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As many friends and customers are aware that we were interviewed by The Straits Times about 2 weeks ago via email. Everyone is as happy and excited for us as ourselves. However, probably due to length or other reason(s), our rental service was not published in today's article. We were a bit dismayed but we enjoyed reading the article as we discover many other Singaporeans out there renting out their "passions" to the rest out there at low prices, just like what we are doing! In the article that we have scanned and uploaded here, you can see rental of expensive handbags, toys and even dogs! Impressive ideas!
We have decided to upload our email-interview here for all of our supporters to know more about us. Enjoy reading,ya! Cheers! =)
We have decided to upload our email-interview here for all of our supporters to know more about us. Enjoy reading,ya! Cheers! =)
Interview with Gwen:-
Why did you start the business: Did you have a personal collection of the items you rented out?
For the past years, we have already been frequenting board game cafes. However, we gradually felt the strain on the pocket - ERP, parking fees, cafe charges especially when we play long strategic games. Imagine having to worry about whether your parking coupon is due or if we can't extend our session at the cafe. Haha... plus friends are usually late and the cafes start their timer according to the reservation time.
Hence, we thought of buying our own favorite games and playing it at home with family and friends. This has came in handy and inject great deal of fun during gatherings (e.g. current Chinese New Year), parties, chalets and holidays.
For the past years, we have already been frequenting board game cafes. However, we gradually felt the strain on the pocket - ERP, parking fees, cafe charges especially when we play long strategic games. Imagine having to worry about whether your parking coupon is due or if we can't extend our session at the cafe. Haha... plus friends are usually late and the cafes start their timer according to the reservation time.
Hence, we thought of buying our own favorite games and playing it at home with family and friends. This has came in handy and inject great deal of fun during gatherings (e.g. current Chinese New Year), parties, chalets and holidays.
Range of offerings
What are the product offerings, brands, how much the charges? (Since you're a romance novel person, does your range of books tend to have more romance novels?)
Our product offerings are quite varied to cater for the different demographic and interest of individuals. It includes interactive party games to involve everyone in a big group (e.g. Apples to apples, Taboo, Snorta), simple & fun card games for the boardgame novices (Rat-a-tat cat, Boomtown, Who's the ass) and strategic boardgames for the passionate board game players (e.g. Caylus, Powergrid, Puerto Rico). It also includes educational and interesting Cashflow 101 developed by the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki which allows players through well-thought investment strategies to get out of the rat race.
The charges are much lower than imagined. Boardgame packages of 3 games (depending on type of games) start from a low $25 per day during weekdays to $40 per day during weekends. This even includes delivery of games to doorstep! In fact, people are quite concerned about how we can even breakeven!
For example if you are an undergraduate staying in hostel and instead of heading town (transport time and cost, meals, boardgame packages), you gather a couple of say 3-4 other friends to play in your room on a weekday. $25/5 is only $5 in your cosy room. Not forgetting that the rental is for 24 hours and you can also share it with other friends/ family during the span of rental period or you can play the game(s) a few more times to derive maximum fun out of it.
Turnover
How many clients so far? Any figures on how the business is doing?
Customers average 3-4 monthly mainly from friends and referrals. Our business has just started in November 2008 and to be honest, we are pretty happy with the past 2 months business. However, we forsee great potential in this business especially in current economic downturn to cut down on expensive leisure activities such as dining out at resturants, pubbing and singing ktv. Most importantly, we hope to bring joy and laughter to everyone around us during this gloomy period.
Target clients: Who are the usual customers that come in?
Usual customers that come in include people who have already been playing boardgames often, tertiary students especially those staying in hostels and young couples with their own place hosting gatherings.
Mission statement: What is your business trying to achieve?
We are trying to provide a more affordable alternative for leisure activities for people of all ages and all walks of life.
Do you hope to change lifestyles with your business?
Certainly so! We would hope to share our passion in boardgames with more people. Boardgame rental is a very affordable form of entertainment, foster stronger relationship with friends/ family (which might be difficult during movies, shopping etc), provides much fun and laughter and keeps one mentally challenged. In fact, we were often playing boardgames at home with family members which had brought us closer together.
Why did you identify this niche market?
This is through our own personal experiences. When we are playing some of the longer strategic games e.g. Cashflow 101, Puerto Rico at boardgame cafes, we have to keep extending the hours and order more food/ drinks. Ryan has to also run to his car to top up more parking coupons. Hence, we thought of buying our own games and though they are quite expensive e.g. Cashflow 101 retails over S$300 in Singapore and share it among friends and family.
Our product offerings are quite varied to cater for the different demographic and interest of individuals. It includes interactive party games to involve everyone in a big group (e.g. Apples to apples, Taboo, Snorta), simple & fun card games for the boardgame novices (Rat-a-tat cat, Boomtown, Who's the ass) and strategic boardgames for the passionate board game players (e.g. Caylus, Powergrid, Puerto Rico). It also includes educational and interesting Cashflow 101 developed by the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki which allows players through well-thought investment strategies to get out of the rat race.
The charges are much lower than imagined. Boardgame packages of 3 games (depending on type of games) start from a low $25 per day during weekdays to $40 per day during weekends. This even includes delivery of games to doorstep! In fact, people are quite concerned about how we can even breakeven!
For example if you are an undergraduate staying in hostel and instead of heading town (transport time and cost, meals, boardgame packages), you gather a couple of say 3-4 other friends to play in your room on a weekday. $25/5 is only $5 in your cosy room. Not forgetting that the rental is for 24 hours and you can also share it with other friends/ family during the span of rental period or you can play the game(s) a few more times to derive maximum fun out of it.
Turnover
How many clients so far? Any figures on how the business is doing?
Customers average 3-4 monthly mainly from friends and referrals. Our business has just started in November 2008 and to be honest, we are pretty happy with the past 2 months business. However, we forsee great potential in this business especially in current economic downturn to cut down on expensive leisure activities such as dining out at resturants, pubbing and singing ktv. Most importantly, we hope to bring joy and laughter to everyone around us during this gloomy period.
Target clients: Who are the usual customers that come in?
Usual customers that come in include people who have already been playing boardgames often, tertiary students especially those staying in hostels and young couples with their own place hosting gatherings.
Mission statement: What is your business trying to achieve?
We are trying to provide a more affordable alternative for leisure activities for people of all ages and all walks of life.
Do you hope to change lifestyles with your business?
Certainly so! We would hope to share our passion in boardgames with more people. Boardgame rental is a very affordable form of entertainment, foster stronger relationship with friends/ family (which might be difficult during movies, shopping etc), provides much fun and laughter and keeps one mentally challenged. In fact, we were often playing boardgames at home with family members which had brought us closer together.
Why did you identify this niche market?
This is through our own personal experiences. When we are playing some of the longer strategic games e.g. Cashflow 101, Puerto Rico at boardgame cafes, we have to keep extending the hours and order more food/ drinks. Ryan has to also run to his car to top up more parking coupons. Hence, we thought of buying our own games and though they are quite expensive e.g. Cashflow 101 retails over S$300 in Singapore and share it among friends and family.
Thank you!
