When asked what it takes to create a small toy store, today’s guest answered: “Well, you have to be crazy, but that’s fine. I’m crazy.” What he meant by that was that you have to be willing to take chances, willing to try something new, willing to learn new skills, and willing to get creative. In today’s episode you’ll learn about what it is like to start a small toy store, toy brand, and a new manufacturing technique. In today’s podcast episode, find out what it really takes to open a toy store in terms of time, money, heart, and labor. 

Todays’ podcast guest, Isaac Elliott-Fisher's experiences in the film industry as a cinematographer led him to toys in an interesting and unexpected way. While working on a documentary in the UK with his production company, Definitive Film, he couldn’t find any toy knights, so he decided to create some himself. In the process he bought a dilapidated building in his small Ontario town, with the intention to turn it into a manufacturing site for his toys. However, it turned into something even better. It is now The Village Toy Castle, a destination that is part museum, part toy store, part play space, and soon to be the center for his new manufacturing techniques for plastic toys and toy parts. 

In my interview with Isaac, you’ll learn how it all came together. You’ll find out how much money goes into creating a brand new toy store, what kind of out-of-the-box thinking helped the process, and about the benefits of having a generous and open mindset. You’ll also find out how to get in touch with Isaac about pitching your product for his store!

EPISODE CLIFF NOTES

• Learn about the movies Isaac made that led him to get interested in the toy industry. [00:01:40]
• Find out a play pattern that Isaac used as a kid that allowed him to enjoy his toys well into his teenage years. [00:02:31]
• Learn about the toyetic principles that caused The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brand to become so successful. [00:07:46]
• Learn what exactly sparked the surprising transition from cinematographer to toy manufacturer and toy store owner. [00:10:10]
• Learn why The Village Toy Castle is not focusing on online sales [00:34:53]
• Learn about the capabilities of a new tool that could help to bring more affordable toy manufacturing to North America [00:45:14]
• Find out the benefits of sharing information in the toy industry [00:52:00]
• Learn the unlikely piece of advice that helped Isaac break out of the mold and dare to be different. [00:58:45]
• Find out Isaac’s best advice for anyone who wants to open their own toy store. [01:00:53]
• Learn about Isaac’s favorite childhood toys that inspired his love of toys as an adult. [01:03:37]

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/136

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