Today we’d like to introduce you to Derrick Skipper.
Hi Derrick, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In the wake of a tragic accident that claimed the life of a close friend, my two best friends and I found ourselves grappling with grief amidst the chaos of the pandemic. As lockdowns and social distancing measures swept the globe, we were forced to confront our loss in isolation, longing for the social camaraderie we had once enjoyed.
During this challenging time, we found solace in reminiscing about our past. We recalled the days when, as twelve-year-olds, we would engage in animated banter at the local bar, a tradition that continued into our 30s. These lively and often ridiculous conversations would draw in others, eager to participate in the hilarity that ensued. It was these memories that sparked the idea for a game centered around outrageous arguments and playful roasts. Thus, Capital Punishment: The Party Argument Game was born.
Our journey to success can be best described as a series of fortuitous moments where our preparedness met opportunity. As a lifelong entrepreneur, my experience has been marked by perpetual learning and failing forward. From selling custom computers as a kid and making mixtapes to launching an app company, each venture has taught me valuable lessons about business. The most important takeaway: always be ready for what comes next.
This mindset proved invaluable when Amazon approached us to join their Black Business Accelerator program. We embraced the opportunity, knowing that our journey would be marked by further mistakes and lessons learned. But we remain steadfast in our commitment to do better today than we did yesterday, and it’s this attitude that continues to propel us forward.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to success has been anything but smooth. We encountered numerous struggles along the way, many of which stemmed from our limited experience in the board game industry. Learning how to design a game from scratch, we spent countless hours researching industry terminology and establishing the appropriate business structure.
Securing funding was a major hurdle, and we initially had to rely on the financial support of friends and family. Our lack of marketing expertise made it difficult to launch a successful Kickstarter campaign, further exacerbating the funding challenge. With limited formal education among our team members, we often found ourselves learning by doing.
Another significant obstacle was our struggle to effectively communicate with other businesses. We had to make a conscious effort to adopt a more professional approach, moving away from our usual casual demeanor. In addition, we grappled with uncertainty about whether our game would resonate with our target audience. However, we remained optimistic, believing that there would be a niche group of customers who would appreciate our unique sense of humor.
Thankfully, the local board game community played a crucial role in helping us overcome these challenges. Their support allowed us to host game nights, where we could introduce our game to potential players and gather valuable feedback. They also became the first to stock our game, providing us with a platform to sell our product to the public. Despite the numerous struggles we faced, their assistance proved invaluable in helping us navigate the bumpy road to success.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Capital Punishment Games, we create games that bring people together and provide an opportunity to socialize and interact in a fun, easy-to-learn way. Our flagship product, Capital Punishment, is a game that focuses on the American zeitgeist and allows players to engage in hilarious and witty conversations about pop culture, politics, and everything in between.
What sets us apart from others in the industry is that we are a black-owned business, providing a unique perspective in a field that has historically lacked diversity. Our goal is to create games that allow players to showcase their personalities and find their own funny bone, creating inside jokes and memories to last a lifetime.
We have other games in development, and while we can’t share the names just yet, we encourage readers to subscribe to our newsletter on our website for updates and exclusive content.
As a CEO of a black-owned company, it’s important to me to share knowledge and research with other entrepreneurs of color and to make a positive impact in the community. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality games that allow players to connect with one another and create moments worth remembering.
We hope that our games bring joy and laughter to players of all ages and backgrounds and that they are able to make new connections and find common ground with those around them. At Capital Punishment Games, it’s not just about what you’re doing; it’s about who you’re doing it with.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Some of my favorite podcasts are:
The Social Proof Podcast
Black Tech Green Money
Perpetual Traffic
The Devilz Advocate Podcast
Some of my favorite books are:
Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller
This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
Additionally, I’d say I’m very big on Reddit for finding out all of the things I don’t know that I don’t know. The people there continuously share their stories and expertise which is incredibly helpful.
Pricing:
- Capital Punishment: The Party Argument Game — $29.99
- “NO CAP” Dad Cap – $25.00
- Enamel Pin – $10.00
- NO Flight T-shirt – $35.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.capitalpunishmentgame.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/capitalpunishmentgame
- Facebook: facebook.com/capitalpunishmentgame
- Twitter: twitter.com/capitalpungame
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@capitalpunishmentgame
- Other: tiktok.com/@capitalpunishmentgame
Image Credits
