#268: The Truth Behind Being a Game Inventor with Jeremy Posner

Making It in The Toy Industry | Start A Toy Business

Entrepreneur Business Toy Industry How To Design A Toy How To Make A Toy Toy Design Fit Toy Design Make My Own Dolls Small Business Making It In The Toy Industry Society Podcasting Education Azhelle Wade | The Toy Coach

Content provided by Azhelle Wade | The Toy Coach | Toy Creators Academy. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Azhelle Wade | The Toy Coach | Toy Creators Academy or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

24d ago 45:39

MP3•Episode home

Behind every “yes” in the toy industry, there’s a mountain of “no’s,” countless hours of hustle, and more trial and error than most people expect. At one point, he came close to walking away from it all—until a single line from an episode of Bluey reminded him that making games was exactly what he was meant to do.

In this episode Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m joined by the incredibly talented Jeremy Posner, owner of Shenanigans Toys and Games, the inventor behind hit games like Beagle or Bagel, Bears in Barrels, and Piggy Piggy. He’s been named to the Mojo Nation 100 SIX times, won Game Innovator of the Year at the TAGIEs, and has worked with some of the biggest names in the toy industry like Hasbro, Mattel, and Spin Master. But here's the plot twist: it took Jeremy EIGHT years to meet his royalty goals. And that’s after winning major awards and getting meetings with big companies right out the gate.

You’re gonna hear why just licensing a game doesn’t mean you’ve made it, what really makes a game “sellable” to toy companies, and why most ideas just don’t cut it. Jeremy also explained the real deal with royalties or advances, and how long it actually takes to see a check. He even shared how he trained his brain to be more creative (yes, that’s a thing!).

Dreaming of creating the next game night hit or just curious what it really takes to make it in toys and games?

Hit play and steal a few smart moves for your next big creative leap.

Listen for these Important Moments!

[00:03:07] - Despite early wins, including a TAGIE award and a background at Big Monster Toys, Jeremy didn’t hit his financial goals from game licensing until eight years in.
[00:11:17] - After Toy Fair, Jeremy reflects on the silence that often follows a pitch. He explains how learning why you’re hearing “no” (and from whom) is key to improving your ideas and not losing steam.
[00:23:00] - Around year four, Jeremy stopped “just creating” and started strategically designing evergreens. He audited his creative process, studied the brain, and trained himself to boost creative output daily.
[00:33:04] - Jeremy tests tons of game ideas fast by building quick, minimum viable prototypes. He runs super short playtests to see what’s worth developing and keep his creativity flowing.
[00:40:35] - Near the end of the episode, Jeremy shares his dream of designing fan experiences for sports teams and creating original game shows, proving he’s still dreaming big, even after major success in toys and games.

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Find this podcast valuable? Support the show by clicking here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/798845/support

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 <<

271 episodes

#Entrepreneur #Business #Toy Industry #How To Design A Toy #How To Make A Toy #Toy Design #Fit Toy Design #Make My Own Dolls #Small Business #Making It In The Toy Industry #Society #Podcasting Education #Azhelle Wade | The Toy Coach