Best Print Design Academy Podcasts (2025)

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#275: 3 Unmissable Lessons to Turn Your Hobby Into a Hit Game 17:35

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13d ago17:35

17:35

Can your hobby become the next best selling board game? If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your weekend hobby into something magical and marketable, this episode is your cheat sheet. In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m unpacking the gold that Elizabeth Hargrave, the brilliant mind behind Wingspan, dropped in our conversation from…

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Research, kids, play, and AI 1:02:58

15d ago1:02:58

1:02:58

This might be our most giggly conversation yet. Alicia Quan and Sarah Mondestin interview Annabel Blake (they/them), Principal AI Design Researcher at Canva. The three discuss connections throughout Annabel’s career and life, touching on various topics like research, kids, play, AI, ethics, toys, authorship, and advice for designers and researchers…

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#274: Turn Your Hobby Into a Best-Selling Board Game with Elizabeth Hargrave 47:26

21d ago47:26

47:26

What are your hobbies? I personally enjoy dance, specifically latin dance and often I wonder, “What if I could translate salsa dancing into a toy or game?”. Well today, we’re going to explore that possibility. Today my guest shares how she turned her hobby into a best selling board game! In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m joined …

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#273: The Tabletop Game Licensing Blueprint that Closed Major Deals with April Mitchell 27:48

27d ago27:48

27:48

Licensing a tabletop game doesn’t require years of experience or a perfectly polished prototype. What it really takes is a strong idea, a strategic approach, and the confidence to put yourself out there. In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m sitting down with April Mitchell, motivational speaker, licensing expert, TCA Alumni, and fo…

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#272: How Labubu Became The Most Wanted Plush in the World 36:08

1M ago36:08

36:08

It started with a fuzzy little monster, hiding in the pages of a picture book inspired by Nordic fairy tales. She wasn’t famous. She didn’t have a movie deal. But when one K-pop superstar hugged her on Instagram… everything changed. This week on Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m diving into the jaw-dropping rise of Labubu, the “ugly-cute” characte…

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Learning and play go hand in hand 43:36

1M ago43:36

43:36

Alicia Quan and Sarah Mondestin hang out with Michelle Lee, Partner and Managing Director of IDEO’s Play Lab. This convo is so delightful and fun! So much inspiration to go around. Listeners will be enriched. Michelle discusses her unconventional career journey from mechanical engineering to toy design, and eventually to leading kid-focused project…

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#271: Email Marketing Rules You Can’t Break 40:39

1M ago40:39

40:39

Are you sleeping on the money-making magic of your email list? If you've been pouring all your energy into TikToks, Reels, and likes… hold up. Because while social media might be where the buzz is, your email list is where the buying happens. It’s your direct line to superfans, curious retailers, and future customers who actually want to hear from …

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Designing Google LearnLM 50:36

1M ago50:36

50:36

Alicia Quan and Sarah Mondestin interview two key figures in the development of Google's Learn LM. Julia Wilkowski is the Pedagogy and Learning Sciences Team Lead, ensuring Google products adhere to learning science principles and best practices and have a demonstrable effect on learning. Hayes Raffle is a Principal Designer on Google's LearnX team…

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#270: The Pricing Strategy That’s Getting Buyers to Say YES 19:53

2M ago19:53

19:53

What if your toy’s price point was the only thing standing between you and a “yes” from a major retailer? You’ve got the product, the mission, and maybe even a booth at Toy Fair but if buyers are walking by without placing orders, it might not be your toy that’s the problem… it might be the price. In this episode, you’ll hear how one Toy Creators A…

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EdTech but print-first 36:57

2M ago36:57

36:57

This is the story of a print-first EdTech product and it's packed with nuggets about UX Research with teachers. — Ethan Pierce, founder of Adaptive Reader, shares his personal journey from struggling with literacy in his early school years to founding a company dedicated to enhancing reading accessibility for students of varying developmental and l…

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#269: Thinking Differently About Toy Production with Lisa Doiron of Basic Fun 16:12

2M ago16:12

16:12

Before we dive into one of the most creative plush lines I’ve ever seen, we need to talk about something serious — TARIFFS. In this episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, I’m kicking things off with an urgent update about the current U.S.–China tariff situation and how it could affect your toy business. I’m sharing what I would do right now if I…

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#268: The Truth Behind Being a Game Inventor with Jeremy Posner 44:53

2M ago44:53

44:53

Behind every “yes” in the toy industry, there’s a mountain of “no’s,” countless hours of hustle, and more trial and error than most people expect. At one point, he came close to walking away from it all—until a single line from an episode of Bluey reminded him that making games was exactly what he was meant to do. In this episode Making It In The T…

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#267: Winning a TOTY Award and Scaling a Toy Business Through 3D Printing with Solobo Toys 47:50

3M ago47:50

47:50

Can 3D printing really replace traditional toy manufacturing? One founder says “absolutely” and she’s got the award to prove it. In this episode, I’m chatting with the amazing Courtney Peebles, founder of Solobo Toys, about how she won a TOTY Award for her hit plush toy, Emotional Baggage, and how rising manufacturing challenges pushed her to trans…

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#266: NY Toy Fair 2025 Exclusive Interview with Sharon Price John 43:38

3M ago43:38

43:38

“There are no tired brands, just tired marketers.” That quote alone has been living rent-free in my head since this interview. It has challenged me to take a look at my own brand and ask, am I doing everything I can to keep it thriving? In this episode, Sharon Price John, President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop and Chairwoman of the Toy Associat…

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#265: Navigating the Tariff Changes in The Toy Industry | April 2025 1:03:54

3M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

Is it time to stop manufacturing overseas? Or are these tariffs just temporary chaos? In this episode we're talking about the massive new tariffs shaking up the toy industry and what they mean for your bottom line. With import costs from China jumping up to 54% April 2nd, and a potential 104% threat looming over the horizon, toy creators everywhere…

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#264: NY Toy Fair 2025 Exclusive Interview with Purryfuls 25:21

3M ago25:21

25:21

Have I ever told you that I’m allergic to cats? Well, lucky for me I recently met Katharine Burke, the creator of PurryFuls, a purring plush cat that is designed for on demand comfort that only a purring cat can provide. Katharine left a high-stress tech job to build Purryfuls, and in today’s episode she shares exactly how she went from zero toy pr…

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Chalkboards to AI: A Veteran Teacher's EdTech Journey 30:43

3M ago30:43

30:43

Designing for K12 EdTech? Take a moment to linger in the world of this teacher. Alicia Quan and Sarah Mondestin listen to second-grade teacher Danielle Rivera, as she shares her perspective on growing through EdTech’s various iterations. She also gives her personal perspective on this question: What do veteran teachers want from AI? Chapters 00:00 …

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#263: NY Toy Fair 2025 Exclusive Interview with Cameron Ring 22:12

4M ago22:12

22:12

With over 13,000 followers on TikTok and millions of video views, Lost Boy Entertainment is forging a new path for launching a successful game brand. To continue our New York Toy Fair 2025 interview series, I sit down with Cameron Ring, co-founder of Lost Boy Entertainment. Lost Boy Entertainment is a rising game company that started with just 500 …

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#262: NY Toy Fair 2025 Exclusive Interview with Hootenanny Games 26:22

4M ago26:22

26:22

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to run a business with your spouse? Is it all fun and games, or does every dinner conversation turn into a boardroom meeting? Do you get to celebrate the wins together, or do you find yourself debating packaging details at 10 PM on a Friday night? I was so curious about this dynamic that I sat down with Alex an…

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#261: NY Toy Fair 2025 Exclusive Interview with Thin Air Brands 41:08

4M ago41:08

41:08

Are tariffs here to stay or not? That was the hot topic at New York Toy Fair 2025, and trust me—it’s still got the toy industry buzzing. In Q1 of 2025, the Trump administration announced a 20% tariff on Chinese imports, and with 80% of all toys made in China, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers are all bracing for impact. So, who's really going…

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#260: NY Toy Fair 2025 Exclusive Interview with Jayson Esterow & Gavin Lawler 28:51

4M ago28:51

28:51

After four days of running (literally) from booth to booth, taking meetings, and soaking in the latest trends, I’m here to give you an inside look at what went down at New York Toy Fair 2025. If you missed New York Toy Fair or couldn’t see everything, check out this first episode of NY Toy Fair 2025 Exclusive Interview Series. Over the next month a…

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👋 How to Collab with UX of EdTech 26:06

4M ago26:06

26:06

Alicia Quan introduces our new podcast co-host, Sarah Mondestin! Ever wondered how to collaborate with UX of EdTech? This episode should point you in the right direction. The hosts discuss Sarah's diverse career journey from educator to UX content designer and her involvement in various UX of EdTech initiatives. The conversation covers the structur…

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#259: How to Maximize Your Experience at Toy Fair New York 2025 42:18

4M ago42:18

42:18

So, you’re going to Toy Fair New York this year, but you aren’t sure you’re making the most of your trip? It’s true, without a solid plan, walking into Toy Fair New York can be completely overwhelming. You can easily get lost in a few friendly conversations, pass too much time playing with toys at welcoming booths, and end up missing opportunities …

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#258: 3 Ways To Grab Buyer Attention and Land More Deals at Toy Fair 21:50

5M ago21:50

21:50

Let’s be real—Toy Fair is chaotic. Buyers are rushing from booth to booth, seeing hundreds of products. If you want them to stop, pay attention, and actually care about your toy or game, your pitch needs to do more than just explain your product—it needs to demand attention. In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m breaking down 3 simp…

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#257: How To Win Over Buyers at Toy Fair with Barry & Jason 47:16

5M ago47:16

47:16

New York Toy Fair is just around the corner and if you’re preparing to launch your toy or game at this event, learn this lesson: it WON’T sell itself! Buyers see hundreds of pitches, and even the best ideas can get lost in the noise. The real secret? It’s not just what you pitch, but HOW you pitch it. So, how do you make buyers stop, pay attention,…

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#256: Why We’re Not Surprised About The DEI Rollbacks 33:38

5M ago33:38

33:38

Polarizing topic incoming... DEI. When The Toy Coach was picking up steam, many people told me a focus on DEI and being black would be to the benefit of my business. There were so many opportunities to speak on and about diversity and struggle as a person of color that it was hard to feel justified looking the other way at those opportunities. My i…

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#255: 5 Lessons to Take You From Hidden Genius to Rising Star Toy Inventor 28:30

6M ago28:30

28:30

Let’s face it: toy brands get almost ALL the glory, but the inventors behind the product—people like you—deserve the spotlight too. In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m sharing 5 lessons to take you from hidden genius to rising star, inspired by my own experience and my recent convo with Tim Walsh, inventor of ‘Blurt!’. We’re talki…

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#254: This Game Unites Boomers to Gen Alpha and It All Started in a Third-Grade Classroom with Tim Walsh 49:13

6M ago49:13

49:13

What if a simple classroom activity could unite generations across decades? In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, we’re celebrating 30 years of Blurt with its inventor, Tim Walsh, and uncovering the incredible story behind the game that connects Boomers to Gen Alpha. Discover how a third-grade classroom exercise—reading dictionary defin…

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#253: 4 Key Lessons to Launch and Scale Your Toy Business While Juggling a 9-to-5 26:08

6M ago26:08

26:08

Building your dream toy business while working a 9-to-5 might be overwhelming, but with the right mindset and a dash of creativity, you can take small, actionable steps to turn your big ideas into reality! It’s all about getting scrappy, seeking unfiltered feedback, and spotting opportunities to stand out from the crowd. In this episode of Making I…

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#252: How One Company’s Bubble Toy Got Nominated For A Major Toy Award with Ron Weizman 36:49

6M ago36:49

36:49

The highest honor your toy can get in this industry is the Toy of the Year® (TOTY®). This award is so coveted, that just a nomination alone has been said to boost sales and recognition of the brands lucky enough to earn one. A TOTY win can trigger a flood of retailers knocking on your door, desperate to get your product on their shelves. So what do…

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#251: Write Click-Worthy Email Subject Lines For Your Next Toy Pitch: Extended 32:06

7M ago32:06

32:06

Struggling to get your toy pitch noticed? 🚀 In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade reveals the secrets to crafting email subject lines that grab attention and boost your chances of success. Learn the powerful 'Four U’s' formula—Urgent, Useful, Unique, Ultra-Specific—and discover proven tips to make your emails stand out…

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#250: The Art Of Toy Photography with Mitchel Wu: Extended 47:45

7M ago47:45

47:45

Ever wondered how toys come to life through photography? 🎨✨ Mitchel Wu, an acclaimed toy photographer known for his brilliant use of motion and emotion in toy imagery, joins Azhelle Wade in this episode to unravel the magic behind his spectacular work with major clients like Marvel, Disney, and Hasbro. Learn how he transitioned from a mundane consu…

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#249: 7 Tips To Improve Your Virtual Toy Pitch: Extended 46:04

7M ago46:04

46:04

Ready to turn your toy ideas into marketable products but feeling lost in the world of virtual pitching? 🚀 Don’t worry, this episode is definitely for you! In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade drops all the tips you need to nail your next virtual toy pitch. Discover why energy is your secret weapon, how to create an u…

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#248: Breaking Through Barriers in Children’s Book Publishing with Charles George Esperanza: Extended Cut 52:14

7M ago52:14

52:14

Ever wonder how a kid from the South Bronx grew up to be a superstar children's book author and illustrator? 🚀 In this episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, join host Azhelle Wade as she chats with Charles George Esperanza, the creative mind behind Boogie Boogie Y’all! 🎨📚 From dreaming of drawing comics to becoming a HarperCollins author, Charl…

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#247: How to Fix What’s Not Working in Your Toy Business with Tyler Turk 37:50

7M ago37:50

37:50

How do you pivot your toy business when your current model isn’t working? In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, Azhelle Wade chats with Tyler Turk, founder of Crated with Love, about his journey from subscription box entrepreneur to retail board game powerhouse. When Tyler’s subscription box business skyrocketed during the pandemic, it …

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#246: How AI is Making Toy Innovation and Pitching Easier Than Ever Before with Azhelle Wade 37:59

8M ago37:59

37:59

Are you skeptical about integrating AI into your toy business? In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade, also known as The Toy Coach, shares her AI expertise from this year's People of Play Innovation Conference and ChiTAG - Toy and Game Fair in Chicago, where she presented her talk on 'How AI is Making Toy Innovation and…

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Shifter: For What It's Worth, Episode 076 50:46

8M ago50:46

50:46

After a long break the world's most famous, in-demand podcast is back. The dozens of stranded listeners came unmoored as they desperately attempted to find a replacement podcast only to realize nothing came close to FWIW. Most alternative podcasts are run by those who leave the "About" tab empty. People who are compromised in one way or another wou…

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#245: Crazy Aaron’s Secret Formula for Perfect Putty with Aaron Muderick 48:25

8M ago48:25

48:25

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, persis…

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#244: Choosing The Right Crowdfunding Platform For Your Launch with Lisa Ferland 41:46

8M ago41:46

41:46

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 narrativ…

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#243: Vendors VS Sales Reps: A Storytelling Sales Showdown with Tres Patten and Rachel Jones 49:08

8M ago49:08

49:08

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 quic…

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#242: How Wow Moments Became The Foundation Of This Toy Business with Richard North 56:30

9M ago56:30

56:30

Want to know how to ‘wow’ your way into the competitive toy industry? In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade looks into Richard North's life, sharing how he went from a determined 19-year-old to a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the founder of Wow! Stuff. You will learn about his career’s turning points, such as be…

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#241: What This Bold Merger Means for the People of Play Innovation Conference with Greg Ahearn and Mary Couzin 39:17

9M ago39:17

39:17

Curious about what happens when major toy industry players team up? In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade cracks open the toy box on the epic merger between The Toy Association and People of Play. You’ll hear straight from the toy legends — Mary Couzin and Greg Ahearn—as they give us backstage passes on their big plans…

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#240: Getting Media Attention For Your Plush Brand with Hugimals Founder Marina Khidekel 53:35

9M ago53:35

53:35

Ever wondered how a toy brand can also serve as a wellness tool? In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, Azhelle Wade interviews Marina Khidekel, the founder of Hugimals World. Discover how Marina transitioned from a successful health journalist to a toy entrepreneur on a mission to address anxiety and stress with weighted plush toys. Mar…

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#239: Leaving A Career In Flowers For A Career In Toys with Chrissy Fagerholt 33:06

9M ago33:06

33:06

Have you ever thought about switching careers and diving into a completely new industry? In this episode of 'Making It in the Toy Industry,' student host Virginia takes the reins to interview Chrissy Fagerholt, a former floral designer turned toy entrepreneur. As one of the first graduates of the Toy Creators Academy (TCA), Chrissy shares her incre…

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#238: Starting and Growing An Online Business with Amy Porterfield: Extended Cut 41:10

10M ago41:10

41:10

Want to learn secrets to growing your toy brand online? In episode 238 of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade revisits an extended interview with her mentor, Amy Porterfield, a multi-million dollar online business owner and expert in email marketing. During the podcast, Amy shares her journey from corporate life to becoming an entrepre…

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#237: Crowdfunding Your Idea Just Got Easier with BackerKit 34:26

10M ago34:26

34:26

Ever wondered how to turn your toy idea into a fully-funded product without breaking the bank? In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, Azhelle Wade sits down with two crowdfunding experts from BackerKit, Lafia and Maddie, to spill all the secrets behind running a successful crowdfunding campaign. They dive into how BackerKit helps creator…

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Shifter: For What It's Worth, Episode 74 1:07:47

10M ago1:07:47

1:07:47

After a long break the world's most famous, in-demand podcast is back. The dozens of listeners left stranded came unmoored as they desperately attempted to find a replacement podcast only to realize there was nothing that came close to FWIW. Most alternative podcasts are run by those who leave the "About" tab empty. People who are compromised in on…

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#236: The Toy Coach and The Toy Queen Discuss The Best Toys For Early Childhood Development 34:31

10M ago34:31

34:31

What Can a Pediatric Occupational Therapist Teach Us About Toys? In Episode 236 of "Making It in the Toy Industry," host Azhelle Wade chats with pediatric occupational therapist, Keri Wilmot, who has a treasure trove of insights from her nearly 25 years in the field. Keri uses toys to help children improve fine motor skills, coordination, and overa…

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#235: How to Use Consent-Based Email Marketing To Sell More Toys 39:58

10M ago39:58

39:58

Is Your Email Marketing Consent-Compliant, or Are You Just Spamming? In digital marketing circles, consent in email marketing has never been a hotter topic. Before the toy industry gets left in the dust on what constitutes as "consent" in email marketing, you NEED this episode. Today on Making It in the Toy Industry, The Toy Coach shares a conversa…

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#234: Avoid These 3 Common Mistakes When Working with a Toy Factory 28:43

10M ago28:43

28:43

Time for a little tough love toy-coaching: If you're struggling to develop a pre-production sample of your toy that you're proud of, the problem might be you! This week on the podcast, you'll learn 3 common mistakes that new toy creators make when working with overseas factories. This episode includes insights from my full time work in the toy indu…