Toypreneur

Charlene DeLoach

The Toypreneur Podcast helps toy brands with actionable strategies and inspiring stories to grow your business and make it a game worth playing.  Hosted by Charlene DeLoach, a toy industry expert with 14 years of experience and a track record of launching 10+ successful products and businesses, this podcast is designed for the toy industry players ready to make a big impact in the world of play. Every episode delivers actionable strategies, real-world insights, and inspiring stories tailored to: Toy retailers seeking to expand their reachGame developers aiming to launch their next big hitPlay-focused content creators building engaged communitiesCreative entrepreneurs with innovative ideas for the family entertainment spaceWhat You’ll Learn: Marketing Made for Play: Proven strategies for toy stores, gaming channels, and content creatorsSocial Media Growth: Tactics to build and engage thriving toy and gaming communitiesAuthentic Brand Building: How to create a meaningful and memorable presence in the family entertainment spacePractical Solutions: Addressing common challenges faced by solopreneurs in the toy and play industriesInspiring Case Studies: Stories of success from toy retailers, game developers, and content creatorsRevenue Growth Strategies: Time-tested methods for growing your audience and income in the play ecosystemWho It’s For: Whether you’re: A toy store owner expanding your reachA gaming content creator ready to monetize your passionAn entrepreneur with a fresh, play-based product ideaThe Toypreneur Podcast gives you the blueprint to grow a meaningful and profitable business in the toy and gaming industries. Why Listen?: Join a community of motivated solopreneurs transforming the world of play. Each episode is packed with expert advice, step-by-step guidance, and the encouragement you need to thrive as a creative entrepreneur. Subscribe now and let’s build a small brand that plays BIG! New episodes drop monthly, offering actionable insights, real-life success stories, and practical steps to grow your business.

  1. Cast Away Creativity: Why Brands Shouldn’t Police Play

    10/03/2025

    Cast Away Creativity: Why Brands Shouldn’t Police Play

    In this episode of the Toypreneur Podcast, Charlene DeLoach discusses the importance of reimagining play in the toy industry, drawing parallels from the movie Cast Away. She emphasizes that children thrive when they are allowed to break the rules and explore their creativity, which is essential for their development. DeLoach challenges toy companies to embrace flexible play, design toys that encourage imagination, and market them in a way that celebrates creativity rather than restricts it. By doing so, brands can foster loyalty and ensure their products remain relevant and engaging for children. Takeaways Tom Hanks survived by reimagining what was in front of him.Kids should be repurposing and transforming toys.Too many toy companies think like instruction manuals.Play is the essence of breaking the rules.The current generation of parents wants toys that grow with their kids.Stifling creativity limits both children and brands.Off-label play is good for brain development.Design toys with flexibility and multiple ways to play.Market creativity and celebrate user-generated content.Your toy is a stage for imaginative play.Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:34 Overview 01:41 The Lesson 04:07 The Homework 06:06 The Review 07:11 The End Keywords play, creativity, toy industry, marketing, innovation, child development, flexible play, brand loyalty, storytelling, imagination Connect on Instagram | Follow on LinkedIn | Free Newsletter Signup

    8 min
  2. What Mr. Rogers Can Teach Us About Running a Business

    09/19/2025

    What Mr. Rogers Can Teach Us About Running a Business

    What can Mr. Rogers possibly teach us about running a toy business? More than you think. In this episode, Charlene DeLoach explores the profound lessons from Mr. Rogers and how they apply to the business world, particularly in the toy industry. She emphasizes the importance of kindness and embracing uniqueness as essential strategies for building strong relationships and fostering a supportive community. By reflecting on Mr. Rogers' legacy, Charlene encourages listeners to lift others up, recognize their own value, and create a culture of collaboration rather than competition. Takeaways The opportunity to lift others up exists even among competitors.Kindness and knowing your value are crucial in business.Building relationships is as important as creating products.Kindness can transform careers and strengthen companies.Uniqueness should be celebrated, not minimized.Confidence in one's uniqueness reduces competition.Radical kindness is a form of leadership.Support others without expecting anything in return.Creating a supportive community enhances business success.The toy industry thrives on diverse perspectives and collaboration. Chapters 00:00 Welcome To The Neighborhood 00:35 The Messages 01:47 Kindness 04:12 Uniqueness 05:47 Find New Neighbors 07:03 Call your Neighbor 08:30 Til Next Time 🎧 Listen now and learn how to build a toy business that’s both profitable and authentic. #ToyIndustry #ToyBusiness #ToyEntrepreneur #KindnessInBusiness #MrRogers #SmallBusinessLeadership  Connect on Instagram | Follow on LinkedIn | Free Newsletter Signup

    9 min
  3. Why Most Toy Companies Aren’t Ready for the Next Disruption

    08/22/2025

    Why Most Toy Companies Aren’t Ready for the Next Disruption

    In this episode, Charlene DeLoach emphasizes the critical need for businesses, particularly in the toy industry, to conduct disaster simulations to prepare for potential crises. Drawing parallels with Hurricane Katrina, she discusses how organizations can identify vulnerabilities and create actionable plans to mitigate risks. The conversation highlights the importance of having backup plans in place, especially in the face of unexpected disruptions, such as changes in social media platforms like TikTok. Charlene encourages listeners to proactively assess their business weaknesses and develop strategies to ensure resilience against future challenges. Takeaways The toy industry often overlooks disaster simulations.Government agencies run simulations to prepare for crises.Businesses should have plans for potential disruptions.Vulnerabilities can arise from over-reliance on single suppliers.Backup plans are essential for social media dependencies.Identify weaknesses in your business systematically.Start building emergency plans before crises occur.Engage interns or fresh perspectives to identify vulnerabilities.Crisis management is reactive; preparation is proactive.Regularly assess and update your business strategies. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:09 The Story 02:07 Toy Disasters 03:24 Toy Action Plan 07:01 Playbook Keywords disaster simulation, toy industry, crisis management, business resilience, backup plans, vulnerability assessment, TikTok, emergency preparedness, Hurricane Katrina, business strategy Connect on Instagram | Follow on LinkedIn | Free Newsletter Signup

    8 min
  4. Leveraging Your Personal VIBE: The Hidden Power in Business Success

    06/28/2025

    Leveraging Your Personal VIBE: The Hidden Power in Business Success

    Your biggest leverage point isn't your product, pitch, or pricing strategy—it's your vibe. Not just your mood, but your visible impact and bold energy that creates a signature presence in every business interaction. When the right person enters a room with the right energy, everything shifts. Clarity sharpens. Momentum builds. Ideas transform from hypothetical to achievable. That's the power of bringing your authentic vibe to business, and it might be the most valuable asset you're overlooking. Drawing from an experience speaking to young women in an entrepreneurship program, I share why understanding your VIBE—Values, Impact, Brilliance, and Expression, or Visible Impact + Bold Energy—matters more than credentials or comparisons. Your values represent what you fundamentally believe in, your impact reflects the mission driving your work, your brilliance encompasses your unique talents and experiences, and your expression is how you authentically show up in the world. This framework proves especially powerful when facing self-doubt, career transitions, or feeling overshadowed by competitors with seemingly more resources or followers. The entrepreneurial journey rarely follows a straight path, but your distinctive vibe remains your constant competitive advantage. No one can steal, suppress, or replicate the unique combination that makes you who you are. Whether you're launching a business, pivoting your career, or simply feeling stuck, reconnecting with your authentic vibe can reignite your confidence and purpose. Share what you think your vibe is by reaching out on Instagram or Facebook @thetoypreneur, and subscribe to continue challenging conventional thinking about what makes businesses—and the people behind them—truly extraordinary. Connect on Instagram | Follow on LinkedIn | Free Newsletter Signup

    14 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Toypreneur Podcast helps toy brands with actionable strategies and inspiring stories to grow your business and make it a game worth playing.  Hosted by Charlene DeLoach, a toy industry expert with 14 years of experience and a track record of launching 10+ successful products and businesses, this podcast is designed for the toy industry players ready to make a big impact in the world of play. Every episode delivers actionable strategies, real-world insights, and inspiring stories tailored to: Toy retailers seeking to expand their reachGame developers aiming to launch their next big hitPlay-focused content creators building engaged communitiesCreative entrepreneurs with innovative ideas for the family entertainment spaceWhat You’ll Learn: Marketing Made for Play: Proven strategies for toy stores, gaming channels, and content creatorsSocial Media Growth: Tactics to build and engage thriving toy and gaming communitiesAuthentic Brand Building: How to create a meaningful and memorable presence in the family entertainment spacePractical Solutions: Addressing common challenges faced by solopreneurs in the toy and play industriesInspiring Case Studies: Stories of success from toy retailers, game developers, and content creatorsRevenue Growth Strategies: Time-tested methods for growing your audience and income in the play ecosystemWho It’s For: Whether you’re: A toy store owner expanding your reachA gaming content creator ready to monetize your passionAn entrepreneur with a fresh, play-based product ideaThe Toypreneur Podcast gives you the blueprint to grow a meaningful and profitable business in the toy and gaming industries. Why Listen?: Join a community of motivated solopreneurs transforming the world of play. Each episode is packed with expert advice, step-by-step guidance, and the encouragement you need to thrive as a creative entrepreneur. Subscribe now and let’s build a small brand that plays BIG! New episodes drop monthly, offering actionable insights, real-life success stories, and practical steps to grow your business.