Husband and wife find fast growth with game business
Dec. 5, 2019
Dustin and Hezel Garness have been in business only a matter of months, but their handmade outdoor game company in Hartford already has a growing product line.
It started with a Scandinavian game called kubb, which is popular in their family.
“We wanted to make one for ourselves, so I made one, and it turned out pretty nicely,” said Dustin, who has a background in architecture.
“So I have experience building models, and we were given some tools, so I finally had the resources, and we finally bought a house with a garage, so I had space to do it. I’m learning a lot along the way.”
The kubb set turned out well enough they wondered if others might buy one. With the Hartford Downtown Market coming up, they decided to make a few more and try it.
“We sold a few at the first market and figured it worked well, so we decided to go all in on it and make a few more types of things and get better at what we’re doing and get more variety,” Dustin said.
So Garness Games was born. Dustin handle the woodworking and Hezel helps “with anything I can do from inside the house,” she said, which includes staining, sanding and helping prep and finalize the pieces for sale.
They now sell cornhole boards, giant tumbling blocks, yard dice and yard dominoes along with doing some custom sign work.
“I’m most excited about our cornhole boards,” Dustin said. “We can do really nice logos with custom designs and stain, and it looks a lot nicer than stickers or paint.”
They take special orders and can customize any colors to match company or team logos or wedding themes.
“For the cornhole boards, we will work with the customer to design a completely unique set for them, their business or event,” he said.
The game that started it all, kubb, is popular in Minnesota and a good fit for larger groups, Dustin said.
“A lot of people can play at once. You can have up to 12 at once, so people don’t have to sit on the sidelines and watch. Everyone can be playing,” he said.
They have sold online, through word of mouth and at the Hartford Downtown Market so far. Garness Games will be a new vendor at Saturday’s 605 Made Market, which runs from 10 am. to 4 p.m. inside the underground parking garage at Cherapa Place.
Dustin works full time at Family Memorials by Gibson, and Hezel is a preschool teacher in Hartford, so “this is definitely a side gig right now,” he said.
“We’re just trying to keep up and figure it out as we go. The material cost isn’t much, it’s just labor, and I’ve been happy with what we’ve sold and trying to increase that. The stuff I’m making now is a lot nicer than it was for the first market.”
For a complete guide to the 605 Made Holiday Market, click below.
