Mato just raised pre-seed Read more
Podcast charts
Published by Azhelle Wade | The Toy Coach
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 Host Azhelle 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 !
On the charts
Every published chart this podcast appears in, in the snapshot behind this page. Each one links to the chart it came off.
The Mato Topic Intelligence Platform does not report this podcast as charting in a published category in this snapshot.
From the feed
The latest episodes published to this podcast’s own RSS feed. Titles and descriptions are the publisher’s.
The toys on store shelves this holiday season were picked by retail buyers more than a year ago, and many of those conversations started at a show most new toy creators have never heard of. In this episode, Azhelle Wade, The Toy Coach, attends LA Toy Previews for the first time and goes inside The Toy Building in El Segundo, California, where The Toy Association has turned its own lounges into showrooms. In this episode How LA Toy Previews became one of the most important stops in the toy buying calendar, with Greg Ahearn, President and CEO of The Toy Association A tour of The Toy Building, now 101% leased, with Kimberly Carcone, EVP of Global Experiences What really happens in a September buyer meeting, with Tom Delaney of Blokees Why Ty, the company behind Beanie Babies, reports buyer feedback to leadership every single night, with Tania Lundeen of Ty Five lessons for getting in front of retail buyers before Toy Fair How The Toy Coach and one of her clients landed a retail deal even when showrooms were sold out Want to lease a showroom in The Toy Building? Visit and click on LA Previews. Ready to make your toy? Book a discovery call with Azhelle . Learn the whole process step by step inside Toy 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/
For years, Azhelle Wade, The Toy Coach, refused to teach manifestation on Making It In The Toy Industry. She thought it was too “woo woo” for a toy business show. In this episode, she explains what changed her mind, and why she now believes manifestation and hard work are two halves of the same plan. Azhelle walks through the three habits she has her clients practice to get a toy idea out of their head and onto a store shelf: See your toy’s future clearly. That starts with a daily gratitude list of small wins, and the four-square vision board she and her husband draw and hang at home. Show up for it every single day. That includes the one consistent habit she recommends to almost every toy creator. Protect your time and energy. She opens up the “ideal week” calendar she uses to avoid burnout. She also shares the night a single idea led her to pitch a toy TV show to a developer at a major studio. And she explains why most toy creators quit manifesting after just a few days, right before the results would have shown up. 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/
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/
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: Stickerbox Toy 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/
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/
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 wrong What 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 tools What'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 businesses The 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.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/
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.ai Claude Max plan (used while building) – https://claude.ai The Toy Matchmaker (beta) – https://www.toymatchmaker.com Toy Creators Academy – https://www.toycreatorsacademy.com The Toy Coach – https://www.thetoycoach.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/
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/
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 document How to pull that information together What you’re actually going to use it for And 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 processes 02:00 – 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 audit 17:00 – Foundation #4: SOPs (yes, you must have them) 21:00 – Foundation #5: Folder structure + the “Chief Operations Officer” prompt Mentioned in This Episode: AI Blueprint thetoycoach.com/ai Toy Coach Showcase https://learn.thetoycoach.com/showcase Connect With Me If you’re ready to implement AI into your business and you want it done for you, email me at: info@thetoycoach.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/
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. The ability to utilize AI reasoning in everyday business tasks will soon be the defining rift between thriving modern businesses and those struggling with ancient processes, overworked employees, struggling to keep up with workload. If you are one of those companies whose employees are struggling with the number of products on your line list, or the number of POs they’re processing daily, you cannot afford to ignore this episode. Before you lose your talented team because you’re overworking them with tasks way below their paygrade, listen to this episode and learn how you can give them back more time to be creative, feel inspired, and LOVE their work. Let AI handle the research, and let your creative team flow in their zone of genius. In this episode I’m sharing a few AI agents I’ve created that are doing just that for me. Giving me more time to write, design, plan, and build my business and that of my clients. If you plan to be in business in 10 years, you absolutely need a personalized team of AI agents. And this episode is how to get started. 💜 Welcome, Toy People! 👋🏽 Thanks for being part of this playful community. 🧸 Mentioned In This Video 🧸 🔗 Resources: 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/
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 Buy For Me feature actually works, how it integrated her shop without her opting in. Plus we dive into what every small business, maker, and toy brand needs to watch out for when Amazon “digitally dupes” your product. 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. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn: What the Amazon “Buy For Me” button is and how it’s using AI to complete orders How Angie discovered strange “@buyforme.amazon” emails and what they meant for her shop Why this feature is a potential wolf in sheep’s clothing for indie brands and toy businesses Steps you can take to protect your customer relationships and pricing How to think strategically about marketplaces vs your direct-to-consumer channels For the links mentioned in this episode visit: www.thetoycoach.com/602 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/
With every major advancement in science or technology, there is bound to be pushback. AI is no exception. This season is for toy and game creators navigating AI in the toy 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. In this episode, we’ll talk about: digital amnesia the environmental impact of AI the hidden ways AI is already showing up inside your tool stack AI use cases that dull your brain and personality Season 6 begins now. 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/
After 299 weeks of toy talk, our 300th episode marks the closing of one chapter and opening another. This little podcast that started as “let’s see what happens” has turned into a full-on resource library for toy inventors, toy entrepreneurs, and creative creatives like you who just can’t shake that pull toward the toy industry. In this episode, I'm sharing the biggest lessons from 5+ years of episodes: why most toy ideas don’t fail because they’re “bad,” how confidence actually follows clarity, and why community and the right mentors matter more than “perfect” artwork or prototypes. This year I was on national TV with Jimmy Fallon, landed some truly incredible clients, and became a mom for the first time. So with all those big life shifts, it was time to take a reflective look at this podcast as well. 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/
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. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Make It Real reinvented a classic bracelet-making play pattern to prioritize speed, ease, and fashion-forward results Why the team designed Swift Clicks to work for both right-handed and left-handed makers The “razor and razor blade” strategy behind refills—and how Make It Real solved the refill placement problem at retail The smart hidden features inside the product— funnel, aligning tool, built-in storage, and more —that most consumers never notice How Swiftie culture, influencer content, and viral videos helped turn Swift Clicks into a breakout hit What today’s craft brands can learn about pricing, margins, and marketing in a tough category 🔗 Links & Resources Vote Swift Clicks Heishi Bracelet Maker for Creative Toy of the Year and People’s Choice at ToyAwards.org (see show notes for direct link) Learn more about Make It Real and Swift Clicks at MakeItReal.com Watch Azhelle’s full Swift Clicks toy review on The Toy Coach YouTube channel (companion episode airs the same day as this podcast!) Hit play to join this bracelet-making party and get inspired to rethink your own toy or craft line through the lens of speed, inclusivity, and smart design. 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/
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. The NeeDoh Nice Cube Swirl isn’t just another sensory stress ball. It’s a Specialty Toy of the Year finalist that’s been an Amazon best seller, is selling out in stores, AND building real emotional connection with kids and adults worldwide. The CEO shared with me that they’ve gotten handwritten letters from kids, therapists, and even college students sharing how this tiny cube helps them relax, reset, and focus. Retailers can’t restock it fast enough and during this interview I’m on a mission to find out why. 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. You’ll learn how they scaled sales without leaning on trends, built retail momentum through independent stores, and created a $5 product that buyers and therapists can’t get enough of. If landing a TOTY nomination is on your vision board, or you're trying to get retailers to reorder faster than you can ship, this episode will show you what it really takes to turn a small idea into a big win. Vote for NeeDoh Nice Cube Swirl in the Specialty Toy of the Year category. Voting is open to Toy Association members AND members of the media. Cast your vote for NeeDoh Nice Cube Swirl in the Specialty Toy of the Year category ! If you're in the media (like an industry influencer) and you aren’t registered to vote, contact the toy association at info@toyassociation.org for details. Listen for these Important Moments: [00:01:30] – Find out how Schylling transformed a simple squishy ball into a multi-million dollar brand with over 50 SKUs. [00:11:30] – Discover how NeeDoh tapped into the specialty retail channel to test and scale — with 10X reorders in 30 days. [00:18:40] – See how organic fan content and surprise use-cases (from therapy to dental offices!) shaped the Nice Cube’s evolution. [00:26:05] – Hear how the team designed packaging that sells itself , with irresistible shelf appeal and built-in trial moments. [00:33:20] – Unpack what a TOTY nomination really does for sales and why Paul says you need to be ready to airfreight inventory if you win. 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/
They sold out before summer, got emails from retailers and industry outsiders, and scored a back-to-back TOTY nomination… so how did they do it? In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry , I talk with Ron Weizman of South Beach Bubbles about the strategy behind their hit product, the Galactic Color Bubble Machine . We cover what it takes to stand out in a saturated market, how packaging and demos drove retail success, and why award wins matter more than you think. Listen in and see why this toy is taking over the bubble aisle and… don’t forget to vote for it in the Outdoor Toy of the Year category ! Voting is open to Toy Association members and media. Not registered? Reach out to info@toyassociation.org for access. Listen for these Important Moments: [00:01:30] – Learn how to pitch your toy in 30 seconds or less, as Ron shares the quick-hit sell for a product that became a TOTY nominee two years in a row. [00:03:10] – Thinking of adding tech to your toy? This breakdown of how the Galactic Bubble Machine works will spark ideas for simple, affordable "wow" moments. [00:06:03] – Discover how to make your product stand out in a crowded category Ron explains the strategy behind going beyond a standard bubble machine. [00:11:04] – Get inspired by the R&D story behind Poppin Colorz, and learn how chemistry, persistence, and a little creative obsession turned into a category-disrupting toy. [00:21:08] – Hear how one toy’s demo power translated into real retail impact including sidewalk traffic, trade show buzz, and in-store conversion. 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/
What does it really take to make an ESPN-licensed toy? Imagine teaching kids about sports from inside SportsCenter. That’s exactly what Abacus Brands pulled off after 27...yes, twenty-seven licensing deals, seven TOTY nominations, and one incredibly ambitious idea. For 2025, Abacus Brands teamed up with ESPN and a roster of elite athletes to create the ESPN Virtual Reality Headset . This toy turns a 148 page sports book into a fully immersive experience so kids can learn rules, history, and the why behind the game from inside SportsCenter alongside anchor Arda Öcal. It took 27 separate licensing deals to pull this off, and in my latest episode of Making It in the Toy Industry I sat down with Abacus CEO Steve Rad to talk about working with Disney and ESPN, the wild cost of big name athletes, why Jordan was the one they could not land, and the prototype moment that stopped him in his tracks. If you are a Toy Association member or in the media, you can (and should) vote for the ESPN VR Headset for Educational Toy of the Year . 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/
What started as an inventor's pitch, evolved into a collectible phenomenon. Sky Castle Toys is showing us what happens when you combine viral content with collectibility… and it’s Sticki Rolls. Sticki Rolls is nominated for Collectible Toy Of The Year, and if you ask me, they should be the ones taking home the TOTY. (sorry Lego!) Sky Castle built a brand, demand, and a community from scratch, and they’re only continuing to grow. Driven by viral content and partnerships with niche artists, the Sticki rolls brand is one of the few toys that can get kids excited about putting down their phones…even if it’s just to cover them with stickers. 😏 In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, co-founder of Sticki rolls, Lev Nelson, reveals how this TOTY-nominated toy went from concept to category disrupter in under two years. Sticki Rolls may look simple: “just stickers on a bracelet” but behind this viral collectible is a smart design, strategic marketing, and a product kids can’t stop sharing and sticking to everything and with everyone. Lev shares how Sticki Rolls launched during the pandemic, innovated manufacturing, survived the shipping crisis, built a global fan base, and YouTube-first marketing engine from scratch. (That now has over a million subscribers , by the way!) If you were considering giving another company your TOTY vote…you might want to think again after hearing this episode. Featured in this episode: The top-secret rarity system built into every Sticki Rolls bracelet The manufacturing challenge that nearly derailed the product How Sticki Rolls are designed with parents in mind And what I think about this new brand going head-to-head with collectible giants like LEGO, Pokémon, and Magic: The Gathering for their TOTY nomination. Sticki Rolls earned their spot among the greats and now they need your vote to seal the deal. If this episode inspired you, if this product wowed you, cast your vote for Sticki Rolls in the Collectible Toy of the Year category ! Voting is open to Toy Association members AND members of the media. So if you're in the media and you aren’t registered to vote, contact the toy association at info@toyassociation.org for details. 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/
You’ve heard of the Emmys, the Oscars, and the Grammys... but what about the TOTYs? In this episode, we’re going to dive into the TOTY (Toy of the Year) Awards and why they’re a huge deal if you're in the toy industry. I’m breaking down exactly how to get nominated, how to time your launch for max award potential, and how a TOTY nod can boost your sales, get you press, and even give your SEO a serious lift. You'll also hear about the glamorous TOTY Gala held during New York Toy Fair, how voting works (yes, there’s a People’s Choice!), and how you can leverage a TOTY finalist spot into a powerful marketing moment. Featured in this episode: How TOTY nominations can increase sales by 30% The step-by-step submission and voting timeline What it’s really like attending the black-tie gala Promotional spotlight opportunities for current finalists If you’re a TOTY finalist this year (or know someone who is), now’s the time to act. Public voting is open and closes January 7, 2026! Head to this year’s nominee list, find your category, and start rallying your audience. And if you’re ready to boost your visibility with a TOTY Spotlight feature on the podcast, YouTube channel, and beyond, grab your category-exclusive promo package before it’s gone. Let’s turn that nomination into a win! Listen for these Important Moments! [00:01:41] – Learn what the TOTY Awards are, who runs them, and why they’re the Oscars of the toy world. [00:02:02] – Find out exactly how to qualify for a nomination: including timing, crowdfunding rules, and product availability. [00:03:09] – Step inside the black-tie TOTY Gala with Azhelle’s firsthand recap from red carpet to Wyclef Jean. [00:04:55] – How a TOTY nomination can lead to a 30% sales bump, more press, better SEO, and even job offers. [00:07:10] – Get details on my exclusive promo packages for 2026 finalists! (only one per category) 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/
In spring 2025 I was invited to join On Brand with Jimmy Fallon as 1 of 10 creatives selected to pitch national campaigns to major brands on national TV. Since the episodes aired, my DMs have been full of the same questions: how did I get on the show, what was it really like, and what do I think of Jimmy Fallon? This week on Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my wild ride as a contestant on On Brand with Jimmy Fallon. Week after week I dreamed up campaigns, plane wrap designs, comedic commercials, and drink recipes, then pitched them to CEOs and CMOs of major brands. I was mentored by Bozoma Saint John and Jimmy Fallon, an experience that reshaped how I think about branding, marketing, and product launches. Every week the stakes got higher. One challenge had me mapping an NYC pop-up; another had me writing and singing jingles on a deadline. I was on national TV at 24+ weeks pregnant, keeping my energy high and my creativity flowing while still speaking the language of big corporate brands. It was a branding bootcamp that pushed me past what I thought was possible while I was also building a tiny human and becoming a first time mom. Tune into this podcast if you want all the BTS tea including: The branding moves that helped me get cast (and how you can use them to stand out) What it’s really like working with Jimmy Fallon and Bozoma Saint John A new brand strategy I’m calling the Connect & Invest Loop that could change the way you launch and market forever How toy creators and creative entrepreneurs can build buzz before a single product hits the shelf If you are building a toy brand or a creative business, and want to grow your visibility this is your playbook. Listen for these Important Moments: [00:01:25] - Learn how strategic visual branding, owning your lane, and consistent content helped me stand out to casting directors and how you can do the same. [00:08:58] - Get the surprising lessons I learned from Jimmy Fallon and Bozoma Saint John about showing up, shifting gears, and being “too much” in corporate spaces. [00:11:20] - Find out why separating your campaign concept from the activation is crucial and how it could strengthen your creative pitches or product launches. [00:16:17] - This show unintentionally unlocked a brilliant marketing framework, perfect for brands navigating today's trust recession and attention-starved audiences. [00:26:14] - Real-world examples of toy entrepreneurs involving their audience early, creating investment, loyalty, and funding success before the product hits shelves. 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/
Ranking source
Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed November 3, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
Apple and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Pairs with
Bring this source into Mato to read its transferable patterns, then turn them into an original show for your own audience.