We had the good fortune of connecting with Kara Christiansen and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kara, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Starting my own business was always a dream of mine, something that I wanted to accomplish. I wanted more freedom in my work life and an avenue for personal expression. I wanted to follow my passions on my own terms. I’m also a very intellectually minded individual and wanted mental stimulation at work. I had this idea for a game master business, where I could combine my loves of tabletop gaming, community and education and I knew there was a market for it. So I took the plunge and started my own business as a tabletop game master running games for clients and groups. It’s one of the proudest accomplishments of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. In short, table top gaming typically combines dice rolls with improv acting. One very popular game series I run is Dungeons & Dragons and another is Vampire the Masquerade. Basically, it’s my job to teach the game mechanics, write the story and finally lead the games while players interact with what yarns I spin. It keeps your mind sharp, entertains, and brings together friends and family. I even write custom scenarios for clients. The best part is I get to work with a wide variety of people from all walks of life and have fun crafting stories in real time. There’s a game out there for everyone and it’s my job to help lead others into engaging games that fit for them!
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Well, it wasn’t easy at first. I had to work hard to reach where I am professionally, but it was worth it because of the rewards. The key challenge to overcome was just having perseverance. Knowing that the harder you worked, the further you can go. You also can’t be shy marketing yourself and you have to stand behind your services 100%. Another important lesson I learned was not everything can be accomplished by yourself, and at the end of the day, having support is important. My parents have been my biggest supporters, even if it’s just to have an attentive ear or someone to be enthusiastic about my ventures. Lastly, I want the world to know my brand stands for quality and enjoyment. It’s all about the players and designing the perfect adventure for their characters in my games and maximizing everyone’s fun!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my best friend to Rocky Mountain National Park to go hiking and sight seeing. We’d also explore downtown Denver and try some of the food, drink, and attractions there. Atomic Cowboy restaurant is really great! Then, we’d either visit Estes Park and Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resources for a day of learning. After that, we’d go to Red Rocks Park for a concert and a fun night out on the town. Finally, we’d end the week trip visiting the Royal Gorge Bridge, and then head back home to unwind and rest up for the next adventure.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shout out to my parents for always being supportive of my business, listening to the lengthy fantasy stories I write, all the antics of my players, and my explanations of the nitty gritty game mechanics of the games I run. You’re my biggest supporters, thank you!
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