Page 18 - 200812 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - December 2008

18 Syncrohearts - The Game You’ll Love 18 Syncrohearts - The Game You’ll Love From Dragons to Dollars From Dragons to Dollars Relationship game a hit in Relationship game a hit in the valley the valley Paul Fontaine, The Times After a final 10 finish in the CBC hit, Dragons Den, Mission's Bobby O'Neal has seen his relationship game Syncrohearts fly off the shelf. The final episode aired in late November and while the dragons rejected his offer of 25 per cent of the company for $200,000, the exposure has tripled online sales and led to a $100,000 loan from the Business Development Bank of Canada. O'Neal said he has just sold out his first run of games and has added more retail stores, including additional Shoppers Drug Mart locations and Planet Organic, which has stores question, so that both players hear the question business. across Canada. and the answer. With the help of Surrey's Deelor Sales The success makes the self-doubt of O'Neal says while the Dragons Den and Marketing they were able to find local starting a new business, which included judges, also known as dragons, are tough while businesses to help out. mortgaging his home, well worth it. the cameras are rolling, he adds they were "We found local suppliers and it's all "When we started we were pretty different when the filming was done. through the Fraser Valley," says O'Neal. "It nervous and thought 'What have we done,' but "They were tough ... but off air they turned out great because we are getting the it's nice to see now that people are were incredible and joked about wanting to play chance to help local businesses." understanding and see the game is about love the game with their spouses," the Mission The new run of 5000 games came off the and laughter," says O'Neal. game-maker says. assembly line last week. A full list of stores Syncrohearts, which takes about 45 The stint on the show meant a feature carrying the game is available on minutes to play, requires two players to throw a being done on the game, which O'Neal says was www.syncrohearts.com. die and move their icons across a heart-shaped a victory in itself. Part of the game sales will go to the board. If you land on squares marked Couples, The success wasn't the only change. Zajac Ranch for children with life-threatening Insights, 4Fun or Hot Stuff, you select a card Edmonton-based Northern Games, which made illnesses. [] from the corresponding pile and answer the and distributed the game originally, went out of www.syncrohearts.com