Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jodi Jill. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Jodi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Puzzles have become the backstory (and finally the job of creating) in my life. What really pushed me into puzzles was the idea of wanting to share something I felt so compassionate about with others. Over 25 years ago I took a huge risk and shared how much I loved puzzles with the world. I created a day, always celebrated in January on the same day of my special day, is the time to solve, play and chat about puzzles….National Puzzle Day.

At the time I didn’t know how many people would appreciate the idea of celebrating puzzles, but I was willing to bet there were more than just a few folks. So I created a free puzzle sheet available to anyone who asked. This puzzle sheet was something I put together and offered a look at different puzzles people loved. It was the beginning of something special.

So this project was picked up by a book for educators and kids, a few magazines and a couple of educator groups the first year. I didn’t see as many requests as I had dreamed about, but I was determined to see this go further. So I once again put together a free puzzle sheet for the next year and offered it for my special day.

What happened next was what every entrepreneur dreams of seeing. There were dozens of buckets of mail asking for the free puzzles with kids, educators, adults, puzzle lovers and even seniors excited to share the day. And while the first year was slim, the years to follow were amazing. Thousands of people requested the puzzle sheet. Buckets of mail lined my wall from September to February with handwritten notes asking if they could play puzzles with me too.

This risk that I took so many years ago has paid off in a big way today. Over 7 million people – young and old – celebrated National Puzzle Day in 2023. We have a free digital puzzle packet online, all you need to do is download and then celebrate on January 29th. And yes, we will be celebrating again in 2024, there is nothing more exciting than sharing puzzles with the world.

Jodi , 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?

I’m a professional puzzle maker. Crossword puzzles, mazes, books of puzzles and even a jigsaw puzzle. Creating puzzles, for other to solve has been my career for several decades. I’ve been able to share puzzles, I’ve created, with the world in print, online and even on apps.

Puzzles and games are a great way to explore our world. My work has allowed me to create puzzles for kids and adults to play. Online, one of my biggest collections of free puzzles is at Puzzles to Play (PuzzlestoPlay.com). Here people can download free puzzles to play and share with others. Educators and parents love the range of topics and the different skill levels available. My syndicated newspaper puzzle, a weekly puzzle published in print, is played by thousands of individuals as well

Creating different types of puzzles for the public to solve is a challenge I’ve been enjoying as I work on the unique aspects of puzzle making. From finding the perfect clue for a crossword puzzle to creating a maze that stretches the brain as you weave around a diagram. It’s a detailed job where it matters as the people who play want to be entertained and challenged.

Additionally, I create puzzles that are physical games with pieces. The Official National Puzzle Day jigsaw is a fun, 500 piece puzzle that people love to play. And my new card game, based on puzzles will be available in the later part of 2023.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of creating puzzles is the response you receive when someone solves the creation. It’s the smile from a child who completes a word search. The discussion you have with a cruciverbalist about a crossword puzzle. Seeing the impact of my puzzles and games is very rewarding and is my perfect profession.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal of creating puzzles for the masses is to offer a place where people can enjoy a moment outside of their everyday lives. I create every puzzle with the thought of how can it be enjoyed and what can be shared. Whether it’s a puzzle for educators to use in the classroom or a jigsaw that a player enjoys on the dining room table, I strive to make each one the best it can be for playing (and ultimately solving.)

Contact Info:

• Website: PuzzlestoPlay.com
• Instagram: JodiJillinLA
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-jill/
• Twitter: JodiJill

Image Credits
Image Credit: Puzzles to Play (PuzzlestoPlay.com)