Halloween Jenga, M&Ms Yahtzee and Democrats v. Republicans Stratego are just a few of the classic games with a twist that USAOPOLY offers. But the company is probably best known for its more than 100 specialty editions of Monopoly, including Dog Lovers, Las Vegas and The Beatles.
USAOPOLY has worked with Hasbro for 14 years, as well as many top-notch companies and licensors like Major League Baseball, Twentieth Century Fox and Peanuts for 10 or more years to create its specialty puzzles and game editions.
“We make your favorite games, with a twist,” said Dane Chapin, CEO of USAOPOLY. “Favorite games means the ones you grew up with, loved to play and already know the rules. Twist means taking that childhood favorite and customizing it with a particular likeness so that all of the art, design, components and pieces reflect that theme.”
The unique game experiences are perfect for family game nights, get-togethers with friends and virtually every gift giving occasion.
“Nearly everyone has childhood memories about playing Monopoly, learning checkers and chess or joining with the whole family to put a great jigsaw puzzle together,” Chapin said.
The Carlsbad Business Journal interviewed Chapin about the business of games and the company, which employs more than 35 people at its world headquarters in Carlsbad.
CBJ: What is your professional background?
Chapin: I grew up in San Diego and graduated with an economics degree from UCLA. Prior to heading up USAOPOLY, I was a founding partner of Plutsky/Chapin Development, a Los Angeles-based real estate company specializing in apartment and condominium development.
CBJ: What is the company's background and history?
Chapin: USAOPOLY began in 1994 with a great idea for a hometown spin on the classic Monopoly game. After securing permission from Hasbro to license the world famous property trading game from Parker Brothers, the San Diego edition of the Monopoly game was born, and so was USAOPOLY Inc. We started with cities, colleges and popular themes like The Simpsons, Harley-Davidson and the NFL. More than 100 different specialty editions later, USAOPOLY started putting spins on other timeless games we all know and love to play, like Yahtzee, Jenga and The Game of Life, as well as chess, checkers, tic tac toe, dominoes and puzzles.
CBJ: What is the company's philosophy and mission?
Chapin: To deliver clever twists on cool stuff through the daily execution of USAOPOLY's five house rules that our team upholds, bring a smile, play fair, do it right, honor your word and give it your best.
CBJ: What is unique about the company?
Chapin: We're serious about fun and games. In addition to delivering a tremendous lineup of games and puzzles to the specialty markets we cater to, we also create games on behalf of corporations. A custom Monopoly game is a great way to show off a businesses' many aspects. We recently created themed Monopoly games for General Mills and Zappos.com. From game board properties and title deed cards to money and pewter tokens, there are many components of the Monopoly game that can be themed.
CBJ: What sets USAOPOLY apart from other game manufacturers?
Chapin: A few things come to mind quickly. First, a world-class portfolio of America's favorite board games. Second, a great staff committed to furthering our industry reputation for delivering the highest quality games. Third, our innovative recycling and alternative transportation programs for our employees, which boost the greening of our work and community environments.
CBJ: What is the most challenging aspect of this company?Chapin: Like many other businesses, it's managing through a volatile economy with rising costs of materials, labor and shipping as consumers are savvier about when and where they part with their discretionary dollars. Fortunately, board games are a family staple.
CBJ: What do you enjoy most about your position?
Chapin: Working with a committed, talented team and putting out products that put smiles on people's faces. Nearly everyone has childhood memories about playing Monopoly, learning checkers and chess or joining with the whole family to put a great jigsaw puzzle together.
CBJ: What is your greatest accomplishment in business?Chapin: I think my greatest accomplishments are yet to come. However, what I am most proud of is the work environment and culture we've created at USAOPOLY. I take great pride in the fact that we have very little turnover and we have this core group of highly capable and dedicated people that have been here for 10 or more years.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of this company?
Chapin: We will be kicking off a whole new line of board games for 2009 and beyond, including some exciting versions of very popular games like Trivial Pursuit, Risk and Clue.
For more information, call (760) 602-7646 or visit www.usaopoly.com.
USAOPOLY has worked with Hasbro for 14 years, as well as many top-notch companies and licensors like Major League Baseball, Twentieth Century Fox and Peanuts for 10 or more years to create its specialty puzzles and game editions.
“We make your favorite games, with a twist,” said Dane Chapin, CEO of USAOPOLY. “Favorite games means the ones you grew up with, loved to play and already know the rules. Twist means taking that childhood favorite and customizing it with a particular likeness so that all of the art, design, components and pieces reflect that theme.”
The unique game experiences are perfect for family game nights, get-togethers with friends and virtually every gift giving occasion.
“Nearly everyone has childhood memories about playing Monopoly, learning checkers and chess or joining with the whole family to put a great jigsaw puzzle together,” Chapin said.
The Carlsbad Business Journal interviewed Chapin about the business of games and the company, which employs more than 35 people at its world headquarters in Carlsbad.
CBJ: What is your professional background?
Chapin: I grew up in San Diego and graduated with an economics degree from UCLA. Prior to heading up USAOPOLY, I was a founding partner of Plutsky/Chapin Development, a Los Angeles-based real estate company specializing in apartment and condominium development.
CBJ: What is the company's background and history?
Chapin: USAOPOLY began in 1994 with a great idea for a hometown spin on the classic Monopoly game. After securing permission from Hasbro to license the world famous property trading game from Parker Brothers, the San Diego edition of the Monopoly game was born, and so was USAOPOLY Inc. We started with cities, colleges and popular themes like The Simpsons, Harley-Davidson and the NFL. More than 100 different specialty editions later, USAOPOLY started putting spins on other timeless games we all know and love to play, like Yahtzee, Jenga and The Game of Life, as well as chess, checkers, tic tac toe, dominoes and puzzles.
CBJ: What is the company's philosophy and mission?
Chapin: To deliver clever twists on cool stuff through the daily execution of USAOPOLY's five house rules that our team upholds, bring a smile, play fair, do it right, honor your word and give it your best.
CBJ: What is unique about the company?
Chapin: We're serious about fun and games. In addition to delivering a tremendous lineup of games and puzzles to the specialty markets we cater to, we also create games on behalf of corporations. A custom Monopoly game is a great way to show off a businesses' many aspects. We recently created themed Monopoly games for General Mills and Zappos.com. From game board properties and title deed cards to money and pewter tokens, there are many components of the Monopoly game that can be themed.
CBJ: What sets USAOPOLY apart from other game manufacturers?
Chapin: A few things come to mind quickly. First, a world-class portfolio of America's favorite board games. Second, a great staff committed to furthering our industry reputation for delivering the highest quality games. Third, our innovative recycling and alternative transportation programs for our employees, which boost the greening of our work and community environments.
CBJ: What is the most challenging aspect of this company?Chapin: Like many other businesses, it's managing through a volatile economy with rising costs of materials, labor and shipping as consumers are savvier about when and where they part with their discretionary dollars. Fortunately, board games are a family staple.
CBJ: What do you enjoy most about your position?
Chapin: Working with a committed, talented team and putting out products that put smiles on people's faces. Nearly everyone has childhood memories about playing Monopoly, learning checkers and chess or joining with the whole family to put a great jigsaw puzzle together.
CBJ: What is your greatest accomplishment in business?Chapin: I think my greatest accomplishments are yet to come. However, what I am most proud of is the work environment and culture we've created at USAOPOLY. I take great pride in the fact that we have very little turnover and we have this core group of highly capable and dedicated people that have been here for 10 or more years.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of this company?
Chapin: We will be kicking off a whole new line of board games for 2009 and beyond, including some exciting versions of very popular games like Trivial Pursuit, Risk and Clue.
For more information, call (760) 602-7646 or visit www.usaopoly.com.