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

Hi Alex, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Our brand is built on authenticity. On the games side, we’re fans of the properties that we work with and the games that we play. We make games by fans, for fans. And if someone isn’t already a fan of a property that we’re working with, we make sure the games are accessible and still fun without being a fan. On the toy side of the business, we’re also fans of play and making play fun and interesting. People can tell that we really care, and that’s what’s led to our success.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have a team that is really exciting, and I love the community that we built both in office and out of office. I think when a lot of people think about toys, they think about old companies with a big corporate office, but KessCo is under 20 people who choose to have lunch together, who choose to hang out together after work, and it’s a really strong community that’s passionate about what we do.

I’m also really excited that the game stuff is working. That’s the initial reason I got into the business. I wanted to make that space for tabletop gaming, and we have really cool stuff coming out. I’m getting to make games around properties that I love. Jokingly, our catalogue is just my who’s who list of things I loved when I was between the age of five and twelve. That’s honestly really cool.

As far as overcoming challenges that come with an early business, I got really good at flying on airplanes. I learned how to be good at flying on airplanes from my dad, and it’s so helpful. The fact that I can sleep on an airplane easily and it’s amazing time travel, which is great for going to visit factories or going to buyer meetings all over the country. I didn’t used to get homesick, but that’s changed now that I have small children.

Another challenge is that I don’t love conflict. I’ll make sure everyone around me is happy, and I hate giving bad news. And I think that’s been very helpful in this business because to our customers and the people we work with and the team, I do my best to make sure they’re happy. The challenging part is there are parts of business that require being rude and having a little conflict. For me, that’s the hardest part of the job, but I just have to get through it each time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is such a hard question because LA isn’t just one place, and I love all of the parts of it. But I suggest splitting the week in half, where you do the Westside for half the trip and then change hotels and do the other half in the Hollywood/Universal City area.

On the Westside, I’m focusing on food: anything on Sawtelle, a taco truck near the Venice boardwalk, brunch in WeHo (probably at Dialogue or WeHo Bistro). I think you also have to make space for sushi, both going out to one of the amazing sushi restaurants and also being at the Kess office and ordering in Sugarfish to get that delightful curated box. Aside from food, I think you have to visit the Venice canals and the boardwalk. Our museum culture is amazing and I think you have to visit either the Getty or the Getty Villa, as well as some of the smaller museums.

Once you move to the Hollywood area, the experience totally changes. I want to take them to see a Disney movie at the El Capitan- especially if it’s a sing-along showing. Then you have to go to your favorite Korean BBQ (I’m taking them to Yerim BBQ). I also think a day spent in the LACMA/ La Brea Tar Pits Mid-city experience is worth the time and the drive. While I’m thinking about it, I would take them downtown to Grand Central Market for that awesome foodie experience and then for a ride on Angel’s Flight, where you get a really cool view of the Disney Concert Hall and the other downtown structures.

I really love LA- I could give you a month-long itinerary, easily.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think it’s hard not to answer with my dad, Brian Kessler. He has a point of view in this company to this day. He is a mentor, he provides advice, and he has experiences that we rely on every day. I don’t think Kess exists without him. He’s an influence to the extent that people like to joke that I’m turning into him, and I’m not allowed to wear Nike shoes because if I do, I look like him too much.

Website: https://www.kess.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kess_ent/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kessco/

Twitter: https://x.com/KessPlay

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KessToys

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/kessplay/
https://www.tiktok.com/@kesstoys

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