x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business

Azhelle Wade | The Toy Coach | Toy Creators Academy

How do I bring my toy ideas to life? How can I pitch my toy concept to top toy companies like Hasbro, Mattel, or Goliath Games? What does it cost to make a prototype, and where can I get one made? Are there toy manufacturing options outside of China? These are just a few of the questions that will be answered on this weekly podcast, Making It In The Toy Industry. In addition to mini toy masterclasses, and step-by-step guides, each episode is designed to help you take immediate action toward

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

49:13

#254: This Game Unites Boomers to Gen Alpha and It...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2025/01/15

What if a simple classroom activity could unite generations across decades? In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, we’re celebrating 30 years of Blurt with its inventor, Tim Walsh, and uncovering the incredible story behind the game that connects Boomers to Gen Alpha.Discover how a third-grade classroom exercise—reading dictionary definitions aloud—sparked the creation of a timeless game that’s built kids’ vocabularies, brought families together, and even supported memory retention for

en-us

26:08

#253: 4 Key Lessons to Launch and Scale Your Toy...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2025/01/08

Building your dream toy business while working a 9-to-5 might be overwhelming, but with the right mindset and a dash of creativity, you can take small, actionable steps to turn your big ideas into reality! It’s all about getting scrappy, seeking unfiltered feedback, and spotting opportunities to stand out from the crowd.In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade shares the four key lessons inspired by her previous interview with Ron Weizman, the co-founder of South Beach

en-us

36:49

#252: How One Company’s Bubble Toy Got Nominated For...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2025/01/01

The highest honor your toy can get in this industry is the Toy of the Year® (TOTY®). This award is so coveted, that just a nomination alone has been said to boost sales and recognition of the brands lucky enough to earn one. A TOTY win can trigger a flood of retailers knocking on your door, desperate to get your product on their shelves.So what does it take to get a TOTY nomination? That’s what we’re breaking down in today’s episode.In this episode, Ron Weizman, co-founder of South Beach Bubbles

en-us

32:06

#251: Write Click-Worthy Email Subject Lines For Your...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/12/25

Struggling to get your toy pitch noticed? 🚀In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade reveals the secrets to crafting email subject lines that grab attention and boost your chances of success. Learn the powerful 'Four U’s' formula—Urgent, Useful, Unique, Ultra-Specific—and discover proven tips to make your emails stand out in crowded inboxes.From real-life examples of high-converting subject lines to bonus tips on emojis and formatting, this episode is packed with

en-us

47:45

#250: The Art Of Toy Photography with Mitchel Wu:...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/12/18

Ever wondered how toys come to life through photography? 🎨✨Mitchel Wu, an acclaimed toy photographer known for his brilliant use of motion and emotion in toy imagery, joins Azhelle Wade in this episode to unravel the magic behind his spectacular work with major clients like Marvel, Disney, and Hasbro. Learn how he transitioned from a mundane consumer products career to mastering the niche of toy photography, and get insights on making your own products come alive through powerful visuals. Tune in

en-us

46:04

#249: 7 Tips To Improve Your Virtual Toy Pitch: Extended

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/12/11

Ready to turn your toy ideas into marketable products but feeling lost in the world of virtual pitching? 🚀 Don’t worry, this episode is definitely for you! In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade drops all the tips you need to nail your next virtual toy pitch.Discover why energy is your secret weapon, how to create an unforgettable sizzle video, and why personalizing your pitch can set you apart. Plus, we’ll discuss common mistakes to avoid, from outdated visuals to poor

en-us

52:14

#248: Breaking Through Barriers in Children’s Book...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/12/04

Ever wonder how a kid from the South Bronx grew up to be a superstar children's book author and illustrator? 🚀In this episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, join host Azhelle Wade as she chats with Charles George Esperanza, the creative mind behind Boogie Boogie Y’all! 🎨📚 From dreaming of drawing comics to becoming a HarperCollins author, Charles shares his journey full of ups, downs, and plenty of surprises.He shares how he turned "no" into motivation, why his vibrant

en-us

37:50

#247: How to Fix What’s Not Working in Your Toy...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/11/27

How do you pivot your toy business when your current model isn’t working?In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, Azhelle Wade chats with Tyler Turk, founder of Crated with Love, about his journey from subscription box entrepreneur to retail board game powerhouse. When Tyler’s subscription box business skyrocketed during the pandemic, it seemed like a dream come true—until the workload became unsustainable. That’s when he made a bold decision to pivot to selling one-off products, a shift

en-us

37:59

#246: How AI is Making Toy Innovation and Pitching...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/11/20

Are you skeptical about integrating AI into your toy business?In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade, also known as The Toy Coach, shares her AI expertise from this year's People of Play Innovation Conference and ChiTAG - Toy and Game Fair in Chicago, where she presented her talk on 'How AI is Making Toy Innovation and Pitching Easier Than Ever Before.' You’ll see firsthand how AI can significantly 10x your toy development process with a custom GPT

en-us

48:25

#245: Crazy Aaron’s Secret Formula for Perfect Putty...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/11/13

Have you ever wondered how a simple office toy evolved into a toy phenomenon? In this episode of 'Making It In The Toy Industry', host Azhelle Wade sits down with Aaron Muderick, the creative mind behind Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty. From a child's love for tinkering to creating a renowned brand, Aaron's journey is a testament to innovation, persistence, and passion. He discusses the importance of staying connected to your audience, maintaining product quality, and the

en-us

41:46

#244: Choosing The Right Crowdfunding Platform For...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/11/06

Have you ever wondered what it takes to successfully launch on a crowdfunding platform? Many creators go to the world of crowdfunding believing it's simply about having a great idea and posting it online. However, there's far more strategy involved than we realize. The process requires meticulous planning, audience engagement, and a strong narrative to capture backers' hearts and minds.In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade talks with Lisa Ferland, a

en-us

49:08

#243: Vendors VS Sales Reps: A Storytelling Sales...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/10/30

Ever wondered how to truly captivate buyers in the toy industry? Or why do some sales pitches fall flat even when the product is amazing?In today’s episode, we will talk about the magic of storytelling in the toy industry! We’ll cover how sales reps and vendors approach things differently, plus the secrets to crafting pitches that go beyond a quick sale and build lasting customer relationships. Discover how storytelling can be the key to success in this highly competitive toy market. Join us in this

en-us

56:30

#242: How Wow Moments Became The Foundation Of This...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/10/23

Want to know how to ‘wow’ your way into the competitive toy industry? In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade looks into Richard North's life, sharing how he went from a determined 19-year-old to a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the founder of Wow! Stuff. You will learn about his career’s turning points, such as being featured in Channel 4's Secret Millionaire TV Show, including the emotional inspirations behind the creation of Wow! Stuff and

en-us

39:17

#241: What This Bold Merger Means for the People of...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/10/16

Curious about what happens when major toy industry players team up?In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade cracks open the toy box on the epic merger between The Toy Association and People of Play. You’ll hear straight from the toy legends — Mary Couzin and Greg Ahearn—as they give us backstage passes on their big plans for events like POP Week and ChiTAG, and how this merger is shaking things up for the toy industry. The guests shared what sparked this merger and the

en-us

53:35

#240: Getting Media Attention For Your Plush Brand...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/10/09

Ever wondered how a toy brand can also serve as a wellness tool? In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, Azhelle Wade interviews Marina Khidekel, the founder of Hugimals World. Discover how Marina transitioned from a successful health journalist to a toy entrepreneur on a mission to address anxiety and stress with weighted plush toys. Marina shares personal life experiences that inspired the creation of Hugimals, which has been featured in prominent media outlets such as, Time Magazine,

en-us

33:06

#239: Leaving A Career In Flowers For A Career In...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/10/02

Have you ever thought about switching careers and diving into a completely new industry? In this episode of 'Making It in the Toy Industry,' student host Virginia takes the reins to interview Chrissy Fagerholt, a former floral designer turned toy entrepreneur. As one of the first graduates of the Toy Creators Academy (TCA), Chrissy shares her incredible journey, discussing the challenges and triumphs she experienced while getting her products licensed by heavyweights like Mattel and

en-us

41:10

#238: Starting and Growing An Online Business with...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/09/25

Want to learn secrets to growing your toy brand online? In episode 238 of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade revisits an extended interview with her mentor, Amy Porterfield, a multi-million dollar online business owner and expert in email marketing. During the podcast, Amy shares her journey from corporate life to becoming an entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of list building and personal storytelling in email marketing. Azhelle and Amy discuss the evolution of Amy's

en-us

34:26

#237: Crowdfunding Your Idea Just Got Easier with...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/09/19

Ever wondered how to turn your toy idea into a fully-funded product without breaking the bank? In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, Azhelle Wade sits down with two crowdfunding experts from BackerKit, Lafia and Maddie, to spill all the secrets behind running a successful crowdfunding campaign.They dive into how BackerKit helps creators manage backers, collect pledges, and fulfill rewards (without losing their minds in spreadsheets). You’ll also hear about "Topias"—group

en-us

35:21

#236: The Toy Coach and The Toy Queen Discuss The...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/09/11

What Can a Pediatric Occupational Therapist Teach Us About Toys?In Episode 236 of "Making It in the Toy Industry," host Azhelle Wade chats with pediatric occupational therapist, Keri Wilmot, who has a treasure trove of insights from her nearly 25 years in the field.Keri uses toys to help children improve fine motor skills, coordination, and overall performance in self-care tasks. Her work with kids facing ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy is testament to the transformative

en-us

40:48

#235: How to Use Consent-Based Email Marketing To...

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business ·

2024/09/04

Is Your Email Marketing Consent-Compliant, or Are You Just Spamming? In digital marketing circles, consent in email marketing has never been a hotter topic. Before the toy industry gets left in the dust on what constitutes as "consent" in email marketing, you NEED this episode.Today on Making It in the Toy Industry, The Toy Coach shares a conversation with email marketer Tarzan Kay to break down why getting clear, informed, and revocable consent is more important than ever. With the rise

en-us

296 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Handelsblatt Crime - spannende Streitfälle der deutschen Wirtschaft

Ina Karabasz, Solveig Gode, Sönke Iwersen

Deffner und Zschäpitz – Der Wirtschafts-Talk von WELT

WELT

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...