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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

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

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29:33

#234: Avoid These 3 Common Mistakes When Working with...

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

2024/08/28

Time for a little tough love toy-coaching: If you're struggling to develop a pre-production sample of your toy that you're proud of, the problem might be you! This week on the podcast, you'll learn 3 common mistakes that new toy creators make when working with overseas factories. This episode includes insights from my full time work in the toy industry and my 1:1 client work. When applied correctly, the 3 lessons taught in this episode will save you time and money in the toy development...

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28:11

#233: How Plush Toy Brands Are Going Viral with...

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

2024/08/21

Forget just selling products—it's time to create immersive shopping experiences for your customers, in person and online. The sensory retail revolution is here, driven by consumers who are tightening their purse strings yet still craving a deeper connection with the brands they invest in. In today’s episode, we’ll dive into three powerful ways plush brands—from high-end labels to indie creators—are building these connections and turning them into tens of thousands of social media likes,

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31:04

#232: The Underconsumption Core TikTok Trend is...

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

2024/08/14

What is the "Underconsumption Core" TikTok trend and how might it effect the toy industry? From "Loud Budgeting" to "Underconsumption Core" Gen Z and Millennials are leading an era of saving over spending, and they aren't keeping quiet about it. As the cost of living skyrockets while wages remain stagnant, the U.S. is bracing for a financial downturn. But this time, consumers are anticipating, preparing, and talking about how they're cutting back, all over

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49:35

#231: Art Made Easy: How Project Joy Studios Is...

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

2024/08/07

What if I told you that you can easily create museum-quality art? This week, the Making It In The Toy Industry podcast hit the road for an in-person interview with Jessica Joy London at her studio space. Jessica is the founder of Project Joy Studios, and she's on a mission to make art accessible to everyone.Joy’s story shatters the myth that only a select few are born with artistic talent. She proves that with the right tools, thoughtful techniques, and an open mind, anyone—yes, ANYONE—can

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43:54

#230: How She Invented A Plush Toy and Licensed The...

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

2024/07/31

Have you ever wondered if it were possible to sell your toy idea instead of the finished product? Today’s podcast episode follows one creator, who does just that.Today’s guest Joanna Paul, shares her journey of developing Moodles (formerly known as "What's Its Face?"), a patentable plush invention designed to help children understand and express their emotions. From the initial concept inspired by her own experiences as a mom to the challenges of patenting and licensing, Joanna's

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33:42

#229: How Brand Experiences Can Increase Your Sales...

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

2024/07/24

Branded Giveaways Are Dead! 😵 It's time to ditch the tired swag bags and discover the magic of themed experiences that truly connect with your audience. In this episode, our toy industry insiders reveal how to skyrocket your brand loyalty and sales through unforgettable brand experiences.Branded giveaways at trade shows are passé. Instead, themed giveaways tailored to your brand’s identity or your consumer’s persona create a more lasting impression. In this week’s podcast, The Toy Coach

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1:24

10 Things You Need to Know Before Developing Your Toy...

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

2024/07/17

In this week's episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, we're taking a brief pause from our regular programming. Our host, recently out of the hospital after a minor procedure, needs a bit of recovery time to ensure the quality of future episodes.But don't worry, your toy education and inspiration fix isn't far away. Head over to learn.thetoycoach.com/playlist to download a comprehensive guide featuring the top 10 things you need to know before developing your toy or game idea. This guide in...

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28:40

#228: Why You're Not Hearing Back from Top Toy...

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

2024/07/10

Tired of Toy Companies Ghosting you? You're not alone! You know the toy industry needs fresh ideas, and you're confident you've got the next big thing. But here's the truth: your amazing concept is only as powerful as your network and pitch skills.So in this episode, we're breaking down:The real reasons toy companies might not be responding to your submissions (and it's not what you think!)Step-by-step strategies to finally get noticed and get a responseHow to access

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29:26

#227: Kelly’s Journey From Educator to Toy Creator...

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

2024/07/03

Transforming Math Test Prep With Educational PlayCan studying math be as fun as playing a game? In this episode of Making it in the Toy Industry, Kelly Clement shows us that it CAN be. With her innovative product, Watermelon Math, Kelly turns the tedious task of studying into an engaging experience. Her journey from a middle school teacher to a successful toy creator offers an inspiring look into the world of educational toys.Kelly Clement, the creator of Watermelon Math, shares her unique journey

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25:51

#226: This Toy Delivers Real Mail Every Week To Kids...

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

2024/06/26

Can Snail Mail Still Captivate Today's Tech-Savvy Kids? Are today's digital-native children still charmed by the simple pleasure of receiving a physical letter? In Episode 226 of the "Making It in the Toy Industry" podcast, Virginia Lette engages with Wendy Lattimore, a successful graduate of the Toy Creators Academy (TCA), to explore this fascinating topic. Wendy's inspiring journey from traditional mail to innovative toy creation will challenge your perceptions of outdated

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47:32

#225: The Secrets of A Successful Toy Licensing Deal...

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

2024/06/19

Is Your Pitch Ready For The Toy Industry? Pitching your innovative toy idea to industry giants can be as daunting as a job interview. In this episode of "Making it in the Toy Industry," hosts Azhelle Wade and Lee Allentuck demystify the art and science of pitching, with insider tips that will revolutionize your approach to securing those golden licensing deals. Whether you're a seasoned inventor or a newbie in the toy world, there's a nugget of wisdom here for everyone.What are

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21:35

#224: This ONE Media Event Could Make Your Toy Brand...

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

2024/06/12

Toy trade shows are NOT the only way to get your brand noticed. Your toy brand could go viral after attending a toy industry media event. In this episode of "Making It in the Toy Industry," Azhelle Wade shares the juicy details behind influencer events and media showcases like Sweet Suite and Holiday of Play. These industry gatherings are hidden gems for toy and game creators looking to snag media attention and make lasting impressions without the hustle and bustle of traditional trade

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45:21

#223: Unlock Your Game Design Potential with April...

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

2024/06/05

Have you EVER had an idea for a game? This episode is for you. 🫵 Well, don't miss this Part 2 continuation from episode 221, an interview with April Mitchell! April, a licensed game inventor and co-creator of the Tabletop Game Design Masterclass shares her journey from toy industry newbie to a game design expert. Get ready to giggle along as April shares the story of finding her pitch theme song and why she plays that song before every pitch to this day.April dives into the game design

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38:53

#222: Licensing Expo 2024 Recap: Reasons to Mark Your...

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

2024/05/29

Curious about how to make the most out of your trade show experience? In this episode, The Toy Coach shares her experience and reason for attending the Las Vegas Licensing Expo even though she didn’t have anything to license. By the end of this episode, you’ll know if you should attend the Las Vegas Licensing Expo next year, and how you can make the most of it. Learn how to save $$ on lodging, network with class, manage your time, and stay comfortable while walking 10,000 steps a day.Stick around

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41:23

#221: Should You Partner With Another Toy or Game...

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

2024/05/22

Are you thinking about teaming up with a partner for your toy or game invention? But what if it isn’t the right move for you? Tune into this episode of "Making it in the Toy Industry," where Azhelle Wade chats with April Mitchell about the ins and outs of partnering up in the world of invention. April is a licensed inventor and the co-creator of the Tabletop Game Design Masterclass. In this episode, she shares key considerations you should keep in mind when choosing a partner for your next

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30:37

#220: Ensure Your Toys Meet Legal Safety Standards or...

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

2024/05/15

Did you know that even if you're selling a toy product on Etsy, you are required to have it safety tested and certified? In this episode, dive deep into the crucial topic of toy safety and compliance. The first half of the episode focuses on the legal requirements set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the US. Gain an understanding of critical standards like ASTM F963 and ASTM D4236. Learn the potential financial consequences of non-compliance with real-life examples. With

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27:44

#219: Why He Went From Mattel to TCA and Launched His...

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

2024/05/08

Q: Could TCA be valuable to you if you already have corporate toy industry experience? A: YES! Perhaps you think that having professional toy industry experience guarantees success in your entrepreneurial ventures. But this episode turns that notion on its head, featuring Gerardo, a former toy industry professional turned toy entrepreneur, charting his own course through the toy market with a little help from the Toy Creators Academy.From his previous role managing commercial operations in Latin

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35:08

#218: Safe Social Media? The World's Largest Social...

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

2024/05/02

Ever wondered if there's a social network tailored just for kids where fun meets learning in a safe environment? Yes, you heard that right, and it's called Zigazoo. What if there was a platform where kids could engage, learn, and interact without the usual worries of social media? Or, if there was a social media platform dedicated to connecting your brand directly with its target market? Well if either of those possibilities pique your interest, then our latest podcast episode is a

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40:52

#217: How To Make Your Toy Brand Climate Friendly...

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

2024/04/24

In the face of a looming climate crisis, can the toy industry lead the charge towards a sustainable future? Well today’s interview guest believes the toy industry has a responsibility to address the environmental impact of our industry. Helen Townsend, co-founder of the B Corp certified toy company Sustained Fun, dives into the critical role that toy companies can play in reducing emissions and increasing environmental education.Even if your toy company isn’t an eco-first brand, this episode

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