What does it take to turn a bubble toy into a sellout success and a two-time TOTY nominee? In this episode, we dive into the award-winning retail and demo strategy behind Poppin Colorz’ Galactic Color Bubble Machine.

From open-box packaging to live demos that pulled shoppers off the sidewalk, Ron Weizman of South Beach Bubbles shares how they turned a classic play pattern into a shelf-stealing hit.

Cast your vote for the Poppin Colorz Galactic Bubble Machine, nominated for Outdoor Toy of the Year! Open to Toy Association members and media.

What if kids could learn about sports, INSIDE SportsCenter? Well 27 licensing deals, 7 TOTY nominations, and 1 incredible host all led to this incredible feat of edutainment.

For 2025, Abacus Brands teamed up with ESPN and a roster of elite athletes to create the ESPN Virtual Reality Headset. This fully immersive toy is nominated for Educational Toy of the Year and delivers sports history, rules, trivia, and facts in a way kids have never experienced before.

What started as an inventor's pitch, evolved into a collectible phenomenon. Sky Castle Toys is showing us what happens when you combine viral content with collectibility…and it’s Sticki Rolls. 

Sticki Rolls is nominated for Collectible Toy Of The Year, and if you ask me, they should be the ones taking home the TOTY (sorry Lego!) Sky Castle built a brand, demand, and a community from scratch, and they’re only continuing to grow. Driven by viral content and partnerships with niche artists, the Sticki rolls brand is one of the few toys that can get kids excited about putting down their phones…even if it’s just to cover them with stickers. 😏

You’ve heard of the Oscars and Emmys… but have you heard of the TOTYs? In this episode, we’re breaking down why the Toy of the Year Awards are such a big deal, how to get nominated, and how a TOTY nod can boost your sales, press, and SEO. Plus, I’m sharing what really goes down at the black-tie gala and how finalists can turn their moment into a marketing win. If you're a 2026 finalist, check the nominees here and claim your promo spot before your category sells out!

In spring 2025 I was invited to join On Brand with Jimmy Fallon as 1 of 10 creatives selected to pitch national campaigns to major brands on national TV. Since the episodes aired, my DMs have been full of the same questions: how did I get on the show, what was it really like, and what do I think of Jimmy Fallon?

You’ve got a product idea that means the world to you… maybe it’s cultural, personal, or rooted in your own childhood traditions. But making it retail-ready without losing your mission? That’s the challenge. In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m coaching Durratussharaf, Toy Creators Academy alum, Accelerator grad, and founder of Dcraftsource, a culturally-inspired craft kit brand built to celebrate every kid and every culture. If you're trying to figure out how to go from maker to brand, or you're wondering how to bring more authenticity into your product line, this episode will inspire you to stop waiting and start building.

Your toy is 90% done… again. In this episode, Toy Creators Academy alum Melanie Palmer shares how perfectionism stalled her launch, what finally helped her move forward, and why she's building a purpose-driven toy brand without being the face of it. If you're building something with purpose and wondering, "Am I doing this right?", Melanie’s story is proof that you don’t need to rush, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Enroll today at thetoycoach.com/tca

Big feelings can be tough for little ones to handle but what if play could make those emotions easier to understand? 

In this episode, we’re sitting down with licensed therapist, entrepreneur, and new mom Melissa Brody, who turned her passion for emotional wellness into Emotipals, a plush toy line that helps kids express their feelings through mix-and-match faces. Inspired by her late father, a pediatric neurologist, Melissa shares how she went from private practice to product creation, what motherhood taught her about balance, and why narrowing your niche might be the key to growing your brand.

In this episode, you'll hear Jana Hallam share the origin story of The Kindness Mouse and why kids instantly connect with this unlikely hero. We dive into how empathy, SEL, and the idea of “wiring them young” became the foundation of Wonderwell Toy Co. Jana shares how trusting her gut (and even starting over) was key to moving forward, how Toy Creators Academy helped her navigate product safety, playtesting, and manufacturing, and why community is essential when you're building a brand from scratch.

In this episode, toy industry veteran Gerardo Davila shares how, despite his years at Mattel, he turned to Toy Creators Academy to bring his own heartfelt toy brand to life. You'll hear how he created Angelitos Mágicos, a magical plush line that comforts kids at bedtime with positive messages, and how TCA gave him the tools to refine his packaging, boost his website, and break into retail with confidence. If his story sparks something in you, it might be time to start your own toy journey with Toy Creators Academy. Learn more at toycreatorsacademy.com. 

In this episode, we're celebrating the incredible full-circle journey of TCA alum Chrissy Fagerholt of EAP Toys and Games! From her first pitch at our Virtual Event to landing a game in Barnes & Noble and launching her own product line, Chrissy's growth is nothing short of inspiring. This highlight reel pulls together key moments from past episodes and a new interview with fellow TCAer Virginia Lett to show just how far she’s come. If her story sparks something in you, it might be time to start your own toy journey with Toy Creators Academy. Learn more at toycreatorsacademy.com. 

Toy people, I know you’re juggling it all,  building your brand, pitching your ideas, managing costs, and answering emails at 3AM. But what if AI could help you do it smarter? In this episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, I’m sharing 3 powerful ways I’ve used AI to save money, cut my ad costs in half, boost sales with chatbots, and even simulate playtesting with ChatGPT. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, this episode will help you make the most of your time and money and if you’re ready to take it further, join my AI-powered toy bootcamp on Sept 23 at learn.thetoycoach.com/bootcamp.

A spooky-cute monster toy, a $49K Kickstarter goal, and nearly $19K raised… but pledges have stalled. In this episode, I coach Toy Creators Academy alum Michael Harring through what’s working, what’s missing, and how to move forward with a small email list and a big idea. You’ll hear the kind of real strategy and mindset shifts we focus on inside Toy Creators Academy, the ones that turn love into sales and help your toy brand grow with purpose.

For years, international toy sellers had a semi-secret shortcut to ship goods under $800 tariff free. That shortcut? Gone. And if you’re not prepared, your business could feel it fast. As of August 29th, the De Minimis Exemption was officially eliminated for many international shipments to the U.S. Using a mind map, I’ll guide you through the four big areas impacted by this shift: the immediate chaos it’s caused, what strategies and tools are suddenly more valuable, what old tricks are now holding brands back, and who’s rising to the top as this new landscape takes shape.

Factory communication can make or break your toy project and one vague comment or rushed approval can lead to costly mistakes. In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m breaking down the three biggest slip-ups new toy makers make when working with overseas factories, from skipping Pantone colors to approving samples too soon. Tune in to learn how to avoid these pitfalls and level up your production process like a pro.

Even with the recent increased tariffs on India, many of my clients and students have been seeking out new factory partnerships in this country. For decades, China has been the go-to destination for toy production, and they are indisputably the best at producing high quality goods quickly,  but what happens when rising costs, shipping delays, and shifting global policies force toy makers to look elsewhere?