Exploring Life & Business with Stephanie Blood of Playground Mini Golf

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Blood.

Hi Stephanie , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Portland, Oregon and basically on a golf course. My dad, Chuck Solomon, was a head pro at Glendoveer, so golf has been part of my story since day one. I played in high school and a bit in college, but life took me on a different path. I fell in love, got married young, and built a career in orthodontics while always chasing side hustles. I have always been a serial entrepreneur and deep down I knew I would find my way back to golf, I just did not know how yet.

Along the way I published three children’s books and two coloring books, kept creating, and kept dreaming. Last year I finally went all in and became a certified golf instructor, and everything started to click. Around that same time my husband and I discovered Playground Mini Golf and instantly fell in love with the energy, the creativity, and the vibe. I met the founder Geoff and told him if he ever wanted to collaborate or bring on investors, I was ready to go all in on a golf dream.

Now Playground is my business baby. We opened our expanded 7,000 square foot location in August 2025, right off Walnut and Main Street in the heart of downtown Huntington Beach. It is a full on experience with a 9-hole mini golf, arcade, food, drinks, and nonstop good vibes for all ages. I teach lessons inside our speakeasy, sell my golf coloring books there, and get to create a space where people can come play and feel like kids again.

I also made the leap to leave healthcare and fully commit to golf last month. I now work with Darts Only Golf helping run incredible tournaments, and I co-founded a women’s golf glove line called SLĀ with my two golf besties. Three women, one vision, creating something we knew the game needed.

My motto is: Every day is like my birthday & everything I have done has led me right here. It was not a straight path, but it continues to be an adventure!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not even close, it has been more like a country song with a few plot twists. I married my high school sweetheart, went through major heartbreak, then married my rebound who was the complete opposite. At one point I joked I was turning into a sad baby Elizabeth Taylor, but I never gave up on love or my career.

I like to say I just took a little longer doing my research, a true Goldilocks journey, figuring out what actually felt right. Through failed relationships, career pivots, and even the ups and downs of publishing my books, I made a decision that changed everything. I was done talking about what I wanted to do and ready to become the person who actually does it.

Now I have a partner who runs wild with me and matches my ambition, and all those challenges built the resilience I needed to create the life I am living today. It was not smooth, but it was worth it.

We’ve been impressed with Playground Mini Golf , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am one of the owners of Playground Mini Golf and proudly the Chief Vibes Officer. Playground is a 7,000 square foot indoor mini golf and arcade experience right in the heart of downtown Huntington Beach, and it is truly my business baby. We specialize in creating an atmosphere where fun, creativity, and connection come first. It is mini golf, arcade games, amazing food and drinks, and a full experience that feels immersive the moment you walk in.

What really sets us apart is the energy. I like to say I am bringing a little Willy Wonka meets Lisa Frank to Huntington Beach. It is colorful, playful, a little unexpected, and designed to make people feel something. We are not just a place you go, we are a place you remember. Whether it is families, date nights, birthdays, or just a spontaneous night out, we want Playground to feel like a tradition and a second home.

I always say I have the venue, now bring me the talent and the ideas. We are constantly evolving, collaborating, and creating new experiences inside the space. It is truly an extension of who we are and even a reflection of the magic from our own wedding. That feeling of joy, connection, and celebration is what we want every single person to experience when they walk through our doors.

What I am most proud of is that we built something that feels alive. It is not just a business, it is a vibe, a community, and a place where people of all ages can come play, laugh, and feel like kids again.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am actually an only child, which surprises a lot of people. I think that is a big reason why I have always been so intentional about building my own version of family through friendships and community. I love bringing people together, creating traditions, and giving others that feeling of belonging.

I have always dreamed of having a big family, so now I create that energy in everything I do. Whether it is my friendships, my brand, or Playground, I want people to feel like they are part of something special and something they can come back to year after year. Traditions mean everything to me, and I love being the reason they start.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://playgroundhb.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golfisapartee/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-blood-48533b1b
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@golfisapartee?si=_nAF_9J8QCuDjpqw
• Other: https://www.golfisapartee.com/

Image Credits
@mediabyerika
@ishthis_multimedia