Founder Focus: Deloryan Hommers

Meet Deloryan, the founder and creative visionary behind Horse Reality, a unique genetics-based horse breeding game that has captivated nearly 10,000 daily players. Her journey from a childhood love of horses to creating a successful game studio is nothing short of inspiring. Along the way, Deloryan taught herself coding, secured key investments, and led her team to win industry awards—all while maintaining a strong connection with her growing community. With a team of 10+ and a passion for empowering women in tech, Deloryan’s story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial success.

Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to start your own venture?

It all started with my love for horses, which I got from spending time at my aunt’s Friesian horse farm. She moved away, and so I could only ride at our local riding school. Eventually, I had to step back eventually during university because of time and money.

Even though I couldn’t be around horses anymore, my passion for them never faded. I turned to horse games to fill that gap but found most were too much “unicorns-and-rainbows,”. That’s when I thought: can’t I just make something myself?

I teamed up with a friend who knew a lot about biology, and together we came up with the idea of a genetics-based horse breeding game. I started teaching myself coding with my basic HTML and CSS skills, and after lots of trial and error, Horse Reality was born.

Since then, we’ve grown to a team of 10+, won an award, secured investment, and built a community of nearly 10,000 daily players. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m proud to be building something that also empowers women in tech.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting your business, and how did you overcome them?

There were definitely tough times. Our game would sometimes break because the tech couldn’t keep up, and I didn’t always have the knowledge to fix it. Other times, we had too many people on the team and not enough revenue coming in. It’s been a real challenge, but I’ve never given up. I focus on finding the core problem and try to solve that. There were many moments when I could have thrown in the towel, but I didn’t. I fall, and I get back up again!

What do you consider your biggest achievement or milestone since launching your venture?

Securing investment has definitely been the biggest milestone. It wasn’t just about the financial support, it was knowing that someone else believed in me and the potential of my company. That meant a lot to me after all the hard work we’d put in.

How do you stay motivated and resilient during tough times?

That’s a tricky one! When things get tough, especially with financial challenges, I let myself feel frustrated or upset—it’s important for me to acknowledge those feelings. But after that… I focus on solutions! I talk things through with people in my network and get inspired by how others tackle their problems. Then, I apply that advice in my own way.

One thing I’ve learned is that you’re never alone. There are always people willing to help, even if they’re in a different field. Constantly learning from others keeps me motivated, no matter how tough things get.

Can you share a valuable lesson you’ve learned along your entrepreneurial journey?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to always be open to talking with others. When you feel stuck, someone else can often give you a fresh perspective. It’s easy to get caught in your own way of thinking, but a simple conversation can reveal solutions that were right in front of you all along.

Entrepreneurship has its ups and downs, but you just have to keep moving forward—one step at a time. Creative problem-solving is important, and outside input can help you get there. You don’t know what you don’t know. They might help you see things you missed or cannot see.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

My biggest advice is to find time to focus on things you truly enjoy. It’s easy to get caught up in what brings in revenue, but if you don’t make time for what you love, it can take a toll on your well-being. Enjoying what you do is crucial for long-term success.

Also, don’t be afraid to be honest with yourself and others. We all want to have fun at work and finding that balance is key. Work hard, but don’t lose sight of the things that bring you joy.

How do you see your business evolving in the future?

I see us becoming more data-informed, especially in marketing, where we’ve faced some challenges early on. There’s plenty of room for growth in using data to make smarter decisions, but what’s most important to me is maintaining our close-knit team culture and strong connection with our players.

I love the size of our current team, and I do see us expanding and creating more games in the future. Growth is exciting but keeping that personal touch and positive work environment will always be a priority for me!

We wish the best for Deloryan as she continues to expand Horse Reality and dream up new ventures. It is obvious that her commitment to fostering a supportive and empowering environment for women in tech remains at the forefront. As a proud member of Peach Pages, a community of women-owned businesses, Deloryan is part of a powerful network of female entrepreneurs. With a focus on growth, maintaining a close-knit team, and staying connected with her players, she’s not just building games—she’s helping shape the future for women in business and technology. Her journey is one to watch, and her story is far from over!

Want to read more inspiring founder stories? Check out our other founders out here!