Battle Grid Games makes move to Launchbox on quest to conquer the world of trading card games.

Fantasy game maker, Battle Grid Games, was facing some hard realities, from wrestling pallets in the street to missed shipping deadlines. We interviewed founder Kenneth McNealy, who shares how Launchbox gave him the flexibility, support, and late-night access he needed for his quest to conquer the world of trading card games.

Please introduce yourself and tell us about Battle Grid Games.
I’m Kenneth from Battle Grid Games. I like to think our trading card game is for anyone who loves the fantasy genre, but it’s also for people who enjoy strategy games like chess or traditional board games. We’re a group of passionate nerds,  and I mean that in the best way. Whether it’s trading card games, Dungeons & Dragons, or even chess, we’re all about building a community around creativity, strategy, and storytelling.

How did Battle Grid Games get started?
We started thinking seriously about the game around 2017. A lot of it actually grew out of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign I’d been running for years. The story and the world-building,  it all evolved from there. At first, I was shipping 500 units right out of my apartment. I’d leave work early, race to the post office with 30 or 40 packages at 4:59 p.m. The post office guy probably thought I was crazy. And some days, if I missed that window, shipments didn’t go out at all. It just wasn’t sustainable.

What were some of the challenges you faced before Launchbox?
Receiving large shipments was a huge issue. Most of my product comes from manufacturers overseas, mostly in China, and getting a semi-truck with pallets into a residential neighborhood was nearly impossible. There were times I was breaking down pallets in the middle of the street, in the rain, trying to save the product. I had neighborhood friends and even local kids helping me carry boxes up three flights of stairs. Between that and missing shipping deadlines, I knew I needed a better setup.

How has Launchbox helped your business grow?
Honestly, coming to Launchbox is the best decision I’ve ever made for the business. It works around my schedule, which is critical. I can receive international shipments without being onsite — and the Launchbox team has helped me out big time when I couldn’t be there. I can come in at 10 p.m. or even midnight, fulfill 30 to 40 orders, leave them in the designated drop area, and know that FedEx, UPS, USPS, even DHL will handle pickup. That level of convenience means my customers get their products on time, and I’m not constantly rushing or stressed.

What sets Battle Grid Games apart from others in the industry?
We put a huge emphasis on art. Whether it’s our custom grid mats, our COVID-themed art series, or the cards themselves, everything is handmade and original. I used those early tough moments to really focus on the creative side, something we take great pride in. Our goal is to bring low-cost accessories and quality games to the community, and we want to capture as many fellow nerds as possible, and hopefully create a few new ones along the way.