a woman-owned business. Rather, it has always been a place to express my passions and what I want to do. My husband has his, and they come together a lot. I always thought I would grow this business with my husband and family and do what I need to do as a business owner."
Like many women business owners, Rebecca didn't start her journey intending to helm a woman-owned business. However, as she became more actively involved in sales and business development, Rebecca guided the company. Being a woman CEO in the male-dominated world of business didn't deter Rebecca; on the contrary, she thrived in it.
"When I think about my involvement in the company, the focus was never on Play Mart as a woman-owned business"
In 2000, the Play Mart business underwent a significant management restructuring, and Rebecca Beach became the major stockholder. Rebecca's position as the major stakeholder is reflected in how the company has operated. The company took determined steps to meet the guidelines to qualify as a Woman-Owned Business (WOB). Today, as per the US Chamber of Commerce guidelines, Play Mart meets all the business requirements outlined by the Code of Federal Regulations.
Play Mart's status as a woman-owned business isn't just a point of pride—it's a testament to Rebecca's leadership and vision. It represents resilience in the face of challenges and showcases how diversity empowers organizations to innovate and create with purpose. Being a WOB is not just about holding the majority of the shares; it is about active involvement in daily operations, making crucial decisions, and holding top executive roles. Rebecca's leadership, coupled with that of Tabitha and Dennis, ensures that Play Mart is more than 51% woman-owned.
Unrelenting Fight for Survival
"We never did this to make money. In the early years, it was all about one word: survival."
Walking this unfamiliar path wasn't without challenges. As is the case for many family business startups, the Beaches faced their share of financial turbulence, and even the risk of losing their home. Rebecca frequently had to deal with difficult contractors who lacked respect for her as a businesswoman. Yet, even when faced with these hurdles, Rebecca's unwavering determination shone through. She chose to focus on persisting, reminding herself not to surrender the fight.
The turning point for Play Mart came when the company decided to tailor many of their products for early childhood development centers. Drawing inspiration from Rebecca's background as a mother and an expert in early childhood, the team designed a product catalog specifically curated for infants and preschoolers. The Nature of Early Play line breathed new life into the company.
Challenges of Being a Female CEO in a Male-Dominated Industry
Leading a company as a woman often means navigating industries where misogyny and outdated attitudes can create unnecessary roadblocks. For Rebecca, this reality hit hard. Misconceptions about a woman's ability to lead in manufacturing often required her to work twice as hard to prove her capabilities or have her voice respected in the decision-making process.
But instead of letting these challenges define her, Rebecca leaned into her values and vision for the company. Her determination to create environmentally conscious playgrounds that instill a love for nature in children kept her grounded through difficult moments.
Family Values Embedded in the Company's DNA
One of the most unique characteristics of Play Mart is how it remains a family-owned and operated business to this day. Several Beach family members currently help manage the company's day-to-day operations, ensuring that its original mission remains at the heart of everything they do.
Rebecca's early experiences as a homeschooling mother instilled values that shape the company's decisions, particularly the emphasis on education and nature. She understood firsthand how powerful it is for children to explore the outdoors, form a connection with the natural world, and build relationships with living things. She knew the impact of a nurturing and safe environment on a child's development and translated it into creating safe, high-quality, and fun playgrounds, ensuring that Play Mart's designs were immediately compliant with the first safety guidelines published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the 1980s.
Reflecting Nature in Play Mart's Mission
"One summer, our five children asked permission to "run away." We granted their request with the stipulation that they must come home every afternoon to help with gardening and the family business. At one point, my husband and I were invited to a tasty meal they had cooked over an open fire. To this day, our children all love being outdoors and have a genuine appreciation for all things natural. We credit this love of nature to their early freedom to explore the woods, creeks, ponds and farms around us." While not all children have these opportunities, the mission of Play Mart and Nature of Early Play is to give every child the opportunity to learn and play outdoors and learn and grow through exploring their world and its wonders.
"One summer, our five children asked permission to 'run away.' We granted their request with the stipulation that they must come home every afternoon to help with gardening and the family business."
Rebecca's belief that children should grow up immersed in nature has transcended into Play Mart's mission. Nature-inspired designs, like miniature habitats and garden-friendly play environments, bring opportunities for kids to observe how living things grow and thrive. Beyond just playgrounds, Play Mart's creations are tools for learning and exploration—a foundation for lifelong curiosity about the natural world.
This eco-centered approach doesn't stop at product design. Play Mart is committed to reducing its environmental impact by using recycled materials and sustainable manufacturing methods. Being a family business aligns closely with their desire to leave the planet better for future generations.
Why Being a Woman-Owned Business Matters
The success of companies like Play Mart is a reminder of what's possible for women-owned brands. Partnering with a woman-owned business brings the opportunity to work with an organization that centers on compassion, inclusivity, and a shared commitment to bettering local communities. The impact of a women's business enterprise goes far beyond dollar figures or market share. Woman-owned businesses like Play Mart create ripples—inspiring young minds, redefining gender norms, and building stronger, more inclusive communities.
If you're a school administrator or someone shaping young minds, you might wonder how these businesses influence the generations to come and what role you can play.
Empowering Role Models
Representation matters. For young girls and aspiring entrepreneurs, seeing women leading successful businesses sends a powerful message—there's no limit to what they can achieve.
When girls grow up witnessing women making executive decisions, innovating industries, and thriving on their own terms, they're more likely to believe they can follow the same path. Many of today's girl entrepreneurs credit their inspiration to women trailblazers who broke barriers before them.
Redefining Gender Norms
Traditional roles and stereotypes still linger, but woman-owned businesses actively challenge the status quo. By succeeding in fields where women have historically been underrepresented—like technology, construction, or finance—female entrepreneurs dismantle outdated notions of what women "should" or "shouldn't" do.
Women in Business as Catalysts for Education
Woman-owned businesses don't just build wealth; they build knowledge. More women entrepreneurs are becoming active participants in education—mentoring, funding STEM initiatives, and collaborating with local school systems.
While women entrepreneurs have a presence in diverse fields, their role in tech and engineering is particularly influential. By running STEM-focused businesses, female leaders demonstrate to young girls that science, technology, engineering, and math are inclusive fields worth pursuing.
Rebecca is a testament to the potential of women in STEM. When she saw the liabilities of wooden and metal playground equipment early in her career, Rebecca, together with her husband, started exploring other options. This led to the development of Play Mart's iconic Recycled Structural Plastic (RSP). Not only did it meet their high safety and quality standards, but it also reflected their commitment to sustainability, composed of 100% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), sourced mainly from milk jugs.
A Bright Future For Play Mart
Today, Play Mart takes pride in its high-quality, hand-crafted products manufactured in its own facility in rural USA. From humble beginnings, they've grown into a multinational company, distributing their products across the USA, Canada, and to a limited number of international dealers.
Play Mart, now several decades in the business, is booming. The company's consistent growth is a testament to the hard work, innovative vision, and robust strategy implemented under Rebecca's leadership. In 2004, to meet increasing demand, the company acquired a 60,000 sq. ft. industrial plant in a prime location and doubled their staff over the next couple of years. The company has maintained steady growth, hitting an outstanding 43% rate in 2005, with an average 10-year growth of 24% per year.
What Inspires Rebecca
There is no doubt women's business ownership looks different for everyone. One of Rebecca's favorite quotes regarding getting children outside is from Sweden, where children spend as much as 75% of their day outdoors: "There is no bad weather, only bad clothes." Outfit your facility with the proper "clothes," and watch nature grace your children's lives. After years of reflection, Rebecca concluded that without some renewed thinking from care providers and some focused innovation on manufacturers' part, many children will simply grow up having never experienced the joys of outdoor play.
Ultimately, Rebecca and Play Mart serve as an inspiring beacon to other women-owned enterprises, showing how courage, innovation, and an unyielding spirit of persistence can pave the way for business triumphs. They demonstrate the potential and power of women in business when given the right opportunities and environment to unleash their capabilities.
Learn More About Play Mart
The Nature of Early Play brand and its parent company, Play Mart, don't just build playgrounds; they build connections—with nature, with families, and with communities. As a woman-owned business, their story paves the way for a future where more women lead with authenticity and purpose in every field.
Whether you want to partner on a playground design or learn more about Rebecca Beach's inspiring leadership, contact our knowledgeable Play Mart team. Together, we can create spaces for kids to grow, learn, and love the world around them.
Together, we can create spaces for kids to grow, learn, and love the world around them.
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