We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brooke Byler. Check out our conversation below.
Brooke , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Our kids and their friend made up a choreographed dance routine to perform for us. Then, they jokingly said, “Dad, your turn!” My husband and his best friend strutted up and made up the goofiest, improvised dance routine on the spot. They had us all laughing so hard that we were crying!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a co-founder of Flooded Basement Games, a tabletop board gaming company. We believe that board games are a social experience, countering some of the unhealthy digital age trends. We seek to bring people together around the table for an immersive, imaginative social gaming experience.
The last time I was featured in Voyage LA, I was the owner of Brooke Byler Acting Studios, where my team and I taught on-camera acting classes for kids. I have since sold BBAS, and it continues to thrive as Basics to Booking Acting Studios.
What is the connection between an acting studio and a board game company, one might ask? Well, not much, except my love for learning and business! I am getting familiar with a completely new industry, and it has been a blast. My husband designed a successful board game, Code 3, a few years ago through a publisher that has since dissolved. We learned so much that we decided to launch our own company, bring on two co-designers, and publish all future designs ourselves.
Our new game Extraction, a cooperative sci-fi, is set to be released for pre-orders on Kickstarter in about 2 months!
I’ve included some of our artwork in the images shared in this article.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My parents. They encouraged my entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, helping me make business cards for my neighborhood dog-washing and pet-sitting business…which, of course, meant that they, too, now had a dog-washing and pet-sitting business whether they wanted to or not!
Then, as I entered college, they supported my change of majors from Communications to Theatre Arts. Some of my peers did not have that same encouragement from their families, but my parents believed that one can find a way to succeed at anything, as long as they are passionate about it.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
This is similar to my parents encouraging my passions. I had an older co-worker at my first job when I was 16. I was telling her how I really wanted to go to the University of San Diego for college, but then gave a list of all the reasons it wouldn’t work out. She listened and then said, “If that’s really what you want, you’ll find a way to make it work.” I had the epiphany that I shouldn’t be focusing on all of the reasons that something won’t work out, but shift my focus to all of the ways I can make something happen, if I put my mind to it.
And I did end up going to USD!
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
Every time I hit a roadblock or obstacle in my first business, I was incredibly stressed out. It felt like everything would crumble in a domino effect. Fast forward to my now-older and slightly wiser self, and I realize obstacles are a part of daily life and any business. It doesn’t mean something has gone wrong. It’s an opportunity for creativity and growth.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
We’ve had the amazing opportunity of having a space at San Diego Comic-Con for the last two years in the Board Game Demo Department. The buzz and excitement of Comic-Con is palpable as you walk through the Gaslamp District into the Convention Center. You can’t help but feel almost-giddy to be a part of such a large scale event.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://floodedbasementgames.com/
Image Credits
All artwork owned by Flooded Basement Games
