Today we’d like to introduce you to Bon Blossman.
Hi Bon , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had two very different passions: science and entertaining people. While earning my Ph.D. in Physiology at the University of North Texas, I spent most of my days balancing life as a mother of two with research and coursework. But outside the lab and soccer practices, I absolutely loved hosting parties. I’ve always been fascinated by social experiences that bring people together in creative and meaningful ways.
I don’t like for people to feel bored or left out at gatherings, and I’ve always tried to create experiences where everyone feels included. As a neurodivergent person, I understand that more reserved people can sometimes struggle in social settings. Traditional parties can unintentionally cater to only the loudest or most outgoing guests, and I wanted to create something different. I loved the idea of giving every guest a role, a purpose, and an easy way to interact naturally with others.
Back in 1998, I started hosting murder mystery parties for friends just for fun. At the time, there weren’t many customizable or flexible mystery games available, so I began writing my own. What started as a hobby quickly became a creative passion. I loved building characters, designing twists, and watching guests fully immerse themselves in the stories.
Eventually, I realized there was a real demand for high-quality murder mystery party games online. In 2006, I launched My Mystery Party as an online store.
Honestly, I expected it to remain a side project while I continued my scientific career. But the business grew much faster than I anticipated. People from all over the world were purchasing the games, hosting parties, and sharing their experiences. The company became so successful that it began to require more and more of my time and attention.
After completing my post-doctoral training, I reached a crossroads. I loved science and had worked my way into a role as an adjunct biology professor, beginning what I thought would be an exciting journey toward becoming a tenured professor. But at the same time, My Mystery Party had evolved into something far bigger than I ever imagined. As the business continued to grow, it also provided a level of stability and opportunity that was difficult to ignore as a parent supporting a family. By 2008, I made the difficult but rewarding decision to pursue the business full-time.
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. My background in science helped shape the way I design games and write mysteries. I approach storytelling analytically, almost like solving a puzzle or building an experiment, where every clue, character interaction, and outcome has to fit together logically. Along the way, I had also written YA fiction books, worked with FBI consultants on forensic science, and even taught a forensic science course. Therefore, in many ways, everything I loved eventually came together in one place. My Mystery Party became the perfect blend of creativity, strategy, science, and social connection, reflecting both sides of my personality.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. The transition away from my science career was incredibly difficult, both emotionally and professionally. I had spent 10 years in college, followed by two additional years of postdoctoral laboratory training, preparing for a long-term career in academia and biochemical research. Many people, including my parents and mentors, questioned why I would walk away from that path to run a game company. At times, I questioned myself too.
At the same time, building an online business in 2006 came with a steep learning curve. Technology and e-commerce tools were nowhere near as user-friendly as they are today, so I had to teach myself almost everything from scratch. Beyond creating the games themselves, I had to learn web design, marketing, advertising, search engine optimization, customer service, and the operational side of running a business. There were definitely moments where it felt overwhelming.
But looking back, those challenges pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. The analytical and problem-solving skills I developed through science helped me approach business creatively and strategically, and over time, everything slowly began to fit together.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My Mystery Party specializes in downloadable and boxed murder mystery party games designed to make social gatherings more interactive, memorable, and inclusive. Since launching the company in 2006, our goal has always been to create immersive experiences that help people connect through storytelling, laughter, mystery, and collaboration.
One thing that sets us apart is the sheer variety and flexibility of our games. We offer themes ranging from elegant masquerade balls and roaring twenties parties to spooky paranormal adventures, western saloons, tropical resorts, holiday gatherings, and even family-friendly mysteries for kids and teens. We also design games for a wide range of group sizes and play styles, including virtual events, team-building experiences, classroom activities, and large-scale parties.
We’re also expanding into an exciting new product line called Charming Mystery Games, which blends traditional mystery gameplay with collectible physical clues that double as amazing souvenirs for the players. In these games, players receive unique sets of charms, currently featured primarily on keychains, that become part of the mystery-solving experience. Players must mingle, gather clues, compare information, and ultimately deduce the hidden charm combinations assigned to other guests in order to solve the mystery and earn points.
What makes the concept especially fun is that the charm sets become both a social icebreaker and a functional gameplay mechanic. The games encourage conversation and interaction naturally, while still maintaining the suspense, strategy, and deduction elements that mystery fans love. We’re currently exploring additional formats beyond keychains as the product line evolves, opening the door to even more creative and collectible experiences in the future.
It’s a fresh direction for our brand that combines tactile gameplay, social deduction, collectibles, and immersive storytelling into one experience, and we’re incredibly excited about where it’s headed.
I think what truly makes the brand different is the balance between structure and accessibility. I’ve always been very aware that traditional parties can sometimes feel intimidating or awkward for quieter or more reserved guests. Our games naturally give people a reason to interact, ask questions, and participate without the pressure of forced socializing. Everyone has a role, a purpose, and a way to contribute to the experience.
Another thing we’re known for is the depth and quality of the storytelling. My background in physiology, forensic science, fiction writing, and analytical problem-solving heavily influences how the games are designed. I approach mystery writing almost like building a puzzle, ensuring that clues, motivations, timelines, and character interactions fit together logically while remaining entertaining and approachable for players.
Brand-wise, I’m probably most proud that My Mystery Party has remained independently owned and creatively driven from the beginning. What started as a side project grew into a global business that has helped countless families, friends, schools, churches, corporations, and community groups create unforgettable memories together. Hearing from event hosts who tell us their event became the highlight of a reunion, birthday party, fundraiser, or team-building event is incredibly rewarding.
At the end of the day, we’re not just selling games. We’re creating experiences that encourage people to laugh, connect, step into character, and temporarily escape everyday life together. That sense of connection and shared experience is really at the heart of everything we do.
What does success mean to you?
Beyond that, I define success by impact and fulfillment. Of course, building a sustainable business matters, especially as a parent and entrepreneur, but what has always meant the most to me is creating something that genuinely brings people together and helps create lasting memories.
Success, to me, is hearing from party hosts who tell us their family laughed together for hours, that a shy guest finally felt included, or that one of our games became the highlight of a reunion, fundraiser, classroom event, or team-building experience. Those moments remind me that what we create goes far beyond entertainment. We’re helping people connect, interact, and create meaningful experiences together.
During the pandemic, that purpose became even more important to me. I worked seven days a week, often 14 to 15 hours a day, writing virtual mystery games and developing formats specifically designed for video chats so families, friends, coworkers, and community groups could still connect while isolated. At a time when so many people were struggling with loneliness, stress, and boredom, I truly felt that our games gave people something fun to look forward to and a way to laugh together again. Knowing we helped people stay connected during such a difficult period is something I’ll always be incredibly proud of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mymysteryparty.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mymysteryparty
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/mymysteryparty
- Twitter: https://x.com/mymysteryparty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Mymysteryparty
