Hosted by Unknown Host · 🇺🇸 US · EN-US · 311 episodes
Established thought leaders with verified media credentials.
How do I bring my toy ideas to life? How can I pitch my toy concept to top toy companies like Hasbro, Mattel, or Goliath Games? What does it cost to make a prototype, and where can I get one made? Are there toy manufacturing options outside of China? These are just a few of the questions that will be answered on this weekly podcast, Making It In The Toy Industry. In addition to mini toy masterclasses, and step-by-step guides, each episode is designed to help you take immediate action toward developing, presenting, licensing, and producing your next big toy or game idea. Learn how to find the right factory, negotiate manufacturing costs, and use successful sales techniques to get your product noticed by major toy companies. Meet Your Host Azhelle Wade, aka The Toy Coach , has been in the toy industry since 2010. With 3 toy patents, multiple toy awards, and a track record of managing multi-million-dollar toy lines for companies like Toys R Us,
Unknown Host hosts Making It in The Toy Industry, a business show with 311 episodes published.
Like any good season finale, I'm putting it all on the table. Episode 10 marks the END of our season all about the Impact of AI on The Toy Industry. In this week's episode we're revisiting everything we covered this seas
I once told CNN that some AI toys feel like a wolf in sheep’s clothing because it can be hard to tell how much privacy you’re giving up. While I'm a fan of AI use in business, I’ve been skeptical of AI toys for a while.
What if I told you Dan Klitsner discovered AI 30 years ago and used it to invent Bop It? Well, he didn’t. But I did ask Dan how AI might have influenced the creation of his hit game if it did exist when he was first star
AI is changing fast, but for the first time in a while I'm feeling that we've hit a moment of "stability". That means NOW is the perfect time to learn to apply the latest AI tools to your toy business. In this mini reset
1.5 million people left Chat GPT and went running to Claude for all the wrong reasons. Claude isn’t just the more ethical AI tool. It’s THE tool built for serious businesses. One of the most popular topics of conversatio
My friend (and On Brand with Jimmy Fallon co-star) Pyper Bleu is joining me on the podcast today to share her perspective on the effects of AI and the algorithm on retail. Our conversation starts with Pyper peeling back
So I finally convinced you that you can’t ignore AI… and you’re ready to implement it in your toy business. Go you. Love that for you. 👏🏾 But before you go trying to haphazardly plug AI into every little task, you need
My new AI agent completed 2 months of research and idea development work in 20 minutes! And the cost? About $5. If you bumped into me at New York Toy Fair you already know how excited I am about the AI integrated automat
Amazon’s new “Buy For Me” button sounds helpful… but is it quietly rerouting your customers and sales without your consent? In this episode, I’m joined by Angie Chua of Bobo Design Studio to break down how this Amazon Bu
With every major advancement in science or technology, there is bound to be pushback. AI is no exception. This season is for toy and game creators navigating AI in the toy industry. In 10 episodes we’ll explore how to us
After 299 weeks of toy talk, our 300th episode marks the closing of one chapter and opening another. This little podcast that started as “let’s see what happens” has turned into a full-on resource library for toy invento
Before Swift Clicks ever hit the shelves, the team at Make It Real was staring down the brutal math of the craft aisle: rising costs, shrinking margins, and kids who expect faster, cooler results than ever. So how did he
Can a $5 squishy toy really outsell the competition and take home a Toy of the Year award? Schylling’s CEO Paul Weingard is betting on it and honestly, the numbers are on his side. The NeeDoh Nice Cube Swirl isn’t just a
They sold out before summer, got emails from retailers and industry outsiders, and scored a back-to-back TOTY nomination… so how did they do it? In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I talk with Ron Weizman o
What does it really take to make an ESPN-licensed toy? Imagine teaching kids about sports from inside SportsCenter. That’s exactly what Abacus Brands pulled off after 27...yes, twenty-seven licensing deals, seven TOTY no
What started as an inventor's pitch, evolved into a collectible phenomenon. Sky Castle Toys is showing us what happens when you combine viral content with collectibility… and it’s Sticki Rolls. Sticki Rolls is nominated
You’ve heard of the Emmys, the Oscars, and the Grammys... but what about the TOTYs? In this episode, we’re going to dive into the TOTY (Toy of the Year) Awards and why they’re a huge deal if you're in the toy industry. I
In spring 2025 I was invited to join On Brand with Jimmy Fallon as 1 of 10 creatives selected to pitch national campaigns to major brands on national TV. Since the episodes aired, my DMs have been full of the same questi
You’ve got a product idea that means the world to you… maybe it’s cultural, personal, or rooted in your own childhood traditions. But making it retail-ready without losing your mission? That’s the challenge. In this epis
Your toy is 90% done… for the fifth time. You keep playtesting, tweaking, second-guessing, and you’re convinced it’s not ready. But what if all that perfectionism is what’s actually holding you back? In this episode of M
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Making It in The Toy Industry is hosted by Unknown Host. The show is categorised under business (entrepreneurship) and has published 311 episodes.
Making It in The Toy Industry has published 311 episodes.
Making It in The Toy Industry regularly covers business, entrepreneurship, society. It sits in the business category, with a entrepreneurship focus.
Making It in The Toy Industry is accessible for guests with genuine business expertise. A personalised, episode-aware pitch will still outperform a generic one every time.
Making It in The Toy Industry hasn't explicitly signalled guest openness in recent episodes. That doesn't rule out pitching. your hook just needs to be especially compelling and relevant to their recent content.
Episodes of Making It in The Toy Industry average 34 minutes. a focused format where a clear narrative arc and tight preparation matter most.
Our data rates Making It in The Toy Industry's guest bar at 80/100 (Premium tier). Established thought leaders with verified media credentials. Sign in to PitchCentric to see how your own Pod Score compares against this show.
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