Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business
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 | Start A Toy Business
#265: Navigating the Tariff Changes in The Toy Industry | April 2025
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 are wondering what to do next. Should you absorb the cost? Raise prices? Cancel a launch? Shift production? I’ll walk you through what’s really happening, what’s coming next, and how to make a smart move without panicking.
On April 4th, I held a Tariff Toy Talk for Toy & Game Creators where we could get together and discuss what to do in light of the Trump administration's tariffs that are decimating our economy, and threatening the life of the toy industry.
Since so many of you reached out wanting to hear the recording, I thought it would be best to make this talk readily available on this podcast.
Tune in to hear from other toy people just like you—creators, inventors, and business owners—who joined me to share their questions, insights, and real-life experiences going through this rollercoaster. From surprise $9K tariff bills to last-minute Kickstarter cancellations and creative shipping workarounds, you’ll get insights from the front lines.
Listen For These Important Moments!
- [00:01:16] — A quick look back at how the 2025 tariff news hit the toy industry starting right after Toy Fair wrapped.
- [00:04:27] — Several indie toy brands start to feel the heat. From canceled Kickstarters to massive clearance sales, the early ripple effects are real and painful.
- [00:08:11] — A few creators share the gut-punch of getting charged thousands of dollars on orders they thought were already squared away.
- [00:28:03] — Innovative responses begin to surface. 3D printing, fulfillment shifts, and DTC models come up as small brands brainstorm ways to stay afloat.
- [00:43:20] — The big manufacturing question gets unpacked. Can U.S. factories really step up for toy makers or is that just a hopeful dream for now?
Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
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