Have you ever wondered what it’s like to run a business with your spouse? Is it all fun and games, or does every dinner conversation turn into a boardroom meeting? Do you get to celebrate the wins together, or do you find yourself debating packaging details at 10 PM on a Friday night?

I was so curious about this dynamic that I sat down with Alex and Whitney Kimerling, the husband-and-wife team behind Hootenanny Games. But instead of just interviewing them together, I decided to interview them separately, asking them the exact same questions!

Alex and Whitney have built a thriving inventor-driven game company, and in this episode, they share what it’s really like to run a business together, how they develop games, and why they love working with inventors.

You’ll get an inside look at both the best and hardest parts of running a toy business with your spouse. You’ll learn why Hootenanny Games exclusively licenses inventor-created products and what they look for in a game pitch—plus how you can pitch to them.

If you’ve ever thought about inventing board games or working in the toy industry, you don’t want to miss this one! And if you’re curious whether Alex and Whitney’s answers matched up… you’ll have to listen and find out. 😉

Listen for These Important Moments!

• [00:02:16] – A unique twist makes this interview extra fun. Alex and Whitney are being asked the same questions separately to see how their answers compare.
• [00:03:12] – Sharing the best parts of working together, they highlight how their strengths complement each other—one handling the business side while the other focuses on creativity.
• [00:08:48] – At the heart of Hootenanny Games is a simple but powerful mission: to bring people together through play and make them smile.
• [00:11:27] – Unlike many game companies, Hootenanny Games doesn’t create their own games—every single one is licensed from independent inventors.
• [00:16:09] – Rough concepts with strong mechanics stand out the most in a pitch. Games that leave room for collaboration and creative development tend to be more appealing than those that feel too locked in.
• [00:21:28] – The best way to pitch? Video calls over emails. A live conversation makes it easier to share excitement and showcase why a game is special.
• [00:22:41] – Playtesting is key! The strongest game pitches come from inventors who have refined their ideas by watching real players react and engage.
• [00:23:12] – Before closing out, a special listener review gets a shoutout, and everyone is encouraged to check out the other interviews in the New York Toy Fair 2025 series.

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Support the show

About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!

Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt