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 It in the Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade shares the four key lessons inspired by her previous interview with Ron Weizman, the co-founder of South Beach Bubbles, that will help you launch and scale your toy business—even if you’re working full-time.

You’ll hear why it’s okay to get scrappy with your first orders, why honest and harsh feedback is the secret weapon for creating products that will strike an impact on your target market, and how to identify “white space” in even the most crowded markets. You’ll also hear why launching your product before it’s perfect is definitely okay and is necessary for your toy or product to thrive.

This episode walks you through practical tips like using local shows to test your product, leveraging unfiltered feedback to improve your designs, and finding opportunities to innovate in competitive categories.

If you’re dreaming of creating your first toy or looking for strategies to grow, this episode gives you the tools to take your toy business to the next level, one small, strategic step at a time!

Listen For These Important Moments:

• [00:00] - Exciting New Podcast Format Unveiled
• [00:47] - Recap of Ron Weizman's Interview
• [02:54] - Key Lesson #1: How To Get Your First Big Order
• [05:48] - Key Lesson #2: The Importance of Honest Feedback
• [13:32] - Key Lesson #3: Finding White Space in the Market
• [19:00] - Key Lesson #4: Just Launch Already
• [23:37] - Wrapping Up with Actionable Next Steps

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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 <<

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 does it take to get a TOTY nomination? That’s what we’re breaking down in today’s episode.

In this episode, Ron Weizman, co-founder of South Beach Bubbles shares how a simple idea to get his kids off screens turned into a thriving toy business focused on outdoor play.

Ron shares how his team turned classic bubble play into the never-before-seen Poppin Colorz line, and how it made its way to be nominated at the 2025 Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards.

Ron opens up about the scientific challenges of making stain-free colored bubbles, how to stand in a crowded toy market, and why waiting for perfection isn’t always the best move for your idea.

If your eye is on a future TOTY nomination, this episode is one you can’t miss.


Listen For These Important Moments:

• [01:46] - The Importance of Unfiltered Feedback in the Toy Industry
• [04:33] - The Birth of South Beach Bubbles
• [09:17] - What Went Through in Making PoppinColorz Bubbles
• [11:30] - Challenges and Successes that Ron & South Beach Bubbles Experienced
• [17:32] - Balancing Imagination and Practicality in the Toy Industry
• [18:47] - How Embracing Higher Price Points Can Lead To Your Toy’s Success
• [19:20] - PoppinColorz In The Making
• [23:27] - How South Beach Bubbles Creates A Trend Of Their Own
• [27:44] - Why Perfection Isn’t Necessary
• [31:26] - Creating a Lasting Community Impact by Giving Back

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

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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 <<

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 in crowded inboxes.

From real-life examples of high-converting subject lines to bonus tips on emojis and formatting, this episode is packed with actionable advice to level up your email game. Tune in and learn how to write toy pitch emails that get clicks, opens, and results! 🎯✨

Listen For These Important Moments

• [1:37] - One-on-One Coaching Opportunity
• [02:48] - Email Marketing for Toy Pitches
• [07:53] - The Four U's of Email Subject Lines
• [17:25] - Bonus Tips for Email Subject Lines
• [18:50] - High Converting Email Headlines
• [29:41] - TCA Alumni Shoutout!

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 <<