The Board Game Design
About the Company
The Board Game Design Lab is a podcast and community dedicated to helping designers create games that bring joy and connection to players. Gabe produces weekly podcasts that cover all aspects of designing and publishing board games, complemented by a website hosting a rich database of resources. Over time, he expanded the brand to include books, calendars, t-shirts, and other products tailored to game designers. BGDL’s audience consists of around 8,000 designers and publishers, proving that serving a niche community can lead to sustainable income.
The podcast has also become a platform to promote Gabe's own game design projects, which provide additional content for the show. By leveraging sponsorships, ads, and product sales, BGDL averages $10,000 in monthly revenue while supporting Gabe’s family of five.
Idea Behind Company
Gabe's inspiration stemmed from his love for designing games, a passion that surpassed his enjoyment of playing them. He viewed game design as a unique creative process that combines art, story, and experience. However, when he started seriously pursuing game design, he found a lack of accessible resources and assumed others faced the same challenge.
In response, Gabe launched the Board Game Design Lab as a way to help both himself and others navigate game design. His initial goal was modest—getting 10 regular listeners to his podcast. However, the idea quickly grew beyond his expectations, gaining thousands of listeners per episode and building a strong, supportive community. Gabe’s vision was rooted in creating tools and resources that bring people together, both at the table and within the design world.
Creating the Company
Gabe began his journey by researching the essentials for launching a podcast, including hardware, software, and hosting services. He invested around $200 to get started and also compiled a comprehensive database of game design resources for his website. Living in Honduras at the time, he used his downtime between jobs to lay the foundation of BGDL.
One of his key strategies was reaching out to influential game designers for interviews. Out of his top 15 prospects, 12 agreed to appear on the show, showcasing the value of taking bold risks. Gabe launched with three podcast episodes and an “Episode 0” to introduce the concept, alongside a promotional campaign that included a giveaway featuring games designed by his initial guests.
Launching the Business
The initial launch of BGDL targeted a modest audience of 100 subscribers, which far exceeded Gabe’s original goal of 10 listeners. To promote the podcast, he leveraged Facebook groups, email lists, and consistent engagement with his growing audience. His decision to launch with multiple episodes encouraged listeners to binge content and build trust in the brand.
The business grew through consistent weekly podcasts, newsletters, and authentic engagement with the community. Gabe prioritized kindness and connection, answering emails and questions from his audience to build trust and goodwill. This consistency and personal touch have kept listeners engaged and transformed them into loyal supporters over time.
Earnings
The Board Game Design Lab generates approximately $10,000 per month through sponsorships, ads, books, and games. Gabe credits his success to consistent content creation and audience trust. In addition to the podcast, he has expanded his offerings to include books, online courses, and a membership site, BGDL+, aiming to serve as a central hub for game designers.
Despite challenges like international shipping and the complexities of managing a growing brand, Gabe remains focused on creating value for his community. By investing in collaborations and outsourcing, he continues to grow his business while helping other designers bring their projects to life. Gabe’s journey highlights the power of small, consistent steps in building a sustainable, niche-focused business.
