Making It in The Toy Industry
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 masterclasses, and step-by-step guides, each episode is designed to help you take immediate action toward developing, presenting, licensing, and producing your next big toy or game idea.
Learn how to find the right factory, negotiate manufacturing costs, and use successful sales techniques to get your product noticed by major toy companies.
Meet Your Host
Azhelle Wade, aka The Toy Coach, has been in the toy industry since 2010. With 3 toy patents, multiple toy awards, and a track record of managing multi-million-dollar toy lines for companies like Toys R Us, Party City, Madame Alexander, and Creative Kids, Azhelle brings passionate and enthusiastic toy industry expertise to every episode.
Join thousands of toy creators and entrepreneurs who are making their toy dreams real with Making It In The Toy Industry!
Making It in The Toy Industry
#231: Art Made Easy: How Project Joy Studios Is Breaking Into The Toy Industry
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What if I told you that you can easily create museum-quality art? This week, the Making It In The Toy Industry podcast hit the road for an in-person interview with Jessica Joy London at her studio space. Jessica is the founder of Project Joy Studios, and she's on a mission to make art accessible to everyone.
Joy’s story shatters the myth that only a select few are born with artistic talent. She proves that with the right tools, thoughtful techniques, and an open mind, anyone—yes, ANYONE—can create beautiful art.
Throughout this podcast Joy takes us through the evolution of her consumer-facing art kits, from the initial Daily Joy concept to the more affordable and user-friendly Weekend Joy version. She reveals how simplifying the product and reducing the price point led to a surge in sales during the holiday season, cementing her belief in the power of art to bring happiness to people's lives.
As Joy shares her experiences with playtesting and selling her products at local events, she highlights the importance of gathering feedback and understanding your target audience. Her success story is a testament to the value of perseverance and adaptability in the face of challenges, as she navigated the art scenes in Michigan and Philadelphia while juggling motherhood and personal health issues.
Watch this Interview On YouTube: https://youtu.be/o3mwThcFj7w
Key Moments:
- Learn how Project Joy Studios is making the creative process accessible to everyone. [13:45]
- Discover the inspiration behind Joy London's unique art kit that encourages daily creativity and reduces stress. [7:15]
- Find out how a challenging personal experience led Joy London to develop a successful business helping others create joy-filled lives through art. [27:30]
For links mentioned in this episode visit thetoycoach.com/231 and scroll down to the mentioned in this episode section.
About My NEW Podcast Art:
The podcast art for Season 6 of Making It In The Toy Industry features product illustrations of toys and games I helped guide in Toy Creators Academy and TCA Accelerator. Tap the brand name below to check them out!
Playcor by Courtney Smithee
9 to 5 Warriors by Brandon Braswell
Catoms by Kieche O'Connell
The Lunch Room by EAP Toys and Games founder, Chrissy Fagerholt