About The Scholarship
Toy Creators Academy® with The Toy Coach® is excited to offer a need based Scholarship Program starting September 2021. This Scholarship program offers the opportunity for an aspiring toy creator to be rewarded admittance into Toy Creators Academy with all expenses paid by a Sponsor. As of September 14, 2021 The Toy Coach® Azhelle Wade is excited to announce a partnership with Learning Express Toys Lake Zurich to host ten aspiring toy creators in the Toy Creators Academy.
Toy Creators Academy® Scholarship
APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be over 18 years old, show financial hardship, and not be full-time employees of a toy manufacturing company. Applicants must agree to conditions in the program submission form.
Applicants must apply by Friday, September 17th, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST. Click here to view the full terms and conditions.
Thank You to Our 2021 Sponsor!
a Huge thank you to Learning Express Toys Lake Zurich and Owner, Richard Derr for believing in this program and community.
About Toy Creators Academy
Toy Creators Academy® is the most comprehensive toy business program 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.
From 2020-2021, the Toy Creators Academy® has trained more than 70 students who have developed and pitched ideas to distributors, production studios, and toy companies resulting in distribution partnerships and licensing opportunities.
About Azhelle Wade
Toy designer, inventor, and former toy company executive Azhelle Wade leads the Toy Creators Academy.® A rockstar in the toy biz, Azhelle's worked for Fortune 500 companies like Toys R Us and Party City, and Madame Alexander, to name a few.
Today Azhelle is known industry-wide as The Toy Coach. She joyfully works as a consultant for popular IPs and toy companies of all sizes. Her online course, Toy Creators Academy, empowers newbies in the toy industry with step-by-step guidance, downloadable worksheets, and group coaching. Azhelle is also the host of the top-rated toy podcast, Making It In The Toy Industry.
Azhelle's mantra for her followers: "Make it toyetic!"
The Story Behind The Scholarship
During the 3rd launch of Toy Creators Academy, owner of the Lake Zurich Learning Express, Richard Derr stopped by a live training held by Azhelle aka The Toy Coach. Richard was inspired by the aspiring toy creators who made the time to attend this Sunday night training and offered to cover the cost of a few lucky toy creators on the call at that moment. The next day, while hashing out the details with Azhelle on the phone, Richard expanded his offer to cover the enrollment fee for 10 students which Azhelle decided to select based on financial need and passion for toy creation.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 SPONSOR!
A Huge thank you to Learning Express Toys Lake Zurich and Owner, Richard Derr for believing in this program and community.
PREVIOUS Scholarship Winners
Daniela Valenzuela Bomchil, from Argentina, founder of LiebreStudio, Design Boutique
Creative Director & Graphic Designer. Passionate about aesthetic quality and details. For more than 20 years working in the development of Licensing content, designing Characters, Style Guides, Packaging, Branding, and Promotional Campaigns. Mother of two beautiful monsters. 100% Team Summer
Chanel, Founder of Islande Inspires
Chanel is currently a resident of the great city of Atlanta, Georgia by way of Roosevelt, NY. She is certified as a Teen Life Coach. Chanel is the founder of Islande Inspires, a nonprofit devoted to the empowerment of preteen and teenage girls. Chanel teaches girls of color how to “own their beauty,” and educates them on the opportunities available to them in the fields of Science Technology Engineering, and Math using the beauty industry and their entry point.
Christen Ireland, Recent Graduate from Pacific Northwest College
My name is Christen Ireland and I am a recent graduate looking to be a Toy Designer. I have a Bachelors's in Fine Art and graduated from Pacific Northwest College of Art in 2020 with a Master’s Degree in Industrial Design. I have always had a special interest in creating toys that encourage children to learn and grow through play and exploration.
Fernanda Rodríguez
I'm an industrial designer who is passionate about toy design, you could say I'm still a big kid at heart. I am a very hands-on person as I've always love making and creating things myself. Being a toy designer is one of the most fun things I've ever done and one that I intend to keep doing for the rest of my life. I'm so excited to work on new toy ideas and create amazing things!
Sandra Aghoghovbia
Sandra is a children's book author and the founder of an award-winning children's lifestyle brand dedicated to providing representation in the children's toy industry. She has been featured in various publications from HuffPost Parents to The BBC and has been recognised for her contribution to the children's industry.
Cale Pliska
Cale just graduated and he has been working on his Toy idea since high school and he is so excited to learn from the Toy Coach and bring his idea to life. His favorite toys push kids to think outside-the-box while developing perseverance and confidence. When he is not thinking about toys he is skateboarding, snowboarding, or wakeboarding!
KiKi Robbirds
Kiki Robbirds is an aspiring toy designer living in the Upper Valley of Vermont. She studied Industrial Design at the University of Kansas, and due to family obligations after graduation, put her dreams on hold. Like many creatives, Kiki worked in marketing/graphic design; a compromise that never felt quite right.
Toy design is her life-long passion and she is very excited to learn how to become a successful entrepreneur in this industry and grow as a certified toy person.
Jane B.
I left my career in Shopper marketing to freelance and be home with my 2 girls. After a while, I realized my ideas were not just marketing program concepts, but also unique and innovative kids product ideas! When I discovered the licensing opportunity in the toy industry, I found something that I truly love. I’m absolutely hooked on developing toy & game concepts! And I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn from Azhelle. Thank you, Richard!
Aaron Orozco, Product Developer
I am extremely thankful for this opportunity to learn from Azhelle who has so much knowledge, created so many amazing toys, and accomplished so much in the industry. I can't wait to apply everything I am learning in The Toy Creators Academy to get my toy out on the market. Thank you Azhelle for creating this course and thank you Richard for making this possible!
Carla Morrow aka The DragonLady
Carla Morrow, known as The Dragonlady, is the artist and creator behind DragonLady Art and the Little Wings Dragons. As a full time artist she is most recognized for her watercolor work currently featured in several internationally published oracle decks. Carla also has been playing in the adorable world of Little Wings Dragons designing artwork and plush. She currently resides in the cool mountains of southern New Mexico with her infinitely patient husband and her fur baby rescues.