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.

Ever feel like your toy or game idea is too niche or wonder if you’ve got what it takes to break into the industry? Maybe you’ve been sitting on a killer concept or already knee-deep in prototypes and second guesses.

In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m chatting with TCA alum and current Accelerator student Manish Punwani, who proves that with the right guidance and passion, even unexpected game themes can thrive. Manish shares his journey from merchandising to launching Cricket or Nothing, a suspense-filled card game that turns cricket into a poker-like duel.

You’ll hear why he walked away from his first concept and how TCA coaching helped him see his idea and audience in a whole new light.

If you want to be a part of Toy Creators Academy and get the opportunity to join the Accelerator as a graduate, visit toycreatorsacademy.com today.

Have you ever had a game idea pop into your head and thought, “This could be huge… but how do I even pitch it?” Or maybe you’ve been sitting on a prototype, wondering if it’s really “good enough” to show a big toy company. If you’ve been dreaming of getting your game on store shelves, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, we’re bringing back an oldie but a goodie conversation that I had with Tanya Thompson, Senior Director of Inventor Relations and Innovation for Hasbro Gaming. Tanya started out as a math teacher before making her way into the toy industry, and now she’s the gatekeeper for inventor-submitted game ideas at one of the biggest companies in the world.

Tanya shares what she looks for in a prototype, what your sizzle video must include, and how long it really takes to get feedback after a pitch. You’ll also hear why being first matters  and the #1 mistake new inventors make.

If you're ready to pitch like a pro, grab a notebook and hit play!

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.