Couple turns woodshop hobby
into growing business
While Hezel studied for her undergraduate degree, her husband, Dustin Garness, began experimenting with his woodshop tools and machinery. Before long, he recreated kubb, a wooden yard game he had played with his father’s family.
“We heard the weekend before that there was going to be a market on Thursday, so we decided to get a booth, and I worked overtime to make more yard games,” says Dustin. “Now, our games are our pride and joy, and they still hold up like new, three years later.”
Selling and renting games
Dustin and Hezel own and operate Garness Games, selling and renting out their various hand-made yard game creations in Hartford and the surrounding area. They attend the downtown Hartford markets in the summer and also list information online to sell games like cornhole, kubb, yard dice, yard dominoes, and giant tumbling blocks.
These games are also available for rent along with other options, including tic-tac-toe, dominoes, checkers, and more. Different rental packages allow customers to mix and match multiple games at a time for all kinds of events.
Dustin and Hezel got married and moved to Hartford a decade ago. They chose the area for the atmosphere, fun people, and community spaces. Hezel says she enjoys the comfort of the smaller community, where people know each other and are friendly.
“In a big city, we wouldn’t have the same marketing options as we do here,” says Dustin. “We use our website and social media, but we have gotten to the point where people in the community recognize us at the Downtown Hartford Market each summer.”
Exploring surrounding towns
Hezel explains that Garness Games gives her and Dustin the opportunity to experience new things. Transporting games for customer event rentals allows the duo to explore nearby towns and try new restaurants.
Along with Garness Games, the two have full-time jobs, where Dustin works for Family Memorials by Gibson and Hezel teaches fourth grade at Tri-Valley Elementary School. They say the community makes them feel supported, which allows them to be passionate about their work.
Fast, reliable internet is key
Reliable internet plays a crucial role for the couple. Dustin and Hezel use their Golden West service to manage their website, invoice customers, and handle online inquiries from their home. Dustin researches new yard game designs online, and Hezel used it to complete her degree. They say their internet works so well that they hardly think about it.
“We’re happy with our service from Golden West,” says Hezel. “Other providers may try to get us to switch, but we’ve never needed to have that conversation, because we have no problems with our Golden West service.”
