Toy Talk

Jennifer Rust of Creative Profit Planning and her client, Lynn Ross of Mother and Earth Baby Boutique in Lansing, MI, discuss their known methods that independent retailers have been implementing to maximize their profits during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the financial foundations necessary to stay afloat.

Jamie Gallagher, CEO of Faber-Castell, shares some insights of how this almost 260-year-old company has constructed a plan of action with the disruption of COVID-19 as a manufacturer and global player in the specialty toy industry.

We are joined again by Rick Derr of Learning Express in Lake Zurich, Illinois, to follow up on our conversation from a week prior. What has Rick learned in the last week; how have sales changed and have any new mandates or precautions set by the state arisen?

Rick Derr of Learning Express in Lake Zurich, Illinois, discusses his recent article called “What Should Independent Toy Stores Expect?” in which Rick takes a look at two periods of time that major industry disruptions have taken place. Rick shares his current observations and experiences as a fellow independent toy store owner and a small business owner, as well as what we can expect once the chaos calms down.

Rob Pickering of Snapdoodle Toys & Games in Kenmore, Washington, explains what retail looks like on the ground in-and-around Seattle, an epicenter of COVID-19, as well as the plans Rob has set in place to protect his business, employees, and customers.

This episode of Toy Talk begins the two-part discussion covering ASTRA's Membership Department. In this episode Robyn Foster, Membership Coordinator at ASTRA, covers the popular ASTRA member benefits utilized by members and our "best kept secrets" on how to use them in effective ways. Tune in to expand ASTRA member benefits available to you!

January's episode for Toy Talk kicks off 2020 with the President of ASTRA, Kimberly Mosley, and Education Administrator, Cora McCarron. Tune in for an insider perspective of what the team is working on, as well as Kimberly's take on the topics she covered in her Q1 president's report in ASTRA's Toy Times magazine.

Here is what you need to know about the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. This episode features Sari Wiaz, with Baby Paper; an alumni and current Ambassador for the program. You are likely eligible for this amazing opportunity, so tune in to hear more about how to apply!

This episode of Toy Talk features Jeff Campion from The Merchant Giving Project (MGP), and Peggy Sebert from Becky & Me Toys of Evanston, IL. Together, they discuss the consultative partnership between MGP and Becky & Me Toys, and the details of how Becky & Me Toys has been able to give back to the community while doing business.

This episode of Toy Talk features Jeff Campion and Doug Havrilla from The Merchant Giving Project, and Linda Hays from Hopscotch Toys of McMinnville, OR. Together, they discuss the consultative partnership between The Merchant Giving Project and Hopscotch Toys, and the details of how Hopscotch Toys has been able to give back to the community while doing business.

Listen to ASTRA's first Toy Talks podcast with Caroline Brady of Pointy | Be Found Locally. Retailers, Jackie Anderson and Keith Schumacker, share their insights on the marketing tool and explain how the installment of Pointy has supported traffic, sales and marketing in their stores. Tune in to hear how you CAN get more traffic in your store with Pointy!

Leasing Q&A with Craig Melby of Lease Smart and ASTRA members, Mary Sisson of Kazoodles and Michelle Sahr of Off the Wagon. ASTRA joined Craig on his podcast, "Corporate Real Estate" to ask questions about retail leases.