Luis Serrano is a dynamic workshop facilitator, team builder, motivational speaker, and life coach. As the CFO (Chief Fun Officer) of FUNdamentals of Play, he is passionate about unlocking human potential through the transformative power of play. Luis helps high-performing teams boost productivity and reduce costly turnover by focusing on what truly matters—emotional intelligence, workplace wellness, and creating joyful experiences alongside professional success.
With a focus on actionable and impactful strategies, Luis guides teams in bringing more joy, creativity, and passion into both their work and everyday lives. He brings over a decade of hands-on corporate experience to his facilitation, enriched by more than eight years of improv acting and four years of dedicated study in positive psychology, mental health, and workplace happiness.
Company: FUNdamentals of Play
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Luis Serrano: Thank you! I’m excited to be here!
My name is Luis, and I’m the founder of FUNdamentals of Play, a Toronto-based company on a mission to transform the way teams connect, learn, and grow. As a facilitator, motivational speaker, and proud Chief Fun Officer (CFO), I’m passionate about helping people unlock their full potential through the power of PLAY! Everything I do is rooted in the belief that play isn’t just fun — it’s one of the most powerful tools for growth, connection, and lasting success.
FUNdamentals of Play specializes in experiential team-building workshops — or as we call them, PLAYshops — that blend play, positive psychology, and experiential learning to build essential soft skills like resilience, innovation, emotional intelligence, teamwork, psychological safety, and more.
In a world where burnout, disconnection, and stress are at an all-time high, we believe that play isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a fundamental need. Our goal is simple: help teams thrive by making personal and professional growth fun, meaningful, and authentic.
Whether it’s through storytelling workshops, innovation sessions, leadership retreats, or our newest outdoor team-building scavenger hunt experience, PLAYventure, we create moments that spark connection, joy, and real learning — and leave teams stronger, more energized, and more resilient than before.
At the heart of it all, FUNdamentals of Play exists because life is hard — and we believe that by laughing, learning, and playing together, we can make it a whole lot better.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Luis Serrano: If I had a minute with Warren Buffett, I’d say:
At FUNdamentals of Play, we help corporate teams build the soft skills they need to thrive — like resilience, emotional intelligence, innovation, and teamwork — through experiential team-building workshops powered by play and positive psychology.
Most companies teach these skills through lectures and slides. We do it by getting teams laughing, connecting, and moving — because when people are having fun and being authentic, real learning sticks. Our approach isn’t just different — it’s science-backed and human-first.
Our biggest strength? We turn work into play — and in doing so, we unlock real growth, real connection, and real results for teams and organizations. We don’t just talk about change — we create experiences that make it happen.
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, is an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Luis Serrano: Absolutely — we’re seeing a huge shift in what people expect from their workplaces. In my experience, what really keeps employees happy isn’t ping-pong tables or free snacks — it’s feeling valued, connected, and like they actually matter.
At FUNdamentals of Play, we believe the best cultures are built on real connection, psychological safety, and a sense of purpose. Our workshops — or as we call them, PLAYshops — help teams build those things in real time by getting people laughing, learning, and growing together. We make it fun, but also incredibly meaningful.
We’re adapting by leaning hard into experiential learning. People don’t want another webinar — they want experiences that actually shift how they feel and how they show up at work. That’s what we do best.
Bottom line? When you create a culture where people feel seen, heard, and supported, they don’t just stick around — they thrive.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Luis Serrano: The online world is booming — and honestly, it’s making real human connection even more valuable. Virtual meetings and remote work are great for flexibility, but they can leave teams feeling scattered, disconnected, and a little…blah.
At FUNdamentals of Play, we’re riding the wave by making sure connection doesn’t get lost behind a screen. We’ve built high-energy virtual PLAYshops that bring teams together no matter where they are — and we’re also seeing a huge demand for live, in-person experiences like our new outdoor scavenger hunt, PLAYventure.
For the year ahead, our strategy is simple: meet teams where they are — online, in-person, or somewhere in between — and make growth fun, meaningful, and unforgettable.
No matter the format, the goal stays the same:
More connection. More laughter. Stronger teams.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Luis Serrano: Honestly, the real challenge right now is that companies are forgetting they’re made of people, not just processes.
In the race to adapt to remote work, new tech, and constant change, a lot of organizations have unintentionally lost the very thing that drives performance: real human connection. Without trust, psychological safety, and genuine relationships, no amount of AI tools, strategy sessions, or office perks will save you.
At FUNdamentals of Play, we believe the companies that will win in the future are the ones investing in culture, connection, and the human side of leadership — not just productivity hacks. We see this as the defining opportunity of the moment: helping organizations rebuild stronger, more human-centered cultures. Not through another checklist or corporate seminar — but by creating experiences that spark real conversations, deeper trust, and authentic teamwork.
The world doesn’t need more meetings. It needs more meaning.
And that’s exactly what we create.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Luis Serrano: In my experience, the most underestimated part of running a company is taking care of the culture — the behind-the-scenes stuff that doesn’t always get the spotlight but makes or breaks everything else.
It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, the sales, or the big-picture strategy, but without a strong, positive culture, you’re just going through the motions. I’ve learned that a company’s culture is like its heartbeat — if it’s healthy, everything else thrives; if not, it all starts to slow down.
One example from our own journey at FUNdamentals of Play was when we were growing our team. We could’ve rushed the process to meet demand, but instead, we decided to really focus on the kind of people who would thrive in our culture — people who were as passionate about play and connection as we are. It meant we had to slow down and be picky, but looking back, I’m so glad we did. It’s helped us stay energized, creative, and aligned as a team, and it’s made all the difference in how we show up for our clients.
Moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of a great culture — it’s the secret sauce to long-term success.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Luis Serrano: If I could choose any business superpower, I’d go with the ability to instantly boost morale and creativity in any team, anytime, anywhere. Picture this: one snap of my fingers, and everyone in the room is not just energized but feeling inspired, open to new ideas, and ready to tackle challenges with a fresh mindset.
I’d put this superpower to work by fostering a culture of constant innovation — where every team, no matter the size or location, is able to break out of their usual patterns and think differently. In practice, I’d use it to bring joy and creative breakthroughs into every business meeting, brainstorming session, and team-building experience. Teams would not just get work done; they’d get it done with a sense of fun and collaboration that makes the journey just as rewarding as the destination.
Imagine a world where every challenge feels like an exciting opportunity — that’s the kind of energy I’d want to bring into every workplace.
