Meet Sean Jordan | Founder at Something New

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

Hi Sean, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For years, I climbed the corporate ladder in entertainment, achieving exactly what I thought I wanted in life. On paper, it was my definition of success. But in doing so I learned that professional success often comes at the expense of something vitally important: playfulness.

Losing playfulness meant I was taking life too seriously, avoiding new experiences, and forgetting how to simply have fun.

But then a couple years ago I acted on an impulse to host a scavenger hunt for a group of friends & family on the westside. That experience reconnected me with my inner child — and reintroduced me to the joy of childlike wonder & whimsy. I wanted to bottle up that feeling and share it with as many people as possible.

So I started Something New to help people of all ages rediscover the joy of play. Because no matter how much money you make, an unhappy life will never be a rich one.

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?
Something New isn’t just an entertainment company — it’s a movement to make adulthood more playful.

We create original games and immersive experiences that help people of all ages rediscover the joy of play. But what sets us apart isn’t just the games we create — it’s the emotional space we open up. We reignite adults’ excitement for play in a world that too often tells them to outgrow it.

Play in adulthood isn’t just fun — it’s essential for mental health. It reduces stress, strengthens adaptability, and improves social connection, among other things. In my research, I’ve found that 90% of adults recognize this value — but fewer than half actually engage, often held back by stress, stigma, and a simple lack of opportunity. Something New removes those barriers by reintroducing play in fresh, unexpected formats and in new, unexplored spaces.

Whether we’re activating public spaces with our Pop-Up Surprise Fun Time Carnivals or reimagining pub trivia with Surprise Fun Time Game Night, our innovations in game design & distribution aim to surprise & delight even the most hesitant adults.

Something New is building a full ecosystem that proves the joy of play doesn’t have to end when you grow up. At the center of it all is our flagship brand, Surprise Fun Time — the creative engine powering our game nights, party games, and carnival games; and the future engine behind backyard games, video and mobile games, special events, television programs, and more.

Of course, building a company from scratch comes with challenges — especially as a solo founder. The biggest have been financial uncertainty, scaling a creative vision, and pioneering a category that barely existed before.

Two factors have helped me navigate those challenges — one internal, one external.

Internally, I maintain a playful mindset. That means staying curious, not taking myself too seriously, and viewing every outcome as a learning experience. Wins are worth celebrating, losses are worth investigating, but neither should consume you.

Externally, community has been my greatest asset. Peers who share hard-earned wisdom, fun-lovers who remind me why this work matters, and partners who believe in the mission. You can build the best products in the world, but real success happens when others want to see you thrive — and join you in the mission.

The world needs more play. We’ve already brought thousands of people together through our experiences, and we’re just getting started. We’re on a mission to help everyone try Something New.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since I’m based in Santa Monica, we’d spend most of our time on the Westside, venturing to other parts of LA just for an afternoon or evening here & there.

I’d kick things off with a day exploring some of my favorite Westside spots — strolling Montana Avenue, Abbott Kinney, the Venice Canals, and more.

One of my absolute favorite things to do is bike the beach. We’d spend a day riding the coast, stopping at my go-to bars and restaurants along the way. Big Dean’s would definitely be on the list for a beachside beer.

For dinner, I’d be sure to take them to a few of my neighborhood favorites like Solidarity Restaurant, Sogno Toscano, Father’s Office, and Noma Sushi. After eating at Noma, we’d definitely head across the street to The Gaslite for a nice karaoke session.

In a perfect world, we’d also drive the PCH for a morning at The Getty Villa & an afternoon at El Matador State Beach before grabbing a bite at Neptune’s Net — though that might be on hold this year due to the fires. I’m also a big hiker and would usually bring guests to Los Leones or Griffith Park Observatory. Both places that hold special memories for me.

For a real LA experience, I’d try to score us tickets to the Magic Castle. I’d also check the Cinespia calendar to see if there’s a film screening under the stars while they’re in town.

Hopefully, their visit would align with some of my favorite live events hosted by my friends and collaborators — from All Hands on Deck, the pitch-a-friend dating show, to Love Isn’t Blind, Penmar’s Sunset Sessions, KCRW Summer Nights, soundbaths, jazz shows, or public events hosted by partners like the Santa Monica Pier, Downtown Santa Monica, and Westwood Village.

Of course, no visit would be complete without sharing Something New. I’d invite them to join one of our pop-up carnival events, a game night, or both — because I know they’d love the experience, and I’d love to introduce them to our community of fun-lovers.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate this to the community of fun-lovers who share in the mission of Something New.

I’m grateful every day for the playful community we’ve built — and for the friends, family, collaborators, mentors, and partners who believe in & support what we’re creating.

Website: https://www.somethingnew.rsvp

Instagram: @somethingnew.la

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-jordan-a3a7b24a/