We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alice And Jessica Hong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alice and Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Our best memories are of everyone—no matter their age—gathered around the table, laughing and bonding over our game. That’s the magic we aim to create with Fambam Games. Whether it’s families, college friends, or even adults at a bar, our games are designed to be accessible yet strategic—inviting everyone to jump in and keep coming back for more. Our name, Fambam, stands for “family bonding and moments,” and the games we create are an extension of our own family’s joy, from us to you—designed to build bridges across generations and bring people together through the power of play. We believe there’s something magical about bringing smiles and shared moments into people’s lives. Fun fact: we even have a cousin group chat called ‘Fambam,’ a name that became the inspiration for our company.

Alice and Jessica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

We are two Asian-American sisters who founded Fambam Games with a mission to bring joy and create lasting memories through the power of play. Our journey began during the pandemic when we spent hours playing board games with our cousins to stay connected. Through those moments, we discovered that games have a special ability to bring people of all ages together, and this inspired us to create our own. Our first game, Not So Neighborly, is a lighthearted, easy-to-learn card game where players build neighborhoods while playfully sabotaging their opponents’ neighborhoods. It’s designed to be engaging for everyone, from kids to elders, reflecting our mission of making games accessible and fun for all ages.

What sets Fambam Games apart is our hands-on, community-driven approach. We’re deeply involved in every step of our business, from illustrating and designing our games to personally connecting with our community at conventions and events. Our process involves play-testing with friends, family, and local board game enthusiasts to fine tune each game. Beyond the game itself, we offer thoughtfully crafted accessories like play-mats and enamel pins that add a touch of delight to the gaming experience and help fans connect more deeply with our brand.

In 2022, we raised over $115,000 through a crowdfunding platform called Kickstarter to bring our game to life. Since then, we’ve worked hard to get our game stocked in stores like Paper Source and Barnes & Noble. A standout moment for us was bringing our immigrant parents to Paper Source, where we discovered that our game had completely sold out. The pride and joy on their faces was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come from our humble beginnings. Equally special was bringing our cousins—who inspired the characters in our game—to see it on the shelves of Barnes & Noble. These experiences mean more to us than any sales figure because they embody the heart of our work.

At the core of Fambam Games is our commitment to fostering joy, connection, and positive impact. Seeing families, friends, and even therapists using our games to bring people closer together keeps us inspired every day. Our brand is built on the belief that games can bridge generations, create shared memories, and strengthen bonds. With every product we create, we strive to deliver moments of fun and connection that last long after the game ends.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Before we started creating board games, one of us had experience designing custom products like stationery, stickers, and pins, which provided a foundational understanding of the manufacturing process—creating mock-ups, designing specs, sourcing manufacturers, and evaluating samples based on quality, pricing, and order requirements.

For board games, we expanded our search for manufacturers through Alibaba and recommendations from other board game creators, collecting samples to assess quality and communication. Aiming for large-scale production and global reach, we sought a partner with a strong track record in high-volume orders. Ultimately we chose a manufacturer that aligned with our vision. They weren’t just focused on producing our products; they actively offered insights and suggestions to improve our products, helping us ensure top-notch quality.

Throughout this process, we’ve learned that manufacturing involves a multitude of decisions around materials, dimensions, and design options to bring an idea to life. It’s not just about having creative game concepts; it’s also about experimenting with different materials to make informed choices, like selecting between plastic and cardboard, while being mindful of the environmental impact of those decisions. We’ve also learned that the manufacturing process often takes longer than expected due to the extensive back-and-forth with manufacturers to fine-tune the products. Ideas that seem perfect in theory may not always translate well when brought to life with real materials, requiring adjustments and iterations to achieve the desired outcome.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

At the Origins Game Fair, a game convention in Columbus, Ohio, we set up our booth with high hopes, showcasing our game alongside vibrant displays and well-known brands. One of our favorite stories was when a little girl, around nine years old, approached our booth. She was shy to approach us at first, but her face lit up when she saw our game. She explained how her therapist had introduced her to our game during sessions, using it as a tool for self-expression and connection. The way she spoke about her bond with our characters and how the game made her feel understood and seen touched our hearts. In that moment, we were reminded of why we started our entrepreneurship journey – to create something that genuinely connects people. Hearing her express the comfort she found in our game reinforced our mission to craft accessible, inclusive experiences. It was a powerful reminder of the magic of play and the purpose behind our work: to bring people closer together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fambam.games/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fambamgames/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fambamgames/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fambam-games
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fambamgames