Rephonic
Artwork for Making It in The Toy Industry

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business

Azhelle Wade | The Toy Coach | Toy Creators Academy
Toy Industry
Toy Creators Academy
Licensing Expo
Licensing
Hasbro
9 To 5 Warriors
Sustained Fun
Angelitos Magicos
Tabletop Game Design Masterclass
Licensing Deals
Inventors
Kindness Mouse
Entrepreneurship
Mental Health
MESH
World Sustainable Toy Day
Mattel
Toy Safety
Partnerships
Sweet Suite

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 masterclas... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes291Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessEntrepreneurshipSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Making It in The Toy Industry

Latest Episodes

Big feelings deserve a safe space and sometimes, that space looks like a soft, huggable friend with swappable expressions and a whole lot of heart…eyes!

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, we’re opening up another coaching call episode... more

YouTube

A toy doesn’t need to be loud or flashy to leave a lasting impact. The most meaningful ones teach kindness, spark empathy, and build something real in a child’s heart. That belief is what led today’s guest to create a toy that’s about so much more th... more

YouTube

Every once in a while, I meet a toypreneur whose journey reminds me why I started this podcast… and today’s guest is one of those people.

In this episode, we’re bringing back the story of a Toy Creators Academy grad who went from leading sales at Ma... more

YouTube

You know I love celebrating a toypreneur's full-circle moment and today’s episode is just that.

We're revisiting the incredible journey of TCA alum Chrissy Fagerholt of EAP Toys and Games, from her very first appearance on this podcast to her latest... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Jana Hallam
Founder of Wonderwell Toy Co. and creator of the Kindness Mouse.
Wonderwell Toy Co.
Episode: #289: The TCA Journey Behind a Toy Empowering Kids to Choose Kindness with Jana Hallam
Gerardo Davila
Toy Creators Academy graduate and founder of Angelitos Mágicos, a line of guardian angel plush dolls
Angelitos Mágicos
Episode: #288: How an Industry Veteran Rebuilt His Toy Knowledge Through TCA with Gerardo Davila
Joshua Punin
Co-founder of Source 4 India, experienced in the international toy industry.
Source 4 India
Episode: #282: Why Toy Companies Are Switching to Manufacturing in India with Joshua Punin
Carrie Shaked
Founder of Design Laughter, architect, artist, and mother
Design Laughter
Episode: #281: TCA Accelerator Coaching Call with Carrie Shaked
Courtney Smithee
Founder of Playcor, a toy brand that creates multifunctional toys that double as high-end home decor.
Playcor
Episode: #280: TCA Accelerator Coaching Call with Courtney Smithee
Kieche O'Connell
Founder of Catoms and a PhD holder in Chemistry
Catoms
Episode: #279: TCA Accelerator Coaching Call with Kieche O’Connell
Manish Punwani
Creator of the strategy card game, Cricket or Nothing
Cricket or Nothing
Episode: #278: TCA Accelerator Coaching Call with Manish Punwani
Tanya Thompson
Senior Director of Inventor Relations and Innovation for Hasbro Gaming
Hasbro Gaming
Episode: #277: Game Pitching Tips From a Toy Industry Insider with Tanya Thompson
Joanna Cotton
Sculptural artist aspiring to craft cozy fantasy worlds through character design
Episode: #276: TCA Accelerator Coaching Call with Joanna of Fren Forest

Host

Azhelle Wade
Host of Making It in The Toy Industry, with insights from years of expert experience in toy development, managing multi-million-dollar toy lines, and multiple industry patents.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 203 ratings
  • Amazing and so helpful

    I've been in the toy industry for 10 years and I sell to big retailers. This podcast is so validating and helpful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bgeghfdsrtv3467
    United States7 months ago
  • Very insightful and knowledgeable!

    This woman knows her stuff. Listening to her podcasts has taught me tips and tricks of the trade but has also walked me through a lot of things I didn’t even know I should be doing as a person starting in this business! Ask the question, pitch the sale, present your product, get out there and do what you gotta do! Added bonus, met her in person and she is absolute delight to speak to. Listen up people! Don’t miss out!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SuperDave0828
    United States8 months ago
  • 💎💎💎

    Azhelle was previously in my program so I can’t believe it took me so long to review her podcast! l'm not in the toy industry but as a PR coach for product makers, many who make toys, I LOVE recommending them quality resources and this is def one of them! Make sure to check out her ep on click worthy subject lines cause she knows what she’s talking about👏Also love the range of shorter to the point ep, and longer more in depth interviews, and everyone has such great energy!! It’s a community you... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    _doremi101
    United States8 months ago
  • Brilliance whether you’re an industry pro or just getting started

    I don’t know why it took me so long to discover this podcast, but had I been listening to this earlier, I probably could have avoided a lot of mistakes and made more headway more quickly. Azhelle’s insights, wit, humor and charisma exudes throughout each episode. Her guests are titans in the industry and whether you are new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, there is a lot of information here that’s super helpful.

    It’s a very friendly community, and Azhelle does a great job of showcasing th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    trescaliboy
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love this all the way from the uk

    I found the toy coach after starting my own doll line I have been listening and watching her for a year now and love everything about this podcast/channel

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Melly blogs
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Reviews express gratitude for the supportive community vibe and the high-quality guests featured, highlighting the engaging nature of the discussions.
Listeners appreciate the wealth of actionable insights and practical advice offered, often noting the balance between inspiration and tangible steps to take.
Many comments reflect on the podcast being an invaluable resource for both newcomers and veterans in the toy industry, providing guidance that is applicable across various stages of their business journeys.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#289: The TCA Journey Behind a Toy Empowering Kids to Choose Kindness with Jana Hallam
Q: How did you reconcile the decision to invest in Toy Creators Academy?
I was drawn to Azhelle's charisma and her authority in the field, realizing she was someone I could trust to guide me.
#289: The TCA Journey Behind a Toy Empowering Kids to Choose Kindness with Jana Hallam
Q: What advice would you give to somebody who might be teetering and thinking, oh, should I enroll in Toy Creators Academy or not?
It's a tremendous resource to have, and there's the community that comes with it, which provides hard-to-measure value.
#282: Why Toy Companies Are Switching to Manufacturing in India with Joshua Punin
Q: Are there MOQ limits? Like, what if I'm a startup?
India is not set up yet for the small runs. We are still in the game for getting the commitments where we've got to get sizable volumes through.
#282: Why Toy Companies Are Switching to Manufacturing in India with Joshua Punin
Q: So, why would a higher tariff rate encourage you to do that?
Because the next move was we need to make the toys in India and we need to supply the market domestically.
#281: TCA Accelerator Coaching Call with Carrie Shaked
Q: What do you hope to achieve one year from now with Design Laughter?
I would love to see photos of kids and families using my kits in the wild, building, laughing, connecting.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Making It in The Toy Industry

What is Making It in The Toy Industry about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This informative podcast is tailored for aspiring toy creators and entrepreneurs looking to bring their toy ideas to market. It covers various essential topics like pitching toy concepts to major companies, navigating the manufacturing process, and utilizing effective sales strategies. Each episode includes either a mini masterclass or a detailed discussion focusing on action steps that can be taken immediately to enhance toy development and marketing efforts. The host, with a wealth of industry experience including multiple patents and successful product launches, fosters a sense of community among listeners, encouraging them to turn their toy dreams into reality.

The unique aspect of this podcast lies in its comprehensive approach, which... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Making It in The Toy Industry?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Making It in The Toy Industry. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Making It in The Toy Industry and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Making It in The Toy Industry get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Making It in The Toy Industry, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Making It in The Toy Industry?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Making It in The Toy Industry, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Making It in The Toy Industry have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Making It in The Toy Industry has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Making It in The Toy Industry?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Making It in The Toy Industry:

1. The Playground Podcast
2. How I Built This with Guy Raz
3. The Product Boss: Business Coaching for Product-Based Female Entrepreneurs
4. The Mel Robbins Podcast
5. What Now? with Trevor Noah

How many episodes of Making It in The Toy Industry are there?

Making It in The Toy Industry launched 6 years ago and published 291 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Making It in The Toy Industry?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Making It in The Toy Industry?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Making It in The Toy Industry from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Making It in The Toy Industry?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Making It in The Toy Industry. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Making It in The Toy Industry?

Recent guests on Making It in The Toy Industry include:

1. Jana Hallam
2. Gerardo Davila
3. Joshua Punin
4. Carrie Shaked
5. Courtney Smithee
6. Kieche O'Connell
7. Manish Punwani
8. Tanya Thompson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days