Toy Business Unboxed

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed where Jason Hsieh, toy entrepreneur and our Chief Toy Officer, dives deep into optimizing Amazon product listings for toys and games in preparation for a stellar 2025. He discusses essential strategies including SEO, profit optimization, and ongoing store improvements. Learn how to conduct keyword research, leverage tools like Helium 10 and Data Dive...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed, as we sit down with Mark Nathan, managing partner of PlasTechFree, Inc. With over 30 years of experience in business leadership, Mark shares his inspiring journey from retirement to pioneering sustainable packaging alternatives. Discover the innovative ways PlasTechFree is transforming the industry by replacing traditional plastics with 100% compost...

In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we saty down David Socha, the founder and CEO of Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company. David recounts his journey from starting a mail-order teddy bear business to becoming a trusted partner for major brands, thanks to his commitment to integrity and quality. We explores David's story, including his unexpected career path, his company's unique approach to produc...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we welcomes Seth, the President and CEO of Enabling Devices. Seth shares the inspirational story of how his father's medical engineering background and passion for helping children with disabilities led to the founding of Enabling Devices. The company has been dedicated to creating adaptive toys and tools since 1978, transforming lives in meaningf...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we dives into an engaging conversation with legendary industrial and toy designer Dan Klitsner. Dan, the mastermind behind the beloved game Bop It, shares his journey from falling out of love with engineering to discovering his passion for industrial design. Learn about the origins of Bop It, initially conceptualized as a fun remote control for ki...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we sits down with an innovator in the puzzle game industry to explore the journey behind Play-A-Maze, a company redefining STEM toys. Discover how a passion for gears, mazes, and the psychology of play led to the creation of affordable, safe, and educational mechanical puzzles. Learn about the design and functionality of these unique toys, the cha...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we chats with Steve, an 81-year-old former teacher and school administrator turned toy entrepreneur. Discover Steve's early inspirations from his humble beginnings, playing with toast crumbs, to his experiences teaching in a challenging Brooklyn school district. Learn about his innovative educational toy store, catering to children with special ne...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed where we interviews John Ellis, a seasoned entrepreneur and optical engineer. John shares his journey from a liberal arts graduate to leading a team of physicists at Optics for Hire. We discuss the intersection of optical engineering and the toy industry, revealing behind-the-scenes stories of innovative products like the XBox Kinect and a Barbie dol...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed, where we explores the crucial role of expert reviews in the toy industry with special guest Dr. Amanda Gummer, child development expert and founder of Good Play Guide, shares her insights on creating credible toy assessments and handling industry challenges. Whether you're a toy entrepreneur or a parent, this episode offers valuable perspectives on...

In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we sat down with a special guest Norman, a seasoned professional with over 40 years in the toy industry, as we explore the intricacies of toy safety and compliance. Norman shares valuable insights from his extensive career, from toy testing to the specific regulations enforced by bodies like the CPSC. Learn about the importance of rigorous testing for differ...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we chat with Sue, a seasoned expert in the toy industry with over 40 years of experience. Sue shares insights from her diverse roles, including buyer, store owner, sales rep, and now Director of Astra. We delve into her journey, the evolution of the industry, and how Astra supports toy entrepreneurs and specialty retailers. Sue also discusses the...

In this episode of Toy Business Unboxed, join us as we speak with Jordan, founder of Omnie Integrated Services. Jordan shares his extensive background in customer service and his vision for revolutionizing e-commerce support using AI and automation. We delve into industry trends, the benefits of outsourcing vs. in-house teams, and how Omnie's tailored approach helps toy and e-commerce businesses n...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we sits down with Jerry Dupree, founder of Brainfit Games and former NBA player. Jerry shares his inspiring journey from playing professional basketball to creating his own board game company, Brainfit Games. Hear about the passion and challenges behind developing Tip-Off Basketball, a unique board game integrating physical and cognitive developme...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we explore the world of specialty toys with Kevin, a seasoned veteran in the toy industry with over three decades of experience. Kevin, founding Original Toy Company, shares his journey from managing international toy manufacturing to navigating the evolving specialty toy market in the U.S. We delve into the unique advantages of specialty toy stor...

In this episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we delve into the inspiring journey of Karalyne and Martha, co-founders of Bene World, who transitioned from the fitness industry to creating the educational toy line, Bene Buddies and BeneBear. These toys are designed to teach children valuable social, emotional, and educational skills through a unique token reward system and themes like ocean conservation...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we chat with industry veterans about the fascinating world of toy design and licensing. Discover Brad's incredible 20-year journey from working on beloved brands like Disney and Pixar to designing innovative outdoor toys. Dive deep into the complexities of licensing deals, from financials and negotiations to protecting intellectual property and de...

In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, join us as we explore the fascinating world of toys with Brittany, the owner of Clover Toys. Together, we delve into her inspiring journey from educator to entrepreneur in Seattle, focusing on Montessori and sustainable toys. Brittany shares how she balances motherhood and business, her strategies for selecting eco-friendly toys, and the impactful community...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we delve into the five pillars of digital marketing essential for toy brands. We'll guide you through content, social media, digital ads, email, and SMS marketing, sharing practical tips and live case studies. Learn how to integrate these pillars to boost brand visibility, drive customer engagement, and maximize sales. Our founder, with vast exper...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed, where we sits down with Kelly Clement, an inspiring educator and entrepreneur. Kelly shares her journey from being a middle school teacher to specializing in test prep for younger students, and the story behind her award-winning product, Watermelon Math. They discuss the challenges faced by young students in test preparation, Kelly's experience with...

In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we embark on a journey through the dynamic world of toys. We dive deep into the secrets behind the toy industry, discussing how data-driven strategies can help toy businesses decode trends, make customer-centric marketing decisions, and gain a competitive edge. Jason shares his insights on using digital analytics, conducting effective consumer research, unde...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed where we chat with Jennifer, the COO of Little Medical School. Jennifer shares her inspiring journey from being a doctor to leading an educational franchise that encourages children to explore healthcare careers. Discover how Little Medical School's unique after-school programs, summer camps, and realistic medical toys are engaging kids and making le...

In this episode of Toy Business Unboxed, join me, your host Jason Hsieh, as I sit down with Ehi, the incredible founder of Little Art and chairwoman of Women in Toys. Ehi's journey from a successful attorney to a creative powerhouse in the toy industry is nothing short of inspiring. We'll dive into her story of transforming a pandemic project into innovative toys that blend creativity with marketi...

Join us for an insightful discussion on the future of play, merging the best of toys and video games, and how to navigate the dynamic landscape of the toy industry as we sits down with Steve, VP of Trends and New Market at Gel Blaster and founder of KidAtHeart. Steve shares his inspiring journey in the toy industry, starting with his mentorship under Ryan Logan and his early years at Funrise Toys....

In our captivating episode of Toy Business Unboxed, join Jason Hsieh, the dynamic founder of LakiKid and Toy Launch, as he unveils the secrets to conquering the Amazon Japan marketplace. Discover step-by-step strategies for expanding your toy brand into Japan, from optimizing listings and leveraging PPC tools to navigating the unique Japanese market landscape. With exclusive insights on compliance...

Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we have an engaging chat with Joe, the genius behind numerous published board games and a successful Kickstarter campaign. Joe takes us through his fascinating journey from playing Monopoly and Clue as a kid to becoming a full-time board game designer. We delve into his creative process, the importance of playtesting, and the tough decisions between...