Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business

Toy people, I see you. You’re trying to run your business, deal with tariffs, build your brand, pitch your ideas, and maybe even answer customer questions at 3AM. But what if I told you that AI could actually help you make the most out of your time and money as you build your toy business?

In this episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, I’m breaking down 3 powerful and unexpected ways to use AI tools to save money, reclaim your ti...

Should you launch your toy on Kickstarter? That’s the question that we’re going to explore today. 

TCA alumni Michael Harring, launched Wayward Ghouls and his line of Squeaks toys on Kickstarter as what he says is “just a test.” With the goal of $49,000, Michael’s almost at 50% with a $19,000 pledge but he shared in our interview that for some reason, pledges have stalled. 

In this week’s episode, you’ll hear a real coaching call bet...

For years, international toy sellers had a semi-secret shortcut to ship goods under $800 tariff free. That shortcut? Gone. And if you’re not prepared, your business could feel it fast. As of August 29th, the De Minimis Exemption was officially eliminated for many international shipments to the U.S. The change, quietly confirmed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, caused immediate disruption. Over 25 countries (including the UK, ...

I’ll never forget the time I asked a factory to “just move the pen and scissors down a little” on a packaging layout. What came back? A sample where the entire arrangement was totally rearranged and the design I’d worked so hard on was completely off. Communicating with factories is one of the most exciting parts of the toy-making journey, but one vague email can lead to total toy-making mayhem.

If you’re not specific, clear, and in...

Even with the recent increased tariffs on India, many of my clients and students have been seeking out new factory partnerships in this country. For decades, China has been the go-to destination for toy production, and they are indisputably the best at producing high quality goods quickly,  but what happens when rising costs, shipping delays, and shifting global policies force toy makers to look elsewhere?

That’s the exact question ...

Building forts is a rite of passage for most kids and often the bane of organized parents. I can still picture my mom, coming home late from running her business, to find chairs flipped sideways, blankets draped across them, boxes forming doorways, and my brother and I, tucked away inside playing. It was 100% an eyesore to my parents and 1000% a safety hazard.

That universal problem is exactly what architect and TCA Accelerator stud...

Ever wondered why all baby toys are so bright and loud? all primary and neon colors? Aesthetic-focused moms are craving a change. In this episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, I’m bringing you a powerful coaching session that spotlights someone who's filling that market opportunity. Playcor is a brand on a mission to make toys that look as beautiful as the homes they live in.

Courtney Smithee, an interior designer turned to...

The most innovative toy ideas I’ve ever seen come from people outside the toy industry. When I met Dr. Kieche O’Connell, the creator of Catoms, I was completely blown away. She found a way to merge her love of science and the periodic table into a collectible plush toy line. Kieche’s deep understanding of chemistry and the unique traits of each element gave her the ability to create an expansive world of characters with complex per...

Ever feel like your toy or game idea is too niche or catch yourself wondering if you’ve really got what it takes to break into the industry? Maybe you’ve been sitting on a killer concept, or you’re already knee-deep in prototypes and second guesses.

In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m chatting with TCA alum and current Accelerator student Manish Punwani, who proves that with the right guidance and a whole lot of pa...

Have you ever had a game idea pop into your head and thought, “This could be huge… but how do I even pitch it?” Or maybe you’ve been sitting on a finished prototype, wondering if it’s really “good enough” to get in front of a big toy company. If you’ve been dreaming of turning your game concept into a real product on shelves, this episode is made for you.

In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, we’re bringing back an oldie...

If you've ever wished you could sit in on a real coaching call inside Toy Creators Academy, today’s your lucky day. This episode is part of a special behind-the-scenes series where I bring you inside the TCA Accelerator for a one-on-one strategy session with Joanna, the creator of Fren Forest.

Joanna is a sculptural artist with a love for cozy characters, whimsical storytelling, and dreamy desk décor. She went from quietly craf...

Can your hobby become the next best selling board game? If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your weekend hobby into something magical and marketable, this episode is your cheat sheet.

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m unpacking the gold that Elizabeth Hargrave, the brilliant mind behind Wingspan, dropped in our conversation from last week’s episode so you don’t miss a thing.

You’ll discover why designing around re...

What are your hobbies? I personally enjoy dance, specifically latin dance and often I wonder, “What if I could translate salsa dancing into a toy or game?”. Well today, we’re going to explore that possibility. Today my guest shares how she turned her hobby into a best selling board game!

In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m joined by Elizabeth Hargrave, award-winning board game designer and co-founder of the Tableto...

Licensing a tabletop game doesn’t require years of experience or a perfectly polished prototype. What it really takes is a strong idea, a strategic approach, and the confidence to put yourself out there.

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m sitting down with April Mitchell, motivational speaker, licensing expert, TCA Alumni, and founder of 4A’s Creations, LLC. This past year April licensed 6 tabletop games...

It started with a fuzzy little monster, hiding in the pages of a picture book inspired by Nordic fairy tales. She wasn’t famous. She didn’t have a movie deal. But when one K-pop superstar hugged her on Instagram… everything changed.

This week on Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m diving into the jaw-dropping rise of Labubu, the “ugly-cute” character from POP MART that took the toy world (and TikTok) by storm. From a picture book to ...

Are you sleeping on the money-making magic of your email list?

If you've been pouring all your energy into TikToks, Reels, and likes… hold up. Because while social media might be where the buzz is, your email list is where the buying happens. It’s your direct line to superfans, curious retailers, and future customers who actually want to hear from you.

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m breaking the idea that ...

What if your toy’s price point was the only thing standing between you and a “yes” from a major retailer? You’ve got the product, the mission, and maybe even a booth at Toy Fair but if buyers are walking by without placing orders, it might not be your toy that’s the problem… it might be the price.

In this episode, you’ll hear how one Toy Creators Academy alum adjusted her pricing to better meet buyer expectations and how that decisi...

Before we dive into one of the most creative plush lines I’ve ever seen, we need to talk about something serious — TARIFFS.

In this episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, I’m kicking things off with an urgent update about the current U.S.–China tariff situation and how it could affect your toy business. I’m sharing what I would do right now if I were launching a toy brand from scratch and why diversifying your manufacturing isn’t...

Behind every “yes” in the toy industry, there’s a mountain of “no’s,” countless hours of hustle, and more trial and error than most people expect. At one point, he came close to walking away from it all—until a single line from an episode of Bluey reminded him that making games was exactly what he was meant to do.

In this episode Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m joined by the incredibly talented Jeremy Posner, owner of Shenanigans...