Author: Guest Contributor

If you were to search the internet for information on how to bring your product idea to reality, you are bound to find dozens upon dozens of companies, gurus, consultants and coaches offering pay-to-play courses on how to make millions as an inventor. While some of them may indeed offer sage advice, others will sell you “simple steps” and “guideline method” programs to “ensure success”. Others will tout the merits of licensing as the golden ticket. However, even with all this help, the reality is that there is no simple method to finding success as an inventor. According to an Edison Nation poll, 78% of inventors believe that their invention will earn them a minimum of $1 million dollars, and 54% of them believe it will earn them over $5 million. Yet, only less than 3% of them will even sign a licensing agreement, let alone make any money! These “gurus” often tend to peddle false realities through cults of personality, oversimplifications, and saccharine cheer-leading, all while playing up to the notion that your one idea will be life-changing.

My-my, how the world has changed since I came of age in the late ’80s, early ‘90s. Back then, I thought we had it all with 57 channels of cable television, a wireless phone in the kitchen, and my Walkman clipped on my hip. Cutting-edge technology was compact discs and the Nintendo NES. There were juggernaut toy brands like Cabbage Patch Kids, Transformers, Laser Tag, and Rubik’s. The toy retail landscape was represented by chains like Toys R Us, Kay-Bee Toys, Childs World, and Zany Brainy. It took hundreds of thousands of dollars to launch a toy brand and a large staff of salespeople around the nation to land the distribution channels. However, much like the cassette tape in my Walkman, it is all antiquated now.

Think you have a great STEAM toy? Now toy makers can earn an official ‘Stamp of Approval’ for their product from the Toy Association.

Kristin Morency Goldman highlights the Toy Association’s efforts to to track and report on the hottest trends in toys, play, and youth entertainment.

Matt Nuccio on the reasons why packaging may fail in the toy aisle — and how to avoid making the same mistakes.

Alan and Christine Blumberg, principals at RBG Sales, on the role that sales representatives play in the toys and games industry today.

Amanda Marschall and Megan Gardner, co-chairs of the Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment Young Professionals Network, explain how the WiT YPN can support anyone early in their career, looking for a career change, or re-entering the workforce — regardless of their age.

ICTI Ethical Toy Program’s Sarah Ng on the importance of responsible sourcing.