The most innovative toy ideas I’ve ever seen come from people outside the toy industry. When I met Dr. Kieche O’Connell, the creator of Catoms, I was completely blown away. She found a way to merge her love of science and the periodic table into a collectible plush toy line. Kieche’s deep understanding of chemistry and the unique traits of each element gave her the ability to create an expansive world of characters with complex personalities and traits that drive her brand’s storytelling forward.

In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m sitting down with Kieche, a PhD chemist turned toy creator, who reimagined the periodic table as a world of personality-packed cat characters called Catoms, each inspired by the traits of real chemical elements.

During our coaching session, we talk through the highs and lows of product development, how her experience in Toy Creators Academy and in TCA Accelerator Program helped her move from concept to physical toy prototypes, and why Catoms has so much potential in today’s toy market.

You’ll also hear about her Licensing Expo win, the mindset shift that helped her get over her fear of social media, and how authentic storytelling can transform the way you market educational toys to both kids and adults.

Listen for these Important Moments!

• [00:00:30] – Learn how to turn a science or education background into a unique toy concept that stands out in the industry.
• [00:09:25] – Discover how early pitching (and winning at Licensing Expo) can give your toy idea real industry traction.
• [00:20:10] – Get a simple strategy for overcoming fear of social media and sharing your toy brand with confidence.
• [00:31:03] – Understand the full plush toy development process from pivoting your product to communicating with factories.
• [00:41:00] – Learn how to refine your brand, develop packaging, and shift your target audience for long-term growth.

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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 feel like your toy or game idea is too niche or catch yourself wondering if you’ve really got what it takes to break into the industry? Maybe you’ve been sitting on a killer concept, or you’re already knee-deep in prototypes and second guesses.

In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I’m chatting with TCA alum and current Accelerator student Manish Punwani, who proves that with the right guidance and a whole lot of passion, even the most unexpected game themes can find their place in the market. Manish shares his journey from working in merchandising to launching Cricket or Nothing, a suspense-filled, strategy card game that turns the classic sport of cricket into a brainy, poker-like duel.

You’ll hear why he walked away from his first concept and instead went all in on cricket. We talk about what it really takes to prepare for a Kickstarter campaign and how you can start laying the groundwork now. You’ll also hear why tapping into passionate cultural communities is a genius launch, and how TCA coaching helped Manish see both his idea and his audience in a brand new light.

This episode gives you a glimpse of what it really looks like to build a game from the ground up while learning, pivoting, and connecting with the right people along the way.

If you want to be a part of Toy Creators Academy and get the opportunity to join the Accelerator as a graduate, visit toycreatorsacademy.com today.

Listen for these Important Moments!

• [00:06:08] - Find out why Manish scrapped his original game concept and how trusting feedback can lead to a better product fit.
• [00:11:11] - Discover how this game turns cricket into a mind-game-packed, poker-style showdown that grabs attention even from non-cricket fans.
• [00:09:19] - Hear how Manish realized licensing wasn’t the only option and why launching it himself became the smarter move.
• [00:20:19] - Learn why marketing to fans who already love your theme (like cricket) is the fastest way to build a loyal audience.
• [00:27:06] - Get practical tips on how to use low-cost ads and landing pages to grow a ready-to-buy audience for your launch.

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 <<

Have you ever had a game idea pop into your head and thought, “This could be huge… but how do I even pitch it?” Or maybe you’ve been sitting on a finished prototype, wondering if it’s really “good enough” to get in front of a big toy company. If you’ve been dreaming of turning your game concept into a real product on shelves, this episode is made for you.

In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, we’re bringing back an oldie but a goodie conversation that I had with Tanya Thompson, the Senior Director Inventor Relations and Innovation for Hasbro Gaming. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Tanya started out as a math teacher before making the leap into the toy biz, and now she’s the go-to gatekeeper for inventor-submitted game ideas at a major toy company.

During our chat, Tanya breaks down exactly what it takes to pitch a winning game idea including what not to do. She shares what she looks for in a prototype, what your sizzle video must include, and how long it actually takes to get feedback once you pitch. You’ll also learn why being first matters, how many ideas they see each year (spoiler: it's a lot), and the number one mistake new inventors make when pitching.

So if you’ve ever dreamed of getting your game licensed or just want to level up your pitch game, grab a notebook and hit play. This episode is packed with the kind of insider knowledge that could turn your idea into the next family game night hit!

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 <<