Have you ever wondered how a simple office toy evolved into a toy phenomenon?

In this episode of 'Making It In The Toy Industry', host Azhelle Wade sits down with Aaron Muderick, the creative mind behind Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty. From a child's love for tinkering to creating a renowned brand, Aaron's journey is a testament to innovation, persistence, and passion. He discusses the importance of staying connected to your audience, maintaining product quality, and the critical lessons learned in balancing growth and focus.

Learn about the unique steps of toy design, the challenges of innovation, and what it really takes to succeed in the competitive toy industry. Aaron’s insights offer a behind-the-scenes look at toy development that every aspiring creator and toy enthusiast will love. From inspiration to production, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Listen For These Important Moments

• 00:36 Aaron's Journey: From Silicon Valley to Putty Innovator
• 02:35 The Slime Craze and Establishing a Permanent Footprint
• 04:02 Developing Thinking Putty for Adults
• 05:13 The Accidental Discovery of Putty
• 07:24 The First Steps to Entrepreneurship
• 09:27 Scaling Up: From Office Pool to Retail Success
• 15:51 The Importance of Focus and Specialization
• 19:41 Sustainability and Local Manufacturing
• 25:01 Navigating the Slime Craze
• 30:48 Quality and Consistency
• 35:19 Innovations and Future Trends

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Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
>> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass <<

Have you ever wondered what it takes to successfully launch on a crowdfunding platform?

Many creators go to the world of crowdfunding believing it's simply about having a great idea and posting it online. However, there's far more strategy involved than we realize. The process requires meticulous planning, audience engagement, and a strong narrative to capture backers' hearts and minds.

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade talks with Lisa Ferland, a seasoned crowdfund consultant who has helped raise over $1 million for creators on platforms such as Kickstarter, BackerKit, and Indiegogo. Lisa shares tips on everything from evaluating if crowdfunding is right for you, to understanding the importance of community, and the critical role of storytelling in the toy industry. Discover why the pre-launch phase is crucial and learn specific strategies to keep backers engaged throughout your campaign. Listen to the full episode to absorb these insights and more—perfect for both seasoned and aspiring creators!

Listen For These Important Moments

• 05:25 Lisa’s Journey: From Editing Stories to Crowdfunding Consulting
• 11:22 The First Steps for a Successful Kickstarter Launch
• 18:47 Indicators That Crowdfunding Might Be Right for You
• 24:30 The Importance of Building an Audience for Crowdfunding Success
• 30:56 Engaging and Maintaining a Community of Backers
• 36:45 The Role of Visuals and Multimedia in Kickstarter Success
• 41:03 The Significance of the Pre-Launch Phase in Crowdfunding
• 49:20 Understanding and Navigating the U-Shaped Curve of Campaigns
• 55:12 Key Elements of Post-Launch Engagement for Repeat Backers

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Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
>> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass <<

Ever wondered how to truly captivate buyers in the toy industry? Or why do some sales pitches fall flat even when the product is amazing?

In today’s episode, we will talk about the magic of storytelling in the toy industry! We’ll cover how sales reps and vendors approach things differently, plus the secrets to crafting pitches that go beyond a quick sale and build lasting customer relationships. Discover how storytelling can be the key to success in this highly competitive toy market.

Join us in this storytelling showdown with our guests, Tres Patton and Rachel Jones! Tres reveals techniques for crafting a compelling brand story, while Rachel discusses the importance of seeing through a child's eyes and building long-term relationships. Learn the art of maintaining passion, educating retail partners, and ensuring your product stands out. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in toy sales who’s ready to level up through the art of storytelling!

Listen For These Important Moments

• 02:26 The Storytelling Face-Off Begins
• 05:49 Defining Storytelling in Sales
• 06:53 Building Trust Through Product Experience
• 14:30 Adapting Storytelling for Tough Sales
• 18:26 Understanding the Roles: Vendor vs. Sales Rep
• 25:38 Rediscovering Passion in Sales
• 26:08 Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Sales
• 26:50 Balancing Work and Personal Life
• 28:42 The Importance of Flexibility in Sales
• 31:32 Building Relationships Through Storytelling
• 36:26 When Storytelling Falls Flat
• 41:32 Favorite Toys of Tres and Rachel

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Support the show

Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
>> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass <<