If you’ve ever wondered if or why you should use a distributor to help push your toy or game, well I’ve got an episode for you. PSi aka Publisher Services, Inc is the world’s largest toy, game, and collectible distributor. And in today’s episode we have an illuminating conversation with PSi’s National Accounts Manager, Greg Watson. Greg shares what he believes is most important in game play, as well as the current perspective of distributors and retailers in retail. If you don’t know the retail ...
May 12, 2021•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you know the definition of toy photography? Well in this episode, Mitchel and The Toy Coach define toy photography as the creation of art using toys as a vehicle for storytelling. Mitchel Wu is known in the toy industry as an expert in creating impactful imagery that drives engagement and conversation. Mitchel comes on the show today and shares his personal journey leaving behind a job he didn’t love as well as tips on how you can take better photos of your toys. What started as a hobby, quic...
May 05, 2021•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s important to stay relevant and change with the times as a toy person and the latest skill you’ll need to add to your repertoire is a doozy. What skill is that? Well, it’s video editing. But don’t stress out too much, video editing is much simpler today. There are apps that have simplified the process to it’s almost as simple as drag and drop! In today’s podcast episode we’re going to go over 7 tips that will help you improve your next virtual toy pitch. Video is a huge part of the conversat...
Apr 28, 2021•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about The Toy Coach, and why Azhelle built this podcast then this episode is for you. Today Azhelle shares her story from corporate dream job, to entrepreneurial dream life, with advice on how you can do the same. It all comes down to figuring out the “Puzzle of You” which Azhelle explains with great detail in today’s episode. Get ready to also celebrate Toy Creators Academy Alumni and podcast listeners who have pushed their toy businesses forward with the hel...
Apr 21, 2021•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast After being laid off during the pandemic in 2020, Conor Lewis was bit by the entrepreneurial bug and decided to go for it with his toy product, FORT. Conor put his marketing expertise to use and built an email list of over 80,000 people before launching his Kickstarter campaign. His share focused and gamified marketing campaign helped him build his email list organically. Conor comes on the show today to share his journey of building his list, nurturing his interested customers, and ultimately f...
Apr 14, 2021•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Coming up with toy ideas is fun, and over time it gets easier and easier. And vetting ideas that you’ve come up with is the trickiest step of all, because of our own ego. Ego can get in the way of you recognizing if your latest toy or game idea is really GREAT or just OK. So, in today’s episode The Toy Coach breaks down 3 methods and exercises that you can utilize to vet your latest Amazing toy idea. The processes that are detailed in this episode are intentionally designed to separate your ego ...
Apr 07, 2021•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Considering over 70% of toys are manufactured in China, we would be remiss to not acknowledge and discuss the increase in Asian hate crimes that are making headlines in the US and Canada. According to NYPD data reported in the Queens Chronicle in September, anti-Asian hate crimes have increased 1900% from 2019 to 2020. For today’s episode, The Toy Coach engages in a hard and honest conversation with Jacqueline Vong a 20-year toy expert and founder of Playology where she works as a consultant in ...
Mar 31, 2021•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast What does it take to create a hit kids’ TV show? Well in today’s episode, Farnaz Esnaashari, Creator of the hit kids’ tv show Shimmer and Shine joins us to answer that question and so many more. Farnaz shares her journey in the world of production and media, starting from her first internship and taking us to her first few pitches. What you’ll learn from this episode is that it takes persistence, grit, and a never-give-up attitude to make it in this business, but, if you’ve been listening to thi...
Mar 24, 2021•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever heard of Amazon Live? Amazon Live is Amazon’s live streaming platform that allows Amazon sellers, vendors, and Amazon influencers to sell their products live in a QVC-style experience. The show’s host, whether it’s an Amazon influencer or the product’s manufacturer, can interact with the live attendees of their show via chat. It’s a unique opportunity to answer product questions in real-time while showing the benefits, features, and value of your product in the same spot where they...
Mar 17, 2021•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Toy Development process can seem big, scary, and overwhelming if you’ve never taken it on before, but today’s episode is going to eliminate any uncertainties you may have about what that process looks like. There are 5 key steps of the toy development process that we cover in today’s episode, while touching on the differences between working as a toy designer in the corporate toy world, versus working as a toy entrepreneur. There ARE some areas of the toy development process that an independ...
Mar 10, 2021•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode is packed with valuable information for developing a successful buyer presentation. We’ll share the 5 Keys to a Successful Buyer Presentation as developed by today’s guest Marie Nastasi. She brings a wealth of experience and advice from her roles as both a buyer and a manufacturers’ representative for companies large and small. Marie is on the show today to serve up a mini toy sales masterclass. She explains the importance of extensive and in-depth consumer research, price-to-value ...
Mar 03, 2021•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast In celebration of Black History Month, The Toy Coach presents a mini-series: Getting To Know Black Women In Toys and Entertainment. In this mini-series, The Toy Coach asks four interviewees the same 10 questions, in an effort to celebrate their career achievements in toys and entertainment, connect on a personal level, reminisce about toys from their childhood, and share their valuable life lessons. The women highlighted in this series include a SAG award winner, a Golden Globe nominee, a well-k...
Feb 26, 2021•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast In celebration of Black History Month, The Toy Coach presents a mini-series: Getting To Know Black Women In Toys and Entertainment. In this mini-series, The Toy Coach asks four interviewees the same 10 questions, in an effort to celebrate their career achievements in toys and entertainment, connect on a personal level, reminisce about toys from their childhood, and share their valuable life lessons. The women highlighted in this series include a SAG award winner, a Golden Globe nominee, a well-k...
Feb 25, 2021•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast In celebration of Black History Month, The Toy Coach presents a mini-series: Getting To Know Black Women In Toys and Entertainment. In this mini-series, The Toy Coach asks four interviewees the same 10 questions, in an effort to celebrate their career achievements in toys and entertainment, connect on a personal level, reminisce about toys from their childhood, and share their valuable life lessons. The women highlighted in this series include a SAG award winner, a Golden Globe nominee, a well-k...
Feb 24, 2021•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast In celebration of Black History Month, The Toy Coach presents a mini-series: Getting To Know Black Women In Toys and Entertainment. In this mini-series, The Toy Coach asks four interviewees the same 10 questions, in an effort to celebrate their career achievements in toys and entertainment, connect on a personal level, reminisce about toys from their childhood, and share their valuable life lessons. The women highlighted in this series include a SAG award winner, a Golden Globe nominee, a well-k...
Feb 23, 2021•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Content is King. How many times have you heard that statement? And how many times did you take that statement seriously? Today’s podcast episode is focused on teaching you strategies and tactics to build your brand identity as a toy creator. In today’s world, a big part of building that identity is going to be the content you create. So that’s why I reached out to Albert Lawrence, an experienced show host who has interviewed Oprah, Dolly Parton, and Kermit The Frog throughout his media career. A...
Feb 17, 2021•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever thought about inventing or designing a game? There are two markets you can create games for. The mass market and the hobby market. And on today’s podcast episode, we have Eric Slauson, an accomplished game designer who specializes in designing social and party games. Eric shares with us the process he uses to develop his game concepts, and this process is proven and works! As the creator of two popular games, Tattoo Stories, and MonsDRAWsity, Eric jumps into a valuable conversation...
Feb 09, 2021•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Get your notebook and pen toy people, because we’re about to get down to business. In today’s podcast episode, we talk about the grind of obtaining funding for your toy business. My guest is Terri Nichelle Bradley, the founder, and CEO of Brown Toy Box. Terri’s toy company, Brown Toy Box, makes STEAM culturally representative, accessible, and fun. In 200, Terri was named one of Inc’s 100 Top Female Founders, her company received $10,000 as a part of Targets Accelerator program and was also a rec...
Feb 03, 2021•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ready for a myth-buster? How about 5? For today’s episode I’m going to dispel 5 myths you may have about the toy industry and share personal stories, and lessons that you can learn from each of these myths. When I first started my toy career I had a pretty clear idea about what it would be like to work in toys. I thought I knew what I’d be doing every day, who I’d be working with, and what would be driving my design decisions. Over the past decade, as I learned what really goes on behind the toy...
Jan 27, 2021•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast As a toy inventor or entrepreneur, you know that there are about a hundred decisions you make on any given day. A decision to partner with a specific person or organization, a decision in how you interact with your customers, the factory you choose, the suggested retail price point you set. And at times it can seem overwhelming and challenging to continue to make the right decisions day in and day out. In this episode, we’ll talk about developing the key to guiding the decision making in your to...
Jan 20, 2021•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you’re a fan of the holiday toy sensation Elf on the Shelf, you may already be familiar with the Lumistella Company. Today’s guest is Brad Reese, and he is the Director of Product Development at this very company! Brad’s experience in the toy industry includes working with brands such as Disney and Baby Einstein, and while his expertise spans a wide range of ages, today we’re going to delve into all things, baby and infant. In this episode, we’ll talk about the biggest challenges a toy creato...
Jan 13, 2021•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are you thinking about starting your business in the toy industry but stumped about how to set it up when it comes to taxes? Navigating tax protocols as a new business owner can be confusing and intimidating, but our special guest today will shed valuable light on exactly what you need to know to set yourself up for tax success. Meet Margie Montes, who not only works on Wall Street as a senior bookkeeper, but also owns her own accounting business dedicated to helping small businesses grow and th...
Jan 06, 2021•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever toyed with the idea of creating a children’s book but unsure where to start? Today’s guest, Afro Latina author and illustrator Yesenia Moises, knows exactly what it takes. A graduate of the Fashion Industry of Technology with a BFA in Toy Design, Yesenia has two successful children’s books under her belt and even more exciting projects in the works. In a time where the world can be a scary place, she wants it to be filled with big hair, bright colors, and lots of sazón from the heart! In th...
Dec 30, 2020•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast This season we’ve all cozied up and scrolled through Netflix trying to find the perfect holiday flick, but there’s one in particular that will resonate well with my fellow toy inventors. The movie is called Jingle Jangle, and it’s a musical adventure about a toymaker’s journey...from which those of us in the toy industry can glean some valuable insight. In today’s episode, we’ll outline seven specific lessons you can take away from this fun holiday film, such as being careful who you trust with ...
Dec 23, 2020•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever watched a child engage with a push-button toy and couldn’t help but feel something was missing? Today we explore why the toy industry needs more toys designed for free play, experimentation, and discovery. After recently playing with a building kit called Rigamajig from toy designer Cas Holman, The Toy Coach was inspired to delve into the importance of diversifying the play patterns of today’s toys. In this week’s episode, The Toy Coach challenges you to think about developing toys...
Dec 16, 2020•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s episode is an extremely important topic. We’re going to talk about how to protect not only your toy ideas but also your toy business. You’ll learn the 3 most valuable contracts you need to have in your arsenal as a toy business owner, as well as what you need to look out for when you’re signing any work agreement as an employee. The goal of today’s episode is to give you a better understanding of the nuances in trademark law, the high value of a copyright, and the importance of the langu...
Dec 09, 2020•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast With the Christmas season fast approaching and COVID-19 numbers rising, today’s episode focuses on what you need to do to adapt your toy business or toy career so that you can attract sales and clients in a seemingly cold virtual climate. This new virtual first world we’re living in, while efficient, lacks human connection and warmth. So today we’re going to talk about the marketing tactics that lend themselves well to an interjection of the human experience. The Toy Coach shares her top 5 favor...
Dec 02, 2020•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are you curious about how COVID-19 might impact toy sales this Christmas and beyond? Whether you're a corporate toy professional or an independent toy-preneur, this is the episode for you. To kick off today’s conversation, we jump into a year review of the impact that COVID-19, stay at home orders, remote learning, and working all made on the toy industry. The Toy Coach highlights the top growing toy categories and the reason they experienced double-digit growth. Get ready to dive into a re...
Nov 25, 2020•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Currently, the People of Play Young Inventors Challenge is in full swing. Kids from all over have submitted their toy inventions and game ideas for a chance to be named Young Inventor of The Year. Which makes this week the perfect week to celebrate young inventors. And what better way to do that than to have my first kid inventor on the podcast? I have two guests today, kid inventor Sebastian Flores, and his supportive mompreneur Melanie Flores, the creators of the patented line of greeting card...
Nov 18, 2020•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today's podcast topic is a very important one because we will talk about toy safety. When you are creating your toy, you want to make sure it is safe for the age group it is intended for and that it follows all regulations of the countries in which you intend to sell your toy. This topic can be scary when you're just starting out, but the goal of today's episode is to connect you with the right resources to help make the process of understanding toy safety a little easier. My gues...
Nov 11, 2020•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
