Merchant spotlight: Gamely Games

Is there anything that brings people together quite like a great game? 

Phones down, brains switched on - ready for some serious fun. 

We LOVE a good party game at needi. So we were extra excited to have a chat with Hazel, founder of Gamely Games. 

Business: Gamely Games

Founder: Hazel Reynolds

Location: Brighton

What inspired you to start your business?

I started Gamely after making a homemade card game one Christmas for my little sister. I loved how it brought people together and helped them forget about their screens. I realised I wanted to make games that help families and friends spend more quality time laughing and connecting.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far on your journey?

I found out I was pregnant the day after I set up my company, so luckily I was forced to prioritise self care from the very beginning - otherwise I think I could have succumbed to the popular narrative that sacrificing your own wellbeing is essential to build a business. Over the years it has become more and more clear to me that looking after yourself - and your team - is in fact the most essential element of building a successful and sustainable business.

What makes your business special?  

We make crowd-pleasing, pocket-sized, family-friendly games designed to create moments of laughter and connection. We take playtesting seriously, focus on simple, accessible rules, and run Gamely as a values-led business: fun first, with an emphasis on doing good and being the kind of business we’d like to see more of in the world.

What's your favourite product and why?

Six Second Scribbles - it captures everything I love about game design: it’s quick to learn, endlessly enjoyable and it leads to some really ridiculous, joyful interactions. It’s brilliant at getting people laughing together. A very close runner up is its wordy sister, Clues in Twos!

What’s the top piece of advice you would give to fellow small business owners?  

Focus on the people you are creating for, and test your ideas with as many of them as possible. And get clear about what success looks like for you - build your business in a way that lets you live your dream lifestyle day-to-day; whatever that means for you. For me it means getting to spend as much time as I want to with my friends and family and playing lots of beach volleyball!

What’s the most memorable gift you’ve ever received? 

When I was sixteen my parents wrapped up a sleeping bag under the Christmas tree - with a note saying that I was allowed to camp overnight at Leeds Festival. That was a dream come true for teenage me!

Why needi loves Gamely Games

What makes Gamely games even more special is that 10% of all their profits go to charity, all of their games are 100% plastic free AND carbon neutral. Oh and they plant 10 trees for every 1 tree they use. 

Ok, we are officially in awe!

If you’re looking to bring connection and fun to your home or workplace, Chat to gift expert today.