In this episode of the Toypreneur Podcast, Charlene DeLoach discusses the importance of reimagining play in the toy industry, drawing parallels from the movie Cast Away. She emphasizes that children thrive when they are allowed to break the rules and explore their creativity, which is essential for their development. DeLoach challenges toy companies to embrace flexible play, design toys that encourage imagination, and market them in a way that celebrates creativity rather than restricts it. By doing so, brands can foster loyalty and ensure their products remain relevant and engaging for children.

Takeaways

• Tom Hanks survived by reimagining what was in front of him.
• Kids should be repurposing and transforming toys.
• Too many toy companies think like instruction manuals.
• Play is the essence of breaking the rules.
• The current generation of parents wants toys that grow with their kids.
• Stifling creativity limits both children and brands.
• Off-label play is good for brain development.
• Design toys with flexibility and multiple ways to play.
• Market creativity and celebrate user-generated content.
• Your toy is a stage for imaginative play.

Chapters

00:00
Intro

00:34
Overview

01:41
The Lesson

04:07
The Homework

06:06
The Review

07:11
The End

Keywords

play, creativity, toy industry, marketing, innovation, child development, flexible play, brand loyalty, storytelling, imagination

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What can Mr. Rogers possibly teach us about running a toy business? More than you think.

In this episode, Charlene DeLoach explores the profound lessons from Mr. Rogers and how they apply to the business world, particularly in the toy industry. She emphasizes the importance of kindness and embracing uniqueness as essential strategies for building strong relationships and fostering a supportive community. By reflecting on Mr. Rogers' legacy, Charlene encourages listeners to lift others up, recognize their own value, and create a culture of collaboration rather than competition.


Takeaways

• The opportunity to lift others up exists even among competitors.
• Kindness and knowing your value are crucial in business.
• Building relationships is as important as creating products.
• Kindness can transform careers and strengthen companies.
• Uniqueness should be celebrated, not minimized.
• Confidence in one's uniqueness reduces competition.
• Radical kindness is a form of leadership.
• Support others without expecting anything in return.
• Creating a supportive community enhances business success.
• The toy industry thrives on diverse perspectives and collaboration.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome To The Neighborhood
00:35 The Messages
01:47 Kindness
04:12 Uniqueness
05:47 Find New Neighbors
07:03 Call your Neighbor
08:30 Til Next Time

🎧 Listen now and learn how to build a toy business that’s both profitable and authentic.

#ToyIndustry #ToyBusiness #ToyEntrepreneur #KindnessInBusiness #MrRogers #SmallBusinessLeadership

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In this conversation, Charlene DeLoach discusses the evolving landscape of the toy industry, emphasizing the need for brands to shift from aggressive selling tactics to a focus on serving parents' needs. She highlights the importance of trust and guidance in marketing, especially in an age where consumers are overwhelmed with information and options. The HoliPlaySummit.com is introduced as a platform for brands to connect with families authentically and meaningfully.

Takeaways

• Parents don't trust the toy industry anymore.
• The toy industry's strategy has been built on selling harder.
• Parents are overwhelmed and want help, not sales pitches.
• The future of the toy industry is about serving better.
• Trust is the new ROI in marketing.
• Visibility does not equate to results anymore.
• AI will saturate the market with information.
• Authenticity and helpfulness will cut through the noise.
• Parents want guidance and confidence from brands.
• The Holi Play Summit aims to foster trust between brands and families.

Resources

Holiplaysummit.com/sponsors

Chapters

00:00 The Shift in the Toy Industry
06:25 Building Trust Through Service

Keywords

toy industry, marketing, trust, serving, parents, AI, consumer behavior, Holi Play Summit

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In this episode, Charlene DeLoach emphasizes the critical need for businesses, particularly in the toy industry, to conduct disaster simulations to prepare for potential crises. Drawing parallels with Hurricane Katrina, she discusses how organizations can identify vulnerabilities and create actionable plans to mitigate risks. The conversation highlights the importance of having backup plans in place, especially in the face of unexpected disruptions, such as changes in social media platforms like TikTok. Charlene encourages listeners to proactively assess their business weaknesses and develop strategies to ensure resilience against future challenges.


Takeaways

• The toy industry often overlooks disaster simulations.
• Government agencies run simulations to prepare for crises.
• Businesses should have plans for potential disruptions.
• Vulnerabilities can arise from over-reliance on single suppliers.
• Backup plans are essential for social media dependencies.
• Identify weaknesses in your business systematically.
• Start building emergency plans before crises occur.
• Engage interns or fresh perspectives to identify vulnerabilities.
• Crisis management is reactive; preparation is proactive.
• Regularly assess and update your business strategies.

Chapters

00:00 Intro
00:09 The Story
02:07 Toy Disasters
03:24 Toy Action Plan
07:01 Playbook

Keywords

disaster simulation, toy industry, crisis management, business resilience, backup plans, vulnerability assessment, TikTok, emergency preparedness, Hurricane Katrina, business strategy

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A family vacation nearly got derailed by a broken safe - and it taught me the most important business lesson about system failures I've ever learned.

In this episode, I share the story of how one small, invisible mechanism failing at 2 AM revealed a pattern I see destroying businesses constantly: we focus on big outcomes while ignoring the small systems that make everything possible.

Most entrepreneurs don't realize their business systems are quietly failing until it's too late. Payment processors glitch during product launches. Email sequences break right before major campaigns. Communication tools fail during crucial client meetings. Sound familiar?

I'll show you exactly how to prevent these disasters with my "Tech Tuesday" system - a simple monthly practice that catches problems before they derail your biggest opportunities.

What You'll Learn:

• Why system failures always happen at the worst possible moments
• The real reason you miss warning signs (it's not what you think)
• How to implement monthly system testing that actually works
• Why "fine" doesn't mean "fail-proof" in business systems
• Simple tools to catch problems before they become crises

Perfect for entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small business owners who are tired of scrambling when systems break at critical moments.

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Ready for some uncomfortable honesty about the toy industry? In this episode, I reveal why most toy companies are failing families - and it's not what you think.

The real problem isn't marketing, distribution, or pricing. It's that the toy industry has a relationship problem with parents, and it's costing you repeat customers and brand loyalty.

I share real examples of products that look perfect on shelves but bomb with actual families, plus insights from successful entrepreneurs who are also parents about what they really think of toy companies (spoiler: it's worse than you imagine).

If you're ready to hear why focus groups are theater, why market research misses the mark, and how winning companies build genuine parent partnerships instead of just moving plastic, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about toy marketing.

What You'll Discover:

• Why parents notice when you don't understand their daily reality
• The difference between designing for retail buyers vs. living rooms
• How successful toy companies prioritize relationships over viral moments
• Why "one and done" purchases are killing brand loyalty
• The uncomfortable questions every toy executive should be asking

Perfect for toy industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to understand why authentic parent connection beats flashy marketing every time.

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What if getting passed over was the best thing that ever happened to your business?

In this episode, Charlene shares her personal story of waiting over a decade to be chosen—only to get pushed aside when she finally asked. But instead of giving up, she chose herself... and everything changed.

From launching 8 sub-brands to building a platform that no one could take away, Charlene breaks down why choosing yourself isn’t just empowering—it’s profitable. You'll also hear how Jamie Kern Lima, founder of IT Cosmetics, turned rejection into a billion-dollar brand—and what that means for you.

If you’re a toy entrepreneur, small business owner, or creative founder who’s tired of waiting for permission—this episode is your sign.

🎧 Listen in to learn:

• Why being overlooked can actually be a turning point
• How choosing yourself creates ROI on your time, energy, and confidence
• One bold action you can take this week to stop waiting and start building

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Your biggest leverage point isn't your product, pitch, or pricing strategy—it's your vibe. Not just your mood, but your visible impact and bold energy that creates a signature presence in every business interaction.

When the right person enters a room with the right energy, everything shifts. Clarity sharpens. Momentum builds. Ideas transform from hypothetical to achievable. That's the power of bringing your authentic vibe to business, and it might be the most valuable asset you're overlooking.

Drawing from an experience speaking to young women in an entrepreneurship program, I share why understanding your VIBE—Values, Impact, Brilliance, and Expression, or Visible Impact + Bold Energy—matters more than credentials or comparisons. Your values represent what you fundamentally believe in, your impact reflects the mission driving your work, your brilliance encompasses your unique talents and experiences, and your expression is how you authentically show up in the world.

This framework proves especially powerful when facing self-doubt, career transitions, or feeling overshadowed by competitors with seemingly more resources or followers. The entrepreneurial journey rarely follows a straight path, but your distinctive vibe remains your constant competitive advantage. No one can steal, suppress, or replicate the unique combination that makes you who you are.

Whether you're launching a business, pivoting your career, or simply feeling stuck, reconnecting with your authentic vibe can reignite your confidence and purpose. Share what you think your vibe is by reaching out on Instagram or Facebook @thetoypreneur, and subscribe to continue challenging conventional thinking about what makes businesses—and the people behind them—truly extraordinary.

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