Shows
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#267: Winning a TOTY Award and Scaling a Toy Business Through 3D Printing with Solobo ToysCan 3D printing really replace traditional toy manufacturing? One founder says “absolutely” and she’s got the award to prove it.In this episode, I’m chatting with the amazing Courtney Peebles, founder of Solobo Toys, about how she won a TOTY Award for her hit plush toy, Emotional Baggage, and how rising manufacturing challenges pushed her to transform her business using 3D printed toys.Courtney gets real about the challenges she faced with manufacturing overseas, and how jumping into 3D printed toys...2025-04-2348 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#265: Navigating the Tariff Changes in The Toy Industry | April 2025Is it time to stop manufacturing overseas? Or are these tariffs just temporary chaos?In this episode we're talking about the massive new tariffs shaking up the toy industry and what they mean for your bottom line. With import costs from China jumping up to 54% April 2nd, and a potential 104% threat looming over the horizon, toy creators everywhere are wondering what to do next. Should you absorb the cost? Raise prices? Cancel a launch? Shift production? I’ll walk you through what’s really happening, what’s coming next, and how to make a smart move without panick...2025-04-091h 04
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#264: NY Toy Fair 2025 Exclusive Interview with PurryfulsHave I ever told you that I’m allergic to cats? Well, lucky for me I recently met Katharine Burke, the creator of PurryFuls, a purring plush cat that is designed for on demand comfort that only a purring cat can provide.Katharine left a high-stress tech job to build Purryfuls, and in today’s episode she shares exactly how she went from zero toy product experience to debuting her brand at New York Toy Fair and getting featured in Forbes!In this episode we go into detail about the skills that Katharine had to deve...2025-04-0226 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#261: NY Toy Fair 2025 Exclusive Interview with Thin Air BrandsAre tariffs here to stay or not? That was the hot topic at New York Toy Fair 2025, and trust me—it’s still got the toy industry buzzing. In Q1 of 2025, the Trump administration announced a 20% tariff on Chinese imports, and with 80% of all toys made in China, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers are all bracing for impact.So, who's really going to absorb these extra costs? Will factories take the hit? Will retailers adjust their pricing? Or will consumers end up paying the price?Inspired by a thought-provoking LinkedIn post from Mike Searls, founder of Thin...2025-03-1241 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#260: NY Toy Fair 2025 Exclusive Interview with Jayson Esterow & Gavin LawlerAfter four days of running (literally) from booth to booth, taking meetings, and soaking in the latest trends, I’m here to give you an inside look at what went down at New York Toy Fair 2025. If you missed New York Toy Fair or couldn’t see everything, check out this first episode of NY Toy Fair 2025 Exclusive Interview Series.Over the next month and a half, I’ll be taking you inside the show floor for exclusive interviews with toy designers, licensors, CEO’s, entrepreneurs and inventors who are Making It In The Toy Industry!In thi...2025-03-0629 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#259: How to Maximize Your Experience at Toy Fair New York 2025So, you’re going to Toy Fair New York this year, but you aren’t sure you’re making the most of your trip? It’s true, without a solid plan, walking into Toy Fair New York can be completely overwhelming. You can easily get lost in a few friendly conversations, pass too much time playing with toys at welcoming booths, and end up missing opportunities to grow your business, or sell your ideas. Once you walk through the doors of the Javits Center, the impact of the show is bound to hit you. So...2025-02-2642 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#258: 3 Ways To Grab Buyer Attention and Land More Deals at Toy FairLet’s be real—Toy Fair is chaotic. Buyers are rushing from booth to booth, seeing hundreds of products. If you want them to stop, pay attention, and actually care about your toy or game, your pitch needs to do more than just explain your product—it needs to demand attention.In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m breaking down 3 simple strategies that will help you:✨ Grab buyer attention in seconds (without feeling salesy)🎉 Make your pitch an experience they won’t forget👀 Spot buyer body cues so you know when to pivot...2025-02-1922 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#257: How To Win Over Buyers at Toy Fair with Barry & JasonNew York Toy Fair is just around the corner and if you’re preparing to launch your toy or game at this event, learn this lesson: it WON’T sell itself! Buyers see hundreds of pitches, and even the best ideas can get lost in the noise.The real secret? It’s not just what you pitch, but HOW you pitch it. So, how do you make buyers stop, pay attention, and want to play? That’s exactly why I’m bringing back an episode with Barry McLaughlin & Jason Lautenschleger, who share how to pitch and stand o...2025-02-1247 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#252: How One Company’s Bubble Toy Got Nominated For A Major Toy Award with Ron WeizmanThe 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 shares h...2025-01-0137 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#234: Avoid These 3 Common Mistakes When Working with a Toy FactoryTime 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 process.Why You Should Be Pantone ObsessedBeing Pantone-obsessed can m...2024-08-2829 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#230: How She Invented A Plush Toy and Licensed The Idea For Passive IncomeHave 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 toy story is a testament to the power of persistence and adaptability in the toy industry.Thro...2024-07-3144 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#228: Why You're Not Hearing Back from Top Toy Companies and What To Do InsteadTired 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 toy company wish lists (yes, they exist, and they're game-changers!)But that's not a...2024-07-1029 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#227: Kelly’s Journey From Educator to Toy Creator with TCATransforming 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 into the toy industry. Combining her background in education...2024-07-0429 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#226: This Toy Delivers Real Mail Every Week To Kids Across The Globe with Wendy LattimoreCan 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 communication methods.From Executive Assistant to Innovative Toy Creator Meet Wendy Lattimore, an executive assistant and innovative toy entrepreneur. Her journey beg...2024-06-2625 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#219: Why He Went From Mattel to TCA and Launched His Plush ToyQ: 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 America for Mattel to launching his own line of guardian angel plush dolls, Gerardo’s journey is nothing short of in...2024-05-0828 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#217: How To Make Your Toy Brand Climate Friendly with Helen TownsendIn 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 provides a step by step explanation on how you can start calculating and offsetting your carbon emissions. This i...2024-04-2441 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#214: Everything You Need To Know About MESH Accreditation For Your ToyIs your latest toy design capable of teaching kids valuable life skills? Creating a toy that's both a blast to play with and packs a punch in the personal growth department isn't child's play. So, how do you shake things up and make a toy that's not just another shiny object in the toy box but a true game-changer in a kid's development? Get ready to level up your toy-creating game with some insider knowledge from this must-listen episode.Welcome Rachele Harmuth, Head of ThinkFun who is back on the podcast to highlight her latest work in...2024-04-0344 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#213: From Empath to Entrepreneur with Jana Hallam of Wonderwell Toy CompanyKids today are facing a kindness crisis. From the playground to the classroom, loneliness and bullying run rampant. But there's hope on the horizon, thanks to one toy designer's mission to spark empathy through play. Meet Jana Hallam, TCA alumni and the visionary founder of Wonderwell Toy Co.In this inspiring episode, Jana opens up to guest host Virginia Lette, about her journey from an emotionally attuned child to a kindness crusader for the modern age. You'll discover how a frustrating Christmas tradition kickstarted her quest to create The Kindness Mouse - an engaging plush toy, storybook...2024-03-2727 min
Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business#212: Why Your Toy Package Deserves More Than Matte with Anchor CreativeAre you giving your toy's package the attention and budget it deserves? If your answer isn't an immediate "Heck yes Azhelle, ALWAYS." then it's time to listen to part 2 of of Ivan and Brittany's interview on this podcast.At the top of the episode, Ivan and Brittany share their secret on staying up to date with trends and spotting what's exciting in packaging. They remind us to step out of our comfort zones and to explore everything from boutique shelves to big-box stores to uncover what really makes packaging pop.In the second...2024-03-2020 min