The KanJam Story: From a Fun Game to a Successful Business

1. The Story of

2. It all started with Charlie and Paul in North Tonawanda, NY. They played a game using an old garbage can and a disc. One person would throw the disc towards the can and their partner. The partner would try to hit the disc into the can or on the side. The game was called, “Garbage Can Frisbee”.

3. They had so much fun playing this game, they thought, “Hey, everybody should play this game.” So they started out on their journey to sell the most fun party game ever.

4. They learned that a lot of things need to happen to be able to sell a super fun game to everyone. They needed a patent, so no one could steal their idea. They needed someone to make the game. They also needed a store to sell the game and a very cool name to call it. The game needed to be a price that people could afford, but still be made in the USA so everyone could be proud of it.

5. To get a patent, Charlie knew he had to make his game different from other games. He had an idea. He thought, “What if our game had a slot in the front? If the disc is thrown through the slot that team would win! We will call it, the Instant Win!” This is so anyone that played the game would play right to the last throw. A team could still have a chance to win no matter what the score, right up to the final throw!

6. Now that they had a great idea that they could sell, they wanted a way it could be sold in stores so everyone could have a game. The didn’t want people to have to use stinky old garbage cans. So Charlie had the game made out of plastic - just like the piece of linoleum flooring Charlie tripped over in his basement. Now it could be rolled up and sold everywhere!! It would be easy to store, lightweight, sturdy and durable.

7. Now they had a patent and a way to make the game. The only thing missing was a place to sell it. Charlie was able to have local stores sell the game, but not as many people could play the game this way. “How can we get this game played by lots of people?” They wondered. “That’s it!, we will have kids play it in gym class!”

8. Having kids play the game in gym class was the secret to their success. Soon hundreds of schools were playing KanJam and loving it. The kids then bought KanJam in the store after having fun playing it in school.

9. Paul decided to leave the company later on to do different things, but he still loves KanJam. So Charlie asked a very good business friend, Mitch, to join him. Charlie and Mitch are now partners and owners of the KanJam company. Charlie and Mitch sell the action packed game all over the country and world to stores and schools.

10. Charlie and Mitch are now the dynamic duo of KanJam. They love the game so much they even have a bus with the KanJam name on the side! Charlie and Mitch have developed other KanJam games along with the original. The KanJam Mini and the KanJam Splash.

11. So remember, whenever you play any KanJam game, think of Charlie, and Mitch and the crazy idea of throwing a disc into a can. Even the craziest ideas can become a business!