From Cancer to Creating a Place Where Kids Make Memories

What can come from one of the darkest seasons of your life?

For Jon and Alicia, a battle with stage three tonsil cancer eventually became part of the journey that led them to create Millie’s Playland—a space designed to give young children a safe place to imagine, explore, play, and build memories.

In this episode of The Ill Noise Business Playbook, Joe sits down with Jon and Alicia, owners of Millie’s Playland, for a conversation about surviving cancer, taking a risk on a business idea, opening just days before the COVID shutdown, building a strong team, giving back to the community, and creating something meaningful for families.

Jon shares the difficult reality of his cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery—and how confronting his own mortality caused him to look differently at his life and what he wanted to create.

During that period, a simple question from Alicia about where their young daughter Millie could play during the winter sparked an idea.

What if they created a space specifically for younger children—one built around imagination rather than screens?

That idea became Millie’s Playland.

But getting there was anything but easy.

Jon and Alicia invested their savings, faced construction costs far beyond what they expected, questioned whether they should walk away, and then opened their doors just three days before COVID forced businesses to shut down.

Instead of giving up, they adapted.

They introduced private play sessions, created opportunities for children—including those with compromised immune systems and special needs—to enjoy the space safely, and slowly built the business and community around them.

Today, Millie’s Playland represents something much bigger than an indoor play space. It represents family, imagination, resilience, community, and the memories children take with them long after they leave.

Connect with Millie’s Playland:

Website: https://www.milliesplayland.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milliesplayland

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milliesplayland/

🦷 SUPPORTING PARTNER — DENTAL SYMPHONY

This episode is supported by Dr. Rima Modi, DMD and Dental Symphony in Algonquin, Illinois. Dental Symphony provides personalized dental care for individuals and families, including preventive and children’s dentistry, restorative care, dental implants, clear aligners, emergency dentistry, and more.

Connect with Dental Symphony:

Website: https://thedentalsymphony.com/

Phone: (847) 388-6655

Address: 1078 E Algonquin Rd., Algonquin, IL 60102

One of the most powerful reminders from this conversation is that the impact of a business isn't always measured only by revenue or growth. Sometimes, it's measured by the memories you help create.

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