Meet Daniel Cono | Card Game Designer & Handyman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniel Cono and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel, how do you think about risk?
I believe everything that we as human beings choose, whether consciously or not, in our waking hours are all our own personal risk taking factors in which we exhibit everyday. Risks and their perceived magnitude (*or lack there of) still can have eventual consequences or immediate impact. What risks we choose, or choose to avoid, are the building blocks of each of our live’s trajectory – in any given facet of what it means being alive. I believe taking risks for the reasons of personal growth, like learning patience and accepting the pain of failure, gives one the tools to build themselves anew. I love risk, and all what my choices in life such far have taught and brought to me. Without the risks I’ve taken (*for better or worse) I would not have been able to confidently pursue, by taking calculated risks, my deepest aspirations in this short passage of time that we all experience as life. Each risk we take has a great variability in largely how it affects others, why not take a big risk to help improve the quality of others lives?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am thirty six years of age, and if you would have told me anytime before eight & a half years ago, that I was going to design / create a card game and battle to bring it into the world at large – I would have laughed and said you were crazy. Though I did by fighting through many challenges ranging from: how to construct a fully functioning card game plus rules, getting anyone to play the game, trying to personally market my game, failed crowdfunding, being signed (*in separate time frames) to a small & a large gaming company, starting an official business, getting screwed over, to learning that there is no official playbook in how to get my creation to a wider audience. Why would I choose to pursue something for seemingly so long when the results are so slow at gaining large scale traction & attention? It’s all because of the reactions my game has created in players, that I’ve witnessed (*1st, 2nd, & 3rd hand) that drive my pursuit in bringing it to a wider audience. I can’t describe how much it makes me smile when people tell me how they adjust their gameplay, with their own house rules after they become intimately aware of how the game works, through many game sessions. Same as when I get sent pictures, videos, texts, etc. of people playing rounds & sessions of the game with their competitive friends and family. I made a card game, not a party game, that was purposely made for those who desire competition. The blend of luck and strategy in my game: JustBusiness, is what keeps those who have played it (*and love it) keep playing it over and over again. Getting the game to be seen played, by a large audience, is the next hurdle that I am fully undertaking currently. I’m proud that I have a creation that brings value to others lives and that it will continue to do so. It’s nothing personal…

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s so many great places in San Diego, though my personal favorites would have to be: Ocean Beach – From the OB vibe, to “O.B. Noodle House” or “Lucy’s Tavern” , to waking down to Dog Beach, to most any of the shops/bars/restaurants down Newport Ave., walking down the pier or Sunset Cliffs – you can’t go wrong with O.B.
Center City – Ranging from “Urban MO’s” in Hillcrest to “The Lafayette” down the street, day or night drinking in North or South Park. There is a lot to offer on this historic mesa in San Diego.
East County – I grew up in this part of San Diego county. It’s so close to who I am that I can’t just point out a few things… One has to explore it oneself to gain perspective on this often overlooked part of town.
These are the places I, more often than not, choose to bring friends/family from out of town. There are weeks worth of places and things to do just in these few areas of S.D.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When it comes to dedicating my Shoutout, it’s crazy to think how many people (*whether I know them personally or not) have made an impact on who/what I am today. Being that there is a plethora of those who have had (*by varying degrees) influence upon me through positive, and even negative interactions, it makes trying to single out one influence to necessitate it to be the most critical. I want to bring it down to brass tacks, and I have to say my parents: Dan & Susan Cono. Without them, I would not have gained the mental fortitude to push past boundaries and earn (*with my deeds & actions) what I want in life. I love my parents, and though we don’t always see eye to eye, we see family as the most important aspect of our lives. Thank you Mom & Dad, for accepting all my detours, roadblocks, and mishaps on the road of life. As you know, I’m still on the right path and it’s looking even better as it continues, thanks to you.

Website: www.justbusinesscardgame.com

Instagram: justbusiness.cardgame

Facebook: facebook.com/justbiz.cg