From physics to board games: The story of Nika Mlinarič Hribar

Friday is reserved for Nika Mlinarič Hribar’s company. Monday through Thursday, she works as a physicist, and Friday is intended for games. In reality, she and her partner work for the company in the evenings, weekends, and on rainy days. "We work in a campaign-driven way," Nika says, smiling.

A pandemic rethink

Nika is a physicist by both profession and nature. For years, she couldn’t imagine another career – her work provided technical challenges and satisfaction. The pandemic changed her perspective. “I realised a job is fragile. One disruption and it’s gone.” This made her consider what would broaden her skills and increase her resilience.

The answer Nika was seeking came spontaneously – during walks in the hills with her life and business partner Blaž Hribar. Their shared conversations and evenings watching films gradually sparked an idea: a board game. Since she had been following the Kickstarter platform for a long time, especially drawn to the board game category, one of the most funded on the platform, the next step felt natural. "A board game has no technological tail. Once you’ve sent it to your customers, the story is finished if you want it to be. I liked that."

Huskies and the sledge team

The first game Nika and Blaž developed had players take on the role of sled dog racers. Each player assembles a team of husky dogs – each with its own character, and some that do not get along – and must guide the team across the race track. "I recommend you try it," Nika says with a smile.

The Kickstarter campaign raised over 100,000 euros and attracted about 3,500 backers – making it the sixth-most-supported Slovenian project on the platform. “Money alone isn’t a fair comparison between projects, as product values differ. But 3,500 people trusting your idea—that means a lot.”

Buyers come from the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Sweden, and Slovenia.

Grandma’s recipes and a new campaign

After the success of the first game, Nika and Blaž developed a second: Grandma’s recipes. The story revolves around the best baker in the village retiring and passing on her recipe book, not all at once but piece by piece, to different relatives. Players work to piece together the secret from scattered information. "It’s more demanding than the first one, but it received a very warm response," Nika shares.

A third game is already in development, though Nika has not yet announced a projected release date. She has not fully revealed the theme, but hints that it will connect to something old and cult-like. "Follow me on LinkedIn – I share updates there as things develop," she adds.

Physics as a tool for everything

What sets Nika apart from many entrepreneurs is the systematic way of thinking developed through years of physics. "Physics gives you a particular way of solving problems. When jumping into a new field, that system is very useful: it helps in recognising patterns and asking the right questions," Nika says. This approach served her in developing games, marketing, and running the Kickstarter campaign. She found soft skills – communication, sales, and presenting – required more effort. "I realised this is not my natural talent. But I learned that sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone," she reflects.

Community as part of success

For Nika, success is not measured solely by financial independence. It also means doing what makes her happy and being part of a community. Upon realising that the board game development scene in Slovenia was almost non-existent, she and Blaž decided to help create it by organising an annual event for anyone interested in game development. "I think it’s important to give something back to the community that supports you," Nika notes.

Zasavje as a starting point

Nika lives and works in Zasavje and views the region with affection but without idealism. "A lot is improving here – many successful companies, excellent climbing infrastructure, some of the best climbing areas in Slovenia," she observes. Yet, one thing bothers her: "I really hope that Zasavje will get a motorway connection. That is the one thing that is missing," Nika says.

What drives her forward

When asked what motivates her most in life and what frustrates her most, Nika responds without hesitation: "Inefficiency really bothers me. Wasting time, wasting resources. I am wired to always look for ways to optimise things."

Perhaps this is exactly why Nika, who could have stayed in a safe job, dedicates Fridays to board games, weekends to organising running events, and evenings to developing the next Kickstarter campaign. Not because she has to, but because she recognises where her resources lie and how best to use them.

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