We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aleks Heide a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Aleks, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.
I think Corporate America often gets it wrong by leaning too much on surface-level activities like ice breakers and the occasional pizza party. Those things might feel fun in the moment, but they rarely create lasting connection or genuine collaboration.
I have seen it happen where a team does a quick round of “two truths and a lie,” shares a slice of pizza, and then goes right back to work without feeling any closer. It becomes more of a box to check than an actual investment in culture.
What makes the real difference is giving people experiences that help them problem-solve, laugh, and build trust together in ways that feel authentic. That is where scavenger hunts shine. They create moments that stick because people discover each other’s strengths while having fun, and the connection carries over long after the event ends.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Some people build puzzles, others make creative artwork out of old license plates. I design branded games in the form of scavenger hunts, something I did as a Child, and never something I thought could actually be turned into a business.
I grew up inventing games, lead teams in marketing and web design, and kept noticing that real connection shows up when people play with purpOse. That is why I turned my love of games that behaves like a creative studiO.
Next Clue was founded in 2025 and designs custom scavenger hunts for retreats, conferences, city festivals, brand activations, and community events. Every experience is built around your story, your brand, and your goals. Think pop culture nods, rebuses (word puzzles), clever twists, and interactive surprises. What problem do we solve? Surface level gatherings that fade as soon as the pizza boxes close. My hunts replace small talk with shared problem solving, inside jokes, and tiny sparks of teamwork that carry back to worK.
What sets us apart is the craft. I custom build every hunt, map the flow, and write clues that reveal strengths people did not know they had. Strategy meets storytelling, and the details fold together like origamI.
What am I most proud of? Seeing lanterns lift at a Girl Scout finale. Watching a room full of colleagues cheer like old friends. Seeing smiling faces in a downtown crowd as they discover new shops and smile at strangers. People leave saying it felt like a shared adventurE.
If you are new here, know this about Next Clue. I create purposeful play that sparks real connection. You get a thoughtful process, a polished delivery, and a host guide that makes it easy to run. If you find the hidden message in this feature, post it in the comments so I know you spotted the sweet surprise baked into the clueS.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I built my audience by showing up as myself and keeping the heart of Next Clue at the center of everything I share. Instead of chasing every trend, I focus on what the real goal is, which is sparking connection and giving people a taste of what purposeful play feels like. Every post ties back to that bigger vision, whether it is a behind-the-scenes peek, a story from an event, or a clue that gets people thinking.
I do occasionally join in on something trendy, but only when it feels fun and aligned, never because I feel like I have to. That balance keeps my content authentic and sustainable. My advice for anyone starting out is this: know your why, share from that place consistently, and do not overthink it. Social media works best when it feels real, and at the end of the day it is not that serious.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Right now I am living through one of the hardest chapters of my life. My dad recently passed away from melanoma, and it still feels surreal to even say those words. It has been a powerful reminder that life is too short and that every moment matters.
For me, resilience is not about pretending everything is fine, it is about carrying the weight of loss while still moving forward with purpose. My dad believed in me and in this business, and honoring that belief keeps me going even on the hardest days. His passing has given me an even deeper drive to create experiences that bring people together.
If someone walks away from a scavenger hunt feeling more connected, more alive, and more present, then I know I am honoring him and living out what he always believed I was capable of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.next-clue.com
- Instagram: @nextcluescavengerhunts
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-clue
Image Credits
Shelby Dubin Photography, Jones Photo Co.