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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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Episode #167: The GREAT Toy and Game Idea Bootcamp [JOIN NOW]

Visualize, Validate, and Vow to make your toy or game idea real this year with accountability and guidance from The Toy Coach team! Inside this Bootcamp, you’ll get step by step training and accountability to visualize and validate your toy or game idea FAST.  We’ll spend 5-days in a private Facebook community, where I’ll teach you my streamlined 6-step concept development process over 3 LIVE trainings. In just 3 hours and 5 days you can completely change the way you approach toy development from scratch.


If you have an idea that you aren’t sure is a “toy”, stick around for the second half of this week’s episode. I share an extended version of an episode that will help you answer the question, is this really a toy product? Learn 3 exercises to help you identify if your idea falls into the category of toy, game, or general kids products. 


Once you figure out where your idea falls, I’d love to welcome you into The GREAT Toy & Game Idea Bootcamp. It starts March 27th, it’s only 5 days long with 3 training sessions and a private Facebook group for all members.

To join visit: https://learn.thetoycoach.com/bootcamp

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Episode #148: Answering Your Questions About Toy Creators Academy

Have you been considering joining Toy Creators Academy to develop your toy or game idea? Do you still have a few questions about how the program works, when it starts, or what it covers? This episode is perfect for you! In today’s podcast episode, The Toy Coach addresses the most frequently asked questions about this 12 week group coaching program. Toy Creators Academy is the only toy education and implementation program of its kind that not only shows you how to fully develop your toy or game idea like a pro — but also how to properly pitch that idea to buyers and toy companies. Are you ready to bring your toy and game ideas to life? Make it happen with the guidance and support provided by Toy Creators Academy.

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Episode #147. This NEW Toy Category is Bursting into the Wellness Game

Today’s podcast episode was inspired by several conversations I’ve had with my biz besties around health and mindfulness, as well as conversations with my colleagues in the toy industry. This is the exploration of a growing category in the toy industry called Comfort & Wellness. These toys are marketed to make us feel better, sleep better, and even think better…but overall the consistent theme of Comfort & Wellness toys is to reduce our anxiety.

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Unlocking Toy Ideas Azhelle Wade Unlocking Toy Ideas Azhelle Wade

Episode #130: Unlocking Creativity at Science Museum Oklahoma with Azhelle Wade

At the beginning of June, The Toy Coach was invited to give a keynote speech at the Science Museum Oklahoma’s Inspire and Be Inspired Event. This 2nd annual Convening of Makers and Educators presented by Oklahoma EPSCoR. This weekend provided STEAM educators, artists and makers an opportunity to inspire and be inspired as they connected to share ideas and resources. The creative community learned, laughed and explored great ideas together. The museum is over 390K square feet of creative exhibitions and experiences for kids and parents alike.


This year the keynote address was delivered by internationally recognized Toy Coach, Azhelle Wade. During the talk Azhelle shares tips for Unlocking Creativity, and thanks to Science Museum Oklahoma, this talk is being shared on The Toy Coach Podcast! During today’s episode you’ll hear Azhelle explain 3 steps to unlocking creativity for anything! You’ll learn how to implement step 1, market research, step 2, getting to know your audience, and step 3, toy math. You’ll leave this episode not only feeling inspired but you may even Unlock Your Zone of Toy Genius.

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Episode #122: Dealing With Creative Burnout In The Toy Industry

Have you ever wanted to throw in that towel on your toy dreams? After months or years of non-stop hard work you might be feeling mentally, emotionally, and even physically exhausted. Well, before you give up on those big dreams of yours, give this podcast episode a listen. Creative burnout happens to the best of us. The more often you tap into the creative side of your brain to design a new toy product or solve a new problem, the more likely you are to feel tapped out. In today’s episode we will reflect on Creative Burnout. We’ll start by describing what it is, how you can delay it, and what to do once it finally takes over. Find out why and how you can prepare for creative burnout and the importance of accepting and acknowledging it when it comes.

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TCA Students, Unlocking Toy Ideas Azhelle Wade TCA Students, Unlocking Toy Ideas Azhelle Wade

Episode #113: 10 Unexpected Toy or Game Ideas That Will Inspire You To Make Your Ideas Real

Does this sound like you? You have a life outside the toy industry, but you have ideas. There’s something from your daily life that has inspired an idea for a toy or game. How do you take that from inspiration to product? In today’s episode, I share stories from my students who took their products from idea to reality with the help of The Toy Creators Academy. After 11 years in the Toy Industry and working with more than 100 students as The Toy Coach, I’ve seen so many different kinds of people turn their expertise into a toy or game. Listen to this episode to find out what kinds of ideas have worked and why, and hear a few inspiring stories of toy industry success.

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