The highest honor your toy can get in this industry is the Toy of the Year® (TOTY®). This award is so coveted, that just a nomination alone has been said to boost sales and recognition of the brands lucky enough to earn one. A TOTY win can trigger a flood of retailers knocking on your door, desperate to get your product on their shelves.
So what does it take to get a TOTY nomination? That’s what we’re breaking down in today’s episode.
In this episode, Ron Weizman, co-founder of South Beach Bubbles shares how a simple idea to get his kids off screens turned into a thriving toy business focused on outdoor play.
Ron shares how his team turned classic bubble play into the never-before-seen Poppin Colorz line, and how it made its way to be nominated at the 2025 Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards.
Ron opens up about the scientific challenges of making stain-free colored bubbles, how to stand in a crowded toy market, and why waiting for perfection isn’t always the best move for your idea.
If your eye is on a future TOTY nomination, this episode is one you can’t miss.
Listen For These Important Moments:
- [01:46] - The Importance of Unfiltered Feedback in the Toy Industry
- [04:33] - The Birth of South Beach Bubbles
- [09:17] - What Went Through in Making PoppinColorz Bubbles
- [11:30] - Challenges and Successes that Ron & South Beach Bubbles Experienced
- [17:32] - Balancing Imagination and Practicality in the Toy Industry
- [18:47] - How Embracing Higher Price Points Can Lead To Your Toy’s Success
- [19:20] - PoppinColorz In The Making
- [23:27] - How South Beach Bubbles Creates A Trend Of Their Own
- [27:44] - Why Perfection Isn’t Necessary
- [31:26] - Creating a Lasting Community Impact by Giving Back
Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
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