In our Mini Interview series, we shine a spotlight on inspiring founders who are redefining family life through innovative businesses, thoughtful experiences and a deep understanding of what parents and children need most.
This month, we sat down with Sharai Meyers, the visionary behind Purple Dragon and The Outpost at NEXUS. From creating magical spaces where families can connect to building communities that grow alongside children, Sharai shares the inspiration behind her brands, the lessons she’s learned as both an entrepreneur and a parent, and why meaningful experiences matter more than ever.
Creating A Home Away From Home
For Sharai, the idea for Purple Dragon came from a deeply personal place. After becoming a parent and settling in London, she noticed a gap in the market. There were plenty of spaces designed for adults and plenty designed for children, but very few where families could genuinely enjoy spending time together without compromise. “I wanted to create a place that felt magical for children but restorative and social for parents too,” she explains.
Much of the inspiration came from her own childhood, spent between Scotland and Scandinavia, where outdoor adventure, freedom and imaginative play were woven into everyday life. Purple Dragon was designed to capture that same spirit of discovery within an urban setting – a place where families could slow down, connect and create lasting memories together. As members grew older, Sharai saw the need for a natural next step. The Outpost was born as an evolution of the Purple Dragon journey, providing older children and teenagers with a space that supports growing independence while still offering a sense of community, guidance and belonging.
How Parenthood Shaped Her Perspective
Becoming a parent transformed Sharai’s outlook on both life and business. “Parenthood changes the way you experience time,” she says. “You suddenly realise just how fleeting childhood is.” One of her favourite features at Purple Dragon’s Chelsea club reflects this idea perfectly: a collection of clocks displaying the time in fictional destinations such as Far Far Away, Platform 9¾ and Tatooine. While playful, they also serve as a reminder that children and adults often experience the world differently. “Children move through life with curiosity, imagination and wonder, while adults are often rushing from one thing to the next.” This philosophy influences every aspect of Purple Dragon. From the way spaces are designed to the experiences on offer, every detail is considered through the lens of both parent and child. The goal is simple: to help families reconnect and leave feeling happier and more connected than when they arrived.
The Power Of The Details
When asked what sets Purple Dragon and The Outpost apart, Sharai points to something deceptively simple. “Our mission is to help families make the time they spend together really count.” Achieving that goal, however, requires extraordinary attention to detail. From constantly evolving programming and immersive adventures to team training, supplier partnerships and ongoing investment in facilities, every decision is made with the family experience in mind.
Rethinking Work-Life Balance
Like many entrepreneurial parents, Sharai is realistic about the challenge of balancing work and family life. “I’m not sure balance truly exists every day,” she admits. “Sometimes work wins and sometimes family does.” Instead of striving for perfection, she focuses on presence. Family rituals play an important role, particularly sharing dinner together whenever everyone is in the same city. She continues, “No phones, no technology – just time to chat and reconnect.” Her advice to other parents is straightforward: build a strong support network, accept that you can’t do everything yourself, and surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Most importantly, she says, let go of the guilt.
The Moments That Matter Most
While Purple Dragon has achieved significant success, Sharai’s proudest moments aren’t measured by growth or expansion. Instead, they come from seeing families who joined as new parents return years later with children who have grown up alongside the club. “We’ve had members meet their best friends here, celebrate major milestones with us and build confidence in ways their parents never expected.” Those stories, she says, are what make the journey worthwhile. She is equally proud of the culture her team has built – one rooted in warmth, longevity and genuine impact.
The Future Of Family Experiences
Looking ahead, Sharai sees a growing shift in how families choose to spend their time.”Families are prioritising meaningful experiences over more ‘stuff’,” she says. Parents are increasingly seeking opportunities for creativity, movement, wellbeing and genuine connection, particularly as childhood becomes more screen-led and overscheduled. It’s a trend that aligns perfectly with Purple Dragon’s long-standing philosophy. Long before experiential entertainment became a buzzword, the club was creating immersive adventures, storytelling experiences and hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and imagination.
Another growing trend is the demand for multigenerational spaces where everyone feels welcome. “Parents want places where children can explore freely while adults can genuinely relax, socialise and reconnect too.” To stay ahead, Sharai and her team remain relentlessly curious, drawing inspiration not only from the children’s sector but also from hospitality, design, wellness, culture and entertainment.
Choosing A Favourite
When asked about her favourite club experience, Sharai laughs. “That’s like choosing a favourite child.” Still, she admits she has a particular soft spot for the club’s immersive storytelling and roleplay adventures, where children can become astronauts, chefs, fashion designers or anything else their imaginations dream up. She also treasures the moments that bring families together, whether it’s a lively swim gala, a relay race in the pool or one of the club’s popular family cooking challenges. “There’s something incredibly joyful about shared experiences,” she says.
Lessons In Resilience
Among the many lessons learned throughout her entrepreneurial journey, one stands above the rest: resilience matters more than perfection. “Every business faces setbacks and difficult moments,” Sharai says. She believes the entrepreneurial culture in the United States often embraces failure more openly than in the UK, recognising it as an inevitable part of building something ambitious. Success, she says, comes from staying curious, adapting quickly and continuing to move forward. And then there’s the practical advice she returns to time and time again: “Watch your cash flow. It isn’t glamorous, but cash gives you choices, resilience and the ability to keep building through difficult periods.”
Switching Off
After a busy day of leading a business and raising a family, Sharai’s favourite way to unwind is refreshingly simple. Whether it’s gathering with family and friends over food, enjoying a friendly game of poker, Perudo or Uno, or relaxing in the infrared sauna she received for Christmas, she values moments that allow her to slow down and reconnect. It’s a fitting reflection of the philosophy that sits at the heart of everything she has built: making time together truly count.
For more information on being a member of Purple Dragon and The Outpost at NEXUS, visit: www.nexusclublondon.com/
READ NEXT: My Mini Interview: With Sadie Clayton
