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Making It In The Toy Industry is your secret weapon for showing up like a pro in the toy and game industry.

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Licensing Azhelle Wade Licensing Azhelle Wade

#222: Licensing Expo 2024 Recap: Reasons to Mark Your Calendar for Next Year

Curious about how to make the most out of your trade show experience? In this episode, The Toy Coach shares her experience and reason for attending the Las Vegas Licensing Expo even though she didn’t have anything to license. By the end of this episode, you’ll know if you should attend the Las Vegas Licensing Expo next year, and how you can make the most of it. Learn how to save $$ on lodging, network with class, manage your time, and stay comfortable while walking 10,000 steps a day.

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TCA Students Azhelle Wade TCA Students Azhelle Wade

#221: Should You Partner With Another Toy or Game Inventor?

Are you thinking about teaming up with a partner for your toy or game invention? But what if it isn’t the right move for you? Tune into this episode of "Making it in the Toy Industry," where Azhelle Wade chats with April Mitchell about the ins and outs of partnering up in the world of invention. April is a licensed inventor and the co-creator of the Tabletop Game Design Masterclass. In this episode, she shares key considerations you should keep in mind when choosing a partner for your next big idea.

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Safety Azhelle Wade Safety Azhelle Wade

#220: Ensure Your Toys Meet Legal Safety Standards or It Can Cost You

Did you know that even if you're selling a toy product on Etsy, you are required to have it safety tested and certified? In this episode, dive deep into the crucial topic of toy safety and compliance. The first half of the episode focuses on the legal requirements set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the US. Gain an understanding of critical standards like ASTM F963 and ASTM D4236.

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TCA Students Azhelle Wade TCA Students Azhelle Wade

#219: Why He Went From Mattel to TCA and Launched His Plush Toy

Q: Could TCA be valuable to you if you already have corporate toy industry experience A: YES! Perhaps you think that having professional toy industry experience guarantees success in your entrepreneurial ventures. But this episode turns that notion on its head, featuring Gerardo, a former toy industry professional turned toy entrepreneur, charting his own course through the toy market with a little help from the Toy Creators Academy.

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