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, I’m joined by 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!

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Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
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If you've ever wished you could sit in on a real coaching call inside Toy Creators Academy, today’s your lucky day. This episode is part of a special behind-the-scenes series where I bring you inside the TCA Accelerator for a one-on-one strategy session with Joanna, the creator of Fren Forest.

Joanna is a sculptural artist with a love for cozy characters, whimsical storytelling, and dreamy desk décor. She went from quietly crafting mini clay creatures in her studio to fully funding a collectible toy on Kickstarter and this episode walks you through exactly how she made that leap.

You’ll hear how Joanna turned her hand-sculpted characters into a collectible toy brand without a business degree or a marketing team. We’ll break down the smart moves that helped her hit 50% of her Kickstarter goal on day one, why she scrapped flocking to stay lean, and the tiny design detail she refused to give up (toe beans!). Plus, we’ll chat about balancing creativity with business, exploring licensing, and using small media wins to build big brand momentum.

Joanna’s journey is going to light a fire under your dreams and if you’ve been wondering whether Toy Creators Academy (or its Accelerator program!) can really help someone go from concept to collectible, this episode proves that with the right tools, guidance, and grit… your toy dream is possible.

Listen for these Important Moments:

• [00:03:50] - Learn what it really takes to go from selling handmade art online to launching a mass-produced collectible toy without wasting years (or your savings) on trial and error.
• [00:08:30] - Got creative constraints? Hear how this artist built a clay-to-digital production workflow that worked with her medical needs and preserved the authenticity of her characters.
• [00:10:04] - Discover how cutting one costly feature saved her budget and timeline plus the one tiny detail she refused to compromise on because her fans adored it.
• [00:18:04] - Tired of juggling all the hats? This part of the episode explores how to shift from doing it all yourself to building a brand that licensing partners actually want.
• [00:37:17] - Joanna plans to open pre-orders after Kickstarter fulfillment. Azhelle shares how many artists sell in focused bursts to protect their energy and keep creativity flowing.

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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 <<

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 last week’s episode so you don’t miss a thing.

You’ll discover why designing around real-life experience is the secret to a standout game, how Elizabeth’s deep love for birding led to Wingspan’s immersive mechanics, and why tapping into the right creative community can level up your game from legal tips to pitch feedback.

Plus, you’ll hear the exact strategy Elizabeth used to land her first-ever game deal, including the simple practice method that helped her pitch with confidence and clarity. You’ll even hear a little brainstorm from me! Turning my salsa dancing obsession into a hypothetical board game and I promise it’ll get your gears turning!

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 <<