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If someone tells you to close your eyes and picture a red wagon...what's the first thing that pops into your mind?  I bet it's probably the classic and iconic Radio Flyer red wagon. In this week’s episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Robert Pasin, the Chief Wagon Officer of Radio Flyer.We dove into the origin story and transformation of the iconic toy company. From nostalgic red wagons to innovative new products, Robert shares the challenges, lessons, and successes that have shaped Radio Flyer into the beloved brand it is today. Radio Flyer has humble beginnings as a family business. In our chat, Robert recounts the story of his grandfather, Antonio Pasin, who immigrated to America and started the company in 1917. Robert even reveals the true inspiration behind the name “Radio Flyer” and what the brand might have been called if it was born in another time. We discuss a pivotal period when Radio Flyer faced an existential crisis. Robert shares the challenges they encountered and how they navigated through a changing market.  If you are working on a brand that is in need of a customer-focused refresh, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. So grab your earbuds and listen in!EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: Discover the heartwarming origins of Radio Flyer and the story behind its iconic name, taking you on a nostalgic journey into the world of classic toys. How the company turned years of complacency into an era of innovation. Find out what Radio Flyer’s loyal customers felt about the brand. How Radio Flyer unintentionally branded a color and material combination, and how that actually led to expanding their product line. The dangers of focusing more on functionality rather than connecting emotionally with your customers.  Hear what it was like for Robert to transition into the role of CEO Learn how Radio Flyer's bold brand transformation reinvigorated its image and captured the hearts of new generations. Explore the power of emotional connection and the importance of consumer insights in driving product development, as Radio Flyer creates toys that resonate deeply with children and parents alike. Tune in to this episode and embark on an enlightening exploration of Radio Flyer's journey, finding inspiration in their resilience, passion for innovation, and commitment to creating toys that spark joy and imagination. TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

If you want to get your toy or game product into toy stores, have you considered starting with specialty stores first? In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, learn how you can start selling your toys in specialty retailers. If you don’t know what a specialty toy retailer is, don’t worry! This episode has got you covered. You’ll learn what specialty toy retailers are, how to connect with owners of specialty toy stores, and why you might want to start your journey as a toy entrepreneur in the specialty market.  This episode provides insight into the upcoming toy trade show, the ASTRA Marketplace, and addresses the costs involved in setting up a booth, as well as pre-show preparations which can range from DIY solutions to professional setups. Discover what is most important to the retailers attending this show, find out what other manufacturers are attending, and learn how this opportunity can be a worthwhile investment for your toy business. EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: Learn about the specialty toy market and its potential benefits for your business [00:02:05] Find out the costs of setting up a booth at a trade show [00:16:22] Discover the importance of connecting with retailers prior to the trade show [00:17:35] Get insights into effective marketing strategies for the trade show [00:18:15] Uncover how market research and pricing affect your trade show success [00:19:00] Who can benefit the most from participating in the Astra Marketplace and Academy? [00:20:00] Utilize the 2023 show floor plan to gauge if the event is right for you [00:20:24] Find out about payment terms and the importance of cash liquidity in the trade show context [00:26:58] MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/176 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

In this thought-provoking episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade and returning guest Marjorie Spitalnik dive into a sensitive but crucial topic - the impact of toy guns on children and the potential connection to real-life gun violence. Given the alarming statistics of gun violence in the U.S., they explore the responsibility of toy makers and the toy industry as a whole in shaping children's perceptions of violence and gun use.Marjorie, founder of Little Rebels, shares compelling anecdotes from parents about the positive influence of her Plush Doll Line. Yet, this positive evidence also begs a challenging question - if toys can have such a profound positive impact on children's development, can they also contribute negatively, specifically when it comes to toy guns?Join Azhelle and Marjorie as they navigate this delicate topic, probing the role of play in a child's understanding of reality and questioning whether the toy industry could be inadvertently normalizing the concept of shooting as fun. They discuss potential solutions and draw comparisons to a problematic toy from years ago.  The goal of this episode is not to provide definitive answers, but to spark a conversation about an issue that directly affects our children.Please note, this episode deals with sensitive topics that may not be suitable for children. Listen now to join the conversation. EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: Explore the thought “What if the toys we gift our children are shaping their perceptions in ways we never imagined?” Hear the positive impact of a plush doll line in expanding the mind of little girls and boys to role-play. Consider that while some toys can have a positive impact on kids mental health, there are some toys that can do the opposite. A crucial dialogue about the potential impacts of certain toys on our children's psyche and their understanding of real-world issues. Discover what the toy industry could do to make a change in the impact of toy guns. Learn about a vintage toy once deemed ok for sale that was later banned in over a dozen countries. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/175 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

In this episode, Azhelle Wade aka The Toy Coach interviews Dr. Amanda Gummer, psychologist and founder of Good Play Guide, a service that provides independent evaluations and accreditations for children's toys and games. Dr. Gummer talks about the importance of evaluating toys for children's development and shares details about Good Play Guide's accreditation program. She also discusses recent winners of the Good Play Guide and how they help the industry create better products for children.The conversation talks about the Toy Associations new STEAM accreditation, established in 2021 and details how it follows the same principles as the Good Play Guide. The Toy Coach and Dr. Gummer discuss the value of having an independent, research-based evaluation program for toys and games that involves children in the testing process. Dr. Gummer shares some of the most recent Good Play Guide award winners, as well as construction toys that are becoming more environmentally friendly.Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the importance of independent toy evaluations and how they can help the industry create better products for children's educational development. EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: Learn the importance of independent toy evaluations and how they can help the industry create better products for children's development. [0:30] Find out about Good Play Guide's accreditation program and how it helps prevent products that could damage a brand's reputation. [5:10] Discover some recent winners of the Good Play Guide, including the Family Trio and Botley learning resources. [14:40] Get insights into how construction toys are becoming more environmentally friendly. [16:25] Understand the value of involving children in the testing process for toys and games. [22:10] Learn about the new STEAM accreditation and how it follows the same principles as the Good Play Guide. [24:40] Discover the passion Amanda Gummer has for helping people make good toys for kids and raising standards within the industry. [27:00] Find out how independent toy evaluations can help prevent products that could damage a brand's reputation. [31:30] Get insights into the importance of having an independent, research-based evaluation program for toys and games. [33:50] Learn how the Good Play Guide accreditation is valid for the life of the product, not just for the current year. [38:20] MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/174 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

Are you curious about the potential of AI in the toy industry and how it can revolutionize the way we create and develop products? This eye-opening part 2 podcast episode delves into the power of AI, particularly the new AI called Auto GPT, and its capabilities to generate business plans, toy ideas, and game ideas. Discover how AI can lead the brainstorming, research, and business planning process, and learn how Gen Z is shaping the future of AI use in the workforce. In this episode, The Toy Coach discusses their experience using Auto GPT, accessible through a web-based browser called Agent GPT, to create a 100 million-dollar edgy doll line. By diving into this fascinating AI technology, you'll learn how it can generate tasks to help you develop your own innovative toy line. In this episode, The Toy Coach breaks down a mind map in an attempt to predict the future impact AI will have on our industry and society as a whole. Don't miss the exciting insights and applications of AI in the toy industry, as well as the discussion about the heroes of the AI movement.EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: Discover how Agent GPT and Mid Journey were used to generate a million-dollar edgy fashion doll line called Cyberpunk Princess. Dive into The Toy Coach’s AI mind map and the immediate effects of AI, like surplus of generic content, increased SEO competition, and job reduction. Find out how unique and personal voices of artists can increase in value in response to AI-generated art, and the shift in selling and sharing authentic artwork.  Discover how AI is revolutionizing influencer marketing by rapidly analyzing social media data - are you ready for this game-changer? Explore the emerging challenges of personal privacy and data protection in the age of AI, and uncover the surprising future value of creative writing. Ideate on potential partnerships between AI and research/data companies - could this concept for collaboration reshape how we access and utilize information? TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

Are you curious about how AI can revolutionize the toy industry? Do you want to know how AI can help in designing and marketing a toy product? If so, then this podcast episode is for you. Join The Toy Coach in this insightful episode as she explores the potential of AI in toy design and marketing.In this episode of the Making It In The Toy Industry Podcast, The Toy Coach shares her experience in using an AI language model called Agent GPT to generate ideas for a toy product. From creating a unique toy name to identifying edgy influencers for marketing, Agent GPT proved to be a valuable tool in the toy industry. One interesting thing that was learned is how AI can save time and resources in conducting research and analysis, ultimately leading to faster and more responsive product development. Teased in this episode are insights on using mid-journey, an AI tool for generating high-quality images, and a mind map on the future of AI in the toy industry. Overall, this episode provides a fascinating look into how AI can help with various aspects of toy design, from generating new ideas to finding social media influencers to work with. Listeners will gain a better understanding of the potential benefits and limitations of AI in the toy industry and how it may shape the future of toy design. Don't miss this episode if you're interested in the intersection of AI and toy design.EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: [01:40] Discover how AI is revolutionizing the toy industry and learn about the possibilities of using AI to design new toys. [06:55] Find out how AI can help in designing toys that align with current social and societal trends and learn about the challenges toy designers face when creating new toy ideas. [11:10] Learn about the two types of people who lead the toy industry and how they impact the development of new toy products. [15:30] Get insights into how AI can analyze social media trends related to edgy fashion and use that to inspire toy ideas. [19:40] Discover how AI can generate unique and trademark-free names for toy products and learn about the importance of researching trademarks before deciding on a name. [23:50] Learn about how AI can identify potential influencers and help craft personalized messages to introduce a toy product to them. [28:00] Discover how AI can analyze the interests of an influencer, generate personalized messages, and recommend the best communication channels for delivering the message. [32:30] Teaser for the next episode, where The Toy Coach explores how AI can be used to generate high-quality images for toy products and predicts the future of AI in the toy industry. TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

There are many paths you can take in the toy industry, but the 3 most common paths that most new creators fall into are Inventor, Entrepreneur, and Executive! In today's episode, The Toy Coach is back to explain the differences between the two and point out why you might be both. Azhelle walks you through the meaning of each toy path, what you can expect, and how you could benefit from even switching your toy path.In today’s toy podcast, you will learn what aspects of being a Toy Entrepreneur, Toy Inventor, and Toy Executive are the same, which are very different, and the strengths and weaknesses of each path. Once you’re done listening, Azhelle invites you to take a toy path quiz, to help you figure out what your toy path is and what your best next steps are to be successful on that path. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/171Take the QUIZ! What Is Your Toy Path? https://www.thetoycoach.com/quizEPISODE CLIFF NOTES: Find out what pitch materials pro inventors use to pitch. [4:04] The biggest risk toy entrepreneurs take [8:00] Two methods of selling products that toy entrepreneurs, use in their businesses [10:35] What fills the calendar of corporate toy executives [13:56] Hear the stories of toy inventors, entrepreneurs, and corporate toy people that changed their toy path [19:05] TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

Data is a precious thing. Data allows companies to make growth projections, develop products based on consumer needs, and write messages based on consumer desires. But where do you go to find precious data? Well, in the toy industry, there are several research and analytics companies that will gather that data all year long, offering trend reports and future cast predictions much like the one we’ll be reviewing in today’s podcast episode. In today’s podcast episode, I will review a 2023 future forecast provided by The Insights Family. This report has 12 recommendations for the year based on the agency’s research. Today’s episode is about an incredible market research agency called The Insights Family. They specialize in research on parents, kids, and families. Each year they survey more than 500,000 people and then amass the data on a filterable online portal. The agency was founded in 2017 and has quickly become a leader in the field of market research for kids, parents, and families. By the end of this episode, you’ll learn all about what The Insights Family is, what they do, and how they can help toy industry entrepreneurs, professionals, and creatives. You will also learn how you can work with The Insights Family to get astute insights that could help your toy industry business or invention. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/170 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

According to Demand Sage, there are 4.37 billion email users in the world as of 2023. That number is expected to climb to 4.6 billion by 2025. Email marketing has a return on investment (ROI) of $36 for every $1 spent. If you are struggling to sell your toy or game product and you haven’t considered email marketing as a way to make it happen, then you’re likely leaving sales on the table…or in the inbox.During today’s podcast episode, you’ll learn about how you can use Connection Campaigns, Promotional Campaigns, Abandoned Cart Campaigns, and ReEngagement Campaigns to sell your toy or game product. The key to using email is great subject lines and even better storytelling. If you don’t enjoy writing emails to your customer list…your customer probably doesn’t enjoy reading them! Let’s fix that in 40 minutes with my latest audio masterclass, The Art & Science of Successful Toy Biz Email Campaigns. This masterclass includes a free resource and book recommendation to further your learning on the topic. You can find both at thetoycoach.com/169EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: This month has been extremely busy here at the Toy Coach headquarters…find out why. [0:32] Find out why you shouldn’t rely on social media to generate sales. [11:58] What is a CRM? [10:00] The new most important thing you should be doing with your email list that your CRM can help you with. [14:08] How to figure out the value that your email brings to your email list. [18:16] The most important thing you should research when choosing a CRM [22:00] Why promotional campaigns should be seasonal and how to make them the most effective. [26:34] The POWER of POWER words in your toy marketing, plus examples of them in use. [31:25] An example of one of my highest-performing emails with a great subject line and a well-told story connected to a call to action. [36:10] Where to go to continue your learning on this topic! [38:32] MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/169 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

Today’s podcast episode is the first time we’ve done an interview at the manufacturer's office and warehouse to see how the toys are really being made! You will see how bubble magic is made at South Beach Bubbles and Toys. Plus, you’ll get to hear some amazing advice and tips from the company’s founders, Ron Weizman and Shooki Grasiani. You will see how the bubbles are mixed and packaged. Plus, you’ll learn some tips about how to find a great business partner, why the company uses their own warehouse, and why they decided to work with Amazon. Plus you’ll get to see how much fun it is to play with their amazing bubbles! To watch the full video of today’s episode, head over to youtube.com/thetoycoach and subscribe to our channel. EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: Learn tips for presenting your products on QVC. [00:01:35] Find out what position South Beach Bubbles is hiring for. [00:03:21] Learn how Shooki and Ron work together as business partners. [00:05:08] Find out tips for finding a great business partner. [00:05:50] Learn why South Beach Bubbles uses positivity in their business and how it helps them. [00:06:42] Find out the special device that allows South Beach Bubbles to save 33% more space in their warehouses. [00:08:30] Learn why South Beach Bubbles uses their own warehouses. [00:08:56] Find out how much the company can produce in one eight-hour shift. [00:10:56] Learn about the unique story of how the company got started. [00:12:37] Find out how South Beach Bubbles chose to work with Amazon. [00:15:50] MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/168 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

Visualize, Validate, and Vow to make your toy or game idea real this year with accountability and guidance from The Toy Coach team! Inside this Bootcamp, you’ll get step by step training and accountability to visualize and validate your toy or game idea FAST.  We’ll spend 5-days in a private Facebook community, where I’ll teach you my streamlined 6-step concept development process over 3 LIVE trainings. In just 3 hours and 5 days you can completely change the way you approach toy development from scratch.If you have an idea that you aren’t sure is a “toy”, stick around for the second half of this week’s episode. I share an extended version of an episode that will help you answer the question, is this really a toy product? Learn 3 exercises to help you identify if your idea falls into the category of toy, game, or general kids products. Once you figure out where your idea falls, I’d love to welcome you into The GREAT Toy & Game Idea Bootcamp. It starts March 27th, it’s only 5 days long with 3 training sessions and a private Facebook group for all members.  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Join The GREAT Toy & Game Idea Bootcamp: https://learn.thetoycoach.com/bootcampFor the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/167 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

Did you know that you can turn everyday experiences into great toy ideas? Today’s podcast guest noticed that her toddler loved to play with pretend food toys. However, she saw that the food toys on the market didn’t represent what was popular in Hawai’i, where she lives. So, she created a toy company that started with Hawai’ian food toy sets and has now branched out with toys that represent other cuisines found in Hawai’i like Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese.April Hail has lived in Hawai’i for between 20 and 30 years of her life. There, she started Keiki KauKau, after being inspired by her kids’ play patterns and the popular foods in Hawai’i. April shares about the struggles of being a parent and being an entrepreneur who is running a small one-person company. Her kids inspired her to create the business, but she also seeks to have balance so she can spend plenty of time with them. You’ll also learn about the unique struggles of importing from China to Hawai’i while also selling to the mainland US, which shipping platform you may want to try to save money, and advice on how to market a niche toy.EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: Find out the benefits of starting a niche company in a small community.  [00:06:26] Find out which products are often cheaper: online or in-store. [00:10:32] Learn why shipping international products to Hawai’i is particularly costly and difficult. [00:11:51] Find out about an easy shipping website that could help you save money on shipping costs. [00:17:10]  Learn when you should hire someone to do your marketing for you. [00:20:54] Find out about the unique history of Hawai’i that has led it to become the most multicultural state. [00:22:29] Learn the value of offering niche products that people can relate to. [00:26:55] Find out what April finds difficult about being a solo entrepreneur. [00:28:01] Learn April’s best piece of advice for getting started with a niche product in the toy industry. [00:37:09] Find out how to target layered niches for even more specialization in the toy industry. [00:40:14] MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/166 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

Today’s podcast episode touches on a subject we haven’t covered yet: faith. Today’s guest shares how her faith not only inspired her to create what became a popular product but also kept her going during challenging moments. My guest today believes that everyone has a God-given purpose and that finding that will help each person find the most fulfillment in life. Angie Cella is a mom of four children, a Christian author, and the inventor and chief dreamer of Blinger, an amazing tool for both kids and adults that you can use to add crystals to your hair. Her incredible and unique story starts with a prayer and a dream. However, it wasn’t a metaphorical dream that led Angie to create Blinger. It was a literal nighttime dream that gave her inspiration. Listen to today’s podcast episode to learn how she made her dream into reality over the next four years, how she made it work financially with four children, and how her faith kept her going through it all. You’ll also learn why she first licensed her toy but then decided to get her license back after a few years, and about the miracle that helped her write her book, Blinger: An Entrepreneur's Faith-Based Journey. EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: Learn about Angie’s dream that led her to create Blinger. [00:05:44] Find out how Angie handled the difficult moments in the development process using a technique she learned from her work with Arbonne. [00:13:49] Learn how and why Angie’s strong faith has led her to where she is today. [00:15:57] Find out about the miracle that helped Angie write her most recent book. [00:20:34] Learn about the overall mission of Blinger. [00:30:10] Find out why Angie says you really can’t actually “mess it up.” [00:31:54] Learn how Angie’s faith kept her going during financially difficult moments and what she did to keep her dream going during those times. [00:34:10] Find out how Angie’s toy, Blinger, seemed to explode overnight at the Toy Fair. [00:37:42] Learn where you can find more information about the Women in Toys event that helped Angie’s product become more well-known. [00:42:50] Find out why Angie decided to become the manufacturer of Blinger after working with a licensing company. [00:46:47] MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/165 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

MESH is NOT the new STEAM. MESH is a solution that utilizes toys as an answer to the mental health crisis among children and teens today.  The development of MESH skills is important to help kids learn how to navigate strong emotions and difficult experiences. So what is MESH?  MESH is an acronym for Mental, Emotional and Social Health. Developing MESH skills can help protect kids from the risky behaviors and self-harm that are too often the result of their mental distress. Today’s podcast episode is a Masterclass on MESH with Rachel Harmuth, the Head of ThinkFun. MESH products are products that build skills like problem solving, perseverance, adaptation, conflict resolution, self-regulation, self-advocacy, cognitive skills, and communication strategies.If you have a toy or game product that could potentially fit into the MESH category, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. In this episode you’ll learn all about the MESH movement, who is behind it, and you’ll uncover how you can get involved. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/164 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

This week on the Making It In The Toy Industry Podcast, learn the steps on how to create a Successful Buyer Presentation with help from expert Marie Nastasi. You’ll learn what buyers are looking for, how to research product categories and research your competition, and how to craft an amazing retail presentation.This episode is packed with valuable information for developing a successful buyer presentation. Learn the 5 Keys to a Successful Buyer Presentation as developed by today’s guest Marie Nastasi. She brings a wealth of experience and advice from her roles as both a buyer and a manufacturers’ representative for companies large and small. Marie is on the show today to serve up a mini toy sales masterclass. She explains the importance of extensive and in-depth consumer research, price-to-value relationships, price point play, vendor of record, and exactly what you should include in that PowerPoint deck for buyers. We’ll also take an in-depth look at what these toy industry terms mean. Get ready for a toy conversation that’s filled with valuable, actionable, and toyspirational advice. EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: Research your consumer. There are so many ways to do this. In this episode, learn how. Understand product categories inside and out. Forwards and backwards. It’s what your competition is doing. Learn why it’s so important to visit a variety of retail stores and visit them often.  Are you a vendor of record? Learn what that means and how to become one.  Learn important industry terms so you can be successful with key buyers  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at https://www.thetoycoach.com/163 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

How do you go from a dreamer with comic book aspirations to a toy industry legend and award-winning toy designer? Today’s guest shares his incredible journey as an artist, parent, and toy designer from the 1990s until now. His toy journey will inspire you to take a risk, put in your all, and go that extra mile.David Vonner’s original dream was to be an illustrator for Marvel Comics. However, his family and those surrounding him encouraged him to go down a path that would ensure a good career. After attending the Art Institute of Philadelphia, David got his first design job at Spencer’s, and then went through a slew of creative toy jobs that led him to work at Marvel as a toy designer for 5-6 years, before moving on to Hasbro to work on their Marvel-licensed products. In today’s episode you will learn how connections helped David to advance in the toy industry, how he went from traditional employment to starting his own company, and his best piece of advice for people in the toy industry today. His toy story is captivating, informative, and inspirational! EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: Learn how David’s love of comics helped him to develop drawing skills in childhood. [00:08:47] Find out the surprising connections that led David to think of a career outside of comics. [00:19:09] Learn about the difficult and shocking event that delayed David’s college experience by 3 years and made him even more determined to succeed. [00:22:44] Find out why David redid his entire portfolio the weekend before a job interview. [00:28:11] Learn the first product that David designed at his first job. [00:35:05] Hear the heart racing tale of how David lost the address to the new Marvel offices on his way to the interview! You’ll be surprised where he was able to find it. [00:49:44] Learn the advice that helped David not only survive but thrive while working on the Marvel team at Hasbro. [00:59:55] Find out how David took care of his mental health after a difficult time in the toy industry. [01:22:53] Learn how David started his own studio, Vonner Studios [01:33:51] MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEFor the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/162 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

Think of a time when you were shopping for a product and just thought to yourself, “Ugh, all of the options are boring, or not that cute, or they don’t work the way I need them to.” You’re creative, so you probably thought of a great way to improve that product at that moment. But, maybe you wondered if you could really do everything that goes into creating a successful product in the toy industry. Keep listening to learn the inspiring story of someone who did just that.  Josh White is an award-winning innovator who combines strategy, branding, marketing, packaging design, manufacturing, and toy creation at his creative agency, OffWhite Co. He created a line of kid-friendly measuring tapes called Handy Famm after a dissatisfying trip to the hardware store with his daughter. This is a great example of how the best toy ideas come from the world around us and our everyday lives. In today’s episode, you will learn how sticking with the “box” of what you know can actually help you to get started with your ideas. You’ll also learn how Josh’s product is toyetic, the importance of safety in toy design, and how Josh deals with challenges that come his way in the toy development process. EPISODE CLIFF NOTES Learn about the first time Josh got to innovate in the toy industry. [00:05:38] Find out the story behind Handy Famm’s inspiration. [00:10:44] Learn the toyetic properties included in Handy Famm’s products and ideas. [00:13:58] Find out how Josh used Kickstarter to see if his product could be successful. [00:16:00] Learn what safety considerations went into creating the tape measures. [00:18:27] Find out how challenges can actually be a good thing. [00:21:20] Learn what Handy Famm did to become the number one measuring tool on Amazon. [00:23:57] Find out how Josh takes the steps to bring his ideas to life. [00:29:27] Learn how using what you know can help you to start on your ideas. [00:32:16] Find out where to get a special promo code for Handy Famm. [00:36:59] MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEFor the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/161 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

Have you ever dreamed of creating your own neighborhood toy store? Even if that’s not your toy industry dream, today’s episode is full of valuable tips for any toy industry entrepreneur. Today’s guest started a toy store in her local community with her dad, and turned into a successful family business over the eight years it has been open. Listen to the episode to find out about the differences between starting a digital business and a brick-and-mortar business and how a business plan can give you a solid framework for success. Today’s guest, Theresa Duncan, started her career in non-profit work, developing programs for at-risk youth. Now, she is the owner of Villa Villekulla Toys in Amelia Island, Florida. In today’s episode, she tells how she got the idea to quit her job and start a neighborhood toy store in the first place, how focusing on the community can help you to market your small business, and valuable tips for getting your toy into a neighborhood toy store. Listen to the full episode for these essential pieces of toy industry information and more!EPISODE CLIFF NOTES Learn how Theresa’s work with kids inspired her toy store idea. [00:01:45] Find out how having a business plan helped Theresa and her father start their toy store. [00:08:46] Learn about the startup differences between digital and brick-and-mortar toy stores. [00:09:54] Learn about the five stages of entrepreneurship and how they relate to your business. [00:13:32] Ever heard of Neighborhood Toy Store Month? It’s something you need to learn about even if you don’t own a toy store! [00:21:34] Find out the benefits of shopping locally. [00:22:37] Explore clever ways to market your toy or game products to independent toy stores. [00:32:31] We even dive into tips on Google Ads! Find out how to save money on Google Ads with the negative keywords list. [00:33:35] Learn why Theresa got comfortable being the face of her store and how it helped her business. [00:39:19] Find out the “secret sauce” of Theresa’s toy store. [00:40:40] MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEFor the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/160 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

With AI-Powered Chat GPT, generating toy and game ideas has never been easier. If you are in the process of developing a toy or a game but are stuck in the concept phase, this week’s episode is one you cannot afford to miss. AI-Powered Chat GPT can generate “creative” toy & game ideas quickly and easily - and all you need to get started is a single sentence. Chat GPT was released in November of 2022, and is known for its ability to code, write stories, and even music. But today we’re giving this clever chatbot a new challenge…to come up with a concept for a toy or game. Curious to know how it did? I bet you’ll be shocked by the results. In today’s episode we explore 1) what Chat GPT is, 2) how you can start using it today, 3) if it's really possible to generate complete ideas for toys and games with just a single sentence prompt and 4) if this chatbot can aid in the marketing and selling of your toy or game.  This episode ends with a look into the obvious benefits and maybe not so obvious drawbacks of this new tool. When you’re ready to harness the power of technology to improve your toy ideation process, tap play and dive into this episode.EPISODE CLIFF NOTES What happens when I request Chat GPT to give me an idea for a toy that will teach boys about nurturing. [11:44] Hear my thoughts on what Chat GPT output as an email draft for contacting potential buyers of my fictional toy product. [20:50] Not sure what to include in your press release? Hear a complete example generated by this chatbot. [22:48] Learn the key benefits of using this AI chat bot for ideas, information, and to jumpstart your pitch emails. [28:50] Find out how capacity is one of the biggest challenges this chat bot faces, and what that could mean for your ability to use it. [33:16] Hear what actions Google is rumored to be taking against AI copywriting technology and why. [33:50] MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEFor the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/159 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community

I bet that YOU can generate a high resolution concept image of your toy idea for free, and in seconds. The use of AI art exploded in recent months, with the search term “AI art” spiking in the US this past December. The breakout AI tools have been Midjourney, Lensa, and DALL-E. Since then, there has been considerable and understandable backlash against AI art from real human artists across the globe. In this episode we explore three things, 1) how AI can help the development process of your toy or game, 2) why some artists are frustrated by the growing popularity of ai art, and 3) what legal ramifications using art generated by AI could pose.As the golden age of AI art seems to be just on the horizon, one of my favorite quotes by Tom Waits seems to be challenged. “ Fast, Cheap, and Good… pick two. If it’s fast and cheap it won’t be good. If it’s cheap and good, it won’t be fast. If it’s fast and good, it won’t be cheap.” It seems that at least for now AI art can deliver fast, cheap, and good work. Some might argue the “good” is debatable, but out of that trifecta, I think it’s the affordability of AI art of the future that we really have to worry about. What use is a free AI generated image, if you can’t use it because it infringes on the copyright of an existing artist? Find out the answer to that question and more in this podcast episode.EPISODE CLIFF NOTES Learn the 3 popular AI tools of today, Midjourney, Dalle, and Lensa.[3:28] Find out why developers consider AI to be creating unique images and why artists disagree. [10:42] Hear how I prompted Midjourney AI to design an actual toy! [17:21] Curious if AI art can help you develop a children’s book? Maybe not entirely, but find out what it can do for your composition. [30:56] Why you may not be able to use the images you generate. [39:12]  Find out how independent board game designers are making use of AI art. [44:26] MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/158 TCA Self Study is now open for enrollment. Click the link below to learn more!https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/selfstudy 🎓Learn more about how you can develop and pitch your toy idea with Toy Creators Academy by clicking here to visit www.toycreatorsacademy.com and join the waitlist.Not ready for the Toy Creators Academy online course? Start by connecting with fellow toy creators inside our online community. www.thetoycoach.com/community