Making It in The Toy Industry

Ever wondered how toys come to life through photography? 🎨✨

Mitchel Wu, an acclaimed toy photographer known for his brilliant use of motion and emotion in toy imagery, joins Azhelle Wade in this episode to unravel the magic behind his spectacular work with major clients like Marvel, Disney, and Hasbro. 

Learn how he transitioned from a mundane consumer products career to mastering the niche of toy photography, and get insights on making your own products come alive through powerful visuals. Tune in to hear Mitchel’s tips on creating engaging toy stories, using practical effects, and carving out a unique creative style in the competitive field of photography. Explore how storytelling can elevate your social media content and discover why specializing can make all the difference in your professional journey.

From Toy Story-inspired setups to creating dynamic scenes for top brands like Disney and Mattel, Mitchel reveals the secrets behind his craft. Learn how he turned a hobby into a thriving career, why storytelling is at the heart of his work, and his tips for creating scroll-stopping images. Don’t miss this inspiring episode!

Listen For These Important Moments

• 04:42 Mitchel Wu's Background and Career Shift
• 07:14 Discovering Toy Photography
• 09:15 Building a Career in Toy Photography
• 15:05 Creative Process and Techniques
• 23:01 Nostalgia and Emotional Connection
• 23:36 Client Work and Social Media Campaigns
• 25:19 Advice for Aspiring Photographers
• 28:29 Tips for Capturing Great Photos
• 30:55 Storytelling in Toy Photography
• 36:10 The Importance of Social Media
• 38:36 Engagement and Impact in Photography

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About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!

Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt

Ready to turn your toy ideas into marketable products but feeling lost in the world of virtual pitching? 🚀 Don’t worry, this episode is definitely for you! In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade drops all the tips you need to nail your next virtual toy pitch.

Discover why energy is your secret weapon, how to create an unforgettable sizzle video, and why personalizing your pitch can set you apart. Plus, we’ll discuss common mistakes to avoid, from outdated visuals to poor storytelling, and show you how to create a polished and professional presentation that leaves a lasting impression.

If you’ve ever wondered how to connect with toy companies virtually, keep your audience engaged, and follow up effectively, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you succeed. Stay tuned for bonus tips on building relationships and tools to make your pitches stand out. 🎯🎁

Don’t miss out—hit play and let’s make those toy dreams happen! ✨

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

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About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!

Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt

Ever wonder how a kid from the South Bronx grew up to be a superstar children's book author and illustrator? 🚀

In this episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, join host Azhelle Wade as she chats with Charles George Esperanza, the creative mind behind Boogie Boogie Y’all! 🎨📚 From dreaming of drawing comics to becoming a HarperCollins author, Charles shares his journey full of ups, downs, and plenty of surprises.

He shares how he turned "no" into motivation, why his vibrant oil-painted illustrations are changing how we see graffiti, and his creative tricks for making big waves in publishing. Tune in to hear his inspiring story and grab some tips on making your own creative dreams come true! ✨

Head over to thetoycoach.com/248 for all the links and resources mentioned in this episode!

Listen to these Important Moments:

• [02:53] - Introduction to Today's Guest: Charles George Esperanza
• [03:50] - 'Boogie Boogie Y'all' Audio Version
• [07:25] - Interview with Charles George Esperanza Begins
• [09:18] - Charles's Journey and Inspirations
• [17:43] - Challenges and Breakthroughs in Publishing
• [30:59] - Struggles and Breakthroughs in the Art World
• [31:49] - Transition to Education
• [35:10] - Inspiration Behind Boogie Boogie Y'all
• [37:47] - Creating and Promoting Boogie Boogie Y'all
• [46:21] - Future Projects and Reflections

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Support the show

About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!

Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt

How do you pivot your toy business when your current model isn’t working?

In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, Azhelle Wade chats with Tyler Turk, founder of Crated with Love, about his journey from subscription box entrepreneur to retail board game powerhouse. When Tyler’s subscription box business skyrocketed during the pandemic, it seemed like a dream come true—until the workload became unsustainable. That’s when he made a bold decision to pivot to selling one-off products, a shift that transformed his business into a retail success story.

Tyler shares how he tackled the challenges of transitioning from subscriptions to board games, landed his products in major retailers like Barnes & Noble, and mastered the art of adaptability in a competitive market. Whether you're looking to refine your toy business, connect with retailers, or learn how to pivot your brand to match market needs, this episode offers invaluable insights for creators, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals alike.

Learn Tyler’s strategies for navigating manufacturing, retail partnerships, and scaling your business without burnout. Don’t miss the practical tips and inspiring lessons from this episode! 🚀

Listen For These Important Moments

• [02:24] - The Origin Story of Crated with Love
• [05:25] - Challenges and Pivots During COVID-19
• [09:53] - Transitioning to Retail and B2B
• [14:18] - Future Plans and Subscription Box Evolution
• [20:15] - Executing a Successful Pivot
• [20:38] - Strategies for Approaching Major Retailers
• [23:05] - Learning the Manufacturing Process
• [25:48] - Overcoming Challenges in Retail Transition
• [28:04] - Future Goals and Automation
• [30:29] - Networking and Industry Insights
• [33:12 ] - Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Support the show

About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!

Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt

Are you skeptical about integrating AI into your toy business?

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade, also known as The Toy Coach, shares her AI expertise from this year's People of Play Innovation Conference and ChiTAG -  Toy and Game Fair in Chicago, where she presented her talk on 'How AI is Making Toy Innovation and Pitching Easier Than Ever Before.' You’ll see firsthand how AI can significantly 10x your toy development process with a custom GPT solution. 

Azhelle talked about identifying bottlenecks, researching AI tools, and planning, testing, and training your team to implement AI effectively. Take advantage of learning the five-step process to integrate AI seamlessly while preventing the pitfalls. Watch the full episode to understand how to employ AI from idea generation to creating compelling visuals and pitches that can streamline and potentially level up your toy business. 

Listen For These Important Moments

• Overview of AI-Enhanced Workflows – [00:03:13]
• Integrating AI Without Overload – [00:06:53]
• Using AI to Refine Business Bottlenecks – [00:08:57]
• Custom GPT for Idea Refinement – [00:12:37]
• MakeItToyetic Custom GPT Demo – [00:13:52]
• Testing AI’s Effectiveness – [00:16:20]
• Enhanced Workflow with Cast Magic – [00:21:21]
• Addressing AI Concerns and Limitations – [00:25:41]
• Generating Toy Ideas Using ChatGPT – [00:29:34]
• Implementing AI in Teams and Processes – [00:33:29]

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Support the show

About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!

Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt

Have you ever wondered how a simple office toy evolved into a toy phenomenon? 

In this episode of 'Making It In The Toy Industry', host Azhelle Wade sits down with Aaron Muderick, the creative mind behind Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty. From a child's love for tinkering to creating a renowned brand, Aaron's journey is a testament to innovation, persistence, and passion. He discusses the importance of staying connected to your audience, maintaining product quality, and the critical lessons learned in balancing growth and focus. 

Learn about the unique steps of toy design, the challenges of innovation, and what it really takes to succeed in the competitive toy industry. Aaron’s insights offer a behind-the-scenes look at toy development that every aspiring creator and toy enthusiast will love. From inspiration to production, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Listen For These Important Moments

• 00:36 Aaron's Journey: From Silicon Valley to Putty Innovator
• 02:35 The Slime Craze and Establishing a Permanent Footprint
• 04:02 Developing Thinking Putty for Adults
• 05:13 The Accidental Discovery of Putty
• 07:24 The First Steps to Entrepreneurship
• 09:27 Scaling Up: From Office Pool to Retail Success
• 15:51 The Importance of Focus and Specialization
• 19:41 Sustainability and Local Manufacturing
• 25:01 Navigating the Slime Craze
• 30:48 Quality and Consistency
• 35:19 Innovations and Future Trends

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Support the show

About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!

Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt

Have you ever wondered what it takes to successfully launch on a crowdfunding platform? 

Many creators go to the world of crowdfunding believing it's simply about having a great idea and posting it online. However, there's far more strategy involved than we realize. The process requires meticulous planning, audience engagement, and a strong narrative to capture backers' hearts and minds.

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade talks with Lisa Ferland, a seasoned crowdfund consultant who has helped raise over $1 million for creators on platforms such as Kickstarter, BackerKit, and Indiegogo. Lisa shares tips on everything from evaluating if crowdfunding is right for you, to understanding the importance of community, and the critical role of storytelling in the toy industry. Discover why the pre-launch phase is crucial and learn specific strategies to keep backers engaged throughout your campaign. Listen to the full episode to absorb these insights and more—perfect for both seasoned and aspiring creators!

Listen For These Important Moments

• 05:25 Lisa’s Journey: From Editing Stories to Crowdfunding Consulting
• 11:22 The First Steps for a Successful Kickstarter Launch
• 18:47 Indicators That Crowdfunding Might Be Right for You
• 24:30 The Importance of Building an Audience for Crowdfunding Success
• 30:56 Engaging and Maintaining a Community of Backers
• 36:45 The Role of Visuals and Multimedia in Kickstarter Success
• 41:03 The Significance of the Pre-Launch Phase in Crowdfunding
• 49:20 Understanding and Navigating the U-Shaped Curve of Campaigns
• 55:12 Key Elements of Post-Launch Engagement for Repeat Backers

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Support the show

About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!

Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt

Ever wondered how to truly captivate buyers in the toy industry? Or why do some sales pitches fall flat even when the product is amazing?

In today’s episode, we will talk about the magic of storytelling in the toy industry! We’ll cover how sales reps and vendors approach things differently, plus the secrets to crafting pitches that go beyond a quick sale and build lasting customer relationships. Discover how storytelling can be the key to success in this highly competitive toy market. 

Join us in this storytelling showdown with our guests, Tres Patton and Rachel Jones! Tres reveals techniques for crafting a compelling brand story, while Rachel discusses the importance of seeing through a child's eyes and building long-term relationships. Learn the art of maintaining passion, educating retail partners, and ensuring your product stands out. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in toy sales who’s ready to level up through the art of storytelling!

Listen For These Important Moments

• 02:26 The Storytelling Face-Off Begins
• 05:49 Defining Storytelling in Sales
• 06:53 Building Trust Through Product Experience
• 14:30 Adapting Storytelling for Tough Sales
• 18:26 Understanding the Roles: Vendor vs. Sales Rep
• 25:38 Rediscovering Passion in Sales
• 26:08 Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Sales
• 26:50 Balancing Work and Personal Life
• 28:42 The Importance of Flexibility in Sales
• 31:32 Building Relationships Through Storytelling
• 36:26 When Storytelling Falls Flat
• 41:32 Favorite Toys of Tres and Rachel

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Support the show

About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!

Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt

Want to know how to ‘wow’ your way into the competitive toy industry?

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade looks into Richard North's life, sharing how he went from a determined 19-year-old to a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the founder of Wow! Stuff. You will learn about his career’s turning points, such as being featured in Channel 4's Secret Millionaire TV Show, including the emotional inspirations behind the creation of Wow! Stuff and groundbreaking ideas that keep the company pushing forward.

Find out the importance of mentorship, early business ventures, and how innovation can stem from unexpected places like the novelty 'Butt Face' towel. Get ready to be inspired by Richard’s stories from personal heartbreaks to meeting scientists, forging a path toward tech-infused toys and revolutionary 'puppetronics.' Listen to this episode for expert insights and fascinating anecdotes that captivate and educate aspiring toy creators like you! 

Listen For These Important Moments

• 01:17 Early Challenges in the Toy Industry
• 04:01 Building a Resilient Team
• 07:35 The Importance of Recruitment
• 09:40 Richard's Entrepreneurial Journey
• 21:20 The Psychology of Consumer Behavior
• 27:04 Why Richard Started Wow! Stuff
• 33:53 From Novelties to Toys
• 36:17 Innovating with Wow! Stuff
• 39:36 Collaborations and Future Plans
• 49:20 A Heartfelt Business Story
• 52:44 Childhood Toys and Final Thoughts

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Support the show

About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!

Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt

Curious about what happens when major toy industry players team up?

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade cracks open the toy box on the epic merger between The Toy Association and People of Play. You’ll hear straight from the toy legends — Mary Couzin and Greg Ahearn—as they give us backstage passes on their big plans for events like POP Week and ChiTAG, and how this merger is shaking things up for the toy industry. The guests shared what sparked this merger and the opportunities that await toy creators, inventors, and enthusiasts in the long run.

You’ll also get to hear solid tips on how to make the most of toy fairs and events like pitching, networking, and thriving in an industry that's always leveling up. Whether you're a toy biz vet or just starting to dip your toes in the toy industry, LISTEN to this episode because it is packed with everything you need to level up your toy game!

Listen For These Important Moments

• 01:36 The Major Merger: The Toy Association and People of Play
• 08:27 Maintaining the Spirit of POP
• 13:11 Immediate Changes and Future Plans
• 20:00 Nostalgic Toys and Their Comebacks
• 21:35 ChiTAG and POP Week: Coming this November 2024!
• 24:15 Young Inventor Challenge and Industry Opportunities
• 25:57 Networking Tips for New Inventors
• 29:52 How to Make the Most of ChiTAG and POP Week
• 32:55 Encouraging New Toy Inventors

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Support the show

About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!

Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt