Are you struggling with developing the perfect package for your toy or game product? As toy or game creators you spend a lot of time thinking about the amazing toy idea you have and the innovative game that you will create, but you likely don’t spend nearly enough time thinking about the packaging of your toy or game idea. This episode will teach you the 5 different sides of toy and game packages and what the purpose of each side is. If you're ready to improve your toy or game package for retail sales, then this is a podcast episode that you simply cannot miss.

Wondering if there are any manufacturing options for you that are outside of China? More and more toy makers, toy creators, and even toy companies want to expand their manufacturing resources beyond China, but they don’t know where to start. Major toy companies and retailers have announced goals to move 30%-60% of their manufacturing of toy products out of China by 2023. And where will they move them? Likely India. India is an emerging country for manufacturing in general, but especially is a current hotspot for toys, in part thanks to today’s guest. Today on the podcast, I chat with Joshua Punin, the owner of Source 4 India. He and his business partner created this manufacturing resource for toy and game companies in the beginning of the pandemic by partnering with India based factories and educating them on the needs of the toy industry. If you’re looking for new options to manufacture your toy products, today’s episode is a must listen.

Do you know how to play? It seems like a simple question and your first thought might be, “of course I do!” but many adults today have forgotten how to play. As toy people, we know that play is necessary for the growth and development of children…but what about play in adults? Play is proven to help ease stress and inspire creative problem solving. So what do you do when the stresses of life stop you from playing or worse yet, you forget what play is to you? Well that’s where my guest today might be able to help. This episode offers great insights for entrepreneurs and inventors who are starting to test their products with consumers. This episode is also great for parents and corporate executives who want to infuse more play in their everyday lives.

Some hopeful toy inventors struggle with how to get their ideas in front of toy industry executives. Does that sound like you? Today’s episode is all about some things you can do to make that happen, and they might be surprising to you. Today I interviewed Daniela Valenzuela, a recent student of the Toy Creators Academy. Daniela shares with you how her experience in the TCA helped her to build the confidence to pitch to large toy companies, what she learned from the TCA, and how the pitch event helped get her products in front of top toy industry executives to begin fostering an ongoing relationship. This episode highlights the importance of building relationships in the toy industry.

Wondering what toy entrepreneurs like you do to get their product placed in retail? In this episode, The Toy Coach sits down with Nicole Hawthorne, student of Toy Creators Academy and co-founder of Jaylas Heirlooms dolls. Nicole is a researcher at heart, and her devotion to the craft of Googling helped her find the roadmap that she so desperately wanted. Nicole shares how she devoured the podcast way back in season one, enjoying episode after episode. A few years and a few grants later, Nicole Joined Toy Creators Academy to get the full picture of what it takes to take her toy product to the next level.