Toy Design – MaxPodcasting https://maxpodcasting.com Save time with your high-quality podcast Thu, 25 Sep 2025 19:35:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.5.18 https://maxpodcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/cropped-MaxPodcasting_favicon_gold-32x32.png Toy Design – MaxPodcasting https://maxpodcasting.com 32 32 Amanda Lacy – Wild Business Growth Podcast #343: Bijou Build, Creative Outdoor Play Structures https://maxpodcasting.com/amanda-lacy/ Wed, 17 Sep 2025 02:58:00 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=10998 You have to believe in your product. That’s the story of this week’s Wild Business Growth podcast guest, Amanda Lacy. Amanda is the Founder of Bijou Build. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast platforms, and watch on YouTube.

Episode 343: Amanda Lacy – Bijou Build, Creative Outdoor Play Structures

Amanda Lacy, the Founder of Bijou Build, joins the show to share her journey from designing toys to creating the revolutionary outdoor play structure for ages 3-103. Hear how to make a modular product, how to design child-safe toys, how to inspire user-generated content aka UGC, fun facts about moss, and the best tapa in Barcelona. This episode covers everything from Animal House to Windjammers. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

  • Why does Amanda have so many animals
  • What does Bijou mean
  • How has Amanda grown Bijou Build
  • Rods & Cones
  • Chicken or the Egg

Connect with Amanda at BijouBuild.com and on Instagram & Facebook @BijouBuild

Enjoy the shoooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail. You can also find the full transcript here.

Show Notes

  • Intro & Animal House
    • [0:19] Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool
    • [0:42] Connect with Amanda at BijouBuild.com and on Instagram & Facebook @BijouBuild
    • [1:53] Can Amanda send me a lobster roll
    • [2:08] Bite into Maine
    • [2:23] Animal House
    • [2:29] What animals does Amanda have in her home
    • [3:21] Shoutout, Grandpa Henry!
    • [3:46] Why does Amanda have so many animals
    • [5:10] What animal is the most effort to have as a pet
SquadShot Amanda Lacy
Hey, A!
  • The Bijou Build Story
    • [7:01] What are Bijous
    • [7:46] What does Bijou mean
    • [8:59] Where did the idea for Bijou Build come from
    • [12:07] Surprise! jkjk
    • [13:40] What materials does Bijou Build use
    • [14:54] Bijou Haven
    • [15:55] How many ways can you convert a Bijou Build
    • [16:25] How do you make a modular product
    • [18:42] How do you make child-safe toys
    • [18:56] ASTM, EN 71
    • [22:49] How has Amanda grown Bijou Build
    • [26:13] How do you inspire UGC aka User-Generated Content
    • [29:09] The Wild Business Growth podcast is on YouTube! Subscribe @MaxBranstetter to watch full video interviews with Wild entrepreneurs like Amanda
    • [29:10] Sign up for the Podcasting to the Max newsletter at MaxPodcasting.com/Newsletter and receive How to Edit Your Podcast in Audacity. It’s where podcasting meets entrepreneurship – and terrible puns
    • [29:11] Such an honor speaking at Podcast Movement ’23 in Denver! Sign up to grab the slides from my session at MaxPodcasting.com/PM23
Bijou Build
Bijou!
Amanda Lacy - Wild Business Growth Podcast #343: Bijou Build, Creative Outdoor Play Structures

What is the Wild Business Growth podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur joins the Wild Business Growth podcast to share the wildly creative and unusual ways they grew their business – and teaches you how to do it, too. Hear the minds behind WordPress, Stacy’s Pita Chips, Drybar, NFL RedZone, Big Mouth Billy Bass, the voice of Bart Simpson, and more Wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding and professional-looking podcast for your brand, but don’t want to deal with the time commitment of all those behind-the-scenes details? I’ve got you covered. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to Amanda Lacy on the Wild Business Growth podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, follow the Wild Business Growth podcast and tell a friend about it. And build a Bijou with them. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!

]]> Beth Fynbo – Wild Business Growth Podcast #237: Baby Toy Tamer, Founder of Busy Baby https://maxpodcasting.com/beth-fynbo/ Wed, 10 May 2023 15:48:57 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=7184 Figure it out. It’s not the entrepreneurship advice you want to hear, but it’s how businesses get built. That’s the story of this week’s Wild Business Growth Podcast guest, Beth Fynbo. Beth is the President and Founder of Busy Baby. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast platforms.

Episode 237: Beth Fynbo – Baby Toy Tamer, Founder of Busy Baby

Beth Fynbo, the President and Founder of Busy Baby, joins the show to share her journey from 10 years in the Army to inventing the silicone placemat that keeps your baby’s toys off the floor. Hear how to move quickly on your idea, get feedback from strangers, the pros and cons of patents, best and worst parts of family business, and a lesson in cryptologic linguistics. This episode covers everything from baby toys to boot camp. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

  • Was Beth a big fan of Betty Boop growing up
  • How do you learn multiple new languages
  • Where did the idea for Busy Baby come from
  • How did Beth get moving on the Busy Baby idea so quickly
  • What’s something surprising about patents
  • Was Beth intimidated by the Sharks
  • What’s a Weird Talent she has
  • How is the Four Seasons in Minnesota

Connect with Beth at BusyBaby.com and social media @BusyBabyMat.

Enjoy the shoooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail. You can also find the full transcript here.

Show Notes

Beth Fynbo - Wild Business Growth Podcast #237: Baby Toy Tamer, Founder of Busy Baby
Beth B of Busy Baby!
Beth Fynbo - Wild Business Growth Podcast #237: Baby Toy Tamer, Founder of Busy Baby
  • The Unusual: Pet Peeves, Quirks, and Weird Talents
    • [39:15] What’s a quirk Beth has
    • [39:32] What’s a Weird Talent she has
    • [40:20] Squatty Potty
    • [40:34] What’s a pet peeve Beth has
    • [41:21] Shoutout, Dad!
  • Rapid-Fire Q&A
    • [46:43] What are Beth’s Final Thoughts
    • [47:51] Follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about the podcast. And show your love (or roast me) by leaving 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify
    • [48:08] Check out the Wild Business Growth Podcast on Goodpods, where you can see what your favorite people are listening to
    • [48:10] Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @MaxBranstetter
    • [48:14] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool
    • [48:19] Sign up for the Podcasting to the Max newsletter at MaxPodcasting.com/Newsletter and receive How to Edit Your Podcast in Audacity
    • Theme music: Freestyle Percussion Magik – “Jungle Tribe” – provided by Jamendo
Beth Fynbo - Wild Business Growth Podcast #237: Baby Toy Tamer, Founder of Busy Baby

What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur joins the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share the wildly creative and unusual ways they grew their business – and teaches you how to do it, too. Hear the minds behind WordPress, Stacy’s Pita Chips, Drybar, the voice of Bart Simpson, and more wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding podcast for your brand, but don’t want to deal with the time commitment of all those behind-the-scenes details? I’ve got you covered. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to Beth Fynbo on the Wild Business Growth Podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about it. And stop throwing your toys at each other. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!

]]> Joe Pellettieri – Wild Business Growth Podcast #228: Big Mouth Billy Bass, Toy Choreographer https://maxpodcasting.com/joe-pellettieri/ Wed, 08 Mar 2023 09:35:47 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=6872

“Take me to the river. Drop me in the water.”

-Big Mouth Billy Bass

An iconic line from an iconic fish. Made possible by this week’s Wild Business Growth Podcast guest, Joe Pellettieri. Joe is the Inventor of Big Mouth Billy Bass. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast platforms.

Episode 228: Joe Pellettieri – Big Mouth Billy Bass, Toy Choreographer

Joe Pellettieri, the Inventor of Big Mouth Billy Bass, joins the show to share his journey from being interested in product management to designing some of the most legendary singing and dancing toys. Hear where the idea for Big Mouth Billy Bass came from, what other songs were considered, what made it a hit, the little tweaks that make or break a product, and who made Big Mouth Billy Bass starstruck. This episode covers everything from singing fish to dancing hamsters. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

  • What first sparked Joe’s interest in designing toys
  • Where did the head turn come from for Big Mouth Billy Bass
  • How did Joe get the licenses for the songs
  • What was the first indication Big Mouth Billy Bass was starting to take off
  • How do you find opportunities to improve your product
  • What toys had potential but didn’t work out
  • How do you handle the high pressure of the toy industry
  • Is Joe able to eat fish to this day

Connect with Joe on YouTube @JoeP5300 and Twitter @JoePellettieri.

Enjoy the shoooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail. You can also find the full transcript here.

Show Notes

Joe Pellettieri - Wild Business Growth Podcast #228: Big Mouth Billy Bass, Toy Choreographer
Hey Joe
Joe Pellettieri - Wild Business Growth Podcast #228: Big Mouth Billy Bass, Toy Choreographer
What a catch
  • Toys That Didn’t Quite Make It
    • [33:35] What toys had potential but didn’t work out
    • [33:40] Pig Wigs
    • [34:19] What went wrong
    • [34:28] Peppa Pig
    • [34:48] Elvis
    • [35:27] This Is Elvis
    • [35:40] Hound Dog
    • [35:51] Elvis
    • [36:57] Sorry, Joe!
    • [37:13] What’s the protocol for a toy that doesn’t live up to expectations
    • [38:03] How do you handle the high pressure of the toy industry
    • [39:39] Modules
    • [40:01] Patent
    • [40:18] So flattered
  • Rapid-Fire Q&A
    • [40:41] What Big Mouth Billy Bass pop culture reference struck Joe the most by surprise
    • [41:03] Is he able to eat fish to this day
    • [41:20] Is he able to listen to the songs
    • [41:28] “Rhymes” by Al Green
    • [41:39] What’s the funniest story Joe’s heard about Big Mouth Billy Bass
    • [42:31] How did he celebrate the Indiana Hoosiers 1981 National Championship
    • [43:18] Showalter Fountain Fish
    • [43:46] Connect with Joe on YouTube @JoeP5300 and Twitter @JoePellettieri
    • [44:38] GALILEO Clip
    • [45:31] What are Joe’s Final Thoughts
    • [46:25] Follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about the podcast. And 5 stars on Apple Podcasts & Spotify if you’re feeling extra nice
    • [46:45] Check out the Wild Business Growth Podcast on Goodpods, where you can see what your favorite people are listening to
    • [46:47] Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @MaxBranstetter
    • [46:48] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool
    • [46:53] Sign up for the Podcasting to the Max newsletter at MaxPodcasting.com/Newsletter and receive How to Edit Your Podcast in Audacity
    • Theme music: Freestyle Percussion Magik – “Jungle Tribe” – provided by Jamendo
Joe Pellettieri - Wild Business Growth Podcast #228: Big Mouth Billy Bass, Toy Choreographer

What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur joins the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share the wildly creative and unusual ways they grew their business – and teaches you how to do it, too. Hear the minds behind WordPress, Stacy’s Pita Chips, Drybar, the voice of Bart Simpson, and more wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding podcast for your brand, but don’t want to deal with the time commitment of all those behind-the-scenes details? I’ve got you covered. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to Joe Pellettieri on the Wild Business Growth Podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about it. And do your best Big Mouth Billy Bass impression with them. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!

]]> Carlton Calvin – Wild Business Growth Podcast #204: Toy Trendspotter, Co-Founder of Razor https://maxpodcasting.com/carlton-calvin/ https://maxpodcasting.com/carlton-calvin/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2022 09:03:46 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=6010 How do you launch a product that generates explosive demand? Keep your eye out for trends catching on in other parts of the world. That’s how this week’s Wild Business Growth Podcast guest, Carlton Calvin, made the Razor Scooter one of the most iconic toys of the 2000s. Carlton is the President and Co-Founder of Razor. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast platforms.

Episode 204: Carlton Calvin – Toy Trendspotter, Co-Founder of Razor

Carlton Calvin, the President and Co-Founder of Razor, joins the show to share his journey from being intrigued by hot crazes in the toy industry to bringing Razor Scooters and other iconic toys to the US. Hear how to keep your eye out for hot trends, generate explosive demand, continue to innovate, the most bizarre products to come out of Razor, and the most impressive trick performed on a Razor Scooter. This episode covers everything from RipStiks to hoverboards. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

  • What was it about Pogs & Slammers that caught Carlton’s attention
  • How did he hear kids were starting to play with scooters
  • What made Razor Scooters take off
  • How did explosive demand impact how Carlton ran the business
  • Does he get any sleep today
  • What is a hoverboard
  • The most comfortable pun
  • What’s something surprising about being a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver

Connect with Carlton at Razor.com.

Enjoy the shoooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail. You can also find the full transcript here.

Show Notes

Carlton Calvin - Wild Business Growth Podcast #204: Toy Trendspotter, Co-Founder of Razor
Before our scooter race
Carlton Calvin - Wild Business Growth Podcast #204: Toy Trendspotter, Co-Founder of Razor
Model A: The Model T of the Scooter World
  • Rapid-Fire Q&A
    • [25:39] Follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about the podcast. And 5 stars on Apple Podcasts & Spotify if you’re feeling super nice
    • [25:58] Check out the Wild Business Growth Podcast on GoodPods, where you can see what your favorite people are listening to
    • [26:01] Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @MaxBranstetter
    • [26:03] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool
    • [26:09] Sign up for the Podcasting to the Max newsletter at MaxPodcasting.com (bottom of the page)
    • Theme music: Freestyle Percussion Magik – “Jungle Tribe” – provided by Jamendo
Carlton Calvin - Wild Business Growth Podcast #204: Toy Trendspotter, Co-Founder of Razor

What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur joins the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share the wildly creative and unusual ways they grew their business – and teaches you how to do it, too. Hear the minds behind WordPress, Stacy’s Pita Chips, Drybar, the voice of Bart Simpson, and more wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding podcast for your brand, but don’t want to deal with the time commitment of all those behind-the-scenes details? I’ve got you covered. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to Carlton Calvin on the Wild Business Growth Podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about it. And see who can scoot for the longest time without stopping. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!

]]> https://maxpodcasting.com/carlton-calvin/feed/ 3 Ilana Ben-Ari – Wild Business Growth Podcast #125: Creative Toy Designer, Founder of Twenty One Toys https://maxpodcasting.com/ilana-ben-ari/ https://maxpodcasting.com/ilana-ben-ari/#comments Wed, 30 Dec 2020 10:13:11 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=3294 We all played with toys growing up. Have you ever wondered why we enjoyed playing with them so much, and why we stopped playing with them as we grew up? This week’s Wild Business Growth Podcast guest, Ilana Ben-Ari, is bringing toys into both the classroom and the workplace. Ilana is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Designer at Twenty One Toys. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast platforms.

What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur or innovator joins the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share the crazy creative and unusual ways they grew their business, and provides tips for you to do it, too. Hear the woman who became the voice of Siri, the man who’s reinventing the sandcastle, how GaryVee’s partners are turning the wine world upside down, and more wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

Episode 125: Ilana Ben-Ari – Creative Toy Designer, Founder of Twenty One Toys

Ilana Ben-Ari, the Founder, CEO, and Lead Designer of Twenty One Toys, joins the show to share her journey from playing with abstract toys as a kid to bringing the transformative power of play into thousands of schools and offices around the world. Hear why we learn through play, how the Empathy Toy and Failure Toy work, what skills will be most important in the future workplace, the punny URLs Ilana has secured, and her impression that will quack you up. This episode covers everything from toy design to what we can learn from failure. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

  • What was Ilana’s favorite toy growing up
  • Why are we attracted to the abstract
  • Where did the idea for Twenty One Toys come from
  • Why does playing with toys help us learn and grow
  • What is the Empathy Toy and the Failure Toy
  • What does “Girls” by Beastie Boys have to do with toys
  • What is the punniest URL Ilana owns
  • Her Donald Duck impression

Connect with Ilana at TwentyOneToys.com and on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @21Toys and @IlanaBenAri.

Enjoy the shooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

Ilana Ben-Ari - Wild Business Growth Podcast #125 Creative Toy Designer, Founder of Twenty One Toys
Ilana held The Empathy Toy up for the entire interview (kidding)
Ilana Ben-Ari - Wild Business Growth Podcast #125: Creative Toy Designer, Founder of Twenty One Toys

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding podcast for your brand, but dreading the time commitment? I’ve got you covered. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to Ilana Ben-Ari on the Wild Business Growth Podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, subscribe to the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!

]]> https://maxpodcasting.com/ilana-ben-ari/feed/ 1