WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Scoring With VKing

South Burlington, Vermont - June 26, 2009

Every once in a while a job doesn't really seem like a job.

Martin Wilde says, "Sometimes you're lucky to work in what you love to do."

Like Martin and Sarah Wilde's job. They sell a wooden lawn game. It's called VKing-- the Swedish word for Viking-- and it combines Martin's Scandinavian homeland with his wife's native Vermont.

"I played this growing up," Martin says.

They use northern hardwoods in the manufacturing.

The goal is simple: "There's no real points," Sarah explains. "It's basically like pool; whoever sinks the 8 ball."

Knock down your opponent's blocks then go for the big center pin, called the King, avoiding various penalties in the process.

"Once you play the game, as you just did, it's an easy game to follow, easy to learn," Martin says.

Martin Wilde brought the game to Vermont when he came to UVM. He'd play VKing with his hockey teammates and that combination still works for him. Wilde plays hockey for a living on a European team.

"It works great for the season because we travel in the winter and run our VKing business in the summer," he says.

This summer sideline sees the couple borrowing space from a Williston furniture maker.

Only in their first year as an official company, the Wildes have shipped their game to buyers across the country.

"We have sold a lot as housewarming gifts. And wedding gifts are a big seller," Martin says.

Their biggest business challenge will be simply introducing customers to a game they've likely never seen or heard of before.

Sarah says a typical game takes about ten minutes, depending on the skill level.

It's really not that different from other games like bocce and shuffleboard.

"All different levels can play and you can always come back from behind, so that makes it exciting," Sarah explains.

This couple hopes to continue to spread their love of the outdoors and love of games with more players with this diversion that's Made in Vermont.

On the company's website, a game set sells for $99 including tax and shipping.

Jack Thurston - WCAX News - Made in Vermont