#215: How He Launched an Action Figure Line from Ideation, Marketing, to Retail Placement
Ever wondered how a simple idea can transform into a toy that's flying off the shelves? Perhaps you've been toying around with a concept, but the thought of kickstarting it into production leaves you feeling majorly overwhelmed. Well, then today’s episode is the perfect fit for you. Brandon Braswell, founder of 9 to 5 Warriors is sharing the ups and downs of developing and producing his own action figure line.
In this episode, our guest host Virginia Lette welcomes back Brandon on his second time around on the "Making it in the Toy Industry” podcast where he unpacks what he wish he knew before launching his action figure line. From just starting out with zero connections, to pitching to giants like Hasbro, Brandon reveals one priceless lesson: the importance of storytelling. But that's just the tip of this toy story! Brandon discusses the power of entrepreneurial drive, how to navigate unpredictable trends in marketing, and how to successfully partner with fulfillment centers.
Brandon's journey from a toy enthusiast to having his own action figures grace store shelves is nothing short of inspirational. His narrative reinstates the belief that with passion and the right guidance—like that from the Toy Creators Academy (TCA)—even the most ambitious of dreams are within your grasp. And if you have already started making moves with your toy idea, but want to avoid the siren calls of business pitfalls, this episode can’t be missed.
Episode Cliff Notes
Learn what inspired the concept of 'Nine to Five Warriors' and how this uniquely '90s-nostalgic line of action figures is looking to rekindle the magic of Saturday morning cartoons.
Hear about Brandon's journey and the key reasons he enrolled in the Toy Creators Academy, even with significant progress made prior to joining.
Continue to learn how Brandon is handling the balance between his full-time job and his growing toy business, Nine to Five Warriors, and the strategies he uses to manage both.
Get insights into Brandon’s approach to selling and marketing his products, and how he’s making use of social media and customer engagement to grow his retail presence.
Find out which of his Nine to Five Warrior characters Brandon reflects on with fondness and why some characters cost significantly more to produce.
And finally, learn how you can connect with Brandon and check out the Nine to Five Warriors product line for potential pre-orders or collaborations.
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This episode is brought to you by www.thetoycoach.com
Support Brandon’s toy dreams by shopping 9 to 5 Warriors! Click here to visit the websiteYou can join Toy Creators Academy here.
Listen to episode number 183 of MIITI podcast: "How to pitch a show idea to Hasbro with Brandon Braswell"Nine to Five Warriors website: www.9to5warriors.com
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[00:00:00] You are listening to making it in the toy industry episode number 215.
[00:00:05] Brandon Braswell: Her modules are set up, yes, for the toy industry. But at the end of the day, like anyone in any industry can learn so much from that. It's about project planning, you know, doing research, doing a lot of things before you actually make your first step. Then when it went into the marketing realm, like. You have all this groundwork done.
[00:00:24] And it's funny, uh, my background is videography and I have filmed other courses in the past about entrepreneurialism or, you know, name the thing, tech boom, whatever. And I felt as gels are just so much richer. And again, her personality just shines through. Yes. It's a funner topic around toys, but you just take the core magic and the fundamentals, the foundation from her course, and it can be applied anywhere.
[00:00:49] [00:01:00] Well, hey there, toy people! If you're thinking, this doesn't sound like Azhelle, you'd be right! It's Virginia, and once again I've managed to sneak into Azhelle's podcasting chair to bring you another special episode of Making It In The Toy Industry. This week, I had the privilege of interviewing yet another Toy Creators Academy course graduate.
[00:01:37] Which, as an aspiring toy creator myself, was both fascinating and enthralling. I got to ask them questions like, What was their professional background before they dipped a toe into the toy industry? What was the product or brand that they developed along the way? And also, I quizzed them on what's next for them in their Toy Creators journey, now that they've [00:02:00] finished the course.
[00:02:01] So join us as we showcase yet another Toy Creators Academy success story. I'm so excited to share this one with you, because I learnt so much from this inspiring TCA alumni member, and I've got no doubt that you will too.
[00:02:17] Virginia Lette: A very big welcome back to the podcast, Brandon Braswell it's great to have you on Making It in the Toy Industry again.
[00:02:26] Brandon Braswell: Thank you. Thank you for having me on. It's always a pleasure to support.
[00:02:29] Virginia Lette: Yeah. No, I don't know how many of the podcast guests are return guests. So I don't know that there would be too many, but you have been on this podcast before.
[00:02:37] Brandon Braswell: As the name implies, it's making it in the toy and shoe. I have yet to make it just yet. So it's, it's always awesome to just talk about the progress being made and where I've come from and, you know, where I'm at currently.
[00:02:50] Virginia Lette: Absolutely like I'm I'm really excited to speak with you actually because I did listen to your previous podcast that you did with a gel which was primarily around [00:03:00] pitching to Hasbro.
[00:03:02] I'm just going to double check for those that might like to go back and have a listen I think it was episode. Number 183, how to pitch a show idea to Hasbro with Brandon Braswell. That's you.
[00:03:17] Brandon Braswell: So, yeah, thanks to the TCA program. I had the opportunity to present to Hasbro during one of our Azhelle's, uh, toy pitch competitions, or not really competition, you know, or she puts it together, it's an awesome collaboration, if anything, as all the entrepreneurs, you know, huddle in their waiting rooms.
[00:03:31] We're all just sharing ideas and our experience. So it's a beautiful experience.
[00:03:35] Virginia Lette: Well, let's take it back to the beginning for those that haven't heard that episode and maybe aren't familiar with you, at least as much as I am. Brandon, your product is 9 to 5 Warriors. And as I understand it, your business was well up and running well before you even enrolled in TCA.
[00:03:55] So what prompted you to enroll in TCA?
[00:03:58] Brandon Braswell: Like a lot of things, you don't know [00:04:00] what you don't know. And even though I had started back in 2012, I'll say. Which has been a long journey, but also know that I took like an eight year hiatus. So I haven't been at it this entire time. But when I first started, I kind of just, I joke with Azhelle, every time she posts like the top 10 things don't do like I did all 10 and, and, and then some, you know, so just jumping into any, you know, industry.
[00:04:23] I try to do my research, but there's always, Things that you just never know. And you try to make the best decisions along the way. And it's a lot of action oriented, at least for me. I don't like to just sit and think, sit and think, cause you can get into analysis, paralysis, and you're going, Oh, what about this?
[00:04:37] What about that? What about this? What about that? I'll think just like that, but I'll execute on each of those things to see which path to really go to. So honestly, when I. Cut to 2021, I believe, I discovered Azele's program, and at that point, this is, uh, the second time I'm really trying to go for it, uh, because I'd given up, you know, basically for eight years.
[00:04:59] [00:05:00] So, at that point, I just, I have like the prototypes already made. I think I was about to do a Kickstarter or I already failed one. And I just, again, I didn't know what I didn't know. And I just wanted to see what I can take from Michelle. She seems super cool to talk to, like approachable, um, well versed in the industry that I'm obviously trying to get into.
[00:05:20] So I just saw it as a win.
[00:05:22] Virginia Lette: And I think everybody will say the same thing. So for those that don't know about 9 to 5 Warriors, can you give us a little bit of background about your product and your business and where you got to before you enrolled in Toy Creators Academy?
[00:05:37] Brandon Braswell: Well, first off, 9 to 5 Warriors is a 90s inspired action figure line.
[00:05:41] That says to recapture the magic of the Saturday morning cartoon. So for those that are watching, if they see it, but those that are listening, I'm surrounded by a lot of nostalgia, everything from the nineties and eighties, the time period I grew up with. And for me, the magic back then was about the storytelling aspect, uh, amazing TV shows, amazing movies.
[00:05:59] [00:06:00] That's where it. Rich strong IPs came from and I feel like maybe that's kind of what's been forgotten in the next generations of toys and that's why we keep seeing the reiterations and re releases of our old school classics is because back then they spent the time to really dive into character creation and I felt that's what made the best connections.
[00:06:20] So back in 2012 when I had the crazy idea of like, let me make a toy. I decided to start there with story and character development. So right again, around 2021, when I reach out to Azelle and join the program, I'm pretty sure, I think I already launched the Kickstarter. So at that point it was just thinking like, what else can I do now?
[00:06:40] I have these prototypes, I'm going to do another round of pre orders with another company. I'm going to utilize their network, their reach to, to fill the gaps of where I think the Kickstarter failed, which was in around marketing. And I really just wanted this attempt to be the one that like, Gets the toys actually made, which thankfully cut to now 2024.
[00:06:58] They're actually in [00:07:00] stores and being shipped. So it's been an awesome process.
[00:07:02] Virginia Lette: Wonderful. So did you find going into TCA then that there might've been a few modules that perhaps you didn't really need to go through? Did you zoom through a couple of the modules? I know I'm not, we're not supposed to say that, but
[00:07:17] Brandon Braswell: I totally know this too.
[00:07:20] Her modules are set up. Yes, for the toy industry, but at the end of the day, like anyone in any industry can learn so much from that. It's about project planning, you know, doing research, doing a lot of things before you actually make your first step. Then when it went into the marketing realm, like you have all this groundwork done.
[00:07:39] And it's funny, uh, my background is videography and I have filmed other courses in the past about entrepreneurialism or, you know, name the thing, tech boom, whatever. And I felt as gels are just so much richer. And again, her personality just shines through. Yes, it's a funner topic around toys, but you just take the core.
[00:07:58] Magic [00:08:00] and the fundamentals the foundation from her course and it could be applied anywhere
[00:08:04] Virginia Lette: so tell us then what were some of the key takeaways of the course and where what was some of those monumental things that you learned key things that you learned that perhaps you didn't expect to learn.
[00:08:15] Brandon Braswell: Absolutely. So nine to five warriors. I've always Thought I wanted to position it to something that I can sell and license out and sit back and, you know, make royalties or just something. I always wanted to be the creator of it and hopefully retain the creator rights. But I always saw it as like something I just really wanted to get out there and kind of sit back.
[00:08:37] And enjoy what actually gets created due to the idea. Cause I'm like one of those, like, again, my room is filled with the nostalgia. I am the by product of what I want. And I kind of wanted to get out there. Hence why I initially was going after like the idea of what I wanted with Hasbro. But thanks to the course, forget which.
[00:08:55] Which module, but it was literally about licensing. And it opened my eyes. Like I actually don't [00:09:00] want this. It's a lot less, um, rewards and benefits than I had thought from certain perspectives, like this, I will license nine to five warriors, but I'm actually going to retain as much ownership and as much as I can, because I also think we're in a day and age where like single individuals like myself can actually do these things, like look at what I've done.
[00:09:20] Look at what other people in the CCA program have done. I think. The first thought a lot of times is let me create an idea and, you know, I'll sell it and be rich or whatever. And I think the reality was, is that I don't, I love this product actually. And I want to make sure that it goes the way I see it can fully go
[00:09:39] Virginia Lette: and
[00:09:40] Brandon Braswell: a larger entity or anything else might actually deter from what I hopefully want from it.
[00:09:44] Virginia Lette: I can relate to that. I maybe came at it. From the opposite angle to you. I'm only midway through the Toy Creators Academy myself as a student. And I've come in thinking, I want to retain all ownership. I want to do this all on my own. [00:10:00] And as it turns out, I'm beginning to think, I don't know if I can do this all on my own, you know, and maybe I need to look at licensing.
[00:10:06] And that's something that I hadn't considered before. It's a tricky balance to find, isn't it?
[00:10:12] Brandon Braswell: Yeah, I, I think there's just so much potential out there. So many new tools and technology today. Like look at what we're capable of doing. I think having access to factors is something that never was really quite possible back then, the way we can communicate, translating, like there's just so like, I wake up one day, I'm like, this is insane.
[00:10:30] I'm designing packaging for my toy and like sending them screenshots of how I want them to actually laid out in the bubble. And I'm like, this is not even in my background. And like, I don't even know what it's like, you know, their language and yet. Things are happening and they came out perfect like
[00:10:45] Virginia Lette: because you've been working on your product for so long the nine to five warriors Are you all in on that now?
[00:10:51] Or do you still have a full time job like a lot of the other people that are doing TCA?
[00:10:57] Brandon Braswell: Yeah, I still have a full time job, but I've [00:11:00] always been the ambitious type to want To do everything that I can and so far I've been able to do that like now I have a fulfillment factory There's there's certain things that like I said going back to what I wanted originally was kind of just because of what was under My capacity and also what I didn't know was like, oh there are things such as fulfillment centers I can dump all my stuff over there and never touch inventory Everything gets packaged beautifully the things that like stress me out.
[00:11:25] Like how am I gonna? Deal with a thousand product. Oh my God, we're going to store it. Oh, I got to figure out a warehouse. I gotta, I gotta hire people. Oh my God. Bubble wrap is dispensed. Like stupid things like that, that like literally like, Oh wait, I just found an amazing company that handles it all. Yes.
[00:11:40] It takes more out of, you know, profits and whatnot. But like, again, if I want this to go where I know it can go, it can only go as far as I can physically get it. But I also have to be smart and hire the right people, use, utilize the right tools that are available to me.
[00:11:55] Virginia Lette: I'm a big picture person. So when I think of nine to five warriors, I'm thinking, I see [00:12:00] it here and there and everywhere.
[00:12:01] And you know, the animation and the magazine and the actual figurines. And what's your advice to somebody like me, who needs to bring that all the way back in and start really small?
[00:12:16] Brandon Braswell: I'm a fan of list making and There's nothing wrong with vision casting and everything, but if you do get overwhelmed and like, I'll, it'll never be me.
[00:12:26] I think just creating lists and okay, what is, what is my six month goal? Even though I like there's part of me that does this, you know, in the back of my mind, I don't actually write lists anymore. I think I do day to day lists. There are some people that a hundred percent will benefit just from like breaking it down.
[00:12:44] So like, this is my end goal. Okay, what year would I love to do that? What would like year two that look like? What would six months from now look like? What would three months from now look like? So you don't feel so overwhelmed. Going back to 9 to 5 Warriors, yeah, the idea is [00:13:00] ambitious. Like, I want to be the catalyst of the next generation of Saturday morning cartoons.
[00:13:04] Like, I think we're so ripe with strong IPs that nobody knows about. Aside from my own, like, the TCA Academy, people that are also in the toy community that aren't part of TCA yet, I don't know. I just see them creating amazing toys and they're not getting recognition. They're not even, they're doing it all on themselves.
[00:13:20] So like, if I can help, you know, pave the way, or at least all of us together be the next generation of Saturday morning cartoons and dive into the rich story, I think that's my end goal, you know? Awesome.
[00:13:32] Virginia Lette: What advice would you have for other people who are sort of poised to start TCA or maybe teetering, not sure if they should do it?
[00:13:43] What advice would you have for them?
[00:13:44] Brandon Braswell: Yeah, I mean, the beauty of the program is it gives you two options. It can be like the inventor route, as she calls it, and you might have an awesome idea for a contraption. This does this and allows you to do that. That contraption might be purchased by a Hasbro or [00:14:00] Mattel and utilized in a way that you probably never saw it.
[00:14:03] Like they'll be like, Oh, that's perfect for Barbie. Or, Oh, that's actually a transformer piece. And so if you are a constant idea, like kind of person like, Oh, this would be great. This would be great. This would be great. Okay. Like I think the inventor routes best for you and like just check it out because at the end of the day, like it's going to give you the groundwork of honing in on those ideas, giving you a step by step of like really enriching them based off of research or just like, you know, certain trends and then like positioning them into a place without spending too much money.
[00:14:33] Without, you know, going way down the deep end like I have with other things and, um, positioning it to be something that can be sold. And then on the flip side, if you're on the creator side, which is where I'm on and you have like just one idea that you're just super passionate about and you're like, I don't care about anything else.
[00:14:50] This idea just lingers in my head. Then again, this course is for you because then you can formulate that idea. You can really get rich into it, figure out what, how to take it to the next [00:15:00] level. And again, position it to the next stage, however that looks for you.
[00:15:04] Virginia Lette: What's next for you then Brandon, you've finished the course, you're, it seems to me like you're everywhere at the moment.
[00:15:10] I'm seeing you on all of my social media channels and you're in the Facebook group, which is wonderful for all of the other TCA alumni. What's next for you? Next, you've got these amazing characters. Are they all in production at the moment? Because I think the last time I checked you had some pre ordering going on for some of them.
[00:15:30] Brandon Braswell: Perfect segue. Like, yeah, right now I've produced four. They literally just landed at the fulfillment center, like literally this month. So now my mind shifted from like production and making sure everything's perfect to like sell them, like retail, wholesale, 10 stores already. People have reached out to me stories have reached out to me.
[00:15:52] Thankfully. There's also like just understanding how to email them What a good email looks like again learned in the course So my [00:16:00] focus right now and I do need to go back into the course because I I am finding myself like I don't want to ever feel like I'm behind or miss a step. You know, I know I need to sell these guys in retails or, you know, B2C and B2B, but I also know that I have 10 other or six characters more that I'm like, I would love to get those out there as well.
[00:16:22] Like a Kickstarter while these are still selling. And while these are getting attention as, as you said, like I'm everywhere. So thankfully, People with podcasts and people with like other articles and other things are writing about the momentum now. So I kind of have to figure out like, how do I divide my time into the right path?
[00:16:40] Because my focus is just getting these out there and as many stores as possible, because that's part of the vision too. I just want to see them on shelves, but I, I would love to get the other six characters out because that's part of the grander whole right now. It's only four characters, which is two on each side, the good guys and bad guys and yeah.
[00:16:58] That's currently where I'm at. [00:17:00]
[00:17:00] Virginia Lette: How do you balance all of that with your full time job?
[00:17:05] Brandon Braswell: That's a good question. Um, again, I've just been strategic with my time. Thankfully, if this is what's amazing, like, I think I put it out there and people come to me, some guy like randomly hit me up. He's like, Hey, I love selling toys.
[00:17:20] Can I sell your product? Like, literally he's like, Yeah, sure. Why not? You want to take commission and it's like, just like that. Like I was easygoing. Like I didn't have to search for anyone. And he's one of the reasons why I'm on the intense stores. Cause he was passionate about the brand. He has sales experience and he just wanted another, like.
[00:17:39] You know, kind of a side job. So it's not even like a full time. It's definitely not full time. He's just like, I love the brand. I like the idea. I want to help get this out there. So I take an opportunities like that to answer your question. I really don't know how I meant it. Well,
[00:17:53] Virginia Lette: I mean, the planets are all aligning for you at the moment.
[00:17:57] It's all going so well for you. And I couldn't be more [00:18:00] happy to hear that about another TCA alumni. Are you looking to expand internationally anytime soon?
[00:18:08] Brandon Braswell: I am in one retailer in UK, thankfully. Um, I'm constantly asked by other people, are you shipping to Canada? Are you shipping here? And so forth. So what I do is like, okay, tag your favorite store, tag your current retailer, and then I'll reach out to them.
[00:18:24] And that's actually how I got the UK dealer is like, again, just, I'm only one person and I don't even have enough stores to fill the world yet, but I'm. I'm just doing what I can. And, um, I want to kind of preface this, like I'm not trying to make money right now. I know for a fact like there's a large investment put in just to get these out.
[00:18:47] So I'm selling them a razor thin margins, but like I know the next batch would be a higher profit. And even the next batch after that would be a higher profit. So like my focus is like not try to nickel and dime and get the [00:19:00] maximum amount like current toys in my, uh, in the indie market. And any market, meaning like someone that's not Hasbro or Mattel producing, you know, maybe a thousand to 2000 per SKU.
[00:19:12] These figures usually go for 35 to 55, 60. Cause that's the adult marketplace. I'm charging 25, which is like. I want them out there. I want you not to buy one. I want you to buy all four. And if you're a store, I want you to experiment, buy one case of 20, you know, like that's what I'm seeing is, Oh yeah, we'll take a chance.
[00:19:31] Why not? Cause I've saw from other people's experience though, they'll try to sell a carton of 20 per character and they have five characters so that you're asking a small brick and mortar to buy a hundred pieces just to carry your entire line instead of offering an assortment box or offering a really good price.
[00:19:49] Yeah. And again, just to get the word out there, those brick and mortars help being champions of the brand, um, background with content. I'm using, using that to my [00:20:00] advantage as saying like, Hey, if you want to partner with me. I'm not going to leave you standing. Like, I'm going to give you custom content.
[00:20:05] Give me your logo. I'll create custom flyers for you. I have video content. We'll help you push that out there too. And that like, just makes them feel like, okay, let me, this is a better, you know, than just ending up with a thumbnail of like, this is the image and me having to reach out to everyone and, and come up with a story.
[00:20:20] Like I give them the storylines, I give them a catalog, I give them everything they need to be the champions of the brand. So that again, that I don't have to be out there.
[00:20:28] Virginia Lette: Something I just want to touch on quickly. You mentioned a little earlier about. Wanting or needing it at some at various points to dive back into the course what are those key course modules that you're finding you're going back to at this point in time
[00:20:44] Brandon Braswell: I think I want to go back into the later stages of like wholesale and license and like I said I.
[00:20:50] I no longer want to just, Hey, here, take the brand. Like, let me just sign it away. Like I want to still do licensing and that can look very different. You know, I can approach, um, I don't [00:21:00] know, a t shirt company or whatever, uh, something company that like, if they liked the brand, if especially if it fits their aesthetic, like maybe they could slap the right graphics on it or create, I don't know, X, Y, Z product, you know, But yeah, this is the point where I'm like, I don't know again what I don't know and when you're going through the course, it might feel overwhelming.
[00:21:18] There's a lot of information and especially if you are kind of like, let me read module 7 first and then 3, like no, stick to 1 to, what is it, 12 or something? And as you go, like, re listen to it because there's so much in there that your brain doesn't process. Properly, but the 2nd, 3rd time you hear it, like, Oh, now I'm finally getting that.
[00:21:39] Now I'm finally here that it can take advantage of it.
[00:21:41] Virginia Lette: Yes. Yes. That's so relatable. It's like watching a movie. Then every time you watch it back, you see something different or, you know, you see it. A plot twist, or you see a character that you hadn't noticed before, and it really only jumps out at you when the time's right for you.
[00:21:59] Right. So [00:22:00] that's a really important lesson to keep going back in. I'm learning new things all the time that I thought I'd already covered. And yeah, it just only sort of sticks out at you or becomes relevant when you get to that point in your journey.
[00:22:12] Brandon Braswell: Yeah.
[00:22:13] Virginia Lette: I really want to know, Brandon, what's your favorite nine to five warrior character?
[00:22:22] Brandon Braswell: I think in this batch is the tech sergeant Scotchy was just the surprise. He just was really cute. He literally can open up and take a standard issued tape roll and put it in him and then he acts as a tape dispenser. Actually I have him right here. Boom. I do have an alternate face too, that I didn't produce.
[00:22:41] And that face was just so much cuter than like, when I did the 3d print, the prototypes, all the things, like, I think he was just the one that I ended up like spending so much time with. And I'm like, damn, I really love this character. I can't wait to get them.
[00:22:54] Virginia Lette: In one of your previous interviews, you had, uh, the sculptor that did it was [00:23:00] a very well known sculptor from back in the day.
[00:23:03] And I think you said some of your characters are Cost significantly more to make than others. And I don't know if you're willing to share which ones do you, but I would have thought like, I like the, um, uh, forgive me, I've forgotten his name, but the little chips comes across. What's his name?
[00:23:22] Brandon Braswell: So Commodore Chris short names is crisp.
[00:23:26] Virginia Lette: And so like, I was going back through all of your characters going now, I wonder which one was the one that was significantly more to make. And I was thinking crisp looks like. He comes apart multiple times where some of the others don't necessarily well
[00:23:40] Brandon Braswell: to make prototyping wise major and custard were the most expensive they're the main characters and they were most expensive because I also didn't know what I 100 percent wanted well let me actually like I knew what I wanted 100 percent to get there you have to work with different artists and you have [00:24:00] to.
[00:24:00] It takes time. What I didn't know is just how much time and I, and I joke with everyone like if I actually knew how much it costs to make the toys at the very beginning, I would have never started that journey. So I kind of want to make sure people that's the word of a caution, you know, with any course to that's the one thing I say like you can read a million books on like how to write the perfect script or how to do this and that.
[00:24:24] And I think sometimes even this course can be that way. Um, If you hear so many things of what not to do or how to do things, you're going to get into that paralysis and you're also just going to feel like it's not good enough or like, it just, I feel like certain people can just stop before they even try.
[00:24:42] So I really want to emphasize that. Like, yes, I follow the course, but there's so many things. I still just like, no, that's not for me. I'm not a believer of trends, actually. Like, I just don't like trends to me are just things that are just. You're just, you're holding on to the idea like, okay, someone bought that.
[00:24:58] Let me just keep pushing down that. [00:25:00] Where in the nineties and the eighties, again, there was just like throwing stuff on the wall and see if it sticks. Like who would have thought, you know, uh, Brooklyn plumber would it be the ultimate, you know, super Mario and be like, uh, the childhood star and like who would have thought Ninja Turtles would have been such a huge success.
[00:25:17] Like if you went off trends, that would have never, never, ever, ever happened. So going back, like, I just think. I mean, I don't know, the most expensive one was Major and Custard, and that was because I just wanted them to be perfect, and I feel like they are perfect now. So Scott did them, and then I took them to a digital sculptor to finesse, and then I finessed even more, and then when the toys were done, that's when I felt like, okay, that's exactly what I was looking for.
[00:25:44] Virginia Lette: I think this chat that we're having almost goes full circle because it's becoming increasingly apparent to me that Toy Creators Academy, as you said earlier, you can go down the inventor route that you learn about, or the entrepreneur route are the two very different [00:26:00] paths that Ajal asks everybody to consider and identify which one they're at.
[00:26:04] But I think there's also the route that you're coming into this having already Been doing your business and you have your concept or even a product in your hand like a tangible product people that are already at that point can still benefit from doing toy creators Academy as can somebody who's literally starting from scratch.
[00:26:28] You know, they're, they're, they might have a bit of an idea, but they haven't done any sketches or anything yet. So there's also those two very different parts in my opinion.
[00:26:38] Brandon Braswell: So, and I, again, I went in what I didn't know what I didn't know. So the learning, like, oh, that was a mistake. I remember that that was expensive.
[00:26:47] And you, you, again, you don't, Know what path to truly take is the right one. And there, especially in the industry at the time, there's like gatekeepers and things that they didn't want to share. And I'm like, I'm just [00:27:00] asking a question, like, just so I can learn, I'm not going to steal your words, whatever.
[00:27:04] Um, So yeah, when you're
[00:27:06] Virginia Lette: right, if you are already has the product in hand, it's really validating to go back and do the course, I think is what we're trying to say.
[00:27:15] Brandon Braswell: And having the community to support, that's what's sick too, is like just seeing other people's wins, um, their concerns or questions. I always learn from them.
[00:27:23] That's why I'm in the Facebook group often.
[00:27:26] Virginia Lette: I know it's wonderful for the rest of us to see you in there so often as well. We're running out of time, Brandon. Unfortunately, I feel like I could sit here and chat to you all day. Your energy is unbelievable and it's hard not to get too carried away. With my own thoughts, just talking to you, like, I'm, I can't wait for the Nine to Five Warriors movie.
[00:27:48] I'm already choosing what scene in the cinema I'm going to be sitting in for the movie. It's like going to be the next toy story, in my opinion. Even just for those that can [00:28:00] see your wall in the background there, I'm curious, are you actually sitting in your real bedroom? Because.
[00:28:05] Brandon Braswell: I know this is
[00:28:06] Virginia Lette: my teenage bedroom that you're sitting in there.
[00:28:09] Is it minus a Keanu Reeves poster or
[00:28:13] Brandon Braswell: two? Now this is like my man cave office of, I don't know, creativity. And I just built it like a, like we just moved this month and I feel. Finally was able to set it up. And it really is like inspiring to work here now. Like there's so many colors, like the brands. I mean, if I give a whole tour, there's just so many beautiful brands.
[00:28:33] Virginia Lette: I can see everybody's jumping onto the video now to say.
[00:28:37] Brandon Braswell: But like, that's what, again, the magic that I'm trying to recreate was of a time period where I feel people took chances and all I'm doing at now is just taking my own chance and yeah, hopefully people like it.
[00:28:50] Virginia Lette: So exciting. Well, I think fairly soon, we're going to need to see another little shelf at the top there for all the awards and, and trophies that you're going to be winning.
[00:28:59] [00:29:00] And it's just been such a thrill to talk to you in person. As I said to you before we started, I feel like I know so much about you already. You're just so open and willing to share your story with other people, which is just amazing. Only beneficial to the rest of us. And for that reason, we're extremely grateful that you joined us once again on making it in the toy industry today, Brandon.
[00:29:22] Thank you. Thank
[00:29:23] Brandon Braswell: you for having me on.
[00:29:24] Virginia Lette: Can you share your website with us again for those that want to jump on and maybe put in some pre orders?
[00:29:30] Brandon Braswell: Absolutely. So everything for nine to five warriors is nine, the number T O as in like two and then five warriors. com nine to five warriors. com or nine to five warriors on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, wherever you'll find me.
[00:29:43] Virginia Lette: And you're very approachable. I think people can get hold of you through your website too, right? Or through the TCA Facebook group.
[00:29:50] Brandon Braswell: Yeah. Absolutely. My Instagram is probably where I respond most quickly, unfortunately, but yes, fortunately people are all on there apparently. [00:30:00] So it's the most visual. So then my brand's visual, it makes sense.
[00:30:03] Virginia Lette: Well, I'm really excited to see what comes next for you, Brandon, and thanks again for your time today.
[00:30:08] Brandon Braswell: So much.
[00:30:09] Virginia Lette: Well, there you have it, Toy People. That was this week's special episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, profiling yet another wonderful success story from the many graduates of the Toy Creators Academy. If you enjoyed today's episode, you can find more at thetoycoach. com slash podcast. And if you love this podcast and you haven't already left a review, what are you waiting for?
[00:30:33] Your reviews are not only greatly appreciated, but they're a great way for other people to know if this podcast is valuable and also worth listening to. Everyone's favorite toy coach, Azhelle Wade, will be back here behind the podcast mic next week with another episode of Making It In The Toy Industry.
[00:30:51] But until then, in the words of the great lady herself, see you later, toy people. [00:31:00]
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