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#275: 3 Unmissable Lessons to Turn Your Hobby Into a Hit Game
Can your hobby become the next best selling board game? If you've ever dreamed of turning your weekend passion into something both magical and marketable, this episode is for you.
I’m recapping the best insights from my chat with Elizabeth Hargrave, the creator of Wingspan, and trust me, you don’t want to miss what she shared. We dive into why real-life experience is the key to immersive game design, how Elizabeth’s love of birding shaped her hit game, and how the right creative community can give your project a serious boost.
You’ll also hear the pitch strategy that helped her land her very first game deal, plus a fun brainstorm where I turn my salsa dancing hobby into a game concept that might just get your wheels turning too!
#274: Turn Your Hobby Into a Best-Selling Board Game with Elizabeth Hargrave
What are your hobbies? I personally enjoy dance, specifically latin dance and often I wonder, “What if I could translate salsa dancing into a toy or game?”. Well today, we’re going to explore that possibility. Today my guest shares how she turned her hobby into a best selling board game!
In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m joined by Elizabeth Hargrave, award-winning board game designer and co-founder of the Tabletop Game Designers Association. You might know her from her hit game Wingspan, which turned the world of nature and birdwatching into one of the most beloved engine-building games of all time.
#273: The Tabletop Game Licensing Blueprint that Closed Major Deals with April Mitchell
Licensing a tabletop game doesn’t require years of experience or a perfectly polished prototype. What it really takes is a strong idea, a strategic approach, and the confidence to put yourself out there.
I’m sitting down with April Mitchell, motivational speaker, licensing expert, and founder of 4A’s Creations, LLC. With years of product development and coaching at inventRight, April has helped countless creators bring their ideas to life. This past year, she licensed 6 tabletop games, and today, she’s sharing how.
You’ll hear how a name like “Pizza Pie” sparked a licensing deal, why having a pipeline of ideas helps you move faster, and how in-person pitches can make all the difference. We’ll also cover how to handle playtesting feedback, collaborate effectively, and keep momentum going with the right systems.
If you’ve got a tabletop game idea, this episode will help you take it from concept to contract.
👉 Hit play and take the first step into making your tabletop game a reality.
#272: How Labubu Became The Most Wanted Plush in the World
It started with a fuzzy little monster from a picture book inspired by Nordic fairy tales. No fame, no movie deal. But when a K-pop star hugged her on Instagram… everything changed.
This week on Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m diving into how Labubu, the “ugly-cute” character from POP MART, went viral and sparked a global toy craze.
One Instagram Story from BLACKPINK’s Lisa led to sold-out stores, TikTok buzz, and $1.6 billion in sales. We’ll unpack how POP MART turned that moment into a worldwide movement. From city-exclusive drops to fashion collabs, this case study is packed with lessons on scarcity, branding, and building community.
Launching a collectible or planning your next drop? This episode will help you build hype, grow your audience, and be ready for your viral moment.