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Toy Tradeshows Khazeema Choudhary Toy Tradeshows Khazeema Choudhary

Holiday Toy Trends in Children's Toys From An Exclusive Toy Insider 2024 Event

As we approach the holiday season, it's time to explore the exciting trends in children's toys showcased at the Toy Insider Holiday of Play 2024. This year's event highlighted innovative products that blend play with learning, sensory experiences, and active engagement. Here are some of the standout toys that highlight the trends in children’s toys this year!

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Toy Inventor Khazeema Choudhary Toy Inventor Khazeema Choudhary

Behind the Scenes of Toy Pitching: Insights from a Former Toys R Us Toy Designer

Have you ever wondered how toy inventors pitch their ideas to executives in major toy companies like Toys R Us? The process might be more personal and varied than you think! This article will give you a deep dive into insights from Azhelle Wade, aka The Toy Coach, who spent almost three years working at Toys R Us as a design manager and a product development manager. Here's a glimpse into her journey at Toys R Us and the key details that could help you get ahead when it comes to pitching your ideas in the toy industry.

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Khazeema Choudhary Khazeema Choudhary

First-Ever MESH Accredited Toys and Games

On September 9th, 2024, MESH Helps, Inc. announced the first-ever group of toys and games to receive the MESH (Mental, Emotional, Social Health) Accreditation. 

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Toy Inventor, Toy Store, Toy Marketing Khazeema Choudhary Toy Inventor, Toy Store, Toy Marketing Khazeema Choudhary

The Underconsumption Core Trend and Its Impact on the Toy Industry

The Underconsumption Core TikTok trend has rapidly gained traction in 2024, resulting in major impacts on the toy industry. Underconsumption Core, a term coined by Gen Z and millennials on TikTok, is characterized by making every dollar count by being more selective and mindful of your spending by searching for products that provide lasting value. Driven by the increase in living costs and widespread budgeting efforts, this trend is almost a reflection of what we saw in the 2008 recession when low-cost, high-value toys and games were the heroes of the toy industry. The only difference? Customers aren’t just looking for cheap thrills. They want toys that matter, worth the effort they’ve put in to get them. 

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Toy Entrepreneur Azhelle Wade Toy Entrepreneur Azhelle Wade

Create a Fail-Proof Marketing Plan With The 3-Step Toy Marketing Pyramid

Here’s some solid toy advice: before you even create your product, you need to have a marketing plan. Having marketing at the core of your toy creation will allow you to do more than just make it, it will allow you to sell it!

This 3-step toy marketing triangle creates a solid foundation and lets you know where you can begin with your marketing plan. This plan is accessible to anyone, and can be scaled up or down depending on your needs and budget.


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Networking Azhelle Wade Networking Azhelle Wade

10 Essential Tips to Get a Job as a Toy Designer

Being a toy designer is an extremely rewarding, inspiring and creative job. But the big question is, how do I get a job as a toy designer? You may find yourself also wondering; What do I do to gain toy design experience? How do I cross over from other industries if I already have experience as a product developer, graphic designer, or industrial designer? Whether you are making a change from a different industry to come into the toy industry, or looking to change roles in your already thriving toy career, these 10 tips are sure to help you land the toy job you’ve been dreaming about.

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Toy Inventor Azhelle Wade Toy Inventor Azhelle Wade

7 Tips to Harness The Power of Social Media as a Toy or Game Inventor

The digital age is here and just like everyone else, toy inventors need to embrace the internet and social media in particular. E-commerce managers, distributors, licensors and other professionals who scour the web for new toy inventors to work with look at social media, in addition to sites like Kickstarter to find the next big thing. How will you “wow” them? Keep reading to find out.

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Manufacturing, Toy Entrepreneur Azhelle Wade Manufacturing, Toy Entrepreneur Azhelle Wade

Tips For Navigating Consumer Safety Regulations For Children’s Product And Toys

You’ve got this great idea for a product but now you realize you’re drowning in the prospect of toy safety testing. The whole process seems overwhelming and a bit scary. But here’s a guide to get you started on the process. Don’t let the safety rules intimidate you.
Why are there so many regulations? Well, in 2008, there was a big safety scandal that led to the creation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act(CPSIA). The toy industry had to quickly adapt to the new regulations.

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Toy Entrepreneur, Toy Inventor Azhelle Wade Toy Entrepreneur, Toy Inventor Azhelle Wade

3 Lessons From Successful Children’s Book Author and Illustrator, Yesenia Moises

Have you ever wondered what it takes to write and illustrate a children's book? Maybe you have a few ideas but you’re not sure if they’re good. Or maybe your book is complete but you don’t know what to do next. How do you find a talented editor, agent, or publisher? Most people have a great idea to create something but they get caught up in the little things, which stops them in their tracks. Instead they watch other people’s ideas come to life.

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Toy Entrepreneur, Marketing Azhelle Wade Toy Entrepreneur, Marketing Azhelle Wade

Sell Your Products Using Amazon Live

Amazon Live video is an interactive product commercial. The show’s host, whether it’s an Amazon influencer or the product’s manufacturer, can interact with the live attendees of their show via Chat. This offers a unique opportunity to answer product questions and concerns in real time, while showing the benefits, features, and value of your product on the exact platform where your ideal target market (ITM) is shopping for them.

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