You Don’t Know My Life
About the Company
Dennis Hensley is an entertainment journalist with a background in interviewing celebrities. He created the podcast "Dennis Anyone?" where he used a deck of questions called "The Observation Deck." These questions, designed to elicit personal stories, became the foundation for the game "You Don’t Know My Life!" Hensley partnered with Jeb Havens, a professional game designer, to turn these questions into a boxed game.
Idea Behind Company
The concept for "You Don’t Know My Life!" emerged from Hensley’s desire to create a side hustle that offered more control than his fluctuating writing career. His experiences with The Actors Fund, particularly a course on becoming an entrepreneur, helped him recognize the potential in his Observation Deck questions. Teaming up with Havens, the duo began developing the game, knowing from the first playtest that they had something special.
Creating the Company
Hensley and Havens refined their game through playtests and crowd-funded the production of the first 1,000 copies in 2018. They found success by keeping their process lean—using a Chinese manufacturer and launching their own crowdfunding campaign instead of relying on platforms like Kickstarter. They also secured copyrights and trademarks, which were crucial in establishing their brand.
Launching the Business
After fulfilling initial pre-orders, Hensley and Havens focused on getting their game listed on Amazon and generating reviews to attract more customers. They invested in SEO optimization for their website and hired a publicist to promote the game during the holiday season. The game received positive media coverage, leading to increased sales and visibility.
Earnings
The pandemic brought an unexpected windfall when Hensley and Havens pivoted to hosting Virtual Game Nights, particularly for corporate clients. This new service, facilitated by partnerships with companies like Elevent, has become the most profitable aspect of their business, allowing them to make up to $360 per 90-minute game. The boxed game continues to sell on Amazon, but the focus has shifted to virtual events, which now represent the bulk of their earnings.
