WE BUILD THE BOARDS, YOU BUILD THE MEMORIES
Behind The Boards. Our Family. Our Story.
In 2015, Erika and Branden Van Valkenburg were refurbishing furniture to make extra cash to pay for their daughter's volleyball expenses. One day, a friend reached out and asked if they could make a set of cornhole boards. Branden, with his background in carpentry and having made his own set previously, eagerly said yes. The boards turned out amazing, and they proudly posted pictures on Facebook. Little did they know, this would spark a wave of requests from friends who also wanted custom cornhole boards. Recognizing the potential, Erika created an Etsy page, and thus Retro Cornhole was born.
Over the next two years, their business flourished, eventually outgrowing their two-car garage. To accommodate their growing enterprise, they moved to a new house with a four-car garage in December 2018, allowing them to expand their operations significantly. Their dedication to quality and personalized service quickly earned them a loyal customer base. Each board was crafted with care and precision, using the best materials and meticulous attention to detail. This hands-on approach set Retro Cornhole apart from mass-produced alternatives and built a reputation for excellence.
In addition to their business, Branden serves as a Captain on the Phoenix Fire Department and has been dedicated to serving the community of Phoenix for over 19 years. Erika, who was the secretary to the Fire Chief of Buckeye Fire for over 7 years, decided to devote her full attention to Retro Cornhole's growth. Erika is also a decorated volleyball athlete who played for UCONN as a middle in the late '90s, bringing the same dedication and teamwork from her athletic career to their family business.
In 2020, as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, disaster struck closer to home when a garage fire devastated their business. However, Erika and Branden's resilience and determination shone through. They continued working, cutting boards outside and painting and staining inside until the garage was rebuilt. This period tested their limits, but it also reinforced their commitment to their craft and their customers. Their ability to overcome such a significant setback with perseverance and creativity was a testament to their passion and work ethic.
With the garage fire behind them in early 2021, they resumed their upward trajectory. Today, they thrive, taking incredible pride in being a family-owned and operated business that ships boards and bags worldwide. They handle every aspect of the process themselves, ensuring that each product meets their high standards of quality. Erika and Branden find joy in knowing they provide one-of-a-kind custom boards that create lifelong memories for their customers. Their story is one of passion, resilience, and dedication, and their motto, "We Build The Boards, You Build The Memories," perfectly encapsulates their mission.
All of their boards are proudly made in the USA, reflecting their commitment to supporting local craftsmanship and ensuring the highest quality. Erika and Branden continue to innovate and expand their offerings, always staying true to their roots as a small, family-owned business. Their journey from a two-car garage to shipping worldwide is a testament to their hard work and the lasting connections they build with their customers. Retro Cornhole stands as a symbol of what can be achieved with dedication, skill, and a love for creating something truly special.
Making Memories One Board At A Time: The Retro Cornhole Story.
Since 2015, Erika and Branden Van Valkenburg have crafted memories with Retro Cornhole, starting in their Buckeye, AZ garage. Now headquartered in Litchfield Park, AZ, they continue to handcraft and paint everything, ensuring each product helps build lasting memories for families worldwide.