Making It in The Toy Industry

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...

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 be...

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 o...

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 glo...

The Toy Coach Team ventured out to the windy city to set up a live podcast recording booth at Chicago Toy and Game Week, also known as CHITAG by Mary Couzin and People of Play. This annual, public toy and game fair is where toy and game brands connect with the consumers who love their products, debut new lines, and marketing activations. During this 2 day fair, I interviewed 10 toy and game creato...

The Toy Coach Team ventured out to the windy city to set up a live podcast recording booth at Chicago Toy and Game Week, also known as CHITAG by Mary Couzin and People of Play. This annual, public toy and game fair is where toy and game brands connect with the consumers who love their products, debut new lines, and marketing activations. During this 2 day fair, I interviewed 10 toy and game creato...

In December of 2022, The Toy Coach Team ventured out to the windy city to set up a live podcast recording booth at Chicago Toy and Game Week, also known as CHITAG by Mary Couzin and People of Play. This annual, public toy and game fair is where toy and game brands connect with the consumers who love their products, debut new lines, and marketing activations. During this 2 day fair, I interviewed 1...

Have you ever had an idea for a character that you could envision becoming a globally recognized brand? Today, one of the important ingredients to building a licensable brand is authenticity. Building an authentic toy and entertainment brand means that you’ve got to be crystal clear about the reason WHY you created that brand in the first place. You’ve got to dedicate your time and energy to growi...

For the first time ever, The Toy Coach is releasing a holiday gift guide featuring her top toy picks for the holiday season. The focus of today’s episode is to share a preview of this gift guide AND to educate you on what you need to get featured in any toy gift guide in 2023. This episode begins with a countdown of the top 12 toys you should gift this holiday and ends with a mini toy lesson on th...

It is a myth that toys are shallow or don’t make an impact on kids. Today’s guest was inspired to leave a tenured position as the top professor in her field to create a meaningful line of dolls. Listen to today’s episode to discover what inspired her and how she made it happen. Dr. Lisa Williams started off her career as the first black person to receive a doctorate in logistics from The Ohio Stat...

Today’s episode is special for two reasons. First, it is the first-ever live broadcast of an episode of Making it In the Toy Industry. Second, today’s guest gives a raw view into all the ups and downs of being a toy industry entrepreneur, how it can affect your mental health, and how to keep going with your ideas even when it seems like things haven’t gone your way.  Marjorie Spitalnik is the foun...

Only adults can make amazing toys right? Wrong! Kids play with a lot of toys so it only makes sense that they would come up with some incredible toy ideas. Today’s guest has come up with a sensational toy at only 11 years old. Well, she was actually 5 when she came up with the idea and started developing the product. Now she is bringing her insights as a seasoned kidpreneur to today’s episode of M...

Finally, this beloved toy and game innovation conference returns in person. The People of Play Innovation Conference is the largest global innovation conference in the toy and game world, welcoming over 50 companies from across 17 countries to review pitches from students, new inventors, and professional inventors. If you’re new to the toy industry and you’ve heard rumblings about POP week or the...

Have you been considering joining Toy Creators Academy to develop your toy or game idea? Do you still have a few questions about how the program works, when it starts, or what it covers? This episode is perfect for you! In today’s podcast episode, The Toy Coach addresses the most frequently asked questions about this 12 week group coaching program. If you have questions on whether this program is...

Today’s podcast episode was inspired by several conversations I’ve had with my biz besties around health and mindfulness, as well as conversations with my colleagues in the toy industry. This is the exploration of a growing category in the toy industry called Comfort & Wellness. These toys are marketed to make us feel better, sleep better, and even think better…but overall the consistent theme...

Today’s episode is for those of you who are 1, just getting started in the toy industry, maybe you’re in your first few years or 2, haven’t started yet but keep looking over the fence and waiting for the perfect moment to jump in. In today’s episode, The Toy Coach discusses how you can stand out as a new creator in the toy and game industry.  If the toy industry feels like a big, noisy place and y...

“The games category is too competitive!” “You shouldn’t even try to get a card game into Target!” If Kiara Imani had let those thoughts dissuade her from trying, she may have never gotten her Like U card game into one of the biggest retailers in the United States. Today, my podcast guest Kiara shares how she came up with, designed, manufactured and sold her conversation starting card game, Like U....

Searching for a unique way to promote your toy product or toy brand? The ASTRA Toy Boat may be it! On February 20th, 2023 the first ever toy trade show on a boat will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and make its way to the Bahamas. In just a few days you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your latest products, promote your services, or find the next hit toy to fill your store. The ASTRA Toy B...

On September 19th 2022, the WiT Empowerment Day made it possible for over 100 inventors and creators to pitch their ideas and products in 1:1 meeting with the major retailer Walmart and dozens of toy companies including Spinmaster, Jazwares, Hasbro, Educational Insights, and many more!  In today’s podcast episode get a play by play of what happened at the 2022 WiT Empowerment Day and learn why you...

You have to be an adult to start your own business and make your toy ideas real, right? Today’s guest proves that completely wrong. At just 7 years old she recognized an important gap in the toy industry and, with the help of her mom, created a line of toys to empower young black and brown girls. Now 10, today’s guest offers toy industry experts and newbies some sage advice. At 7 years old, Zoe Ol...

Toyspiration can come from anywhere. It can come from a song, a play, a theatrical release or even the world of fashion. In this podcast episode, The Toy Coach dives deep to share a creative process with an unusual source of inspiration. If you’re currently struggling with designing a package for your toy or game idea, this is the episode for you. Or, if you have a toy or game brand with the packa...

Being a toy industry entrepreneur or toy inventor doesn’t have to be a solo project. Working with a partner can help you to think outside of the box. In a mentor/mentee context, both parties can learn a lot from each other. Today’s guests met in a Facebook group and even though they haven’t met in person yet, they have created quite the toy industry “bromance.” Jeff Lawber is an industrial designe...

Kickstarter is just a platform for product presales? Right? Wrong! Sales is an important aspect of the platform, but today’s episode is all about how Kickstarter can actually help you develop an authentic community for your toy or game idea. Today’s guest launched a Kickstarter and funded his original game idea in just 4 days. Then he went back and launched another successful campaign for an expan...

Which comes first? Your product or your mission? In today’s episode you will learn the benefits of creating your business’s mission before your toy or toy brand. Now, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t develop your toy or game if you haven’t defined your mission. However, defining the purpose of your business will guide you on the creative journey, and doing so can give you a powerful reason to...

Small toy companies and toy inventors that only want to order a small amount of product can’t work with factories in China, right? Wrong! Today’s episode is so practical and essential for anyone who wants to manufacture a toy or a game. You will get concise insider knowledge of how to work with a Chinese factory, manufacturing pitfalls to avoid, and tips to maximize your success. Today’s podcast g...