Conversations with Joshua Helm

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Helm.

Hi Joshua, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When three friends and I started The Bear Game in High School we didn’t know how far we could go. I have known Austin Lee, Colton Harris, and Steven Nguyen for almost all of my life. They have each played a key role in the creation and advancement of The Bear Game. The Bear Team consists of Austin (digital designer), Colton (board game enthusiast), Steven (head of artwork), and I being the head of sales and outreach. Steven was also able to connect us with his aunt, Van Tran, who has done an amazing job with all of the artwork for the cards, box, and instructions.

The excitement began in the middle of our Junior year when we got together to create a card game. Quickly growing, we ordered 100 units and began reaching out to local game stores. The first store that believed in us was BatCave Games in Vancouver, Washington. They ordered 20 units and later ordered 50. Since then, we’ve sold over 500+ games and made it into 16 retail stores.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing about the road was smooth but as a team, we came up with many different avenues to grow The Bear Game.

I started by making demos for family and friends online, successfully selling about 30 games. That wasn’t a long-term plan so then we went to local game stores and made it into 16. Along the way, we also connected with our school by doing a fundraiser for the band and making it into the yearbook. Lastly, we knew we needed more publicity, and naturally, we reached out to newspapers, making it into 6 publications.

However, these were implemented over time and we’d run stagnant for weeks or even months, so that is why we’d do weekly meetings and assign jobs for one another to keep engaged and keep up with the workload. Persevering was a major key in keeping all of us together and by doing so we were able to create a PAWesome family-friendly product.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Before I joined my three friends in The Bear Game, I worked for Vector Marketing selling Cutco kitchen cutlery. I did this online and they taught me everything I know. After climbing my way to being one of the top sales reps, I wanted to expand my reach to selling something of my own. I joined the team as the Head of Sales and Outreach after one and a half months of The Bear Game being created (on paper).

With help from Austin, Colton, and Steven creating the game, I was able to create a Bear Game demo for friends and family that was reminiscent of my Cutco days. From there we all learned much more about selling and were able to all do pitches to game stores as “The Bear Team”. Truly, if it wasn’t for their help, I wouldn’t have been able to expand my reach of sales to something of my own.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was not the best at school. I still passed all my classes with some A’s, B’s, and a few C’s, overall, school just wasn’t my strong suit. This was unlike Austin, Colton, and Steven who excelled in AP courses. As a normal teen, I felt the need to prove myself and when I was reached out to by Vector Marketing, I seized the opportunity. I learned much about myself and my interests because I was able to understand and work with people exceedingly well. This was the atmosphere where I shined. At this time, I became increasingly interested in the brain and how to help it function (Psychology). This later would be what I’d pursue as a major in college.

At the same time as I was growing in my interests, Austin was developing more of his skills in digital design. Colton was growing his love for games by playing Exploding Kittens, Uno, and Monopoly with his family. Steven was building his relationship with his aunt and growing as a student. We each had the skills that the other one didn’t.

The Bear Game has really brought the four of us together, bringing out our individual specialties and helping us to learn from one another.

Pricing:

• The Bear Game: $22.50

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thebeargame.com
• Instagram: @threefreetreesofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThreeFreeTreess/