Fund Me, KC: It’s more than a card game; Parkville woman channels inner Philosopher to evolve humanity

Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses or lend a helping hand to others. This is an opportunity for business owners — like Parkville creator Loni Louise Bernard with her Philosopher game — to share their crowdfunding stories and potentially gain backing from new supporters.

Who are you?

I am Loni Louise Bernard, a Kansas City entrepreneur who focuses all my businesses on spirituality, compassion, ecology and philosophy. As a KC native, I try to give back to the community as much as possible.

During the holidays, amid spending time with friends and family playing games and discussing life, the idea of the Philosopher game was born. I woke up three days before Christmas with the epiphany of this Philosopher game. It was like it was channeled to me.

Click here to learn more about the Philosopher game and other offerings from Spiral 55 Games.

Loni Louise Bernard, Philosopher game

What does your campaign hope to accomplish?

I hope to honor people, to give everyone a chance to be their authentic self, to make relationships and gatherings more meaningful and memorable experiences through this game, Philosopher. I wish to release this evolutionary game to the world.

Click here to check out the Kickstarter campaign for the Philosopher game.

What’s your ‘why’?

Philosopher is a profound conversational game for the evolution of humanity.

At this time we need deep sacred authentic relationships. We can finally gather together socially again, this Philosopher game will make those gatherings heartfelt.

In the game, players discuss viewpoints with family and friends, and go beyond the surface to know each other better. Philosopher is made for 1 to 25 players ages 14 and older. Each game shifts as players evolve and grow their life philosophies. The dynamic of the group will mold the trajectory of the game. It is not all serious. There are pop-culture and oddball topics — and coming soon a topic on Kansas City.

Philosopher game

How much do you hope to raise with the crowdfunding campaign?

With Kickstarter, it’s an all-or-nothing platform. We must reach the minimum goal of $9,999 to receive any backing support. I have spent over $15,000 on this project already so even the base goal I will take a loss.

You can be a part of making this game a reality. Join the Kickstarter campaign now under way through June 25 and I will personally deliver your game if you live in the KC metro area — simply send a message through Kickstarter. Early Bird order price is $30 (for the first 150 orders) and $40 thereafter. 

How do you plan to use the funds?

The funds will be used for all the costs involved with bringing the Philosopher game to the world.

Anything else our readers should know about the Philosopher game or this effort?

Philosopher game

It’s a revolution in the evolution of humanity; what I mean by that is that it allows everyone a chance to speak, to be the Philosopher. This game is not about winning, it’s about honoring each other’s opinions and to open folks to those opinions, new concepts, philosophies.

The expansion booster decks that have been created are focused on different themes so you can build your deck to the topics you prefer. It is planned that there will be many more booster themed decks to come in the future.

Loni Louise Bernard is a spiritually-minded entrepreneur with six businesses, all centered around spirituality, ecology and philosophy. She is the co-owner of Milo Farm, a campground and spiritual retreat center outside of Kansas City, and a licensed Real Estate broker in Missouri and Kansas. She is set to present Wednesday at 1 Million Cups Kansas City.

This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that seeks to build inclusive prosperity through a prepared workforce and entrepreneur-focused economic development. The Foundation works to change conditions, address root causes, and break down systemic barriers so that all people – regardless of race, gender, or geography – have the opportunity to achieve economic stability, mobility, and prosperity. 

For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect with us at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn.