Monopoly of San Marino, the entrepreneur who created it tells herself: “Orders already from all over the world. From 12 September it will be in shops”
Combine your lifelong professional skills with unbridled love for your country. With a hint of healthy ambition.
It is with this spirit that the first Monopoly dedicated to the Republic of San Marino was born, whose announcement at the beginning of August sparked incredible curiosity. Suffice it to say that it was among the most clicked news on Libertas and among those with the most interactions on our social channels in recent months.
Jessica Gasperoni: a lot of heart and determination
It was the one who conceived it in all its details and made it realized Jessica Gasperoni, owner of the San Marino company International Games Trade Spa – Cool Things, based in the industrial area of La Ciarulla. Jessica is also ambassador of San Marino in Thailand. He opened the doors of his company to Libertas, and in part also those of his heart, to tell the details of the project and his entrepreneurial reality.
Entering the company is immediately impactful: toys and boxes everywhere. It looks like Santa’s toy factory. A joke that the businesswoman takes laughing but not too much. “You know I feel like you are coming Santa Claus? We too make millions of toys for children all over the world. And I feel that for me making the little ones happy is a vocation ”.
The importance of enhance on the other hand it permeates the stories of Jessica’s life and the story of IGT Cool Things.
It is no coincidence that there are many collaborations with public bodies, sports organizations and voluntary associations: Federation Sports specialties of San Marino, San Marino Federation Basket, Three Flowers SoccerI parts of Paediatrics of San Marino and Rimini thanks to the excellent relationship with the primary Dr. Viola e Save the children, for which the company sends quantities of toys to Africa.
“To make the less fortunate or sick children rejoice with some games is a mission for me. That’s how I am “ explains the businesswoman with eyes full of joy.
An attitude that comes from afar and that has not been scratched or by the difficult challenges that life has put before it.
“The company was born from my husband Alberto and from me in 1992, 30 years ago! – tells – . I was an accountant but I followed my husband in this adventure in the world of toys. In 30 years, all sorts of things have happened: economic crises, black lists, changes in fashion and consumption and unfortunately also the death of my husband, who left us 5 years ago. It was very hard but we never gave up. The history of this company is a story of commitment and work. Luckily I have a mental resolution that focuses on rather than problems ”.
IGT Cool Things, world power
It is above all for this attitude that IGT Cool Things has come to make itself known worldwide in its sector. “The first years of life we mainly dealt with video games – explains the entrepreneur – but then we specialized in the production and marketing of toys. The turning point came in 2000, with the opening of an office in Hong Kong and the launch of the “Cool Thing” brand. We have successfully participated in various international trade fairs in the sector and we have definitively opened up to the international market.
Today we are perhaps the first in the world in capsule toystoys in capsules and from vending machines found in bars, supermarkets and shopping centers, and in toys in your pocket, small collectible toys.
We also produce on behalf of very important brands. For Disney for example we make i souvenirs for theme parks around the world. With De Augustine we are on newsstands throughout Europe. In the US we produce for the “Five Below” and “Five Dollar Store”, the shops where you can find items up to a maximum of 5 per piece. But we also have clients in South America and Australia.
Not solo. But we also created our own characters, like the Unicorn dolls, collectible dolls to which – reveals Jessica – they are particularly attached. I am a creation of my husband who called me ‘unicorn girl’. And one of them, Jessie, is inspired by me ”.
In concrete terms, the production of the games takes place in China “by certified companies – underlines Jessica – because quality is important to us”.
The Monopoli project
But let’s go back to the board game that many are craving and let’s start from the end: is it already on the market?
“Yes, you can order it on our website www.coolthings.sm or from our affiliated dealers. Then from 12 September it will be physically available “.
But how was this project born? “In part it was born during Covid. I, who have always traveled a lot for work, have, like everyone else, been forced to stop in San Marino. And here I experienced the territory as we do as a girl and I realized even more that I live in a wonderful country. Specifically, the idea of the San Marino Monopoly was born during a chat with his friend Mauro whites of Riccione in the summer of 2021 ″.
“The first move – the story continues – was about 9 months ago to contact the Hasbro, the largest toy company in the world, which holds the Monopoly brand. We had their conditions, including economic ones and we are there but on creation ”.
“First of all we have chosen to make a product designed for collectors – hence the choice of making only 5 thousand pieces – and to make known the history and beauties of our country. So we didn’t look for sponsorships, that is commercial agreements with companies in exchange for visibility. The only companies that appear in the game are the State Company for Public Services, which deals with water, electricity and gas services, and the Bank of San Marino of which I am a member of the Governing Council. Both granted free legal aid ”.
But it is on the contents that Jessica has given demonstration of all her love for San Marino. Each square, each unexpected card, each probability card and even the game pieces tell the story of our country in depth. “In all versions there are the standard pieces proposed by Hasbro – she explains with pride – but we have chosen to customize them and make them in metal. A real treat “.
Some examples of the painstaking attention to detail: all nine castles are represented in the table with characteristic localities, even if little known, such as the Marano park in Faetano or the ruins of Pennarossa in Fiorentino; the prison is the prison of the Capuchins and the shortage of cells is mentioned in the unexpected; there are the Cailungo speed cameras, the Igr refund on the Smac, the passage of the rally, the torture museum and so on.
The game is a journey into the profound San Marino, in its traditions, customs and everyday life.
And the response was sensational: “We wanted pre-orders a month before his arrival to create the anticipation. And I’d say we made it. We already have orders from all over the world: New Zealand, Finland, Poland, England, USA ”.
Now, however, it is very close to its arrival on the shelves, expected for September 12th. Not before a big presentation. “On 11 September from 16.00 we organized a special event at the crossbowmen quarry where citizens, authorities and important guests will be invited. It will be a great party for a great product.
I would really like all San Marino people to be as proud of this product as I am “.
It is safe to bet that it will.
Davide Giardi