A couple of years ago, Lisette Volz's parental side said, “Where can I find a safe place for both of my children to play and for me to meet friends for coffee? Someone should open a place where parents can relax, children can have fun, and everyone can get food that isn't fried.”

Her business side said, “Hmmm…That is a good idea.”

As it turns out, it was a great idea: Volz opened Leapin' Lizards in Columbia in May 2006.

“I saw the need as a mom, and then saw the need in the community,” said Volz, who has two young daughters. “I built the idea slowly, chose a name, wrote a business plan, and researched licensing, sanitation, and liability issues. The community has embraced it in a way that I never imagined.”

Leapin' Lizards is a 5,000-square-foot play center that caters to children up to age 10, with areas designated for different ages, including a soft-play area for crawlers and unsteady walkers. Keeping an eye on their children is easy for parents, who sit on comfortable couches with a full view of the facility. Children dress up in costumes, get creative in the art area, go wild in the inflatable jump area, shop at a mini-grocery store, and play with puppets on a stage. Events include pure playtime, a “Leapin' into Manners” workshop, and birthday parties. The facility also has a café, a toy store, and a very popular lizard logo.

Volz is a two-time Carolina graduate, with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in social work. Before opening Leapin' Lizards, she was in private practice as a psychotherapist, and later specialized in counseling couples who were experiencing infertility. She also was program director for the Columbia Mind Body Medical Institute, and played a role in the growth of Specialized Fitness Wellness Center in Columbia. Early in her career, though, she built a strong background in sales and marketing as marketing manager for Food and Wine Magazine. The combination of those experiences makes Leapin' Lizards a success.

“I want Leapin' Lizards to grow into more of a community center, with lots of free events like fire safety and stranger awareness programs,” she said. “I guess that's the social worker in me.”

Read more at www.leapinlizardsonline.com.