Episode 722 is a combination of 10 short interviews with toy store owners and toy manufacturers. Thom Singer was the EmCee for the ASTRA Toy Marketplace and Academy and had the chance to spend 4 days with the coolest people in the toy industry. He has worked with this association several times, and has learned that “toy people are fun people” and they are creative and innovative business leaders.
Your city might just have one or more independent toy stores. If so, you should check out these businesses. There is a lot to learn from toy stores around creativity, being playful in your career, customer service , innovation, and hard work.
In this interview he asks people about the toy industry, how retailers morphed and grew during the pandemic, and what lessons other industries can learn from the toy business.
This is fast past series of two to five minute chats that are full of business advice.
About ASTRA
Founded in 1992, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is an international not-for-profit trade organization that serves more than 1,800 independent retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives of the specialty toy industry. ASTRA is a dedicated community of professionals committed to providing children with healthy, quality play materials that have high play value. ASTRA members build their businesses around specialty toys, which are designed with a focus on what the child can do, rather than what the toy can do. ASTRA members are leaders who have a positive influence the economy, culture and creativity of the communities they serve.
ASTRA provides members with access to networking, education, discounts, business products and services to assist our members as they grow their businesses. ASTRA Academy, which houses our education and training resources, was established to provide ASTRA members with on-demand access to up-to-the-minute training in an ever-changing industry. Marketplace & Academy is a four-day trade show and education conference featuring industry leaders and hands-on product demonstrations. The conference draws more than 450 exhibits and includes more than 30 hours of education.
A volunteer board of 14 retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives governs the associations.
About Thom Singer
Thom Singer is an advocate for “Community and Collaboration” with people, companies, and non-profit organizations. He is also a keynote speaker (but he only works with specific types of events who are as committed to the human interaction as they are to the content).
After a successful career in sales and marketing, Thom Singer became a growth leadership speaker in 2009. A decade later he has brought his high energy presentations and action-oriented content to over 1000 audiences. Thom knows that as the speaker or master of ceremonies he has a responsibility to set the tone for a strong conference attendee experience. Known as “The Conference Catalyst” he creates an atmosphere of fun and interaction that lasts beyond his presentation.
Thom earned his Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) in 2014 and is committed to the business of meetings. He is the author of 12 books and is the host of the popular “Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do” podcast. On his show he has interviewed over 1000 entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, business leaders and others with a focus on discovering how the most successful people get farther across the gap between potential and results.