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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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How “No” Led This Game Creator To Unexpected Opportunity

Join us as we chat with Cathy Tenaglia, a graduate of Toy Creators Academy, who shares her journey and insights into navigating the toy industry. From debunking myths to discussing the importance of pitching, Catherine offers invaluable advice and experiences gained through her 12-weeks in TCA.

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Episode #183: How To Pitch A Show Idea To Hasbro with Brandon Braswell

Long form episode description goes here.9 to 5 Warriors, and it's a nineties inspired toy line that aims to recapture the magic of the Saturday morning cartoon era. The founder o 9 to 5 Warriors, Brandon Braswell, is sharing his experience pitching a show idea and toy line at the TCA Virtual Pitch Event, we'll discuss what he's done with the brand so far, he'll share his pitch video, and share tips for making your best IP pitch yet. Have you ever dreamed of seeing your show idea turned into a hit animated series or action figure line by the iconic toy company, Hasbro? Well that’s a dream you share with the guest of today’s podcast episode, Brandon Braswell! Lucky for you, Brandon sat down with The Toy Coach to share his experience of building his toy brand and TV show, and ultimately pitching it to Hasbro at the TCA Virtual Pitch Event. 

Follow along Brandon's toy journey, including his early ideas, the mistakes he made along the way, and why he wishes he’d found Toy Creators Academy sooner! During this episode, The Toy Coach asks Brandon questions that YOU want to hear the answers to, including how he found funding to develop his first production run, how his show pitch was received, and how he built his following online. But that’s not all! You’ll also get to hear the exact tv show pitch that Brandon presented to Hasbro, featuring his brand 9 To 5 Warriors. If you’re a visual person, head over to youtube.com/thetoycoach to watch the entire pitch.

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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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TCA Students, Virtual Pitch Event Azhelle Wade TCA Students, Virtual Pitch Event Azhelle Wade

Episode #115: Making It Into Retail: Getting Your Product Into Specialty Stores with Nicole Hawthorne

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.

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TCA Students, Virtual Pitch Event Azhelle Wade TCA Students, Virtual Pitch Event Azhelle Wade

Episode #109: Why You Should Attend The TCA Virtual Pitch Event

Today’s episode is all about the bi-annual pitch event, The TCA Virtual Pitch Event, held for graduates of The Toy Creator’s Academy and why you should attend. Today in Episode 109, you will learn who you can meet by attending this event and what you can gain by doing it. You will also hear about what it is like to attend this event, and how going through the Toy Creator’s Academy can prepare you for success in the toy industry!

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TCA Students, Virtual Pitch Event Azhelle Wade TCA Students, Virtual Pitch Event Azhelle Wade

Episode #88: Virtual Pitch Event Stories from Students of Toy Creators Academy

Students of Toy Creators Academy join The Toy Coach on the podcast today to share their experience going through Toy Creators Academy, and ultimately pitching at the TCA Virtual Pitch Event. During this chat, Chrissy Fagerholt, Geordie Humphrey, and Scott Underwood share lessons learned, and achievements as new toy creators. In this episode, hear specific stories about what it was like to virtually pitch to major toy companies like Hasbro, Mattel and Spinmaster. Chrissy shares her what it was like to work 1:1 with The Toy Coach to perfect ideas, Scott shares how he took a positive perspective after hearing “no” to his ideas, and Geordie shares how Toy Creators Academy and the TCA Virtual pitch event really helped him understand what the toy industry needs AND how to deliver that.

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TCA Students, Virtual Pitch Event Azhelle Wade TCA Students, Virtual Pitch Event Azhelle Wade

Episode #76: The Art of Pitching and Pivoting In Toys and Entertainment

For today’s episode of the show, I invited three of my star students of Toy Creators Academy to be guests on the podcast to share their experiences pitching their ideas right to major toy companies. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear understanding of what it takes to pitch your toy ideas in a virtual event, you’ll learn some lessons, and be inspired to take action whether you’re a toy inventor or toy entrepreneur.

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