Today we’d like to introduce you to David McGranaghan.
David, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my career in the entertainment industry as a professional actor, performing on London’s West End as one of the Jersey Boys and with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Alongside my real-life business partner, Julian Miller, who also had a successful acting career, we discovered a mutual passion for inventing funny games to entertain our friends and family over the holidays.
The games became so popular that people started requesting copies for their own parties, and that’s how Mcmiller was born.
My first board game, Game For Fame, quickly became an Amazon #1 best seller in the U.K., which led us to release more titles: Santa VS Jesus, It’s Bananas, UpRoar, Fire In The Hole, and The Cat Mitt Game. We’ve gained over 380 million views on social media, sold over 1,300,000 games to date, and been featured on BBC, ABC, FOX, and NBC. Additionally, we’ve committed to sustainability by removing plastic from the majority of our products, making us one of the most eco-friendly game companies on the market.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to success has definitely had its bumps. One of the biggest challenges we faced was transitioning from our careers in the entertainment industry to running a business. Neither Julian nor I had a background in business management, so there was a steep learning curve in areas like finance, logistics, and marketing.
Additionally, as our games gained popularity, we faced logistical challenges. Rapid spikes in sales, especially during viral moments like our TikTok success with “It’s Bananas,” put immense pressure on our supply chain. We had to quickly scale up production and manage distribution to meet the sudden demand.
Sustainability also presented its own set of challenges. Transitioning to plastic-free materials such as natural rubber and cotton required extensive research and development. We encountered numerous instances of greenwashing and had to find genuinely eco-friendly alternatives that maintained the quality and durability of our games.
Despite these obstacles, we’ve learned to adapt and grow. Each challenge has taught us valuable lessons, and overcoming them has been key to our success.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We make laughter. Every game we create is packed full of belly laughs, using every creative muscle we have.
Our party game process begins with a simple, funny idea—“Wouldn’t it be funny if?”—and from there, we build the highs and lows essential to a great game. We balance skill and chance to ensure the gameplay is engaging, fun, and multigenerational. Once we’re happy with the concept and it still makes us laugh after playing it 100 times, we test it with friends and family. Hearing their screams and laughter (and swearing!) while playing tells us it’s ready to go.
Next, we collaborate with talented designers to bring our ideas to life through bold designs and illustrations, ensuring our games stand out on shelves and online.
What sets us apart is our unique sense of humor and our ability to translate larger-than-life ideas into the game space. We aim to be the Willy Wonka of board games.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
This advice might feel unnatural for most entrepreneurs, especially at the start of their journey, but my advice is to slow down.
As entrepreneurs, we are often ambitious and impatient, which can lead to rushed decisions and inadequate research. I frequently receive emails from people eager to release a game in six months with no prototype, no graphic designer, and no factory.
Mistakes cost time and, most importantly, cost money. So, take your time and get it right the first time (when you can).
It’s crucial to remember the story of the tortoise and the hare—slow and steady wins the race. This is something I’m still learning myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mcmiller.fun
- Instagram: @mcmiller.games
