Our Mission
Make Believe Works is a company dedicated to building emotional wellness through creativity, community, and play.
Individually, the sessions are designed to inspire introspection, build bonds between colleagues, and refuel creative confidence. But taken as a whole, Make Believe Works has an even deeper resonance. It helps build the emotional muscles to deal with uncertainty, push back on uniformity, and navigate unexpected change.
Our Philosphy
There’s a reason so many people roll their eyes at team building.
When most people hear ‘team building,’ they think of trust falls or trivia nights. Something light, optional, maybe even a little cringe. we’ll be honest: we’ve always hated typical team building. We would rather run for the hills than ever do another role playing skit. And that’s the problem: team building has been treated as a perk — nice to have when times are good, the first thing cut when times are tough.
But that’s exactly backwards. If it’s done right, team building is infrastructure. It’s how teams actually practice the traits leaders say they want their teams to demonstrate when it matters most — trust, collaboration, creativity, resilience. Those things don’t just show up in a crisis because they’re listed in the company values. They show up if you’ve rehearsed them in safe, low-stakes moments together.
Done right, team building isn’t a perk — it’s practice. If you don’t rehearse trust when the stakes are low, it won’t show up when the stakes are high.
That said, there’s no reason something with purpose can’t also be lots of fun.
Our Team
CO- FOUNDER/CEO
CO-FOUNDER/AUTHOR
Njoki Gitahi
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN
Carrie Staller
DIRECTOR OF GROWTH
FAQ
Q: What makes Make Believe Works different from other team-building companies?
A: Most team-building is about games or icebreakers. At Make Believe Works, we design playful, imaginative experiences that spark trust, creativity, and connection. Our workshops aren’t about competition — they’re about discovery. By blending imagination and psychological safety, we help teams feel both safe enough to open up and brave enough to take meaningful risks together. This approach — creative, playful experiences that build trust, break down silos, and strengthen collaboration — is the foundation of everything Make Believe Works does.
Q: What if my team isn’t “creative”? Will this still work?
A: Absolutely. Our workshops are designed for everyone — not just people who see themselves as “creative.” Our activities are much more about empathy than artistry. We use creativity to create an environment where the risk of trying something new feels small, but the reward of connection feels big. That’s what we call safe danger: the sweet spot where people feel secure enough to be authentic and bold enough to surprise themselves.
Q: What types of teams are these workshops best for?
A: We’ve worked with teams at Google, Pixar, American Express, Stripe, and startups of every size. We’ve worked with lawyers, marketers, accountants, designers, and doctors. The common thread isn’t industry — it’s the desire for a team culture built on trust, empathy, and creativity. Whether your team is brand-new or long-established, Make Believe Works can help you see each other in a new light.
Q: How do your workshops support psychological safety?
A: Psychological safety means people feel they can take risks without fear of embarrassment or punishment. Our workshops are designed to make those small, meaningful risks fun — sharing a personal story, trying something unexpected, or imagining a new possibility. That combination of safety and challenge deepens connection and unlocks innovation
Q: What is “safe danger” and why is it important for teams?
A: Safe danger is the emotional zone where people feel secure enough to open up but challenged enough to stretch themselves. In that zone, small risks — like sharing an unfinished idea or admitting uncertainty — actually build trust, spark innovation, and strengthen team culture.
Q: What kinds of outcomes can we expect after a session?
A: Teams leave with stronger trust, a sense of shared humanity, and energy that carries into their work. Many leaders tell us the impact lasts well beyond the session — colleagues feel more open, collaborative, and willing to take creative chances together.
Q: Can leaders participate, or is this just for staff?
A: Leaders are encouraged to join. When leaders take part in playful risk-taking, it models openness and trust for the whole team — and often sparks some of the most memorable moments.
Q: What if my team is skeptical about “team-building”?
A: We hear this a lot — and for good reason. Many people have had awkward, forced, or pointless team-building experiences in the past — including our founders! That’s why we focus on genuine connection — not cheesy games. Our activities are designed so that everyone leaves with new insights and understandings about their colleagues and themselves. In fact, skeptics usually end up being the ones who enjoy it most.
Q. Is this team building that doesn’t suck?
A: Yes — especially for teams who are tired of gimmicks, competition, or being put on the spot. Our work is designed to feel thoughtful, safe, and genuinely useful, not performative.
Q: Are there any team-building workshops that actually make a difference?
A: Yes, but usually not the ones built entirely around competition, trivia, or quick entertainment. The most effective team-building workshops create the conditions for people to communicate more honestly, take small social risks, and understand each other beyond their job titles. At Make Believe Works, our workshops are designed to build trust, psychological safety, creativity, and collaboration through playful, meaningful experiences that teams actually remember and carry back into their work together.
Q: What’s the first step to working with you?
A: Just reach out and tell us about your event. We’ll learn a little about your team and what you’re hoping to accomplish, then recommend an experience that feels like the right fit. No commitment at all. If it feels like a good match to you, we can hop on a call and talk through the details together.