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.

Some of the most innovative toy ideas come from outside the industry and Dr. Kieche O’Connell is proof. As the creator of Catoms, she blended her love of science and the periodic table into a collectible plush line with characters inspired by real chemical elements.

In this episode, we dive into her journey from scientist to toy creator, how Toy Creators Academy helped her bring Catoms to life, and why authentic storytelling is key to marketing educational toys.

Are your kids really benefiting from that tablet time, or is there more to play than keeping them entertained? In this episode, The Toy Coach is joined by The Toy Queen who shares how the right toys can boost your child's developmental progress.

Our guest today is Kerri Wilmot, an occupational therapist with nearly 25 years of experience in pediatric development. Kerri uses her expertise to guide parents and caregivers on choosing toys that help children fine-tune their motor skills and sensory processing abilities.