Playkota has its beginnings as a collaborative venture with Rough Rider Industries to provide high quality, reasonably priced, children’s furniture and playthings to the child care industry. Word of mouth has moved Playkota into expanding its customer reach to includes schools, churches, libraries, organizations and businesses.

Rough Rider Industries is the workforce training program of the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Inmates work in about 40 different skill areas and must earn the chance to apply for a job. The money they earn is used for restitution, child support, to pay fines and for personal items while incarcerated. Revenues generated from the sale of products and services are used to pay for operating expenses, salaries, equipment and capital improvements. Rough Rider Industries receives no tax dollars.