A board game inspired by the loss of a Mount Maunganui woman’s father is helping New Zealanders have deeper conversations, build stronger connections and make the most of their time together.

Aimee Steel created the OAN DAE board game after her experience caring for her father, Colvin Steel, during his battle with cancer before he died in November 2020.

Steel’s wellness brand centres on mindfulness, intentional living and meaningful connection.

Its name reflects the company’s philosophy: “Time is yours. Own your days. Live life on your terms”.

For Steel, the journey began while spending precious time with her father in the final 18 months of his life after he was diagnosed.

In that period, hospice became an important source of support for the family. “Because I was in sort of a carer role for him, I luckily had access to the hospice counsellor, which I very gratefully used,” Steel said.

The OAN DAE board game features 96 question cards designed to encourage player to have reflective conversations. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

“From that, I learned and made sure that I was doing all the things to make the most of the time I had with my dad and to make sure I had no regrets.”

One of the most meaningful things she did was record a video interview with her father, asking him a series of questions about his life.

“And now I have that video recorded forever that I can listen to, which is really special.”

Years later, conversations with a friend about starting a business sparked an idea.

“The business concept naturally developed into me saying, ‘we need some sort of a product to help’,” she said. “And so, I came up with the board game.”

OAN DAE founder Aimee Steel with the board game she developed. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

OAN DAE features 96 question cards designed to spark meaningful conversations, reflection and connection. Rather than traditional gameplay, it encourages players to slow down and talk about life, relationships and personal experiences.

Questions include: How would you like to be remembered? What is the best thing about your life right now? Do you find it difficult to express your feelings? and What do you admire most in your parents or the people that raised you?

Creating opportunities

Steel said the game is less about competition and more about creating opportunities for genuine connection. “Although it was developed from my time with my dad, the whole business is very much around connection and being really intentional with your time, and just being really present,” she said. “My thing is very much I’m not here to tell you how to spend your time or how to be intentional but just own it, own your day in your own way.”

The game’s development took longer than expected, prompting Steel to expand her vision for the brand.

While working on the board game, she acquired a product called the Floating Wish Kit, which she felt perfectly complemented the themes of connection and reflection.

The kit includes special paper on which people can write a wish, intention, memory or message before lighting it and watching it float into the sky.

“It definitely doesn’t have to be around grief,” Steel said.

“Grief being one of them, but also intention setting, obviously making a wish, letting things go or welcoming things in.”

The OAN DAE board game and OAN DAE Wish List are designed to encourage people to have meaningful conversations. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

The products are often used together, with people playing the game before sharing wishes or reflections inspired by the conversations that emerge.

The business itself also reflects Steel’s determination. After months of unsuccessful trademark searches, she created an entirely new name.

“Everything’s taken,” she said. “I literally just invented words so that I could comfortably not only trademark it but get the right domain and the right handles on social media.”

Be intentional

Today, OAN DAE products are sold online and through about 30 stockists nationwide, with plans to expand into Australia.

Steel is also exploring new ideas, including “products designed for children and additional tools that encourage meaningful conversations and mindful moments”.

Alongside growing the business, she remained passionate about supporting hospice services and honouring the role they played during her father’s illness.

“For me, a big part of OAN DAE is that I’m so passionate about inspiring people to be intentional, but there’s an element of always wanting to honour hospice throughout it too and advocate for them,” she said.