My friend (and On Brand with Jimmy Fallon co-star) Pyper Bleu is joining me on the podcast today to share her perspective on the effects of AI and the algorithm on retail.

If you're feeling a little AI overwhelmed, this podcast is your safe space. Cozy up with a warm cup of tea and give it a listen.

So I finally convinced you that you can't ignore AI… and you're ready to implement it in your toy business. Go you. Love that for you. But before you go trying to haphazardly plug AI into every little task, you need to build your AI foundation. Your AI foundation is a series of files, records, strategy, and frameworks that you as a business use on a day-to-day basis.

My new AI agent completed 2 months of research and idea development work in 20 minutes! And the cost? About $5. If you bumped into me at New York Toy Fair you already know how excited I am about the AI integrated automations I am currently building.

Amazon’s new “Buy For Me” button sounds helpful… but is it quietly rerouting your customers and sales without your consent? In this episode, I’m joined by Angie Chua of Bobo Design Studio to break down how this Amazon AI feature actually works, how it showed up on her shop without her opting in, and what every small business, maker, and toy brand needs to watch out for.

If you sell on your own website, Etsy, Shopify, or anywhere online, you need to understand how features like Amazon Buy For Me could impact your margins, your customer data, and the future of your business.

With every major advancement in science or technology, there is bound to be pushback. AI is no exception. Season 6 of this podcast will focus on the impact of AI on the toy and game industry. In 10 episodes we’ll explore how to use AI while maintaining your taste, trusting your judgement, protecting your IP, and actually saving time.

This first episode is the foundation for the coming weeks. Before you dive any deeper into AI, let’s get real about the risks of operating it with little to no guardrails.

Before Swift Clicks ever hit the shelves, the team at Make It Real was staring down the brutal math of the craft aisle: rising costs, shrinking margins, and kids who expect faster, cooler results than ever. So how did her team turn that pressure into a Creative Toy of the Year finalist bracelet maker that Swifties can’t stop talking about?

In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I sit down with Gena Lavallee, VP of Global Brands at Make It Real, to reveal the story behind Swift Clicks, the Make It Real Heishi Bracelet Maker. From the “clicky pen” inspiration to the clever refill system, hidden funnel, built-in storage, lefty/righty-friendly design, and even how to actually tie a jeweler’s knot, you’ll hear how Gena’s team transformed a slow, fiddly craft into a fast, inclusive, and insanely satisfying play experience.

Can a $5 squishy toy really outsell the competition and take home a Toy of the Year award? Schylling’s CEO Paul Weingard is betting on it and honestly, the numbers are on his side.

Join me in the Schylling office where I sit with Paul Weingard to unpack the exact strategies that turned a simple sensory ball into a branded, collectable empire that’s dominating on Amazon, thriving in toy stores, and blowing up organically online.

Cast your vote for NeeDoh Nice Cube Swirl in the Specialty Toy of the Year category! Open to Toy Association members and media.

What does it take to turn a bubble toy into a sellout success and a two-time TOTY nominee? In this episode, we dive into the award-winning retail and demo strategy behind Poppin Colorz’ Galactic Color Bubble Machine.

From open-box packaging to live demos that pulled shoppers off the sidewalk, Ron Weizman of South Beach Bubbles shares how they turned a classic play pattern into a shelf-stealing hit.

Cast your vote for the Poppin Colorz Galactic Bubble Machine, nominated for Outdoor Toy of the Year! Open to Toy Association members and media.