#167: From Classroom to Costco: Building a Million-Puzzle Brand

#179: The Secret to Side Effects' Retail Success

In today's episode, we sit down with Jade Shames, co-founder of Pillbox Games, to trace the wild path from making a card game prototype on index cards to building a growing tabletop brand. Jade shares how a chance game night with friend and co-founder Ben Ronstein turned into Side Effects, the game distributors insisted on keeping exactly as designed. We dig into the real numbers behind going full time, the freedom and risk of running multiple Kickstarter campaigns, and why staying true to your own taste beats chasing what you think the market wants. Jade also opens up about the ongoing challenge of balancing creativity with organization as a small, founder-led team. If you have ever wondered what it really takes to turn a hobby into a business you love, this conversation is for you.

#178: Inside the World of Toy and Collectible Licensing

In this episode, we talk with Julian Montoya, a licensing leader whose career spans Lucasfilm, Warner Bros, and now Noble Collection. Julian traces his path from the VHS era to negotiating the first Lego Star Wars deal and pushing Funko Pop through approval back when it was called Funko Force. He shares what it takes to build a strong licensee relationship, find a clean lane in a crowded market, and become the kind of partner licensors want to keep. He also discusses how Noble Collection uses 3D printing to speed up development, and why persistence and networking matter most in this business. If you've ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of your favorite licensed toys, this one's for you.

#177: Four Family Members, One Growing Game Company

In this episode, we sit down with Bryan, Michael, Carson, and Angie Tamietti, the family team behind Ghetti Games. They share how a years-long idea became their first game, Oh Crud, made in the USA and launched on Amazon in 2021, plus manufacturing lessons learned along the way, from sourcing dice overseas to switching manufacturers after a misprint. They also discuss how the whole family got pulled into building their newest game, Cat-in-8, now live on Kickstarter, what it's really like running a business as a family, the challenges of marketing and Amazon compliance, and how Toy Launch has helped them advertise profitably. If you've ever wondered what it takes

#176: Why Passion Alone Won't Sell Your Idea

In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Henao and Daniella Leoni, the real-life couple behind Why Don't We, a global brand built around games for couples. They share how they designed their first game, Talk For Hours, in a single night with just four hundred dollars, and how they went from side hustle to full-time business in a year and five months. Daniel and Daniella also open up about adapting eight games for different cultures, building a free couples magazine to connect with customers outside Amazon, and running a company together as a nomadic couple who move every few months. If you have ever wondered what it takes to turn a relationship into a business, this one is for you.

#175: Waterbear Workshop: Building Community One Game at a Time

In this episode, we sit down with Shadoe Konicek and Sydney Whalen, the husband-and-wife team behind Waterbear Workshop, a family-owned board game company. They share how a COVID layoff sparked their publishing journey, starting with their self-funded debut game, The Mire. We dig into Tardigrade School, their print-and-play resource for teachers, and the Indie Game Bazaar, a community event they built that raised money for Extra Life for Kids. They also open up about balancing the business with day jobs and raising a nine-year-old son who's already their first playtester.