Sonoma entrepreneur offers slumber party fun via LollapaSnooza

Toni Morgan knows sleepovers. Her Sonoma house is frequently filled with kids, thanks to her two young sons.

One day, she was talking to her friend Kirsty Black – a native Australian – and Black mentioned the popularity of sleepover rental services down under.

“The moment she showed it to me I knew I wanted to do it here,” said Morgan. Her new company, LollapaSnooza, is a unique slumber party rental company experience that transforms any indoor or outdoor space with a custom sleepover theme.

“I took the concept and upgraded it,” she said. “I created better handmade tent frames, used designer fabric, upgraded mattress with correct protectors – added blankets, sheets, pillows and of course all the decor – lights for each tent, pom-poms, banners, breakfast/snack trays and, of course, rugs to complete the feeling.”

Morgan has been working in the service industry from a young age, starting at age 14 with hotel jobs ranging from the front desk to housekeeping. She was born and raised in Ireland. When she moved to the U.S. in 1991, she managed bars and restaurants and spent 10 years as night manager at Slim’s niteclub in San Francisco.

Morgan and her husband, author Sean Mahoney, moved to Sonoma in 2012 when their boys were little.

“Getting out of the city was key for us with small children and growing up in Ireland, Sonoma felt very similar,” she said.

LollapaSnooza is run entirely by Morgan but with brawn happily provided by her sons and Mahoney.

“My boys helped to build the tents and to pick out the fabrics,’ she said. “It has been a great process to share with them and to involve them and teach them how to build a business from beginning to end.”

Morgan said that the initial reaction has been fantastic.

“Kids love it and parents are thrilled,” she said. “I’ve also found that the kids are actually getting sleep as they have a private spot to settle into that is comfortable and cozy – you can imagine how the parents love this.”

Morgan has partnered with local vendors for optional add-on services catering from Frenchie and photography by Little Birdie Co.

Prices start at $450 and increase based on sleepover party size, but Morgan also offers a locals rate. She said she’s appreciative of the enthusiastic welcome her idea has received.

“The sense of community here is huge,” she said. “And the support has been epic.”