Toy Business Unboxed
Welcome to "Toy Business Unboxed," the podcast where we unravel the secrets of the toy industry! Join us as we delve into the world of toy design, marketing, manufacturing, and retail. In each episode, we'll unbox the latest trends, strategies, and challenges faced by toy professionals. From insightful interviews with industry veterans to deep dives into market analytics and creative brainstorming sessions, this podcast is your go-to resource for all things toy business. Ideal for inventors, entrepreneurs, or anyone fascinated by toy creation, "Toy Business Unboxed" reveals the stories behind captivating toys. Join us to learn how imaginative concepts become market hits!
Episodes
In this episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we delve into the incredible journey of Paola, the founder of Dr. Zigs. Paola shares how her passion for bubbles, inspired by her son Ziggy, led her to create a sustainable toy company. From a small kitchen experiment to a global brand, Dr. Zigs is now recognized for its eco-friendly, innovative bubbles. Paola discusses the importance of sustainability in the toy industry, the unique plant-b...
In this episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we welcome Steve and Tessa, the creators of Taji Toys. Their unique 3D toy, inspired by the yin and yang symbol, encourages free play, creativity, and skill development for kids and adults alike. Steve shares the long journey from a sketch in his college notebook to a vibrant, multicolored collection now produced in Texas. Learn how Taji Toys promote social and physical growth through open...
Join us as we explore how toys and music can harmonize to create a brighter educational future! In this episode, we dive into the fascinating fusion of toys and musical education with Michael John Wiley, a world-renowned composer, musician, and educator. Michael shares his inspiring journey from an engineering background to creating the 'Musical Color' system—a unique method that uses color to teach music and inspire creativit...
In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we interviews Andres, the innovative creator of HexPath, a board game that's redefining creativity and gameplay. Andres shares his journey from a passion for technical drafting and civil engineering to the invention of HexPath. Inspired initially by patterns observed in tiles and later by his pet ferret Ted, Andres transformed his early experiments into an award-winning game. The discussion...
Join us in our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, where we delves into the toy industry with Adam, the visionary behind Adam's Apple Games. Discover the journey from hobbyist to game designer and publisher, as Adam shares insights on creativity, crowdfunding challenges, and balancing gameplay. Learn about his inspirations, the creation of Bruin USA, and the shift from digital apps to tabletop games. Explore the nuances of marketing...
In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we dive into the fascinating world of AI-powered toys with Robin Raskin, a trailblazer in tech journalism and event creation. Robin shares her unique insights into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of children's toys, education, and play. Listen in as we discuss the exciting potentials and the challenges of integrating AI into toys, and how it influences the next genera...
Join us in our webinar talking about the transformative power of AI and automation for toy and game brands. Jason Hsieh shares how AI can be leveraged to enhance marketing strategies, boost customer engagement, and streamline workflows. Discover various AI tools like ChatGPT, Canva, and Descript, and their applications in content creation, SEO, email marketing, and advertising. Whether you're in the toy industry or another vertic...
In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, join us as we delve into the creative and challenging world of toy invention with Richard Levy, a prolific inventor with over 50 product ideas. Richard shares his inspiring journey from a successful advertising creative director to a notable toy inventor. Listen in as we explore the highs and lows of pitching unique concepts to an often resistant toy industry, and learn how Richard’s persev...
Join us in our episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we dives into an engaging conversation with Nick, the co-founder of the inspiring toy brand Randimals. Nick shares the fascinating origin story of Randimals, unique hybrid plush toys that celebrate individual differences. Discover how a playful mix of animals like a horse-shark (Hork) and a bee-dinosaur (B-rex) came to life, inspired by real-life experiences and a mission to embra...
Join us in our episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we sit down with Megan, the co-founder of HuggaBuddies, a family-run brand dedicated to creating core memories and fostering imagination through beautifully designed storybooks and plush toys. Discover how the brand began as a heartfelt family tradition and evolved into a successful business, driven by the incredible craftsmanship of Megan's mother. Learn about their unique bedtim...
In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we sit down with Ashley Head, the CEO of Curls Poppin'. Ashley shares his inspiring journey from a chemistry graduate to a passionate entrepreneur filling a significant gap in the toy market. Starting in the hair care industry, Ashley transitioned to creating dolls that represent authentic identity with brown skin, brown eyes, and big curly hair. He discusses his strategic moves, including se...
In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, join us as we chat with Brent Beck, the creative force behind Grandpa Beck’s Games. This engaging conversation explores how Brent and his wife transformed their family's love for card games into a thriving business, selling millions of games worldwide. Brent shares the ups and downs of balancing an airline pilot career while growing a game company, the importance of family in their business...
Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we dive into an insightful conversation with Enzo, the founder and CEO of CMY Cubes. Enzo shares the inspiring journey behind the creation of the CMY Cube, a unique product that blends color theory, optics, and educational play. Discover how Enzo and his partner Gabrielle navigated from prototyping during the COVID-19 pandemic to achieving viral success on TikTok, and securing pa...
In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we are thrilled to have Jeff, the president of Left Justified Studio and Prolific Games. Jeff brings over two decades of experience in the tabletop game industry, sharing insights into his career journey, from working at renowned companies like Atlas Games and Fantasy Flight Games to eventually founding his own publishing venture. Jeff dives deep into his strategic decision to acquire Prolifi...
Join us in this episode of Toy Business Unboxed as we sits down with Kevin and Laurie from Create A Castle. Discover how a vacation frustration in 2016 led to a revolutionary toy that has changed sand and snow sculpting forever. Learn about their journey from crude prototyping to winning awards, their experiences on Shark Tank, and their exciting collaboration with Disney. Kevin and Laurie share invaluable insights on overcoming ...
In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we're thrilled to be joined by Ori, also known as the Kickstarter video guy and founder of Kagan Production. Ori shares his unique journey from a film enthusiast in Israel to a prominent figure in the board game industry, responsible for successful Kickstarter campaigns that have raised over $27 million. He discusses the importance of storytelling in creating compelling video content for ca...
In our episode of Toy Business Unbox, we are excited to have Willie Wilkov, the CEO of HABA USA, who brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the toy industry. Willie discusses his career journey from advertising to his current role, emphasizing the importance of customer-centricity, clear company strategy, and financial awareness in leadership. He offers insights on managing digital and traditional marketing channels, th...
In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we sits down with Curt Covert, the mastermind behind Smirk & Dagger Games. Curt shares his journey from a marketing agency creative to a renowned board game designer, driven by a passion for emotionally engaging gameplay. We also discuss the importance of narrative in modern board games, how early playtesting can guide marketing, and the crucial 'X factor' that makes a game unforgettabl...
In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we welcomes John, the Patent Professor, a renowned patent attorney with over two decades of experience. We dive deep into John's personal journey into patent law, sparked by a childhood fascination with the Rubik's Cube. John shares invaluable insights into the importance and process of securing patents, including the nuances of design versus utility patents, the significance of provisional...
In our episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we explores the profound impact of toy donations with Alyssa from Operation Christmas Child. Alyssa delves into the origins and mission of the project, which has delivered over 220 million shoeboxes filled with toys and essentials to children in need across 170 countries over the past 30 years. She highlights incredible stories of how these simple gifts can change lives, from an orphan in R...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
As Director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills has spent his career helping men understand their bodies, their hormones, and their health. Now he’s bringing that expertise to The Male Room — a podcast where data-driven medicine meets common sense. Each episode separates fact from hype, science from snake oil, and gives men the tools to live longer, stronger, and happier lives. With candor, humor, and real-world experience from the exam room and the operating room, Dr. Mills breaks down the latest health headlines, dissects trends, and explains what actually works — and what doesn’t. Smart, straightforward, and entertaining, The Male Room is the show that helps men take charge of their health without the jargon.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.