As parents, toys and play are a BIG part of our lives, but we don't often think about what goes into creating, designing and marketing them. The world of toy invention is incredibly fascinating and fun, and an interesting space to build a business.

Creativity, invention, and using our brains to cultivate ideas and create wonderful things is something so many of us want to do, and today I'm joined by a woman who not only invents toys, but is also actively coaching toy inventors.

What goes into taking a toy from idea to product? In this episode I'm joined by inventor, "The Toy Coach" Azhelle Wade to talk about the ins and outs of the toy industry.

Toy companies realize that it's important for them to own certain properties that kids connect with so they can be NFT art or live in Roblox. -Azhelle Wade

3 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

• How to objectively vet an ideaIf you want to invent a toy, how do you know if you have a good idea in the first place?
• The effect of digital play on toy designHow have online retailers, video games, NFTs and even YouTube impacted toys?
• The process from idea to a toy people can buyWhat steps can toy inventors take to get their creations carried in a large retailer like Target?

Guest Bio

Azhelle Wade, The Toy Coach, is a 3x patented inventor and who has worked in the toy industry for over a decade. She's worked for Toys R Us, Party City, Madame Alexander, and Creative Kids. After climbing up the ladder from toy designer to VP, Azhelle decided to leave the corporate toy world to become The Toy Coach. Today, she helps educate inventors and entrepreneurs about the fun, crazy world of toys! In 12-weeks she can show you how to save time and money as you develop and sell your amazing ideas with her program Toy Creators Academy. Toy Creators Academy is the best solution to increasing your toy industry network and making your toy ideas REAL.

For more information about Azhelle's program, head to https://www.thetoycoach.com/ and follow @thetoycoach on Instagram.