If you've ever wished you could sit in on a real coaching call inside Toy Creators Academy, today’s your lucky day. This episode brings you inside the TCA Accelerator for a one-on-one strategy session with Joanna, the creator of Fren Forest.

Joanna is a sculptural artist with a love for cozy characters and dreamy desk décor. She went from crafting mini clay creatures in her studio to fully funding a collectible toy on Kickstarter.

You’ll hear how she turned her hand-sculpted characters into a toy brand without a business degree or marketing team, the smart moves that helped her hit 50% of her Kickstarter goal on day one, and why she scrapped flocking but kept her fan-favorite toe beans.

We’ll also chat about balancing creativity with business and how small media wins can build big brand momentum. Joanna’s journey proves that with the right tools and support, your toy dream is possible.

Want to learn secrets to growing your toy brand online? In episode 238 of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade revisits an extended interview with her mentor, Amy Porterfield, a multi-million dollar online business owner and expert in email marketing. During the podcast, Amy shares her journey from corporate life to becoming an entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of list building and personal storytelling in email marketing.

Ever wondered how to turn your toy idea into a fully-funded product without breaking the bank?

In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, Azhelle Wade sits down with two crowdfunding experts from BackerKit, Lafia and Maddie, to spill all the secrets behind running a successful crowdfunding campaign.

They dive into how BackerKit helps creators manage backers, collect pledges, and fulfill rewards (without losing their minds in spreadsheets). You’ll also hear about "Topias"—group launches where multiple creators team up to support each other’s campaigns—and how to build an audience that will help you hit your funding goals in no time. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your toy product to the next level, Lafia and Maddie share real success stories, smart strategies, and tips for growing your email list and marketing your campaign like a pro.

If you’ve got a big idea and want to learn how to make it happen with crowdfunding, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss!