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Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Seattle boy's million-dollar idea steers his Lamborghini dream
Seattle's Alex Butler, at age 9, is show with his parents, Leslie Pierson and Mark Butler. Photo by HANDOUT / Leslie Pierson A Seattle teen played his cards right at a young age — and now he's a millionaire. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Alex Butler, now 15, and his parents, Leslie Pierson and Mark Butler, sold his original card game Taco vs. Burrito, to Wisconsin-based PlayMonster last month, the Seattle Times reported, per the U.K. Daily Mail . Butler was just seven years old when he invented the game and sold it. 'It was never something that I've been attached to or anything,' the teenager said, per the Daily Mail. 'It's not super important to me. I just kind of wanted to get the most money out of it.' In the game, players compete to make the most valuable meal. It's not clear how much the game sold for, but the teen is working with his parents to invest the money. He plans to have some fun with the fortune, too. Butler said he would like to buy 'a Lambo' as he moves away from the gaming industry that has been a big part of his and his parents' lives for the past eight years. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Their idea for the game came 'randomly,' Alex said, noting that he didn't even like tacos or burritos at the time. However, he spent time playing card games such as Exploding Kittens with his family, which sparked his desire to create one of his own. Initially, his mom, who calls herself a 'serial entrepreneur' and has been involved in various projects including GoodHangUp — which she promoted on Shark Tank in 2016 — was simply trying to appease her young son. Alex regularly took his parents to the local coffee shop where he would test out a prototype for his game. On the way home, he would often plot new twists or ideas to add to the game, Leslie said, and he eventually started playing with his friends. Recommended video This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It was at that point when the mom started an online fundraiser to help cover costs of production. They raised more than $1,000 in one day. 'He lost it, mind blown,' the mom said. The family ultimately raised $25,000, helped by some promotion at Seattle Comic Con. As demand for the strategy game grew, the parents decided to create their own business, Hot Taco Inc., with Alex owning the majority share. They joined forces with a manufacturer that the parents said 'treated Alex like an adult' and put $25,000 to $30,000 worth of the product on Amazon. By the end of the year, they made just under $1.1 million. Alex has since sold 1.5 million copies of his card game. It was once ranked Amazon's No. 1 bestselling game and it now has two expansion packs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Ultimately, the family decided to sell to PlayMonster, which also owns games such as Farkle and 5 Second Rule. Jonathan Berkowitz, CEO of PlayMonster, also told the Seattle Times he was interested in the game because the 'characters are amazing' and it provides fun competition for all ages. 'It's always fun when kids can beat their parents in a game, but the parents can still truly enjoy playing,' he said, sharing how shocked he was to learn that the popular card game was created by a seven-year-old. Columnists Columnists Toronto & GTA Sports Canada
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Meet the Seattle teen who became a millionaire at 7 by inventing a card game and here's how he did it
While most kids his age were busy playing video games or kicking a ball around, Alex Butler was busy building a business empire. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program At just 7 years old, the Seattle native came up with the idea for Taco vs. Burrito , a quirky card game he invented after countless family game nights. With the help of his parents, Leslie Pierson and Mark Butler, Alex launched a GoFundMe-style campaign that raised $25,000 to cover production costs. The family even formed their own company, Hot Taco Inc., to bring the game to life and sell it on Amazon for $20 a deck. The gamble paid off. By 2018, Taco vs. Burrito had become Amazon's No. 1 bestselling game and earned the family nearly $1.1 million. The game's runaway success recently caught the attention of toy and game maker PlayMonster, which bought the rights — though the sale price remains undisclosed. "Alex loves games and decided to dream up his own. He put on his thinking cap and came up with TACO VS BURRITO, spending months coming up with ingredients, planning, tinkering with the gameplay and testing it thoroughly with people of all ages. When you buy TACO vs BURRITO, you're not only getting an amazing game that you'll love, but you are also helping a 7-year-old's dream become a reality," reads the page of Taco vs Burrito game. Live Events Now 15, Butler admits he's not emotionally attached to his creation. 'It's not super important to me,' he told The Seattle Times . 'I just kind of wanted to get the most money out of it.' As for how he'll spend his windfall, there's only one thing on his wish list: a Lamborghini. Butler's story reflects a growing trend among American teens — according to the New York Post, nearly 2 in 5 are finding ways to make money online. 'In the past, you had to find somewhere to sell a product, set up a payment platform, network and build up a community of potential customers before you could even think about launching your own business,' Cameron Zoub, co-founder and chief growth officer at Whop, a Brooklyn-based online business platform, told the Post. 'Now, all you need is a phone and an internet connection.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Boy becomes millionaire after inventing best-selling card game at just 7
Alex Butler, 15, sold his game Taco vs. Burrito to PlayMonster last month for an undisclosed amount after it became a best-seller. A teenager has become a millionaire after inventing a best-selling card game when he was just seven years old. Alex Butler, now 15, sold the popular game Taco vs. Burrito, which he developed with his parents Leslie Pierson and Mark Butler, to PlayMonster last month for an undisclosed amount. "It was never something that I've been attached to or anything," the teenager said. "It was never something that I've been attached to or anything," the teenager said. 'It's not super important to me. I just kind of wanted to get the most money out of it." It comes after a lucky teen won £18m but said windfall ruined her life. The game - which asks players to compete to make the priciest meal - sold for an unspecified amount, the Mirror reports. However, the youngster has revealed how he and his parents are investing the money, and about his plans to "buy a Lambo", the Seattle Times reports. Alex - who said he didn't even like the Mexican dishes at the time - said the idea for the game popped into his head "randomly". He and his family often played card games, which inspired him to develop his own. Alex would regularly test out prototypes for the game with his parents at their local coffee shop. En route home, he would often develop new ideas to add, according to his mum, Leslie Pierson, who describes herself as a "serial entrepreneur". He soon introduced the game to pals and due to its popularity Leslie started a fundraiser online to cover startup costs. After the first day, Alex was left stunned when his mum told him they'd raised $1,000 (£745). "He lost it, mind blown," Pierson said. The fundraiser, and a promotion event at Comic Con, eventually raised $25,000 (£18,624) and Alex's father decided to set up a company, Hot Taco Inc. Alex owns the majority share. Then came choosing a manufacturer. Pierson said they found one who "treated Alex like an adult" and then spent over $25,000 on the products, which were then put on Amazon. By the end of year one, they'd made just shy of $1.1million (£819,285). Since then, 1.5million copies of Alex's card game have been sold. They realised their operation was too small to cater to the huge demand, and started considering a buyout. Eventually they settled on PlayMonster, with Alex having a key role in the decision making. Jonathan Berkowitz, CEO of PlayMonster, told the Seattle Times he loved the game because the "characters are amazing." "It's always fun when kids can beat their parents in a game, but the parents can still truly enjoy playing," he said.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Boy, 15, now teen millionaire after 'randomly' inventing hit game when he was 7
Alex Butler, 15, and his parents sold his original card game Taco vs. Burrito to PlayMonster last month - and the teen says he wants to buy "a Lambo" with the money A teenager has become a millionaire after inventing a best-selling card game when he was just seven years old. Alex Butler, now 15, sold the popular game Taco vs. Burrito, which he developed with his parents Leslie Pierson and Mark Butler, to PlayMonster last month for an undisclosed amount. "It was never something that I've been attached to or anything," the teenager said. 'It's not super important to me. I just kind of wanted to get the most money out of it." It comes after thousands of Brits to get shock letter from HMRC after drastic new tax rule comes into force. Mindless yobs damage 41 cars in vandalism rampage through sleepy market town The game - which asks players to compete to make the priciest meal - sold for an unspecified amount. However, the youngster has revealed how he and his parents are investing the money, and about his plans to "buy a Lambo", the Seattle Times reports. Alex - who said he didn't even like the Mexican dishes at the time - said the idea for the game popped into his head "randomly". He and his family often played card games, which inspired him to develop his own. Alex would regularly test out prototypes for the game with his parents at their local coffee shop. En route home, he would often develop new ideas to add, according to his mum, Leslie Pierson, who describes herself as a "serial entrepreneur". He soon introduced the game to pals and due to its popularity Leslie started a fundraiser online to cover startup costs. After the first day, Alex was left stunned when his mum told him they'd raised $1,000 (£745). "He lost it, mind blown," Pierson said. The fundraiser, and a promotion event at Comic Con, eventually raised $25,000 (£18,624) and Alex's father decided to set up a company, Hot Taco Inc. Alex owns the majority share. Then came choosing a manufacturer. Pierson said they found one who "treated Alex like an adult" and then spent over $25,000 on the products, which were then put on Amazon. By the end of year one, they'd made just shy of $1.1million (£819,285). Since then, 1.5million copies of Alex's card game have been sold. They realised their operation was too small to cater to the huge demand, and started considering a buyout. Eventually they settled on PlayMonster, with Alex having a key role in the decision making. Jonathan Berkowitz, CEO of PlayMonster, told the Seattle Times he loved the game because the "characters are amazing." "It's always fun when kids can beat their parents in a game, but the parents can still truly enjoy playing," he said.
International Business Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- International Business Times
Who is Alex Butler? Seattle Teenager Becomes Millionaire After Selling Card Game He Invented at 7
Alex Butler, 15, became a millionaire by selling a card game he invented when he was seven years old. The Seattle teenager reportedly sold his invention to a major toy company last month. Wisconsin-based company PlayMonster bought the game from the teen boy in a cash deal. It is unclear how much Alex earned through selling his game, Taco vs Burrito, which allows players to compete to create the most valuable meal. He is apparently working with his parents, Leslie Pierson and Mark Butler, to invest the money. The teenager said he would like to buy a Lamborghini for his family, who helped him with the invention. "It was never something that I've been attached to or anything. It's not super important to me. I just kind of wanted to get the most money out of it", the Seattle Times quoted Alex. The Beginning Alex randomly decided to create a game after spending time playing card games, like Exploding Kittens, with his family. When the teenager decided to invent a card game, he did not like tacos or burritos, the teenager recalled. Initially, his mother helped him with the project. When the boy approached her with the idea, she decided to play along, thinking that her son would eventually lose interest. To her surprise, Butler never gave up on his project. Instead, he took his parents to the local coffee shops to test out the early prototypes for his game. His mother, who has been part of several projects, including GoodHangUps, which she promoted on Shark Tank in 2016, said her son would come up with a new twist or idea to add to his game on their way back home. Gradually, Alex started playing the card game with other people, including his friends. When Leslie Pierson, who calls herself a serial entrepreneur, saw that her son was taking his project seriously, she began an online fundraiser to cover the cost of production. After a day of opening the fundraiser, Pierson asked her son to guess the amount they raised in a day. Butler suspected nearly $200, but it was over $1,000. "He lost it, mind blown", Pierson said. Alex Butler Facebook The Expansion Alex and his parents decided to take the game to the next level after raising $25,000 from the fundraiser and through some promotions at a Comic Con in Seattle. His parents created a company called Hot Taco Inc. to run the business smoothly, and the teenager owned most of its shares until PlayMonster bought the card game. His parents then chose a manufacturer that, according to his mother, treated her son like an adult. They put products worth $25,000 to $30,000 on Amazon. When the first batch sold out like hot cakes, they kept refilling the shells and made nearly $1.1 million by the end of the year. The Taco vs. Burrito card game once became a bestseller on Amazon, and the teenager sold over 1.5 million copies of it. Taco vs Burrito card game. Facebook Eventually, his mother realized that it was not easy for her small team to handle this business. So, Alex's parents began their search for a company that would take the game to the next level. Though they received several offers for buyouts, his parents chose PlayMonster, which owns games, such as 5 Second Rule and Farkle. Pierson said the company's vision for her son's game helped her make the final decision, and her son agreed to a complete buyout. Meanwhile, the CEO of PlayMonster, Jonathan Berkowitz, said the characters of this game attracted him. People of all age groups can play it. "It's always fun when kids can beat their parents in a game, but the parents can still truly enjoy playing", he said. In Taco vs Burrito, the player can create the most expensive meal, with wild cards, modifiers, and ingredients. There are a few cards, such as tummy ache, that subtract the player's points. At the end of the game, the player with the most points becomes the winner.
