Episode #143: Making Your Toy Dreams Real At WiT Empowerment Day
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On September 19th 2022, the WiT Empowerment Day made it possible for over 100 inventors and creators to pitch their ideas and products in 1:1 meeting with the major retailer Walmart and dozens of toy companies including Spinmaster, Jazwares, Hasbro, Educational Insights, and many more!
In today’s podcast episode get a play by play of what happened at the 2022 WiT Empowerment Day and learn why you should seriously plan on attending the next WiT Empowerment Day pitch event. Curious about what each pitch meeting was like? Curious about the educational sessions held or how much the event cost? It’s all explained in this week’s episode. Ready to join the next WiT Empowerment Day? Well you’ve got to be a WiT member first. Head over to womenintoys.com to learn more.
For the first time ever, the WiT Empowerment Day Event partnered with The Toy Coach to help attendees prepare ahead of time for the pitch meetings. The Toy Coach prepared a WiT Pitch Prep Series which included a streamlined roadmap of pitch lessons for inventors and entrepreneurs who were getting ready to pitch their ideas. If you enjoyed learning from The Toy Coach in the WiT Pitch Prep series, head over to toycreatorsacademy.com.
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This episode is brought to you by www.thetoycoach.com
Join Women In Toys so you can take advantage of the next WiT Empowerment Day Event by clicking here.
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[00:00:00] Azhelle Wade: You are listening to making it in the toy industry episode number 143. Hey there toy people, Azhelle Wade here. And welcome back to another episode of the toy coach podcast, making it in the toy industry. This is a weekly podcast, brought to you by toycoach.com. Before we jump into today's episode, I've got to address the fact that last week was the very first time in the history of this podcast that I did not release an episode.
And that is because your toy coach was really sick. I traveled for work to Dallas. I initially went there for a board meeting for the Astra toy board, and then I stayed in Dallas for a week to attend the wit empowerment day, which we're going to talk about in today's episode. But in that time I got really sick. So sick in fact that my husband, Mr. Toy coach has many of you have dubbed him, had to come down and take care of me.
But all as well now. Now I'm feeling much better, but we did have to take a break because. I just wasn't feeling up to it and I don't love baking it through that kind of pain and struggle. So I decided we'll take a break we'll regroup next week, which is right now. So if you're on my Instagram, you knew all of this. Cause I announced it there. And if you aren't on my Instagram, go follow me there.
Because that's where I post the most, especially if I can't get to a computer so that I can post an all plat. Platforms. But let's focus up and let's talk about today's podcast episode. I did just return from the Dallas holiday market. Which also in the past has been known as the Dallas toy preview.
No, I left the event before the official show started because I was there for the WiT Empowerment Day. And that is what I want to talk about today because I was very involved with the empowerment date this year. So let's get into the benefits that empowerment day has for inventors and entrepreneurs, some of who might be listening to this podcast, but also the benefits for toy companies that might be listening in on this episode.
During this event. That happened this past Monday, September 19th, I met so many students of toy creators academy. We took pictures together. So I got to say, if you snapped a picture with me and I didn't get a copy, I hope you send it to me posted in our Facebook group or email Okay, well, enough intro. I want to dive into today's episode.
As I said, we're going to talk about a live toy industry event that happened just this week. Yes. I said a live in-person event. So on September 19th, women in toys held an in-person event called the wit empowerment day. It was held at the beginning of the toy associations, Dallas toy preview.
You may not know what the WiT Empowerment date is or how. How it can help your toy business, but by the end of today's episode, my. Friend that is all going to change. By the end of today's episode, you'll know what the empowerment date is, where it takes place. When it takes place and how it can help make your toy dreams a reality to start you off. We know I love a good definition.
So let's define some of the things that I set up front. In the beginning of this episode, I mentioned the toy associations, Dallas toy preview, but it's also this year called the Dallas holiday market. But for years, it was referred to as the Dallas toy preview because it was a preview.
View of products that were coming to Q4. And it was a preview before the big New York toy fair that was typically held. In February following Dallas toy preview.
Now this year's Dallas holiday markets slash Dallas toy preview was actually the last one. And now the New York toy fair is going to move to September to take. Over this time slot. Now a lot of the, mass toy retail. Taylor's and major toy companies are excited about this change. Mainly. Because they don't have to come to New York in February, which is the worst time to be.
But a lot of people are also excited that we're consolidating our toy shows a little bit. These two events that I'm mentioning the New York toy fair, the Dallas toy preview. They're both held Toy association, they put those events on and they arrange them. They raise money and all that. Now the wit. Wit empowerment day is put on by women and toys. And it's held at the Dallas toy preview and it has been for years. Now we can assume.
That's going to change since there won't be a Dallas preview anymore. Maybe this event will be at New York toy fair, but we don't know that yet. We're going to have to keep our. Ears and eyes peeled to find out where the empowerment date will go next.
You've. I've heard me say what empowerment day over and over again. And if you don't know what it stands for, the acronym. Bunim wit well it's women in toys. And I've mentioned this on the podcast But just in case you're new and you haven't listened to all of my old episode. which, as I said, stands for women in toys, which is women in toys, licensing and entertainment.
It's a nonprofit Organization and a global community that champions and advocates for the advancement of women, they do this through. Leadership networking and educational opportunities. Now, one of the ways that we helps connect and advocate In the toy industry is by organizing the wit empowerment day. So the Winton Powerment day was just held this past Monday, September 19th.
2022, it went from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It was held at the Dallas market center and consisted. Of private one-on-one pitch sessions between toy companies, agents, and individual inventors and entrepreneurs. Now there were licensing opportunities, chances for feedback, valuable education, success story shared, and just non-stop networking.
For the first time ever this year, wit empowerment day partnered with me the toy coach to help attendees prepare ahead of time for their pitch meetings. And we did this by building an exclusive wit pitch prep series.
And that pitch prep series. Included on demand, webinars, videos, workbooks that I built, as Well, as a live virtual Q and a sessions with me, the toy coach. So I want to dive into Details of what that pitch prep series was. So I do first have to say thank you to the people that ran into At the wit empowerment day, recognize me from the video, even though my hair changed from blue and purple to
You still recognize. Me, so props to you. But those people. Who came up to me and said that they really appreciated what we created with the wit pitch prep series. The people that thanked me for the videos and the workbooks and expressed that it really helped them get ready for the show. So I want to say you're welcome. And thank you for letting me know. It means a lot to know that the work
Put in before this event to prepare you actually did what we wanted it to do. So thank you for taking the time to Through all of those educational resources. I also, because I know there's so much content Uh, world. And sometimes it's hard for us to just sit down and sit still and pay attention to an educational, anything. So
Really appreciate those of you that made the most of the Whit pitch prep series. Now if you're listening and you. You want to continue your learning with me? Maybe you like the way that I teach. You are welcome to do that. You know, on this podcast, I often talk about toy creators academy. So, if you love the way that I broke things down and taught for wind empowerment day, I really encourage you to check.
Out toy creator's academy.com to take your learning and coaching To the next Okay. Let's go more into this pitch prep series. What. What was it? Why was it so great and so helpful?
If, you know, wit then you likely already know that they frequently put on webinars with Arius experts from the toy and entertainment space, but of course, there's so much content in this world. It's easy to miss a webinar or even a podcast episode. Or maybe even an episode of your favorite show that you started watching on Hulu. You know, that one show that they don't
The whole season at once. And you have to wait week after week. You might forget to follow up one So I partnered with That wit to sort through their hundreds of informative webinars and build out a streamlined roadmap of the most. Educational and a pluggable webinars and lessons for people attending the wit empowerment day to follow along.
And the goal was to help you prepare for your pitch opportunities by telling you what retail buyers are looking for and what inventor relations reps are looking for. Now, the final product of what we created Called the wit pitch prep series. And it's a streamlined roadmap of what's most informative webinars along with tinker tunes provided by tinker Teenie. All of these things were designed to help you have your best wit empowerment day ever.
And each step on that wit empowerment roadmap that led you from preparing the pitch to ready to pitch A workbook, a video transcript, everything you needed to go along. With it now, the series was made available to every wit empowerment day party. Participant. So those wit empowerment participants, we're not going in cold. They weren't
Blind. They were going in prepared and empowered to have their best pitches ever. So because I've partnered with wit. On this, on this pitch prep series, I was also there in person Them set up for Whitten Powerment day. Now, one of the coolest areas, I remember seeing them set up and helping them War the mentor round tables. So these were literally round tables.
Uh, laid out in a Space. I want to estimate and say there were about 15 tables could have been a few more. And these mentor. Round tables were, were designed for anyone who wanted In and learn various topics about the toy industry from starting Company to product safety and testing. You could just sit in on a mentor round table.
So each table was led by a Industry expert. They sat there and they taught. Almost all day long. And each table covered a variety of topics from children's publishing to digital Content advertising and e-commerce readiness to licensing deals. Negotiate. PR um, to packaging. I mean, everything that you could imagine that you might want to learn.
Learn as you're developing your toy idea for licensing or to sell it. So at these Tables, there were volunteer mentors, sitting and sharing insights, information and creators and inventors. Who were attending the Whit empowerment day. We're invited to just casually pop in, sit down
Join the conversation. And they could do that. When ever they had a break between pitches. Um, and they were ready to absorb some information. Information from these mentor round tables. So I had some friends like Karen Kilpatrick at these round tables, who is they're. Giving advice on publishing, but there were major players in the.
Industry. Uh, like Alan gong, the VP of product development at basic fun. David winter, uh, who is Fun. The senior director of blue Jay and inventor relations at jazz wares. And there were so To learn from as a mentor at these round tables, but also as people you were Too, during the product pitch sessions.
So let's move on and talk a little bit about those product pitch sessions. What were those? So in my partnership with a wit team. I did work with them and share how I typically like to run my TCA virtual pitch events. And I broke down how I like to have 10 minute pitch. Slots with my students virtually.
They're really speed pitch slots so they could pop And forth to different companies and get feedback really quickly. And it just felt like a We'd pitch dating session. So Whit built out a really fun in person speed pitch event during empowerment day, the inventors and creators. Each got 20 minutes to pitch their product in person to decision makers at toy companies and retail.
Retailers all the toy companies were arranged in the space in alphabetical order. All their pitch pods were arranged in alphabetical order and they were broken up into kind of four sections or hallways of pitch pods. So you could walk down these hallways to get to these different pitch pod rooms. And ahead of every section was either a wit team member or me.
Welcoming in inventors to their pitch areas. So we would put them in the pitch pod, tell them they have a little while to get set up before the person they were meeting in was going to come in from another pitch part pod and enter theirs. For the pitch meeting. So their person would come in. Meet with them. And after that meeting, they would bounce to the next pitch bod.
Where another inventor was waiting. Each retailer or toy company at the event had at least two pitch pods. There were two pitch. Pods per person that was going to be reviewing the pitches. And we did that. So that there was time for the inventor for the next. Next inventor pitching to set up before the person reviewing their pitch.
Would come in. That was so smart. So there really, wasn't a break between pitch sessions for the inventor. Venter relations reps or the retailer that we're reviewing products, but you know, it was amazing because they could really meet with as many as entrepreneurs. Brunner's and inventors as possible during that time from 10.
To for when the pitches were being held. The inventors and creators that attended this event had the opportunity to meet privately. with Walmart buyers, inventor relations executives from top toy companies like Hasbro and spin master in jazz squares and play monster. Even Melissa and Doug and, and so many more the list goes on and on. If you wanted to pitch to a company.
Likely they were at Now I had so Students from toy craters academy that were attending. These pitch sessions that we're super nervous about pitching in person because we've all been pitching virtually. For so long. So I know if my students were nervous about it, you might've been nervous. About it too. Or if you didn't go to this empowerment day, but you're listening and learning about it, the idea.
Idea of pitching in person might sound kind of nerve wracking, but I've got to tell you the connections that I saw Making, because they were pitching in person. Really solidified the importance to me. Of having these in-person Events and getting in person every once in a while so that you can really put a face to the name that accompany.
He might be seeing in an inbox or they might be virtually meeting you in zoom. It's really To get in person and be able to share your energy and excite. more easily with the company. I heard how during pitches some Enters and creators were asked to take selfies because their pitches went so well. They took selfies with the people they were pitching to.
I also heard stories of inventor relations reps talking about product, um, that they were excited. Excited about after the pitch meeting. I remember, um, watching. An inventor relations rep put his arm around another person saying like, oh, did you see that product? I told them to go over to you. Great. So there, there really was a lot of magic.
In the in-person aspect of this event. And these were interactions and opportunities that could not have been generated, had the entire. Higher event just been virtual. Many of the inventors and entrepreneurs. Attending had an entire list of companies that they were pitching to all day long places. They were going. Going running back and forth, pitching to different people.
But in between their breaks, these pitching inventors and entrepreneurs.
We're invited to go to the mentor round tables and get the advice I listed earlier. Everything from publishing to packaging design, Pop over and say hello to me and get some quick advice before they headed head onto their next pitches. Or they would connect with each other, share what had happened with them so far and share advice. But aside from
Mentor round tables and just the natural networking that was happening in between pitches. WiT had also baked in two fantastic speakers into the event. To inspire the. The women that would be pitching that day. Now the very first speaker who spoke early on in the day. Is Jessica Chan, the CEO.
CEO of soul cast media and Jessica's company, soul cast, media trains, fortune 100 companies. Global teams and individuals on presentation, executive presence and communications. And she. Shared how to improve your communication. Since all of the people pitching that day, we're going to be focusing on communicating there are concepts. That was a great way to kick off the day, but halfway through the day at one 30. We also had April showers come speak at the event. And she's the founder and CEO of Afro unicorn, and the first black woman to have licensed product Walmart. So we got to hear April story of coming up with the cons.
Concept for a black unicorn and how a viral video ultimately led her to where she is So these are the inspiring and educational stories that were planned and happening at the beginning and middle of this wit empowerment day event. So the people pitching didn't feel like it was this nonstop focus on just pitching, but they were getting inspired and informed.
An educated throughout the day. Before I jump into what happened after wit and Powerment day. Cause we've got About what happened after the event? First, I want to take a little break and call out All of the toy creators academy alum that I met and saw at. At the event, I want to share how proud I am of view, how happy I was to meet you, because I ended up seeing some of the things
hearing about amazing things going on in your lives and you deserve a focus and a shout out. So here So first up, Kristin. Gun, we bumped into each other in the women's bathroom. And I saw your really clever invention, which was totally. Different from the very first product that you showed me when we met. And that first product is one that you did get into stores on your own. So it was great to see your new invention, that your wheels are still turning for all areas of the industry. And I was excited that I was. Was able to help you make a connection. And I know that you have a meeting today with that connection.
Action. So I hope that all goes well, wishing you the best
I want to call you out. It was, uh, it was really great to meet you in person. We've been, uh, connecting and doing so many consultations virtually, and you. As a mom have come up with so many incredible toy ideas and I was happy to be there to be able to coach you in between And give advice. And I'm wishing you the best of luck for your inventions.
I hope you're back home with your little one and doing well. Now Pam salmon, you are a trooper. I saw you carrying around so many bags of your game. Games you're different games that you were pitching. And I wanted to tell you that I heard great things from an inventor relation. Rep who saw your product? I met up with them after the event and they were talking about how great one of games is, you've got to make some final tweaks and fixes and pitch again, but I'm really proud of you and excited to see what happens From this event. So at this event I ran it Brandon to my TCA alum. Uh, Christy who started EAP toy and games company. And she has two products, the lunch room. And do you, who that have already gotten
For placement her product is being tested at Barnes and noble. But when we met up in person This event, I found out that her product is also placed in all Camp stores or soon to be placed in all of camp stores. Huge. Congratulations. I'm so excited for you and that achievement.
And then MJ, Marjorie, spittle, Nick, the creator and founder of little rebels plush. Plush dolls. It was her first time exhibiting at the Dallas market. But the last time she was in Dallas. For the same event, she was Attending the Whit empowerment day. And it was years ago before her brand got off the ground. And. MJ has become known in the toy industry. And she's really building a strong brand. From scratch. So congratulations, MJ. I hope that the rest of your show went well.
Also. So bumped into Casey Reiland, who I know is already developing a toy invention As a result of a TCA virtual pitch event, but she was able to reconnect with that toy company at the wit empowerment day. And I'm telling you guys, this in-person connection is so important. She pitched virtually, but now I've got to go to the wit empowerment day and connect. With this toy company in person to continue that conversation of developing this new product. So congratulations, I'm looking forward to seeing that product come out. I also ran into Kristen Ireland. Pleasure seeing you at the Whit empowerment day. I didn't recognize you with your fresh haircut and your suit, you looked all business.
I'm looking forward to hearing about how your pitches went. We didn't get a chance Talk, but please reach out and let me know how everything went at empowerment day.
I also ran into Joanna Paul, the creator of the whatsit space toy, who had incredible, really positive meetings. And Joanna has been developing this toy Time, but refining it and making it even more cost-effective with the help of an engineer I've got a shout out, Caleb Venica. Now Caleb is the owner of cov design studios.
It's one of my top recommended people to work with for toy creators academy students. So, Caleb, thank you for being such an amazing resource. Joanna. Congratulations.
I hope everything that started at this wit empowerment day for you continues to build and grow And turns into something great. Last, but certainly not least. I bumped into Terry, Michelle Bradley. And Terry, you joined TCA in the very beginning when I was just starting, it was a baby course. It barely existed.
And you have gone above and beyond with the amount of funds that you were able to raise. For your toy company and the team you were able to build from your toy company. We didn't get enough time together, but it was great to finally
In person, I wish you all the best and I feel honored to be a part of your toy. Journey. So for all my TCA toy creators academy people, it was a pleasure to meet you. Most of us got a photo together, but if you didn't get Group photo. Just send me a photo of you and I will Photoshop you in no problem.
Now at the end of the Whitten Powerment day, everyone. Everyone was just feeling the buzz of making new connections, maybe new deals. And then we all had the opportunity. To connect at an event called cocktails and connections sponsored. By jazz wears and put on by women in toys. And this event was just food Drinks great music and conversation. It was held at the atrium level, which was the first floor of the Dallas market convention
And the event went on for quite a while at this cocktails and connections party. And I saw in real The power of being in person. I saw meetings and was part of meetings getting booked on the line to getting Think so. The whole experience really brought home the importance of these in-person events and putting some of these in
Rotation. Now, you all know if you followed me for some time, I love a good virtual event. I'm all about a good virtual event, but you've got to put these in-person. Person moments into your rotation. They are powerful to really develop these relationships. I know
can be. And I know after a full day of pitching, sometimes the last thing you. I want to do is go have a cocktail and do more networking, but we've got to rally and push ourselves to do it because any You have at these toys shows to get in-person with decision makers in the industry, you should do it. And if you're in one
And and you're noticing, you're start to meet people Quite decision-makers. I don't want you to write them off because people in this toy industry grow and change positions. So quickly someone you meet this year, that's a product development associate next year could be product development director. At another company. So really genuinely get to know people at these events.
Find out what they enjoy about their work and their And genuinely share your own passion about this industry and what you do outside of it.
Okay. So now that I've covered what the Whitten Powerment date is, how it went this past Monday, September 19th. Let's dive. Dive into who the Whitten Powerment day was created for. Well, if you're listening to this podcast, there's a pretty big chance This event was created for you. I'm serious. This event is for women entrepreneurs, creators designers,
Inventors or anyone that has a great idea for a toy game or play product,
but the way empowerment day, isn't just for creators. It's also for toy Three executives that want to give back to the industry and help other people make their way in. It's also. For the toy companies and inventor relations reps that are looking for new innovations to bring to their companies, to bring to their brands that are looking for new lines or new IP. So.
So there's a pretty big chance that if you're listening to this podcast, this event was created with you in mind. Now you might be wondering how much does this cost. This all sounds But it's probably a pretty Well, the Whit empowerment date is free. For Witt members only. So if you're not a Whitman.
Member you should join by heading over to women in toys.com. Now this year, the 2022. To wit empowerment day was sponsored by jazz where's Hasbro spin master flat river group. And. Educational insights now that we know all about the Whit empowerment day, what it is. Y you should attend how much it costs. I've got to answer the biggest question that most people have about attending
Event. And that question is this. Has this event ever resulted in toy being placed at a retailer or an item being Yes. Yes, my friend, it has the biggest example and most recent example of this is Singer toy by N G seller. The blinker toy allows you to bedazzle your hair in seconds. And it was an
Salute smash hit upon its debut. The product was pitched at a Whit empowerment. Day and picked up at a Whit empowerment day. Now Angie sella Mom who came up with this idea for a machine that could add. Blink to your hair in a matter of seconds. And if you don't know what the blinker It was a huge mega hit when it hit the toy industry.
Everybody was talking about it.
Now I'm not going to dive too much in the history or detail of blinker, because I am hoping to on this podcast in the future. So we'll dive into the history and story of blinker with her on this show.
But the main answer to that question is yes, there have been major hits and major wins that come from this event. It's really just about you coming prepared with an item The needs of the companies that you are scheduled to pitch to. Now, Take a quick break and give a shout out to Mary Kay Russell and all of the incredible.
Medable staffers at wit it was a pleasure working with you on this event. I've got to say thank you Including me in the empowerment day for giving me some time to talk to attendees at the start and Me the opportunity to create the Whit pitch prep series. It was a pleasure and it was really impactful.
to see that the pitch prep series did make a difference in how people showed up to the. Event and made them feel more confident.
So thank you, Mary Kay. Peg Brahm, Allie, Sandy for making my time with wit at the wind Powerment day. So much fun. And also I've got to call out the co-chairs of the event, Leila Nosrati and and Jenna LaVale for also inviting me to be a part of this
Now I always love to end these episodes with an action item for you to do so. Your action item for next week is real simple. You can do it right now in two minutes. I want you to pull out your phone and mark your calendar for this time next Put it for about September 1st, maybe a notification should pop up a week before that. And I want you to write in and tell yourself to look into.
To the wit empowerment day next year. I don't want you to tell yourself. I'll put it in the back of my mind and I'll remember it next year. No, I Put it in your calendar right now so you won't forget it take that moment put it in your calendar set it and forget it so this time next year you'll get a notification well in advance That says look into whitten powerment day find out where it is when it is and seriously consider Attending As always thank you so much for spending time with me today i know your time Valuable and that there are a ton of podcasts out there so it truly means the world to me that you tune into this Until next week i'll see you later toy
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