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?