From Corporate Toy Designer to Toy Entrepreneur—with Azhelle Wade - 119

During the COVID quarantine, Azhelle Wade realized just how much time she was spending on somebody else’s dream, developing multimillion-dollar product lines for companies like Toys’R’Us, Madame Alexander and Creative Kids. So, she went all-in on entrepreneurship and quickly positioned herself as The Toy Queen. 

How did she make the transition in such a short time? And what is she learning about the difference between corporate work and being a successful entrepreneur?

Azhelle is the award-winning designer behind Toy Creators Academy, a training program designed to help mission-driven creators develop and sell their toy ideas. A three-time patented inventor and Women in Toys Wonder Woman Award Finalist, Azhelle spent 10 years in the corporate toy industry before becoming The Toy Coach. Azhelle is passionate about educating inventors and entrepreneurs about the toy business through her platform and podcast, The Toy Coach: Making It in the Toy Industry.

On this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, Azhelle joins Anjel to describe how her artistic talent and desire to teach led to a career in the toy industry. She explains why she resisted at first when people reached out to hire her and shares the lessons she is learning about charging what she’s worth and expanding her impact. Listen in for Azhelle’s best sales tip for pitching a product and find out how to make the successful shift from corporate work to entrepreneurship.

What You Will Learn 

How Azhelle’s artistic talent and desire to teach led her to the toy industry

What inspired Azhelle to pursue her own dream and become an entrepreneur

How Azhelle’s podcast helped position her as The Toy Queen

Why Azhelle resisted at first when people reached out to hire her

What entrepreneurship is teaching Azhelle about time, money and making an impact

What Azhelle offers students through Toy Creators Academy

Azhelle’s advice on getting feedback from your target market as you build

Azhelle’s best sales tip for entrepreneurs pitching a product

Why product development is Azhelle’s favorite thing about the toy industry

The challenge Azhelle faces in staying focused on a single idea

Connect with Azhelle Wade

Toy Creators Academy

The Toy Coach Podcast

The Toy Coach on Instagram

Resources

Azhelle’s Interview in Podcast Magazine

Connect with Anjel B. Hartwell

Wickedly Smart Women

Wickedly Smart Women Facebook Community

Wickedly Smart Women on TeePublic

The Wealthy Life Mentor

The Wealthy Life Mentor on Facebook

Anjel on Twitter

Anjel on Instagram

Email listeners@wickedlysmartwomen.com 

Leave Us A Message On Our listener line:  

540-402-0043 x4343

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How Businesses Can Better Serve the Disabled Community—with Kellina Powell - 120

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Dealing with Underlying Blocks to be Able to Live a Life of Happiness and Joy —with Debra Stangl - 118