When The Toy Coach was picking up steam, many people told me a focus on DEI and being black would be to the benefit of my business, but… my instincts said otherwise. And now? I was right.

This episode explores my personal feelings about the DEI initiative rollbacks that started with the US federal government and spilled out into a few corporations, how we feel, what we think, and what we’ll do now. 

Be sure to check the show notes for links to black-owned businesses you may be interested in buying from.

Let’s face it: toy brands get almost ALL the glory, but the inventors behind the product—people like you—deserve the spotlight too. In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m sharing 5 lessons to take you from hidden genius to rising star, inspired by my own experience and my recent convo with Tim Walsh, inventor of ‘Blurt!’.

What if a simple classroom activity could unite generations? In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, we’re celebrating 30 years of Blurt with its inventor, Tim Walsh, and uncovering how a classroom exercise—reading dictionary definitions—sparked the creation of a game that’s built vocabularies, brought families together, and supported memory care.

Tim shares the journey of Blurt, from its beginnings as DeFUNitions to becoming a household favorite. We also spotlight the unsung heroes of the toy world—inventors who are “criminally unrecognized” despite creating cultural phenomena like UNO and LEGO. We explored how the industry can better recognize inventors, following examples set by Euro games that feature designers prominently.

Tim also highlights why play is essential for creativity, connection, and overcoming challenges—proving that toys are far more than just playthings.

Whether you’re a toy enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or someone who values the power of play, this episode will leave you inspired to think differently about toys—and the brilliant minds behind them.

Building your dream toy business while working a 9-to-5 might be overwhelming, but with the right mindset and a dash of creativity, you can take small, actionable steps to turn your big ideas into reality!

In this episode, host Azhelle Wade shares the four key lessons, inspired by her previous interview with Ron Weizman, that will help you launch and scale your toy business—even if you’re working full-time. 

If you’re dreaming of creating your first toy or looking for strategies to grow, this episode gives you the tools to take your toy business to the next level, one small, strategic step at a time!

A Toy Of The Year Award (TOTY) nomination can boost sales and recognition of the brands lucky enough to earn one. 

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 his team turned classic bubble play into the never-before-seen Poppin Colorz line, and how it made its way to be nominated for a TOTY® Award. If your eye is on a future TOTY nomination, this episode is one you can’t miss.

Want your toy pitch to stand out? 🚀 Learn the secrets to writing email subject lines that get clicks! From the ‘Four U’s’ formula to real-life examples, this episode is loaded with tips to boost your success on your toy pitches. What are you waiting for? Put on your headphones and listen to the full episode! 🎧✨

Ever wondered how toys come to life through photography? 🎨✨ In this episode, Mitchel Wu, the iconic toy photographer whose work blends motion, emotion, and incredible storytelling, reveals the secrets behind his craft. Learn how he turned a hobby into a thriving career, why storytelling is at the heart of his work, and his tips for creating scroll-stopping images. Don’t miss this inspiring episode! 🎥

Virtual pitches have become the new norm, and they’re here to stay! Whether you're an aspiring toy inventor or a seasoned creator, knowing how to ace your virtual presentation can make all the difference in getting your idea licensed or noticed by top toy companies. In this episode, I share 7 essential tips to level up your virtual toy pitch. 🎧 Don’t miss out—listen now and take your pitch to the next level!

How does a kid from the South Bronx become a children’s book superstar? 🚀 Join Azhelle Wade as she chats with Charles George Esperanza, the genius behind Boogie Boogie Y’all! Charles shares how he turned rejection into success and made waves in children’s books. 🎨✨ Don’t miss this episode—listen to the FULL episode now! 🎧

Feeling stuck in your business? Tyler Turk transformed his subscription box service into a thriving board game brand sold at retailers like Barnes & Noble. Discover his secrets to pivoting successfully, building retail-ready products, and thriving in the toy industry. Tune in for game-changing strategies! 🎲

If you've felt that AI complicates your workflow instead of streamlining it, this episode is your game-changer! Azhelle breaks down how specific AI tools can simplify workflows, support creative brainstorming, and even enhance customer engagement. What are you waiting for? Listen to the full episode right here!

Ever wondered how a simple idea becomes an iconic toy? In this episode, we dive into the creative process of Aaron Muderick, the genius behind Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty. Aaron reveals the journey from initial concept to full-scale production, sharing how he transformed Thinking Putty into a beloved product.

Thinking of launching your toy idea through crowdfunding? 🤔 Join us in a conversation with Lisa Ferland, crowdfunding consultant, and author, who has helped raise over $1 million on platforms like Kickstarter, BackerKit, and Indiegogo! In this episode, we break down the essential steps to prepare for a successful campaign and how to keep backers engaged throughout your campaign and for your future projects!

Get ready for a storytelling showdown with our guests, Tres Patton and Rachel Jones! 🎉 We’ll cover how sales reps and vendors approach things differently, plus the secrets to crafting pitches that go beyond a quick sale and build lasting customer relationships. If you’re in toy sales and ready to take your sales to the next level, this episode is a MUST-LISTEN and will transform your storytelling game!

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade sits down with Richard North, founder of Wow! Stuff, to dive into his incredible journey from a 19-year-old entrepreneur to one of the most innovative figures in the toy industry. 🌟 Richard shares the highs, lows, and what it took to thrive in a competitive market, and how he continues to create "wow" moments with his toys. If you're curious about what it takes to build a successful toy business, this episode is packed with insights and stories

In this exciting episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade interviewed Mary Couzin and Greg Ahearn, two top leaders in the toy world. They discuss the recent merger between The Toy Association and People of Play, revealing how this sets up innovation and creativity in the toy industry. LISTEN to this episode and get the inside scoop on the upcoming ChiTAG event, POP Week, and the TAGIE Awards, plus tips for inventors looking to make their mark!