Making It in The Toy Industry

Azhelle Wade | The Toy Coach
  • 4.9 (139)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

How do I bring my toy ideas to life? How can I pitch my toy concept to top toy companies like Hasbro, Mattel, or Goliath Games? What does it cost to make a prototype, and where can I get one made? Are there toy manufacturing options outside of China? These are just a few of the questions that will be answered on this weekly podcast, Making It In The Toy Industry. In addition to mini toy masterclasses, and step-by-step guides, each episode is designed to help you take immediate action toward developing, presenting, licensing, and producing your next big toy or game idea. Learn how to find the right factory, negotiate manufacturing costs, and use successful sales techniques to get your product noticed by major toy companies.Meet Your HostAzhelle Wade, aka The Toy Coach, has been in the toy industry since 2010. With 3 toy patents, multiple toy awards, and a track record of managing multi-million-dollar toy lines for companies like Toys R Us, Party City, Madame Alexander, and Creative Kids, Azhelle brings passionate and enthusiastic toy industry expertise to every episode. Join thousands of toy creators and entrepreneurs who are making their toy dreams real with Making It In The Toy Industry!

  1. 6d ago

    #311: How to Manifest Your Toy Idea Into a Real Product (3 Habits)

    I never thought I’d make an episode like this. For years my students asked for a lesson on manifestation, and for years I said no. It felt too woo-woo for a business show. But this past year I learned how much manifestation and hard work go hand in hand. Here are the 3 habits I’d have you practice to turn your toy idea into a real product. Mentioned in this episode: You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero: https://link.amazon/B08r79kHK Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: https://link.amazon/B0a1HlUrZ Toy Creators Academy: https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail! Support the show Toy Creators Academy 8.0 is launching soon, get on the waitlist: https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/

    #311: How to Manifest Your Toy Idea Into a Real Product (3 Habits)

  2. Apr 8

    #310: S6E10 | The AI Toy Sales Tool Smart Toy Companies Are Already Using

    Like any good season finale, I'm putting it all on the table. Episode 10 marks the END of our season all about the Impact of AI on The Toy Industry. In this week's episode we're revisiting everything we covered this season from the environmental and mental impact of AI usage, to it's organizational benefits and need for a human touch. Then, I'll be sharing the results from my survey on AI Usage in The Toy Industry. So if you're here for the chisme, start poppin' that popcorn now, and turn the volume up because I'm sharing every bit of juicy data from this industry wide survey. And then FINALLY the moment I've been waiting for all season. I'm introducing you to a tool that utilizes AI to help you find qualified toy stores where your product fits the demographic, the vibe, and the audience to thrive. This new AI sales tool is called The Toy Matchmaker and you don't need to know anything about AI or have a single AI subscription to use it. 🔗 Limited availability for The Toy Matchmaker is opening soon.  Get on the list: https://thetoymatchmaker.com/  📅 Free AI Tools for Business Masterclass with me on April 15th: thetoycoach.com/ai Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail! Support the show Toy Creators Academy 8.0 is launching soon, get on the waitlist: https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/

    #310: S6E10 | The AI Toy Sales Tool Smart Toy Companies Are Already Using

  3. Apr 1

    #309: S6E09 | Why Stickerbox Changed My Mind About AI Toys

    I once told CNN that some AI toys feel like a wolf in sheep’s clothing because it can be hard to tell how much privacy you’re giving up. While I'm a fan of AI use in business, I’ve been skeptical of AI toys for a while. But in today's interview, the Stickerbox genuinely changed my mind. Instead of using AI to keep kids on a screen, or to get them to develop a relationship with a robot, instead, Stickerbox uses AI to help kids turn their ideas into something physical, creative, and hands-on. In this episode, Arun Gupta, co-founder of Stickerbox, shares how his team built a product that feels more like a tool for creation and not consumption. Mentioned in this episode: StickerboxToy Creators Academy Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail! Support the show Toy Creators Academy 8.0 is launching soon, get on the waitlist: https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/

    #309: S6E09 | Why Stickerbox Changed My Mind About AI Toys

  4. Mar 25

    #308: S6E08 | The Inventor of Bop It on AI, Execution, and Creating the Next Classic Toy

    What if I told you Dan Klitsner discovered AI 30 years ago and used it to invent Bop It? Well, he didn’t. But I did ask Dan how AI might have influenced the creation of his hit game if it did exist when he was first starting out. Dan’s breakout invention sold over 50 million units, and those numbers put the “song” associated with the game at Diamond status. (Dear music industry, he’s still awaiting his plaque.) This week on the podcast, I’m sharing a chat with Dan Klitsner, the inventor of Bop It. We talk about the upcoming 30 year anniversary, how he’s been celebrating milestones over the years, and we dive into a chat about AI, execution, and what it really takes to create the next classic toy. We get into how inventors can use AI as a tool, why execution can sometimes become the real invention, and what originality means in a world where ideas are easier than ever to generate. If you’re a toy inventor, designer, or product creator trying to figure out where AI fits into your process, this episode is for you, my friend! Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail! Support the show Toy Creators Academy 8.0 is launching soon, get on the waitlist: https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/

    #308: S6E08 | The Inventor of Bop It on AI, Execution, and Creating the Next Classic Toy

  5. Mar 18

    #307: S6E07 | The Best AI Platforms for Toy Businesses in 2026

    AI is changing fast, but for the first time in a while I'm feeling that we've hit a moment of "stability". That means NOW is the perfect time to learn to apply the latest AI tools to your toy business. In this mini reset episode, I break down why so many people are getting mediocre results from AI, and announce a free live masterclass where I'll walk you through the three AI tools + new-ish features that every toy company needs to know: ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. You'll also get a sneak peek at Toy Biz Backup, my upcoming AI support team built specifically to help your toy businesses, and hear an important update about the Toy Coach Showcase at ASTRA 2026. In this episode you'll hear about: Why most people get bad results from AI and what's actually going wrongWhat projects, gems, and skills are (and why they're the new baseline for AI use)Why now is finally the right time to commit to learning AI toolsWhat's covered in the free AI Tools for Business Masterclass (April 15th, 12 to 1PM ET)A sneak peek at Toy Biz Backup, an AI support team built for toy businessesThe Toy Coach Showcase at ASTRA 2026, only 2 spots left! Mentioned in This Episode: 🎓 Free AI Tools for Business Masterclass (April 15, 12 to 1PM ET) thetoycoach.com/ai🆕 Toy Coach Showcase at ASTRA 2026 (only 2 spots left!) learn.thetoycoach.com/showcase🥊 Higgsfield AI (multi-tool AI platform mentioned) higgsfield.aiSend The Toy Coach Fan Mail! Support the show Toy Creators Academy 8.0 is launching soon, get on the waitlist: https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/

    #307: S6E07 | The Best AI Platforms for Toy Businesses in 2026

  6. Mar 11

    #306: S6E06 | Should You Learn Claude Code? Build AI Apps for Your Toy Business

    1.5 million people left Chat GPT and went running to Claude for all the wrong reasons. Claude isn’t just the more ethical AI tool. It’s THE tool built for serious businesses. One of the most popular topics of conversation right now is Claude Code. I myself have been obsessing over it lately, finding myself dreaming of code to the point where I wake up thinking I’ve finished a debug. The bigger question isn’t just HOW to use Claude Code but it’s really, SHOULD you be using it? I’m estimating it’ll take a good 200 hours of use before you start to “get it”, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make some pretty cool things along the way. This week’s episode dives into Claude Code, how I used it, what you can do with it, and how to get started. 🧸 Mentioned In This Video 🧸 🔗 Resources: Claude & Claude Code – https://claude.aiClaude Max plan (used while building) – https://claude.aiThe Toy Matchmaker (beta) – https://www.toymatchmaker.comToy Creators Academy – https://www.toycreatorsacademy.comThe Toy Coach – https://www.thetoycoach.comSend The Toy Coach Fan Mail! Support the show Toy Creators Academy 8.0 is launching soon, get on the waitlist: https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/

    #306: S6E06 | Should You Learn Claude Code? Build AI Apps for Your Toy Business

  7. Mar 4

    #305: S6E05 | Why Human Touch Still Wins At Retail with Pyper Bleu

    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. Our conversation starts with Pyper peeling back the curtain on how she built a platform of 400K subscribers on her YouTube channel Lyfe of Pyper, and why she decided to shift offline and open a retail shop — plus she explains how they're so different. We also get honest about AI in our day-to-day — from using it to soften angry emails (there's humanity in that) to realizing AI-written "thank you" messages feel worse than no reply at all. Pyper shares why she stopped using AI for correspondence and actually got faster, and I open up about using AI to learn rather than just get answers. Plus, Pyper drops a killer tip about packaging that every toy inventor needs to hear. 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. 💜 Welcome, Toy People! 👋🏽 Thanks for being part of this playful community. 🧸 Mentioned In This Video 🧸 🔗 Resources: https://pyperbleu.com/ Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail! Support the show Toy Creators Academy 8.0 is launching soon, get on the waitlist: https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/

    #305: S6E05 | Why Human Touch Still Wins At Retail with Pyper Bleu

  8. Feb 25

    #304: S6E04 | 5 Foundations Your Toy Company Needs BEFORE Integrating AI (Custom GPTs, Automations & More)

    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. You may already have it documented somewhere, living in your head, or is just something your team knows how to execute. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down exactly: What you need to documentHow to pull that information togetherWhat you’re actually going to use it forAnd how to use it to benefit your process TODAY.I’m also sharing a tool I made that will help you build this foundation a whole lot faster. I know I say this all the time, but… DO NOT miss this episode! Key Moments: 01:00 – Why you cannot layer AI on top of messy data and undocumented processes02:00 – Foundation #1: Your Golden Data (sales data, product list, customer profile)11:00 – The brand voice problem that makes AI sound generic (and how to fix it)14:00 – Foundation #3: Your tech stack audit17:00 – Foundation #4: SOPs (yes, you must have them)21:00 – Foundation #5: Folder structure + the “Chief Operations Officer” promptMentioned in This Episode: AI Blueprint thetoycoach.com/aiToy Coach Showcase https://learn.thetoycoach.com/showcaseConnect With Me If you’re ready to implement AI into your business and you want it done for you, email me at: info@thetoycoach.comSend The Toy Coach Fan Mail! Support the show Toy Creators Academy 8.0 is launching soon, get on the waitlist: https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com/

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About

How do I bring my toy ideas to life? How can I pitch my toy concept to top toy companies like Hasbro, Mattel, or Goliath Games? What does it cost to make a prototype, and where can I get one made? Are there toy manufacturing options outside of China? These are just a few of the questions that will be answered on this weekly podcast, Making It In The Toy Industry. In addition to mini toy masterclasses, and step-by-step guides, each episode is designed to help you take immediate action toward developing, presenting, licensing, and producing your next big toy or game idea. Learn how to find the right factory, negotiate manufacturing costs, and use successful sales techniques to get your product noticed by major toy companies.Meet Your HostAzhelle Wade, aka The Toy Coach, has been in the toy industry since 2010. With 3 toy patents, multiple toy awards, and a track record of managing multi-million-dollar toy lines for companies like Toys R Us, Party City, Madame Alexander, and Creative Kids, Azhelle brings passionate and enthusiastic toy industry expertise to every episode. Join thousands of toy creators and entrepreneurs who are making their toy dreams real with Making It In The Toy Industry!

Information

  • Creator
    Azhelle Wade | The Toy Coach
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    312
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Toy Coach
  • Show Website
    Making It in The Toy Industry

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