Guelph YouTuber shows board games aren’t just for kids
Guelph YouTuber shows board games aren’t just for kids
A Guelph woman is hoping to encourage more people to play board games.
Jenna Beasley has started a YouTube channel focused on showcasing different board games and how they can be for everyone.
She has been making lifestyle, home decor and day-in-the-life videos on her original YouTube channel called Jenna Rosa for the last eight years.
In 2019, she and her boyfriend Francis Cheng started playing board games. Since then, her love for the hobby has grown and she now has more than 130 games in her collection.
“Obviously because of [video blogging], I was showing my daily life and board games happened to be part of my daily life,” Beasley said. “So I started showing it.”
In November 2021, she randomly made a video about her top 10 favourite board games. That video became her most watched and most popular video to date, with over 65,000 views.
“I was like, there’s an audience out there that may wants to see board games,” she said.
As more people started taking interest in her board games videos, she decided to start a second channel called The Board Game Garden, which solely focused on her new hobby.
She posts videos giving tips and suggestions on what board games to play, what her top favourites are, and how to find a perfect game for you.
“You know, if you like gardening, here are 10 board games about gardening,” Beasley explained. “I feel like people don’t really realize that there’s more themes in board games than just your typical Monopoly.”
“I really wanted to shout it out that there are so many different types of board games. And if you have a hobby, there’s bound to be a board game on that theme that you really like.”
GROWING FOLLOWING
Beasley started The Board Game Garden last month and she already has close to 2,000 subscribers.
“I did not expect it to grow that fast,” Beasley said. “I’ve gotten a lot of other board game content creators talking with me and contacting me.”
“I’m not surprised with her success, but I’m more surprised by the speed of it,” said her boyfriend Francis Cheng. “She’s getting a lot of comments back… It shows that a lot of people are interested in the hobby as well.”
Beasley said while she profits from her original Jenna Rose channel, it’s still too early to make money of the board game page. For now, she said the goal is just to showcase how fun playing board games can be.
“It’s just a really good way to get around a table with friends and family.”
She said board games aren’t just for kids, but for everyone.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freedom Convoy-affiliated group being evicted from Ottawa church
The owner of a historic church in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood is evicting a group with ties to the 'Freedom Convoy' occupation planning to purchase the property this fall, in an apparent dispute over unpaid rent for the facility.

Vatican shelves sexual assault probe into Cardinal Marc Ouellet
There is not enough evidence to open a formal church investigation into sexual assault allegations against a prominent Quebec cardinal, Pope Francis declared Thursday. Cardinal Marc Ouellet, an adviser to the Pope, has been accused of sexual misconduct in a class-action lawsuit filed earlier this week in Quebec Superior Court.
Apple warns of security flaw for iPhones, iPads and Macs
Apple disclosed serious security vulnerabilities for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of these devices.
Survival 'the only concern' as Canadian tenants struggle to pay rent
As rent prices rise, CTVNews.ca heard from a number of Canadians struggling to afford their homes. The surge in rent prices over the last few months has forced many to cut back on spending, with some having to relocate or move in with their parents.
Wolf found dead, another still missing after apparent break-in at Vancouver zoo
One of the wolves that were released during an apparent break-in at the Greater Vancouver Zoo this week has been found dead, and another remains on the loose.
Ontario ICU closed for a month has no date set to reopen
A month after an Ontario intensive care unit temporarily closed due to a “significant staff shortage,” the hospital has no timeline for when the ICU will re-open its doors.
Study finds 3 drugs, including ivermectin, did not prevent COVID hospitalization, death
A new study has found that three drugs, including the antiparasitic ivermectin, had no significant effects in treating low oxygen levels or preventing ER visits, hospitalization or death due to COVID-19.
What you can do to help mitigate shortages of fever and pain relievers
Pharmacists and health care professionals are asking the public to only buy what they need and to be up to date on all their essential immunization shots to help with Tylenol, Advil shortages.
Ontario releases plan to stabilize health-care system amid bed and staffing shortages
The next phase of Ontario's 'Plan to Stay Open' involves transferring of seniors from hospital to alternative long-term care homes, the hiring of thousands of health-care workers and a pledge to reduce surgical backlog.