Hustler Of The Week: Ann Stolinsky of Gontza Games

In honor of The Comedy Point’s 2 year anniversary, we will spotlight a person or group of people that are pursuing their dreams and passions through running their own business.

This week we are honored to feature Ann Stolinksy of Gontza Games.

Be sure to check out Gontza Games website!

How did you get into your business?

Ann:

I always played games as a kid. Growing up with two older brothers, I learned how to play poker and other card games; my parents had a few close friends and they’d play canasta frequently. When my ex and I married, we’d play Boggle and Backgammon, among others. I’ve always loved games. Getting into the business of games, however, was the furthest thing from my mind, until one day in Jul 1997 when I had a vision of a United States Military Game. I can’t begin to tell you how odd the sensation was when a picture of how I wanted the game to look appeared to me. I researched American military history for 5 and a half years, then brought MINDFIELD, The Game of United States Military Trivia, to the marketplace in Jan 2003.

Was there any overlap between starting your business and working a “day” job?Ann:

I still work a “day” job. That’s the one that almost pays the bills. Now I work a day job and two evening jobs, having added another business to my resume this year. When I come home from the “day” job, I turn on the computer and begin my evening jobs.

Describe your craziest day of juggling your professional and personal life?Ann:

Personal life? Am I supposed to have a personal life? ;-D

Seriously, I am constantly juggling. As I stated above, I have a “day” job. When that ends, I begin working for Gontza Games and Gemini Wordsmiths.

I guess I can tell a story to illustrate one day in particular. I was at a seminar from my “day” job. I”m always looking for opportunities to either sell games or obtain a customer for editing services, so at the seminar, I gave out business cards for both businesses. If my bosses found out I’d be in trouble. Oops, guess I shouldn’t have said that out loud.

Many people tell me that I work all the time, but I’m passionate about what I do, so I never look at it the way people in corporate America do. Do you live to work or work to live?Ann:

During the day, I work to live. In the evening, I live to work. I really enjoy developing new games, playing games, teaching others about the business of games, and assisting people in their development phase. I’ve gotten my friends into gaming, also. We meet once a month and play, either a new game I bought or one I’m developing. They’re becoming a great play test group. I’ve taught seminars at local adult evening schools on how to develop games and bring them to market. I also love to read and write, and I’ve always been a natural editor, recognizing typos wherever they appear. With Gemini Wordsmiths, I’m finally getting paid for an innate quality. One funny story, if I may. When my daughter graduated from Junior High, the Powerpoint presentation misspelled Congratulations as Congradulations. I informed the Vice Principal of the error. My daughter was mortified. Gemini Wordsmiths combines both my passions, gaming and the written word. Our first clients were game designers, from CA and CA(California and Canada).

Where do you see yourself and your company in 10 years?Ann:

Growing! MINDFIELD debuted in Jan 2003; my two children’s card games (Pass the Grogger! and Christmas Cards) entered the marketplace in Jul 2008. I’m developing a new game as we speak and will present it at a convention next month. Both Gontza Games and Gemini Wordsmiths will be huge successes in 10 years. (Hear that G-d? From my typing to G-d’s ears)

Does your current living location have anything to do with having your own business or could you live anywhere?

Ann:

I live within 15 miles of my childhood home. I love the area. I could live anywhere. The internet is a fantastic invention. Many of my games are sold via the stores that are not the traditional brick and mortar but are solely online. Of course, some of the traditional brick and mortar stores also carry my games, and some museums as well. Gemini Wordsmiths also could be anywhere. As I said before, our first clients were from CA and Canada.

Some people have an office or work from home, what is your most productive work environment?

Ann:

Working from home is best for me. I get comfy, put the laptop on my lap, and start work.

Another funny story:

I attended a particular game convention for the first time in the summer of 2005. I was in the vendors area. A man came to my booth and asked about MINDFIELD (my only game at the time). We spoke for a few minutes, and he promised to come back and purchase it. A few hours later, the same man came to my booth, introduced himself with a different name, and again asked about MINDFIELD. I laughed, told him I recognized him from before. He was adamant that we had not met before. After he left, the man at the booth next to mine informed me the guy was in a LARP (live action role playing) game and was in character. Two characters. It was an eye opening convention.

One point I’d like to bring out: my games are Made in the USA. I couldn’t have lived with myself if a game of United States military trivia was manufactured overseas. My two children’s card games are also Made in the USA.This is very important to me. My games are carried on a few websites that promote Made in the USA products.