ASTRA January 2014 by Fahy-Williams Publishing

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MESSAGE From the Chair

by Linda Hays

Not Content with Easy Answers

his is my second year writing an address for the January issue of the ASTRA Newsletter, and it seems a bit time-warpish to me. I sit here a week before Thanksgiving, sharing the same hopes and anxieties that all of us do at this time of the year: • counting the weekends on the calendar; • looking at years past when there were so few days between Thanksgiving and Christmas; • checking and re-checking projections, cash ﬂow and invoices; and • on my desperate days, considering a tarot reading. When you read this, the dust of Christmas 2013 will have all but settled. We will be looking forward with fresh hope and beautiful new toy catalogs to 2014 and all of the promise that the New Year brings. With that acknowledgement, I turn my back on the rapidly approaching Christmas and focus my attention on the work that the ASTRA Board started in 2013 and will carry over into 2014. At the 2013 ASTRA Marketplace & Academy in Nashville, we spent a morning with our strategic planning consultant, Jeff DeCagna, laying the groundwork for our fall meeting. In September, we met in Phoenix – the site of the 2014 ASTRA Marketplace & Academy – where we spent two days with DeCagna, the ASTRA Board of Directors, the ASTRA staff and a few respected industry members we felt would be helpful to round out the proﬁle of the board in this important session. Our guest thinkers for the session were Peter Reynolds of Janod, Mark Carson of Fat Brain Toys, and Phil Wrzesinski of Toy House and Baby Too. Between the two meetings, we held a series of online Strategy Jams. The quote that I passed on from Peter Reynolds in my last newsletter address was an excerpt

of a conversation that took place on one of those jams, which were held prior to our face-to-face meet up. These jams included even more industry members having discussion board conversations moderated by DeCagna. He gave us conversation assignments, and everyone posted from their perspective. It was very intense, and took a lot of time for those who participated, but it was a good way for him to become acquainted with the challenges and strengths of our industry, bringing some of them into the light for our own assessment. When we met in Phoenix, DeCagna had narrowed the conversation to four questions that broadly addressed repetitive issues during the strategy jams. • How can retailers build their capacity for superior performance and increased profitability? • How can retailers design experiences that capture deeper customer insights for innovation? • How can retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives better coordinate information sharing? • How can retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives capitalize on the customer’s desire to use technology? We spent the next few days discussing our industry in the framework of those questions and infusing them with our own observations. For instance, the first question on superior retailer performance began to quickly define a need to assist our retail members in being strong professionals. There can’t be superior performance without professional execution, and in today’s competitive market we must constantly strive to be professionals. As an association that moves towards branding itself and its members with a stamp that says “superior” and “best,” it becomes

increasingly important that we work to raise the level of professional skill sets and practices for all of us. We also tried to identify the orthodox beliefs of our industry – to find out what we hold as “truths,” and to assess whether or not these beliefs really are truths or just perpetuated as such, and how these truths might be limiting or undermining us as an industry. We tried to come up with new ways of thinking about the industry as a whole. As per DeCagna’s instruction, our suggestions were posited with a “What if we…” versus “I think we should” introduction. We threw a lot of ideas against the wall. We worked hard to stay away from rehashing the conversations that always arise and get dismissed, and look for some real innovation. It was hard work, and at the end of it we felt kind of, well, let down. We had been told at the outset that we weren’t going to walk away with a list of things to do. We were admonished to resist the temptation to summarily define and launch new programs that would “revitalize our membership, and bring peace, understanding and increased profitability to the toy world,” only to find we were headed off to do things our membership neither wanted nor needed. We all agreed that we appreciated that approach, and yet, at the end of our time, we were hard-pressed to identify what we had accomplished. We had no action plan. We had no discernible “ah-ha” moments. The big sky thinking we had anticipated felt more like stretching a rubber band than launching a hot air balloon. There was expansion of thought, but it hadn’t taken on the life of its own that we had hoped. We were still pulling it when, by this stage of the process, we were hoping to be compelled by it. We boarded our planes and headed for our respective homes with no real sense of closure. We weren’t disappointed necessarily, we just didn’t feel finished. We consoled ourselves with the thought that the summary of our works was yet to be presented in written format by our moderator. Maybe we didn’t feel done because we hadn’t seen the distillation yet? Maybe our grains of genius still lay hidden in the chaff? After a couple of weeks, DeCagna (continued on page 32) astratoy.org • January 2014

Board of Directors Chair Linda Hays Chair-Elect Michael Levins Treasurer Lillian Davis

January 2014 • astratoy.org

Secretary Dean May

Features

Directors Bob Breneman Thea Brown Lea Culliton John Giacobbe Tim Holliday Ann Kienzle John MacDougall Ted McGuire Jeff Pinsker Claudia Towles

MONEY MATTERS 10 12 14 16

Crowdfunding: One Store’s Experience “Phil, About that Loan…” SBA: All That Glitters, One Invoice at a Time Need Money? Face the Sharks

TRENDING NOW 18 22

Reaching Consumers: Plugging In and Celebrating Community What’s In a Name?

Newsletter Editor Mary Sisson

TOY STORIES 24

Fun with Arts and Crafts

ASTRA EVENTS 26

ASTRA at Toy Fair 2014 Schedule of Events

Assistant Editors Alyssa LaFaro Tina Manzer

Graphic Artist Lindsey Williamson

ASTRA NEWS

ASTRA Staff

34 34 34 54

ASTRA, Other Associations Join to Advocate for Independents Three Open Board Positions Run From 2014 to 2017 Faber-Castell’s Five New Products Include an App A Sneak Peak at ASTRA’s 2014 Keynote Speakers

20 30

Thank you to ASTRA’s I Heart My Neighborhood Toy Store sponsors Unique Toys and Educational Opportunities: Toy Fair 2014

Departments 5 7 8

Message from the Chair President’s Report Ready, Set, PLAY … for Children with Disabilities

President Kathleen McHugh Membership and Communications Manager Caryn Giznik

54 36 ASTRA Welcomes Its Newest Manufacturer Members 49 New Members

ASTRA Newsletter Mission Statement Our mission is to act as a channel of communication for the general membership of ASTRA and to provide information about current happenings and future goals as decided upon by the board of directors, various committees, and ASTRA staff. We strive to provide useful and timely information and support for and about ASTRA members in accordance with the ASTRA mission statement. We are always looking for good articles and input for the newsletter. Letters to the editor are welcome. Please forward letters, comments, ideas, etc., to the ASTRA ofﬁce – fax 312-222-0986, email kmchugh@astratoy.org.

6 January 2014 • astratoy.org

Associate Director of Meetings and Exhibits Amanda Zawad Associate Program Planner Laura Sweitzer Membership Services Associate Dee Marsden The ASTRA Newsletter is published by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, 432 N Clark St., Suite 205, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-222-0984, fax 312-222-0986, email info@astratoy.org. Website: www.astratoy.org. Copyright © 2014 American Specialty Toy Retailing Association. All rights reserved. Advertisements are accepted. For more information, contact Rick Kauder, Fahy-Williams Publishing, 800-344-0559; email rkauder@fwpi.com. All articles for the ASTRA Newsletter are supplied by ASTRA and its members, with Fahy-Williams assembling and editing the newsletter, and managing the advertising sales function. ASTRA reserves the right to accept, reject, or alter all editorial and advertising material submitted for publication. Advertising in ASTRA does not imply endorsement of products and services. Opinions expressed in articles contained herein are those of the authors, not necessarily of ASTRA or its individual members. The information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable.

PRESIDENT’S Report

Where Do We Go From Here? by Kathleen McHugh

ince last year, you’ve heard a lot of talk about the work the ASTRA Board has been doing on a new strategic plan for the organization. We spent months talking to members to get their opinions on the state of the industry, as well as on the opportunities and challenges we face together as an industry. We asked: “What do ASTRA members need to thrive?” and “What will it take for ASTRA to thrive to meet the needs of its members?” All along the way we’ve been learning from you. We learned a lot about industry orthodoxies that hold us back, like the one that says retailers are too independent to unite, or that technology is a threat. We learned that communication is still foundational. That having open, honest communications between members is the only way we can work together to stay healthy as

an industry. We learned that manufacturers who value specialty, value a retailer’s continued commitment to improving their business performance because it is important to the industry. Where are we today? In March, the ASTRA Board of Directors will meet again to pinpoint our next steps. I can tell you there are four potential areas of concentration. They include continuing education, which has been the cornerstone of ASTRA’s mission since its inception. As much as we have done already, there is still work to do, especially in the area of delivering on-demand online learning opportunities that are tied to business improvements for members. We will take a good hard look at our communications opportunities to ﬁnd ways to make improvements there. From print to online, we have to increase the

openness of our communications with each other to build more collaborative opportunities. And, not just talking to each other, but listening to what each of us needs to be successful and facilitating a process to make it happen. When it comes to technology, we want to improve the industry’s acceptance of it in day-to-day operations in every business. It’s a tall order, but essential to an industry beleaguered by too little time and too much to do. Finally, we will take a look at the full technology integration of the retail consumer experience to explore ways we can help our members tap into the always-on digital environment of their customers. Any one of these areas could take months or years to get moving, but I believe the ASTRA Board is committed to taking giant steps to accelerate our progress. Along the way we will keep you informed, we will ask for your opinion, and we will include you in the process because we are still a volunteer-driven organization that relies on its members every step of the way. Before then I hope to see you in New York at Toy Fair. Stop by the ASTRA booth #5741 to see all the new things we have in store for you there. Warm regards,

ince its start last spring, ASTRA WINS – Working In Networks for Success – has grown to 10 groups with 69 members. The idea behind it is to create networks of ASTRA members who can share and learn from each other. The goal? To help one another succeed. The program is tailored to connect specialty toy retailers. Whether by conference call, email or closed Facebook group, the groups meet regularly to share their interests in making their stores the best they can be. To get started, go to the “For Members” tab at astratoy.org.

astratoy.org • January 2014

READY,forSET, PLAY... Children With Disabilities

Emotionally Smart Toys by Ellen Metrick, Director of Industry Relations & Partnerships, National Lekotek Center, emetrick@lekotek.org

hen walking through the aisles of Toy Fair looking for the latest and the greatest, you might want to keep in mind an acronym that continues to grow in importance as a key element in child development – SEL. SEL stands for “social emotional learning” – an incredibly important aspect in child development as parents and educators alike realize that social emotional learning is key to both a happy and a successful life. It is also an important aspect for many children who have special needs. Social and emotional skill mastery is often a real challenge for many children, especially those who are on the Autism spectrum. Social emotional learning was originally championed by Daniel Goleman, author and academic who literally wrote the 1995 book on it entitled Emotional Intelligence. He positions social and emotional intelligence as the ability to be effective in all critical domains of life, including family, social and school. “It’s a different way of being smart,”

writes Goleman about SEL. In today’s world of technology, children should be encouraged to interact with each other in real terms, not only electronic. Electronic toys are great to develop many skills, but they are not so great on many aspects of relationship building. Toys and games are fun ways for kids to strengthen their social muscles. Here are some questions to think about when looking for toys to satisfy social emotional learning. 1. Does the toy/game require kids to deal with their emotions, like winning and losing, changing places, occasional setbacks and dealing with part of the play scenario that challenges them to regulate their own emotions? 2. Does this toy or game encourage communication between kids? This is of key importance. Kids have to learn to make their needs known in a way that serves not only their needs, but also the needs of other players. I predict this will become even more important as some children isolate

themselves with their electronics, leaving fewer opportunities to connect with one another. 3. Is there a team effort/cooperative play aspect to this toy/game? Even learning to throw a ball back and forth involves coordinating and working with another player. 4. Does this toy or game help to develop ﬂexibility? Games that change the rules at a moment’s notice allow kids to learn that life can throw them a curve ball every once in a while. 5. Can this toy help develop patience with both self and others? Whether it is a crossword game or a complex toy assembly, a kid might need a healthy dose of patience to get to the endpoint. For kids with special needs, patience with themselves is an incredibly valuable skill to learn. Patience with others can then follow after one learns aspects of self-regulation. Allowing others to take their turns and waiting patiently are often critical aspects of play. 6. How can this toy or game build conﬁdence and self-esteem? When parents and friends play with a child, that child realizes he is valuable and worth the other’s time. Through play, do you notice particular talents of your child? Is he quick-witted with word games? Can he build the most elaborate block castle? Do his musical talents shine through with the rhythms he keeps on the drums? Recognize those skills, encourage your child to explore and develop a skill that is emerging. The research is in on the importance of social/emotional learning and toys, and play products are perhaps the easiest and fastest way for a kid to learn and have fun at the same time. As community oriented retailers, you can do your share by choosing toys that help the next generation of children become smart in all ways, including emotionally. ASTRA

8 January 2014 • astratoy.org

MONEY Matters

Crowdfunding: One Store’s Experience by Linda Hays, hopscotch toys

here is a new butcher shop in my little town. It was started with funds raised through Kickstarter. I have a friend who owns a recording studio. Several of the artists he has recorded have come up with the funds to do so through Kickstarter. Entrepreneurs, inventors and artists in all industries have gotten their dreams off the ground through the new phenomenon of crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is donation-based fundraising for businesses or creative projects. Kickstarter is far from the only crowdfunding website out there, but it is the one with the most funded projects. Here in the United States, the big ones are Kickstarter, Indiegogo and Crowdtilt. Here’s how they work: The artist or business owner (practicing or hopeful) puts together a plan and a pitch to get funds for the project they are working on, and supporters pledge dollars to that cause. These are gifts and are not repaid. The two most common types are the AoN (All or Nothing) and the KiA (Keep it All). In the All or Nothing model, you set your goal, and you have to reach that goal before any of the pledged monies are actually taken from the donors. In the Keep it All model, the money funnels through the crowdfunding website (minus their commission), and you are responsible for getting it back to the donors if you are unable to fully fund the project they donated for. For some crowd fundraisers, the only plan is to stay in business through unforeseen economic hardships. That was the case with Imagination Station in Franklin, Indiana. Franklin only has 24,000 people to begin with, so when the road in front of their toy store was torn up for months, things really got tight fast. Still, it took a while for the team at Imagination Station to consider the idea of a crowdfunding campaign. I called the store and interviewed Debi Pierson about the process. At ﬁrst, she said, they were tentative. None of them

was 100 percent comfortable with putting themselves on a full-fledged campaign. There was that constant knowledge that the store was asking the community to vote with personal dollars, and that the community might not choose to vote for them. Once they decided though, they had to move fast. The whole process took about a month from start to finish, but it was a very intense month. When I asked Debi if she felt that you could do this without really being good with social media, she said absolutely not. She said she thought she was going to develop carpal tunnel from checking her phone. She received an email notification every time a pledge was made, and felt a responsibility to respond to every person who contributed. The “votes” came in through email, directly on the site, in jars on the counter and in Facebook messages. In fact, the contribution that put them over the fulcrum point on their virtual tilt came in the form of a private Facebook message by someone who was out of the country and couldn’t contribute with her credit card from where she was. They could see where their support came from, which made it a little strange at first. Debi also said the majority of their support was from people in their geographical community, not their toy industry community (though there were many contributions from the toy world). I had assumed that one of the side benefits of doing a crowdfunding project is that the people who pledged – your community – would be more invested in your business in the long run. Did the project make a difference in people’s emotional investment in the store? Debi said she didn’t think so. People were just as likely as ever to shop online, go to the nearest mall or shop the big boxes without

Imagination Station staff rally their local community to come together and #savethetoystore through crowdfunding.

recognizing there is even a conﬂict there. The Imagination Station raised $60,000 through their #savethetoystore campaign. Most of it went to pay vendors and invest in new inventory. I asked Debi about the emotional toll of putting yourself out there like that every day with a suspicion that some didn’t approve of or understand what you were doing. She said it was hard, but people were very gracious in general. No one has ever expressed disapproval to their faces, and many people went out of their way to give emotional support, donate and get others involved. ASTRA

10 January 2014 • astratoy.org

MONEY Matters

“Phil, About That Loan…” What happens when the bank dumps your loan by Phil Wrzesinski, Toy House and Baby Too in Jackson, Michigan

he bank called at the worst possible time. I had just recovered from major throat surgery and was on my way to Anaheim for the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. “Phil, we’re not renewing your line of credit.” What?! We hadn’t missed a payment or obligation in 44 years! After a few sleepless nights and a business trip cut short, I found out that it wasn’t the business. It was the bank. Our regional bank was preparing itself for sale by dumping all their unsecured loans, such as a line of credit. Still, I had to ﬁnd a way to raise a lot of money quickly to pay off the line (which was quite substantial in June as per usual) during a time when banks were tighter than a tick.

12 January 2014 • astratoy.org

This old-dog retailer learned some new tricks in the process. First, you’d better make sure your own credit score is solid. Regardless of what the business balance sheet and income statement show, every single bank and lending institution required me to sign a personal guarantee. We had never had to sign a personal guarantee in 62 years of business, but banking has changed. Second, get an attorney. I spent almost $5,000 on my attorney that year. He saved me more than $40,000. He got my bank to take a huge discount on the payback. He set up the meeting with the lender who ﬁnally helped me. He calmed me when I was getting frustrated, and he took the calls from the bank when they kept asking me when I was going to pay them back. He changed

some wording in the payoff agreement and made sure the old bank ﬁnalized that note properly. He also made some changes in the wording of the new agreement that offered some protection I might not have had. It was money well spent. Third, there is money out there, but you may have to dig deep to ﬁnd it. We ended up going with a local credit union. The president of the credit union knew the store well, knew what we were capable of doing, knew our commitment to the com(continued on page 14)

MONEY Matters

(continued from page 12) munity, and knew how we operated. The more local the bank, the more likely they are to support local businesses. They know the business climate in your area and what you are up against. If you are active in the community – attending networking events, Chamber of Commerce events and board meetings – your potential lenders will look more highly upon you. You will have to make some concessions. If you’re looking for a loan in today’s banking climate, you will likely need two things: a personal guarantee and collateral. We used the building we built and have owned for 46 years now. You might need to look at a second mortgage. Lines of credit secured only by your inventory are difficult to come by right now. If the lending institutions are all saying no, don’t give up. Ask them what they need to say yes. It is a learning process. Also, don’t be afraid to ask family and friends for help. Set up short-term loan agreements with decent returns. Just remember that it is more than money if you default with them. Finally, you will have to look at how you are running your business more closely. Most lending institutions, along with expecting timely payments, will have parameters and benchmarks they expect you to hit financially. Have your attorney and accountant look over any lending agreements before you sign. Have them explain the parameters and ramifications. You might be making your payments on time, but if you miss a benchmark in your financials (percent net profit, for example) you might still default on your loan and be back in the same pickle as before. When the bank called, the first person I spoke to was my grandfather, the founder of our store. He told me two funny stories about his dealings with the banks back in the ’50s and ’60s. He also told me the most important thing I needed to hear: “Relax. One day you will look back on all of this and laugh.” I think that day is coming. I can, at least, finally crack a smile. (P.S. Ask me at ASTRA 2014, and I’ll tell you those two stories from my grandfather, and how banking was done in the good ole days.) ASTRA

14 January 2014 • astratoy.org

SBA: All That Glitters, One Invoice at a Time by Mary Sisson, Kazoodles

ason Penn spent 15 years in the lapidary with the head of the SBA, which backs business before opening Bigglesnorts loans through qualifying banks. Toys in Albuquerque last year. Trying to It was between Wells Fargo and the find a shiny pile of gold financing for the local Western Commerce Bank. After store proved as challenging as making a pitting the banks against each other to see diamond out of coal. what they could do for Bigglesnorts, Penn Penn and his wife, Elisa, a pediatric went local. “The head of the bank lives in speech therapist, decided that the jewelry the same area I live in, and we hit it off.” business was not going to be long-term, The Penns got an $80,000 SBA loan and they started at 7 percent interlooking at toys. est, with the same They joined payment as he’d ASTRA and have had with the talked with $50,000 loan at 12 people at the percent from the 2010 convention microlender. in Anaheim, What they looking for realdidn’t realize was istic encouragethat an SBA loan ment. They read isn’t necessarily Play for Profit, the best choice for Jason Penn, owner of Bigglesnorts Toy Store, worked with stocking a new toy Albuquerque, New Mexico SCORE and put store. together a good Penn figured business plan. the bank would stick 50 grand in his ac“There was no SBA money” in 2011, count so he could buy toys. But no. he says. “The only thing we could come The way an SBA loan is structured reacross was microlenders.” They got a quires taking each vendor’s invoice to the microlender to agree to $50,000, and then bank to get the money to pay it before toys around September, “The whole Greek can be shipped. “There’s one person at the default happened. No one would return my bank whose job was to collate our expenscalls.” es and match them up with invoices. With Banks, he found, wouldn’t loan 200 vendors, some of these invoices were anything under $250,000. “We didn’t need for $200 to $300.” That person had a pile that much money.” of work keeping up with Bigglesnorts. “If So in September 2011, the Penns put they don’t do it exactly as the SBA lines it their plan on hold. It was too late to open out, the bank is liable if we default. and gain enough Christmas cash to last “I would not recommend the SBA through June. “We focused on the gemroute for a toy store, especially for startstone business, making a pile of cash, and up,” advises Penn. “Maybe if you were coming back in March.” purchasing your own building.” By then they’d brought in Cathy WagFinishing their first year, “We’re on ner of Retail Mavens and worked with her track to eke out a tiny, tiny profit if my on refining their business plan. “We really projections are correct,” says Penn. But it’s tweaked it to know how much money it still a cash crunch. was going to take.” They went back to “I feel like my life was laid bare after SCORE, which was in the same building going through the SBA thing.” as the Small Business Administration. Their SCORE adviser got them a meeting ASTRA

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MONEY Matters

Need Money? Face the Sharks W

hen you need money to grow your business, you could talk to the bank. Or you could try Kickstarter. Or, as Mary Beth Lugo of KaZAM did, you could go on the ABC TV show “Shark Tank.” While the sharks – tough, self-made potential investors – can be brutal as they prod for weaknesses in an entrepreneur’s idea, entrepreneurs like Lugo can walk away with some solid backing and business coaching. In the case of KaZAM, the backers are Mark Cuban, owner of AXS TV and the Dallas Mavericks, and real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran. “People go on either with a prototype or with a small business they own,” explains Lugo. She was steps ahead, having been in business with the KaZAM balance bikes for nearly three years when she faced the sharks before a nationwide

16 January 2014 • astratoy.org

Mary Beth Lugo, right, is interviewed on the set of ABC’s “20/20.”

audience of 7 million people in the show’s fourth season. “We couldn’t grow unless we had more money to buy more inventory,” she says, “especially in the specialty toy and bicycle market.” She got not only money, but a fresh set of eyes and the point of view of someone who obviously knows business. And the PR didn’t hurt, either. “Right after (it aired) we got an inﬂux of calls. Some retailers sold out of what they had on hand.” From application to taping was only about six or seven weeks, and Lugo knew the results on the spot. But for the 10 months until the show aired, KaZAM’s four-person staff had to keep the secret. “For 10 months we couldn’t even tell our children or our parents,” she says. And though the investment deal was wrapped up

within a couple of months, Lugo couldn’t leverage it until after the show aired. One result of “Shark Tank” was a partnership between the Virginia Beachbased KaZAM and a Dallas preschool, where Lugo’s team implemented obstacle courses, bike riding and tumbling, weaving the balance bikes into what the school was already doing. Another result was appearing on ABC’s “20/20” on December 20. Lugo recently returned to “Shark Tank” to ﬁlm a follow-up. “A lot of people don’t fare well, don’t come off looking like intelligent business owners,” she says. Lugo obviously had what it took to impress the sharks. “Overall, it’s deﬁnitely been a positive experience and well worth it.” ASTRA

TRENDING Now Reaching Consumers: Plugging In and Celebrating Community Cheers to another successful Neighborhood Toy Store Day “The best part of the day was how seriously many guests took the theme – we heard over and over how they consider us their local toy store, how glad they are we are here, told stories about ﬁrst visits, favorite visits, and silly things that have happened at kiddywampus. Absolutely awesome day. We’ll be kicking it up a step next year.” – Amy Saldanha, kiddywampus, St. Louis Park, Minnesota

my’s reflection on participating in her first Neighborhood Toy Store Day gets to the heart of the message we’ve been building – that neighborhood toy stores have an impact on their community. If you were plugged in through Facebook and Twitter via ASTRA and The Woohoo! Factor, it was apparent what was taking place on November 9, 2013. Toy stores and families across the country were celebrating their neighborhoods and communities. Neighborhood Toy Store Day started as a platform to communicate our message to consumers during the biggest sales season of the year for independent toy retailers. ASTRA conducts a national media campaign through posts written by influential mommy bloggers such as Cool Mom Picks, pitching to online publications like about.com, and securing local television spots such as this year’s cover-

Child’s Play in Portland, Oregon, celebrates Neighborhood Toy Store Day with a “Star Wars” theme.

18 January 2014 • astratoy.org

age in Philadelphia, Dallas and Gaithersburg. Because each media outlet has its own loyal readers and viewers, ASTRA has been able to spread the word through different mediums totaling over 200 million impressions. What does this all add up to? We’re building awareness of the importance of shopping local. The Woohoo! Factor website gives us another platform where we can connect to consumers – your customers – on a personal level. For the ﬁrst time, we have the ability to engage with moms, dads and grandparents through Facebook, Twitter, blogs and email marketing. We’re reaching toy buyers in a whole new way, and The Woohoo! Factor website at yourneighborhoodtoystore.org is giving us the ability to kick it up a step and grab consumers’ attention with messages of good play, good toys and shopping locally 365 days a year. While ASTRA promotes the message on a national level, our retail members are reaching out to their local communities using the resources ASTRA provides, such as press release templates, marketing tools and the “Best Toys for Kids” list. These resources have given retailers something to talk about to their local media outlets. Since Neighborhood Toy Store Day’s launch in 2010, we’ve seen events get bigger, sales increase from year to year, and growing support and partnership from manufacturers. It’s not just the sales that are increasing. More stores are giving back a percentage from their Neighborhood Toy Store Day sales to local charities. An estimated $20,000 was donated to charities on November 9 – and those are just the numbers we know about. This supports what we already know: Local business-

Top: Even the puppets came out to celebrate at Bright Idea Toys in Town and Country, Missouri. Center: Choon, inventor of the Rainbow Loom, came out to celebrate with Wonder Works in South Carolina during their Elfstravaganza. Left: Kids enjoy a table full of Rainbow Loom fun at Bright Idea Toys.

es are important to their community’s vitality and livelihood. Here are some Neighborhood Toy Store Day successes we had to share. • “We donated 10 percent to a local food and heating fuel assistance program. Great day … up 8 percent from last Neighborhood Toy Store Day.” – Bob Breneman from G. Willikers! Toy Shop in Portsmouth, New Hampshire • “GIANT EVENT! Figpickels Toy Emporium transformed the Resort Plaza shops into a three-ring circus! Over 800 locals came to celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day and our 8th birthday!” – Susan Sommer from Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (continued on page 20)

TRENDING Now

Thank you to ASTRA’s I Heart My Neighborhood Toy Store sponsors

(continued from page 18)

• “We set up a toy and game ‘try-it’ zone, highlighted the Best Toys for Kids products in stock and had a drawing for three fun toy items. We sent an email out advertising the day and had a 50 percent increase in sales over last year’s NTSD! Woohoo!” – Angie Sorrell from University Book & Supply in Cedar Falls, Iowa • “It was our best day so far in the seven-month history of the store! We had a lot of fun, a lot of trafﬁc, and a lot of happy kids and parents. Success!” — Christine Johnson from Miracle Mile Toys & Games in Los Angeles, California

A huge thank you and kudos to everyone who participated in Neighborhood Toy Store Day 2013 – we can’t wait until next year! Stay plugged in to see what’s in store for 2014. ASTRA

20 January 2014 • astratoy.org

An essential ingredient to every toybox, every childhood, every generation. See more puppets at www.folkmanis.com 0r call 1-800-654-8922 for a free catalog.

TRENDING Now

What’s In a Name? by Mary Sisson, Kazoodles

our company’s name gives you just a few syllables to convey the heart of your business. The right name jumps out, telling your customers you’re all about fun, quality or uniqueness. The wrong name can be misleading, boring or forgettable. In the toy world, the possibilities are limitless. Here’s how some of ASTRA’s retailer members got their names.

Go Bananas Writing her business plan in 2005 was a critical exercise for Mary Holmes as she thought through details of future operations and ﬁnancial needs, but also the feel, image and branding for her store in Ashburn, Virginia. “Our store name and logo was going to be the ﬁnishing touch, and it had to be just right,” she says. The name came after multiple brainstorming sessions, even writing potential names in chalk on the driveway while her son played. “The name needed to be fun and memorable,” she says. “It also needed to be a name that would lend itself to the development of just the right logo. It had to match the tone I envisioned.” Go Bananas always topped her list as Holmes narrowed it down. “I had no doubt that incorporating a monkey into our brand would be the perfect match. My husband wasn’t completely on board with the name.” But, put up for a vote among family and friends, “it was decided that we would Go Bananas and our monkey was born!”

Bigglesnorts Jason and Elisa Penn were just as deliberate with their name. “We spent about six months with an open pad on the computer,” he says. They’d write and tweak potential names there, then research domain names and every social media platform to be sure the name wasn’t already taken – not just in Albuquerque but anywhere. “It had to be something memorable.” Penn claimed the domain name and about 10 close variations.

Alakazam Toys & Gifts “The process of naming a store and developing a brand was really important to me, as I had studied graphic design in college and had worked for years in the corporate world with some strong brands,” explains Cassandra Mathis. She came close to using Abrakadabra, but another business in Charlottesville, Virginia, had the same name. “I said to my stepdaughter Sophie, ‘Let’s brainstorm – what’s a word that sounds like Abrakadabra but is different?’ She blurted out ‘Alakazam’ and that was it!”

22 January 2014 • astratoy.org

kiddywampus “Before we opened kiddywampus, we thought a lot about the perspective and viewpoint of the store – what we were going to do that was different,” says Amy Saldahna of St. Louis Park, Minnesota. “What I love most about kids is their ability to see the world without the ﬁlters and constraints that we have as adults. We wanted our name to reﬂect the quirky, sideways way a child sees things – and the word kiddywampus means off-kilter, unbalanced or different from what is normally expected. It also helps that it is fun to say, and kids really dig it.”

At Once All Agog In helping Candace Gooch brainstorm a name for her store in Limerick, Maine, her sister emailed her a list with phrases from her favorite childhood poem, Eugene Field’s “The Sugar-Plum Tree.” “She had marked the phrase ‘At Once All Agog’ with an asterisk and said it was her favorite,” Candace said. “Since ‘agog’ is an adjective that means excited or enthused, it was the perfect name for a toy store that wants to stimulate children’s imaginations! It is how I hope everyone is when they walk through the door.”

Picayune Toys When Becky Goblish was little and did not like what her mother had cooked, particularly cabbage, her mother would tell her not to be a picayune (pronounced pic-a-yun-e, though other regions pronounce it differently). The word means picky or small-minded, appropriate since the store’s ﬁrst location in Dunwoody, Georgia, was only 1,000 square feet. The tag line is: “We’re picky about our toys.”

Scalliwag Toys “My grandmother used to call my brother (and me, I suppose) a scallywag when he (we) was (were) naughty or mischievous,” says Karin Belanger of Belleville, Ontario. Richard, her husband, thought the word had an aura of excitement and derring-do.

M.J. Beanz “Our name comes from a very personal source,” says Steven Goldfarb. “M.J. are my son Michael Jay’s initials. Beanz is the nickname he gave to my daughter when they were both very little,” thus, M.J. Beanz in Plainville, New York.

Mr. Fub’s Party Priscilla Moore’s business partner had had a baby and couldn’t ﬁnd any quality toys in Yellow Springs, Ohio, so they decided to open a toy store. “The day her son was born, the calendar word of the day was fubsy (English, short, stout and merry),” explains Moore. “Mr. Fubs became his nickname. The other element was a clown doll I had made. We were managing a small restaurant as well. Needing a place to put the baby, the owner reserved a table near the kitchen with a sign, ‘Reserved for Mr. Fub’s Party.’ Hence, the name and the clown logo were born.”

G. Willikers Five variations on the name are listed in the ASTRA member directory. Jill and Ernie Breneman felt the Victorian expression “Gee Willikers” embodied the whole idea of excitement, surprise and joy they wanted to invoke when they opened G. Willikers! in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1978. The punctuation emphasizes that excitement. Who is Mr. Willikers? The family playfully calls him Uncle George. At G. Williker’s Toy Shoppe in Hood River, Oregon, Jennifer Hutchinson knows who G. Williker is. He’s the juggling clown in her logo. “I really loved the nostalgia of the term and wanted to translate that feeling into the name of the shop. I liked putting a twist on the term and the idea of turning it into a person or character.”

Animal names Put an adjective in front of an animal, and you’ve got the makings of a name and logo that says “fun.” Funky Monkey, Cheeky Monkey, Purple Platypus, Purple Cow, Purple Bear, Green Alligator, Green Elephant, Blue Turtle, Lucky Duck, Calico Cat and Leapin’ Lizards are ASTRA member examples.

Funny sounds In the variety of store names, what one baby name blogger called “the energetic ‘oo’ sound” is often repeated. Examples: Cooleykatz, Doodle Doo’s, Doodlehopper 4 Kids, Oodles 4 Kids, Kazoo & Company, Kazoodles, Kidoodles, Kits and Kaboodle, Lasso the Moon, O’Doodle’s, Poopsies, Silly Goose, Snapdoodle, Tidepool and Zoom.

Toy variations

Toy Boxes, three Toy Chests, two Toy Factories, three Toy Stores, three Timeless Toys and three Toy Towns. There’s no second-guessing what these stores are all about.

Whether the name is as straightforward as The Toy Store or imaginative as Snickelfritz, if it invokes joy and fun and play, it’s done its job on the frontlines of marketing.

ASTRA

ASTRA’s membership list shows ﬁve astratoy.org • January 2014

TOY Stories

Fun with Arts and Crafts D

eep in the recesses of your memory, you can still feel it – the way your hand slipped across that special smooth paper when you ﬁnger-painted; the oozy sensation of play dough squishing between your ﬁngers; the satisfying feeling of bringing a handmade construction-paper greeting card to life with large amounts of glue and glitter, even if it did take forever to dry. Whether the medium was paint, clay, paper and glue, or eclectic, most of us remember the fun and creative hours spent elbow deep in craft projects as children. When winter weather keeps kids cooped up indoors, it’s a great time for moms and dads to spread newspaper across the kitchen table and round up some paint, glue, glitter, scissors, paper

of various sorts, clay and more. Remind your customers that you carry creative, high-quality toys, and that your staff is well-informed about the developmental benefits of play. Crafts are more than just fun. Kids are learning how to use their hands, how to express themselves and how to figure things out when they do craft projects. They are also building pre-literacy skills because art helps them grasp the idea that symbols can stand for something. Craft projects get them using the tools of literacy, such as paper and writing implements. Whether through a store newsletter, an email, a blog or on Facebook, here are some tips you can offer your customers to find their child’s inner Picasso or Michelangelo through activities at home.

• Safety ﬁrst. Make sure all supplies and tools you offer kids are safe and age appropriate. • Messy is okay. It’s up to you how much mess (and subsequent cleanup) you can tolerate, but try to get comfortable with the reality that creativity can be messy. Limiting art projects to a designated space with clear boundaries is a good idea. Choose a spot with easily washable ﬂoors, walls and furniture. Involve your child in the cleanup process.

• Be creative about materials. Depending on what’s safe for your child’s developmental level, use both typical purchased materials and items you have around the house. Some ideas include ﬁnger paints, shaving cream, tempura paint, clay, play dough, fabric scraps, yarn and string, different types of paper (construction, newsprint, gift wrap, wallpaper), old magazines, scrap wood, cardboard, crayons, felt pens, stencils and much more.

• Don’t expect or judge outcomes. Avoid asking what the new creation is, even if you don’t have a clue what you are looking at. Let your child tell you what he or she is trying to accomplish, if anything, with the project. Try to suspend your adult sensibilities, and see the end result through the child’s eyes. Above all, let the child’s imagination drive arts and crafts fun at home. When it comes to creativity, there is no such thing as a right way or a wrong way. If kids want to use materials in unusual or unorthodox ways, as long as their ideas are safe, why not let their creativity soar? It’s all about having fun.

ASTRA

24 January 2014 • astratoy.org

Visit us at Toy Fair Booth #2663

Events

ASTRA at Toy Fair 2014 Schedule of Events February 16 to 19, at the Javits Center in New York City

ake sure to stop at the ASTRA booth #5741 at Toy Fair! Pick up your passport of Toy Fair specials, take part in our photo collage, enjoy food and drink at our Night in New York party, or kick back and relax in the member lounge.

Manufacturers – Don’t forget to pick up your brand new member plaque to display in your booth to let everyone know you’re a proud ASTRA member! Sales Reps – Looking for new product lines to represent? Pick up the “Sales Rep Finder” list, a catalog of manufacturers looking for sales reps, at the ASTRA booth.

Visit us at booth #5741 Retailers – Stop by the ASTRA booth to pick up your member ribbon, passport of Toy Fair specials and brand new window cling letting everyone know you’re a proud ASTRA member!

26 January 2014 • astratoy.org

Register for Marketplace & Academy and win an iPad! Register for Marketplace & Academy at Toy Fair and you’ll not only score the early-bird discount, but you’ll also be entered to win an iPad!

Sunday, February 16 ASTRA Member Lounge 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (open every day) Room 1C03 The ASTRA member lounge is back by popular demand! Drop off your coat each morning, grab some coffee sponsored by The Orb Factory, and make it your regular lunch and socializing spot with your fellow ASTRA friends. Avoid the hassle of trying to ﬁnd a place to sit in Javits and take advantage of this “members only” beneﬁt. (continued on page 29)

HURR LimiteY! Ticket d Availa s ble.

ASTRA’s

Sunday, February 16, 2014 from 6:30pm – 9:30pm Naples 45 200 Park Avenue at 45th St. The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association’s signature event will be held at Naples 45 during Toy Fair 2014. Located in Grand Central Station, ASTRA’s new location is bigger and better than ever! This event is open to anyone who sells or makes toys and play products. The cost to attend is $75.00 for members and $160 for non-members. Bring your appetites because your ticket includes a three hour open premium bar, butler passed hors d’oeuvres and a dinner buffet.

Sign up early so you don’t miss this fabulous evening with your colleagues and friends in the specialty toy industry. Register today at www.astratoy.org/astra-at-toy-fair.asp or call 312-222-0984.

REGISTRATION FIRST NAME

TICKET PRICE (circle one)

LAST NAME

MEMBER PRICE

NON-MEMBER PRICE

$75

$160

$75

$160

$75

$160

$75

$160

$75

$160

$75

$160

TOTAL CONTACT INFORMATION COMPANY

ADDRESS

CONTACT

CITY, STATE, ZIP

PHONE

FAX

E-MAIL ADDRESS

Please check one: = ASTRA Member

= Non-Member

PAYMENT INFORMATION = Check (made payable to: ASTRA)

= Visa

= MasterCard

= American Express

NAME ON CARD ACCOUNT NUMBER CVV NUMBER

EXPIRATION DATE SIGNATURE

✗

mm/yyyy

Please make checks payable and return payment and form to:

ASTRA, 432 N Clark St., Suite 205, Chicago, IL 60654 | P: 800-591-0490 | F: 312-222-0986

28 January 2014 • astratoy.org

Events (continued from page 26)

Sunday, February 16 Night in New York 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Naples 45, 200 Park Ave. at East 45th St. Join us for ASTRA’s signature event at this brand new location with plenty of space to mix and mingle, or ﬁnd a booth to chat with friends. You won’t want miss the party where the specialty toy industry gathers to connect with new and old friends over some incredible food, drinks and music. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today by visiting astratoy.org/ astra-at-toy-fair.asp. ASTRA members can attend the party for $75 per person. Your registration includes an open premium bar, butler-passed hors d’ oeuvres and a fourcourse dinner buffet with dessert.

Monday, February 17 Share the Fair (Retailers Only) 6 to 7:30 p.m. ASTRA Member Lounge, 1C03 Now that you’ve had the chance to walk the trade show ﬂoor, join fellow retail members in sharing about the “must-have” products you’ve seen at Toy Fair! Be a part of creating the “Share the Fair” list that helps determine the hot new toys of 2014.

Tuesday, February 18

Wednesday, February 19

Share the Fair Lists Available

Member Lounge closes at 4 p.m.

Noon ASTRA booth #5741 Hot off the presses! Come pick up your copy at the ASTRA booth #5741 any time after 12 p.m. to see what retail experts picked as the must-see items at Toy Fair.

In order to simplify deadlines for manufacturers we are not printing manufacturers’ Toy Fair specials in the newsletter. The most up-to-date specials are available online at astratoy.org under the “For Members” section. Check often – manufacturers will be adding specials all the way up to Toy Fair. For a printed copy of the specials, pick up your passport at the ASTRA booth.

ASTRA

astratoy.org • January 2014

Unique Toys and Educational Opportunities: Toy Fair 2014 by the Toy Industry Association

pecialty and independent toy retailers can tap into a world of business and educational opportunities at the 111th American International Toy Fair February 16 through 19 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The following list includes a sampling of the many opportunities available at Toy Fair 2014. Visit the ofﬁcial show website – ToyFairNY.com – for the most up-todate information about seminars, special events, registration and more.

Modern Design (...and so much more) Buyers in search of creative, niche product lines need to look no further than Toy Fair’s newest zone – “Modern Design” – which will highlight playthings that incorporate high-design aesthetics, quality materials and functionally innovative features. And while there are 13 product zones in total to provide visitors with a seamless shopping experience, the four-day exhibition will also allow adventurous types plenty of time to explore aisle after aisle of classic toys and games,

eco-friendly playthings, arts and crafts, special interest items, app-cessories, dolls and plush, and everything in between.

Independent Thinking “Independent Thinking” is a free educational series speciﬁcally tailored to independent and specialty retailers. Taking place throughout the show, these seminars will address topics ranging from increasing sales and maximizing non-traditional space to customer service, stafﬁng and additional business topics pertinent to small (continued on page 32)

30 January 2014 • astratoy.org

(continued from page 30)

stores. One such seminar – “60 Promotions in 60 Minutes” – will be led by retail expert Patricia Norins, who will uncover a variety of events and special promotions that retailers can implement to boost trafﬁc and sales.

Toy Trends Tea For the ﬁrst time, TIA’s annual trends session will be open to all Toy Fair attendees (previous events were for members of the media only). Scheduled for Monday, February 17, this introduction to the year’s most exciting trend developments allows plenty of time for buyers and media to scour the aisles for their favorite trend-matching toys. Top trends spotted at Toy Fair 2013 included the revival of retro toys, such as old-school classics, and practical playthings, including activity toys that transform to keep pace with a child’s evolving abilities. Construction toys were another smash hit at last year’s show and went on to become one of the year’s highest growth categories.

Toys, Learning & Play Summit On February 17, the “Toys, Learning & Play Summit” will take place on-site at Toy Fair. This fee-based session presented by Engage Digital will provide attendees with insight into how toys, games, apps and online content can be enhanced with learning elements. From February 18 to 19, Engage Digital will also host the eighth annual Digital Kids Conference at the Javits Center. More information on both the summit and the conference is available at DigitalKidsCon.com.

ASTRA

MESSAGE From the Chair (continued from page 5) sent us a strategic memorandum, to which we made some suggestions for refinement, and sent him back to the drawing board. We each turned our attention to our own businesses and the much-needed preparation for the impending holiday season. About a month ago, we received the final draft of the memorandum, and started talking seriously about the need to finish the work we started. There really are some great starting points, but they need to be fleshed out and completed. I would feel poorly that we didn’t come up with all of the answers after our session in Phoenix were it not for the fact that I have sat in enough planning sessions where the board adjourns with a round of congratulatory pats on the back, a nice-sounding summary, plans to launch

32 January 2014 • astratoy.org

this program or that program, and lots of “answers.” Answers, plans and summaries that haven’t dug deep enough don’t really represent any new thought, and get filed with the meeting minutes to never make a difference. I feel grateful that the board and the ASTRA staff are not willing to grab this short-term, feel-good moment at the expense of our long-term directive. So, we will be meeting again to finish it up correctly, and to give ASTRA the strategic plan that will guide us going forward for the next several years. We will meet in March in the hometown of the ASTRA offices in Chicago. At that meeting, we will bring to focus a cohesive plan to strengthen and grow not just our association, but our industry. We all take our responsibility to this task very seriously and

are diligent in the pursuit of our directive. Though we are well down the planning path, there is still the opportunity for you to infuse the conversation with your own concerns or observations. Post on the discussion boards, or send a board member an email. You may be mulling over the one piece of the puzzle that would bring it all together. We would love to hear from you.

Linda Hays hopscotch toys 103 SE Baker St.. McMinnville, OR 97128 (503) 472-3702 linda@hopscotchtoys.com ASTRA

News

ASTRA, Other Three Open Board Positions Run Associations Join From 2014 to 2017 to Advocate for T Independents

he Nominating Committee announces three open ASTRA Board positions – two for manufacturer members and one for a retailer. Each position is for a three-year term beginning June 2014.

dvocates for Independent Business (AIB) is a new coalition of trade associations and other organizations that represent locally owned, independent businesses serving a consumer market. AIB enables its member groups to work together to:

Commitment

• advocate for public policies that will create a level playing ﬁeld for independent businesses; • exchange replicable ideas and programs in order to deliver more value for their members; and • support the visibility and growth of the Buy Local First movement.

Expenses

AIB has its roots in a summit that was organized by the American Booksellers Association in 2011. That daylong meeting drew 50-plus people from more than 30 trade associations representing a broad range of independent businesses. Recognizing the signiﬁcant opportunity represented by that gathering and value of ongoing collaboration, the founding members of AIB began meeting and launched the coalition in 2013. Members include the American Booksellers Association, American Independent Business Alliance, American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, Independent Running Retailers Association, Independent We Stand, National Bicycle Dealers Association, Professional Association of Innkeepers International, Record Store Day and Soccer Dealer Association. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance coordinates the coalition’s work.

Board members are required to attend all regular meetings of the board. Meetings take place in February at Toy Fair, in June at ASTRA’s annual convention, and the ﬁrst weekend after Labor Day at a location to be determined. Board members may be required to take part in phone calls and email discussions as necessary. Members are typically assigned the role of board liaison to committees requiring participation in phone calls of the committee throughout their assignment.

Board members are reimbursed for travel and hotel expenses to the annual fall meeting. In addition, one night accommodation is paid for by the association for meetings at Toy Fair and the annual convention.

Qualiﬁcations Candidates for the board of directors must be ASTRA members with a minimum of two years of membership. Candidates must be fully employed within the toy industry, preferably with a minimum of two years of experience. It is desirable that candidates have experience as active volunteers in ASTRA or other constituency based organizations, or possess similar experience. To review ASTRA’s Bylaws, please visit the ASTRA website at astratoy.org. Interested members are asked to contact Kathleen McHugh at kmchugh@astratoy. org, or by calling 312-222-0984. Applications will be accepted through March 1.

Faber-Castell’s Five New Products Include an App

aber-Castell launched ﬁve new products in the fall, including, for the ﬁrst time, an app. The free Creative Kids app uses technology to teach drawing techniques. Made for kids 6 and up, it gives a step-by-step method for creating animations and moving images using colored pencils, paper and a tablet computer. With no external links, it’s designed to keep kids safe. Available to download from the iTunes Store, it requires iOS 5.0 or later, and is compatible with the iPad. Premium children’s art products new for fourth quarter included the Do Art Travel Easel, Paint by Number Mermaids using Watercolor Eco-Pencils, Paint by Number 3-D Monster Pop using acrylic paints and 3-D glasses, and My World of Art Portfolio, with original artwork highlighting famous art museums around the world. (ASTRA News continued on page 54)

34 January 2014 • astratoy.org

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DISCOUNTS NEW IDEAS, NEW

CONNECTIONS 4TH QUARTER DEALS AND STEALS

www.astramarketplace.org

1- 800-591-0490

ASTRA Welcomes Its Newest Manufacturer Members Artterro Madison, Wisconsin artterro.com Full of gorgeous, artist-quality materials, Artterro’s Eco Art Kits inspire kids, tweens and adults to enjoy art together. Twelve titles make it easy and convenient to explore needle felting, decoupage, art journaling and more. These affordable birthday or holiday gifts ($6.50 to $13.50 wholesale) are assembled by hand in Wisconsin.

Bommerscheim Sisters Co. San Diego, California bommerscheimbuddies.com The Bommerscheim Sisters Company makes nostalgic cuddle toys and stuffed animals. Bommerscheim Buddies are a unique plush toy with a removable cover, which makes washing easy. The smaller Ittie Bittie Buddies and blankets are also available in matching fabrics. All products proudly made in the U.S. in Bloomington, Indiana.

Clued In Kids Wake Forest, North Carolina cluedinkids.com Clued In Kids treasure hunts teach academics, social skills and teamwork while leading kids on an adventure looking for a series of clues leading to a treasure. With treasure hunts, as with life, the true treasure lies in the journey – that’s why we love them so much. Happy Hunting!

(continued on page 38)

36 January 2014 • astratoy.org

New Manufacturer Members (continued from page 36)

Cobra RC Toys Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada cobratoys.com Since 2005, Cobra RC Toys has been the source for quality remote control products. Our independent toy retailer network continues to grow, and we are excited about our new ASTRA membership. We know RC, and we make it accessible, affordable, reliable and fun – toys that engage kids age 3-plus. Most Cobra items include spare parts, and all of our products are covered by our 90-day warranty and customer service for end users. We have warehouse locations in the U.S., Canada and United Kingdom. For more information, call 800-668-9876, or email sales@ cobratoys.com. The Davis Noodle Greenville, South Carolina davisnoodle.com America’s best-selling water toy just got better (and went all-season). The Davis Noodle by PTI is a swim noodle that connects. Kids enjoy them intuitively. Slide together to make rafts, forts, water toys and even a toboggan! Davis Noodles offer year-round play possibilities for all ages, and are child-safe and patent pending.

4HKL PU [OL <:( Design & Create Larger Potholders with . . .

potholder 38 January 2014 • astratoy.org

harrisville.com

pro

EarZings Milwaukee, Wisconsin earzings.com EarZings are the new pierce-free earring. They are not clip-ons or magnets, but a totally new concept using a patented coil design to secure to the ear. They are extremely comfortable, easy to wear and stay on great. EarZing designs are artful, fresh and made in the USA. (continued on page 40)

(continued from page 38)

New Manufacturer Members GeoCentral Mason, Ohio geocentral.com GeoCentral has a long history of providing fun and educational products for children of all ages. Our products provide a handson approach to learning about the natural world. Product safety is our top priority, and we’re committed to providing products that meet or exceed the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Hawk’s Nest Publishing LLC Madison, Connecticut hawksnestpublishing.com Hawk’s Nest Publishing LLC is a manufacturer of high-quality activity books licensed by Major League Baseball. Our books contain engaging, educational puzzles and games for young fans. Current titles include the Red Sox Activity Book and Yankees Activity Book, as well as books featuring 10 other teams. Made in the USA.

Grimm’s GmbH Berkeley, California grimms.eu Grimm’s Spiel & Holz Design is a small German company making quality wooden toys in Europe. We offer educationally valuable toys for children of all ages using a simple design that lets children explore their creativity. All wood is from sustainable forests, ﬁnishes are non-toxic, and fabrics are Oeko-Tex certiﬁed.

John N. Hansen Co. Inc. Millbrae, California johnhansenco.com A family run company, we have offered quality, innovative toys, games and puzzles to the specialty toy and game markets since 1947. Exclusive lines include Buki Books, Hoberman Spheres, Educa Puzzles & Games and the Classic Game Collection. Please visit us at johnhansenco.com for dating and freight programs. (continued on page 42)

LEGO, the LEGO logo and the Minﬁgure are trademarks and/or copyrights of the LEGO Group. © 2014 The LEGO Group. All Rights Reserved. THE LEGO MOVIE © The LEGO Group & Warner Bros Entertainment Inc. 4650137/14_US

What A dirty trick! Just another ordinary day in bricksburg until...

...Robots attack!

Run! Hey! HELP!

Quick! let’s build the trash chomper!

The garbage truck rebuilds into the flying trash chomper!

HELP! Please visit us at booth #1351

Nothing stops creativity! Someone Should stop these monsters!

40 January 2014 • astratoy.org

Awesome!

(continued from page 40)

New Manufacturer Members

Kahiniwalla Canton, Ohio kahiniwalla.com Kahiniwalla distributes the Pebble brand, a line of handmade, ethically sourced baby toys, blankets, hats, rattles and more. Sweat-shop free, Pebble provides employment to over 5,000 women in rural Bangladesh. Fair trade, colorful and quirky, these hand-knitted and crocheted European designs are bringing smiles to faces around the world. Lee Publications LLC Louisville, Kentucky leemagicpen.com For over 40 years, Lee Publications has entertained and educated kids and adults alike. We have over 200 titles to choose from. For birthdays, hospital stays, rainy days, travel play or just any day, we have something for everyone!

LEGO Bags Seattle, Washington legobags.com Since 2007, Carry Gear Solutions has partnered with LEGO to design, manufacture and distribute safe, quality bags for kids. We create a wide assortment of backpacks, lunch bags and organizers. In 2014, CGS (LEGO Bags) is honored to be the sole designer and distributor for LEGO bags in North America. Lexibook America Inc New York, New York lexibook.com Lexibook is the most innovative company in youth electronics – from learning tablets to action cameras and game consoles – and its wide product range brings new technologies to all kids. New range is exclusive to toy specialists. Lexibook has already sold over 25 million products, and today sells one every ﬁve seconds. (continued on page 44)

Paddy O’Shea’s Golf Card Game www.paddyosheagolf.com A new card game that we feel is more fun than Uno and more challenging than Hearts! It is a fun game that golfers, card players and people who play board games find entertaining and exciting. A family game for 2 to 6 players, ages 10 and up. It is easy to learn and unpredictable in its play. The game usually takes 40 to 50 minutes to play. Most players want to play more than one hand.

Suggested retail price is only $9.95. It makes a great gift! 42 January 2014 • astratoy.org

2014 ASTRA SHOW Booth 540

1-800-992-9002 www.DouglasToys.com

(continued from page 42)

New Manufacturer Members Maranda Enterprises Mequon, Wisconsin marandaenterprises.com We make original, high-quality, award-winning games. It’s our passion. It’s what we do. From the simple elegance of game play, to the way they make your brain work, to how the handcrafted pieces feel in your hand, every game is designed to be a fun and enjoyable experience. McNeill Designs for Brighter Minds Wilmington, Delaware mcneilldesigns.com The You’ve been Sentenced! word game uses pentagon-shaped cards with conjugations of funny words, famous names and familiar places. Hilarity ensues as each player uses a hand of 10 cards to build a grammatically correct sentence – and the explanations ensure laugh-out-loud fun! The game is the recipient of prestigious awards including PTPA, Dr. Toy Best Products, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and over 20 more.

44 January 2014 • astratoy.org

Nene Imagination Washington, D.C. neneimagination.com Nene Imagination is a mom-and-pop startup featuring innovative puzzles that let kids create their own designs. Each puzzle can form a multitude of kaleidoscopic patterns, using either animal or geometric shapes. Every piece always ﬁts somewhere, so kids can decide where and what pattern will emerge. Visit neneimagination.com. Paper Punk Mill Valley, California paperpunk.com Paper Punk is the “love child of Lego and Origami” – where ﬂat 2-D paper shapes transform into 3-D paper blocks and art forms with a simple fold. No scissors or glue needed. Paper Punk is a legacy learning toy and craft for the 21st century. (continued on page 46)

Flock to see the latest FAST-MOVING strategy game! New York Toy Fair Booth # 309

(continued from page 44)

New Manufacturer Members

Patch Products Beloit, Wisconsin patchproducts.com Patch Products is a family owned company, leading the toy industry in design, manufacturing and marketing of games, puzzles, toys, activities and teaching tools. Since 1985, Patch has developed high-quality, award-winning products that enrich lives by providing entertainment, encouraging interaction and promoting development. Patch believes bright futures begin with playful todays. Perseus Books Group Berkeley, California perseusbooksgroup.com The Perseus Books Group is an independent company committed to enabling independent book publishers to reach their potential, whether those publishers are Perseus-owned, joint ventures or owned by third parties. Perseus is the leading provider of sales, marketing, distribution and digital services, serving over 400 independent publishers.

46 January 2014 • astratoy.org

Ponytail Pals Milwaukee, Wisconsin ponytailpals.com Ponytail Pals is a new line of friendly accessories. The ﬁrst collection features ponytail holders that are loveable, cuddly stuffed animals; and the “Buddy Collection” features fun and playful accessories inspired by a kind and loveable dog. The brand celebrates the magic of childhood and offers distinctive and unique products. Smoobee No Cry Hairbrush Palm Beach, Florida smoobee.com Kids love to brush their hair with Smoobee the Magic No Cry Hairbrush. Smoobee is uniquely designed with a ﬁve-part system to effectively brush through hair without snagging or catching, and can be customized with gorgeous bedazzle gem stickers. Watch kids fall in love with Smoobee. No more tears and no more crying!

New Manufacturer Members

Strider Sports Rapid City, South Dakota striderbikes.com The STRIDER No-Pedal Balance Bike is designed to be super-light for ease of handling by young riders (18 months to 5 years old). The bike includes patented frame-integrated footrests for advanced riding development, and the handlebar and saddle heights are adjustable from 30 to 42 inches tall. No tools are required for easy assembly. Superfly Kids Livonia, Michigan superflykids.com Superfly Kids is an active imagination company that manufactures casual dress-up, toys and accessories. Our top-seller is our superhero line, encouraging kids to be real life superheroes with their own superpowers. Products are made in the USA and come with a lifetime warranty against defects.

Weefab Toys Los Gatos, California weefab.com Weefab Toys designs modern, active, responsibly sourced wood toys that adapt to children’s stage of development and play style. Weerol transforms into eight fun and stylish conﬁgurations. We are a parent-owned company, committed to raising the bar on quality, safety and versatility. Learn more at Weefab.com Wiebe, Carlson and Associates Fresno, California wiebe-carlson.com WCA Games That Teach publishes a variety of educational games and activities that help players learn and have fun while doing it. Our games motivate and engage players in math, language, science and more. Formats include bingo, dominos, cards, game boards and many other styles. For ages 4 to adult – parents and grandparents can play, too!

Tiggly New York, New York tiggly.com Tiggly Shapes is a set of four geometric shapes for preschoolers (18 months to 4 years), designed to interact with learning apps on iPads. By combining the educational beneﬁts of physical play with the learning potential, fun and consumer acceptance of iPads, Tiggly creates the ideal modern environment for early education.

ASTRA

Tot Talk Inc. San Mateo, California tottalk.com Vibrant colors, fun activities, cute images, interesting information and challenging topics all keep kids engaged. Tot Talk’s made-inthe-USA, thick, laminated activity placemats strive to have all of those components. They are washable marker friendly, and can be cleaned with dish soap. These double-sided educational mats are used at the table – or hung on walls – where kids are every day, learning and growing and having fun! Vicki Lewis Originals LLC Woodland, Washington ﬂipzles.com Flipzles are unique, double-sided puzzle play sets that encourage problem solving and creative play. Each interlocking wooden piece ﬂips to become stand-alone characters or objects that go with the puzzle’s theme. The puzzle frame serves as a backdrop for imaginative storytelling. Play, solve, imagine with Flipzles!

astratoy.org • January 2014

CONNECT CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO THE TOYS ON YOUR SHELVES According to the US Census, 1 in 20 school-aged children or 2.8 million kids are reported as having a disability. Children with disabilities are just like any other kids when it comes to learning through play. They just need a little help connecting.

ASTRAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Guide to Toys for Children with Special Needs is an electronic handbook for anyone who makes or sells toys. It clearly explains the characteristics of common disabilities and types of toys that work well for children who have those disabilities. Helps store staff understand common disabilities along with tips for communicating with parents who have children with special needs. Builds your knowledge of toy features and gives you guidance when making selections on what play products to carry in your store.

The National Lekotek Center works to serve children with special needs through three main arteries: direct family services, training and the toy industry.

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

Only

Supports you in working effectively with your customers and guiding them in their toy buying decisions.

2995 for members

12900 for

non-members

Visit www.astratoy.org or call 312-222-0984

New Members If any of the information below is incorrect, ASTRA truly apologizes. Please contact us immediately at info@astratoy.org.

MANUFACTURERS Apple Park Susannah Searson 232 E. Blithedale Ave. #208 Mill Valley, CA 94941 (415) 888-2421 racheldagdagan@applepark.com applepark.com Artgame Ltd. Sarah Wright 7370 Eastgate Rd., Suite 150 Henderson, NV 89011 (702) 558-3245 sarah@artgame.com Artterro Jessica Moran 100 S. Baldwin St. #200 Madison, WI 53703 (608) 213-0221 jessica@artterro.com artterro.com BanBao USA Dave Stackpole 25 Ida Red Sparta, MI 49345 (616) 828-2288 dave@banbaousa.com Battle Road Press Sarah Kurzon PO Box 454 Peterborough, NH 03458 (603) 924-7600 Fax: (603) 924-1606 puzzle@worldpath.net Bommerscheim Sisters Co. Paul Kluempers 18638 Robleda Ct. San Diego, CA 92128 (858) 900-5080 pkluempers@ bommerscheim.com bommerscheimbuddies.com

Carry Gear Solutions, LEGO Bags Jennifer Carroll 2125 Western Ave. Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 957-6806 jenniferc@carrygear.com legobags.com Clark Bricks Susan Clark 20416 Bowfonds St. Ashburn, VA 20147 (703) 673-6333 Fax: (703) 858-3876 susan@back-n-action.com clarkbricks.com Clued In Kids Helen Bertelli PO Box 1213 Wake Forest, NC 27588 (202) 465-1468 helen@cluedinkids.com cluedinkids.com Cobra RC Toys Steven Malkin 1590 Powell St. Vancouver, BC V5L 1H3 (604) 307-1754 Ext. 207 steven@relaxus.com cobratoys.com Creative Toy Company Cheryl Dougherty 4600 Crossroads Park Dr. Liverpool, NY 13088 (315) 451-4100 Fax: (315) 451-4135 customerservice@creativetoycompany.com creativetoycompany.com DigiPuppets LLC Brendan Green 2205 Spruce St., Apt 3F Philadelphia, PA 19103 (808) 214-8566 brendan@digipuppets.com digipuppets.com

EarZings Laura Pfaff 2943 N. Lake Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53211 (414) 704-9873 laura.pfaff@earzings.com earzings.com

Grimm’s GmbH Julia Chen 1563 Solano Ave., Suite 535 Berkeley, CA 94707 (408) 656-3733 sales@grimms-toys.com grimms.eu

Just Think Toys Doug Mackey PO Box 10730 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 (206) 842-3889 doug@just-think-toys.com just-think-toys.com

Fundamental Toys Michael Wiesel 5890 Monkland Ave. Montreal, QC H4A1G2 Canada (877) 617-1563 kissnaturals@gmail.com kissnaturals.com

Hawk’s Nest Publishing LLC Peg Connery-Boyd 85 A Wall St. Madison, CT 06443 (860) 536-5868 Fax: (860) 536-0032 peg@hawksnestpublishing.com hawksnestpublishing.com

Kahiniwalla Austin Miller 1511 19th St. NW Canton, OH 44709 (330) 612-2317 admin@kahiniwalla.com kahiniwalla.com

GeoCentral Joie Newberry 6049 Hi-Tek Ct. Mason, OH 45040 (513) 336-3114 Ext. 674 Fax: (513) 336-3119 jnewberry@geocentral.com geocentral.com

John N. Hanson Co. Inc. Lars Larsen 369 Adrian Rd. Millbrae, CA 94030 (800) 582-5858 Fax: (650) 697-1748 lars@johnhansenco.com johnhansenco.com

Lee Publications LLC Karen Nethery 1100 W. Broadway Louisville, KY 40203 (502) 587-6804 Fax: (502) 587-6822 karenn@leemagicpen.com leemagicpen.com

Guard your brand, Control your distribution

Protect your business! MAPP Trap monitors and “traps” minimum advertised price violations on Amazon, eBay and your choice of watchlisted domains. MerchantDNA® uncovers the eMerchants’ true identities and matches them to YOUR customer list. Top 10 MAPP Violators LetsPlayGames - 8%

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ToysToysToysToys- 12%

Home & Garden Shop - 8%

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BuyOnline.com - 20%

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For more information visit www.creditorsnetwork.com, email ron@creditorsnetwork.com or call 303-670-5111 astratoy.org • January 2014

Lexibook America Inc. Emmanuel Le Cottier c/o Pramex International, Groupe BPCE, 1251 1251 Avenue of The Americas, 3rd ďŹ&#x201A;oor New York, NY 10020 +331.73.23.23.49 emmanuellecottier @lexibook.com lexibook.com Maranda Enterprises LLC Mark Fuchs 6350 W. Donges Bay Mequon, WI 53092 (262) 236-3970 Fax: (262) 236-3980 mark@marandaenterprises.com marandaenterprises.com

McNeill Designs for Brighter Minds Susan McNeill 1729 Marsh Rd. Wilmington, DE 19810 (302) 478-2757 Fax: (302) 478-2973 smcneill@mcneilldesigns.com mcneilldesigns.com Mukikim LLC Zvika Givli 7025 W. Marcia Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53223 (414) 406-0816 Fax: (262) 236-9021 zvika.givli@mukikim.com mukikim.com Nene Imagination C.J. Krizan 611 Pennsylvania Ave. SE #345 Washington, DC 20003 (202) 617-5711 c.j.krizan@neneimagination.com neneimagination.com

Orbet LLC (V-CUBE) Oren Betesh 10075 Sandmeyer Ln. Philadelphia, PA 19116 (561) 666-7238 Fax: (267) 731-6041 sales@v-cubes.us v-cubes.com

Patch Products Jason Erickson 1400 E. Inman Pkwy. Beloit, WI 53511 (800) 524-4263 Ext. 276 (608) 362-8178 jasone@patchproducts.com patchproducts.com

Pajama Monsters William Champion 1126 North Liberty St. Jacksonville, FL 32206 (904) 881-6282 hankchampion1@gmail.com pajamamonsters.com

Perseus Books Group Justin Demeter 1700 Fourth St. Berkeley, CA 94710 (510) 809-3753 Fax: (510) 809-3733 justin.demeter@pgw.com perseusbooksgroup.com

Paper Punk Grace Hawthorne 21 Corte Madera Ave., Studio 1 Mill Valley, CA 94941 (415) 380-1940 Fax: (415) 380-1949 grace@paperpunk.com paperpunk.com

Ponytail Pals Lisa Moy 1028 East Juneau Ave., Suite 226 Milwaukee, WI 53202 (414) 272-3878 moyco@execpc.com ponytailpals.com

Raina to the Rescue! Marisa Banigan 259 River Rd. Lincoln, RI 02865 (401) 837-4849 marisa.banigan@gmail.com Shenanigeese Kate Pettit 301 Leedom St. Jenkintown, PA 19046 (267) 626-0030 katepettit1@gmail.com shenanigeese.com Smoobee No Cry Hairbrush Elizabeth Truong PO Box 30784 Palm Beach Garden, FL 33420 (561) 626-5775 Fax: (407) 674-3176 elizabeth@smoobee.com smoobee.com

(continued on page 52)

coming soon in gold msrp $129.99 50 January 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ astratoy.org

(continued from page 50)

Strider Sports Ted Huettl 1820 Samco Rd. Rapid City, SD 57702 (605) 342-0266 Fax: (605) 342-0619 ted@striderbikes.com striderbikes.com

Vicki Lewis Originals LLC Vicki Lewis 3500 NE Etna Rd. Woodland, WA (360) 225-4632 Fax: (425) 516-7416 vicki@ﬂipzles.com ﬂipzles.com

Sugar LuLu LLC Shari Kaufman PO Box 1313 Norwalk, CT 06854 (203) 856-4165 shari@sugarlulu.com sugarlulu.com

Weefab Toys Derek Perkins 23450 Upper Oak Flat Rd. Los Gatos, CA 95033 (408) 353-8484 derek@weefab.com weefab.com

Superﬂy Kids Justin Draplin 34029 Schoolcraft Rd. Livonia, MI 48150 (313) 454-1492 draplin@gmail.com superﬂykids.com

Wiebe, Carlson and Associates Mark Carlson 2612 N. Business Park Ave. Fresno, CA 93727 (559) 294-2228 Fax: (559) 294-1199 mjcarlson@wiebe-carlson.com wiebe-carlson.com

The Davis Noodle Mercedes Bartow 330 E. Coffee St. Greenville, SC 29601 (864) 527-5907 mpbartow@gmail.com davisnoodle.com Tiggly Bart Clareman 222 Broadway, 19th Floor New York, NY 10038 (917) 499-3464 bart@tiggly.com tiggly.com Tot Talk Inc. Sara Danzelaud 1748 Monticello Rd. San Mateo, CA 94402 (650) 814-9213 Fax: (800) 380-3913 sara@tottalk.com tottalk.com

52 January 2014 • astratoy.org

YoYoFactory Hans VanDanElzen 155 E. Chilton Dr. Chandler, AZ 85225 (480) 753-3444 Fax: (480) 753-3331 accounting@yoyofactory.com yoyofactory.com

SALES REPS Brandon Sullivan Athletic Enterprises 23 W. Potomac Dr. Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087 (609) 857-5057 Fax: (609) 857-5106 athletic.enterprises@yahoo.com Stephanie Gonzalez DHX Media 15000 Ventura Blvd., 3rd Floor Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (818) 290-7080 stephanie.gonzalez@dhxmedia. com Ray Smalley Smalley Agencies Ltd. PO Box 3100 Stn. Main Beaumont, AB T4X 1K8 Canada (780) 929-2965 Fax: (780) 401-3203 smalleyagencies.ca

RETAILERS Applause! Toy Store Jenny Thomas 68 Manitoba St. Bracebridge, ON P1L 2B4 Canada (705) 646-2287 jenny@applausekids.com applausetoystore.com Bear N Friends Toy Shoppe Debbie and Richie Gray 2519 North Roan St. Johnson City, TN 37601 (705) 646-2287 bear.n.friends@gmail.com

Bellybum & The Sensory Kids Store Ellen Sternweiler 4347 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 (773) 868-0944 Fax: (773) 868-0945 ellen@bellybumboutique.com sensorykidstore.com BZM The Toy Shop Susan Elvington 2001 Hoffmeyer Rd., Suite B Florence, SC 29501 (843) 664-8383 Fax: (843) 664-3071 bzmthetoyshop@gmail.com Commissary Kids Inc., dba Olde Tyme Commissary Sandra Weber 4500 I. 55 N., Suite 122 Jackson, MS 39211 (601) 366-1849 sandrasctotc@aol.com DragonďŹ&#x201A;y Castle Nan Dowiak 1146 State Rte. 18 Aliquippa, PA 15001 (412) 478-7088 nandowiak@dragonďŹ&#x201A;ycastle.com Earth Child Joe Ching 200 South Main St., Suite 110 Sebastopol, CA 95472 (415) 419-4910 joe@earthchildstore.net earthchildonline.com Evan Wholesale Inc. Ed Evanoff 123 Pine St. Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 (920) 467-2275 Fax: (920) 467-2097 evans001@excel.net

Fat Brain Toys Matt Hansen 1405 N. 205th St. Elkhorn, NE 68022 (800) 590-5987 Fax: (402) 779-3253 matt@fatbraintoys.com fatbraintoys.com Good Things In Life Kailash Gupta 18 North Washington Ave. BergenďŹ eld, NJ 07621 (201) 803-3072 goodthingsinlife@verizon.net goodthingsinlife.us New York Toy & Hobby Patricia Kelly 22 Clifton Country Rd., Suite 50A Clifton Park, NY 12065 (518) 371-8820 newyorktoyandhobby@gmail. com newyorktoyandhobby.com POP TOY Co. Sarah Beyrent 2367 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Suite 806 Naples, FL 34109 (239) 260-7932 Fax: (239) 260-7932 poptoyco@gmail.com poptoyco.com

Toy Express Misty Johnson 215 Easton Town Center Columbus, OH 43219 (614) 813-4168 thebearfactoryllc@yahoo.com

We are a manufacturer not a jobber!

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Complete

ToyMomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attic Robin Shine 16718 Addison St. Encino, CA 91436 (818) 379-9888 robin@toymomsattic.com toymomsattic.com

BOARD GAME & CARD GAME Production

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Wisecan Inc. Zhiyong Zhou 220 Engineers Dr. Hicksville, NY 11801 (516) 622-1988 Fax: (516) 468-6039 wisecaninc@gmail.com

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Wonderland Books & Toys Erin Taylor 1625 N. Alpine Rd. Rockford, IL 61107 (815) 394-1633 Fax: (815) 394-1634 wonderlandbooks@sbcglobal.net

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dolls & Toys Sherry Grisham 611 Cruise St. Corinth, MS 38834 (662) 287-9181 todaysdolls@yahoo.com todaysdollsandtoys.com

ASTRA

astratoy.org â&#x20AC;˘ January 2014

News (continued from page 34)

A Sneak Peek at ASTRA’s

2014 Keynote Speakers Everyday Excellence: Creating a Customer-Focused Team, presented by Lisa Ford Front-line customer service is a tough job. Keeping your team inspired and motivated every day is always a challenge. But there are distinct things you can do to inspire exceptional service and create loyal customers. It begins with creating an environment that encourages a strong, involved team, and modeling the behavior you most want to see from your staff.

This opening session by Lisa Ford will set the tone for the event! Come away with fresh ideas about how to train your staff, and give them the practical and emotional tools they need to handle front-line intensity, while learning the real secret to managing this next generation of team leaders. A passionate speaker with over 20 years of experience presenting to businesses, Lisa Ford is best known for her work in the area of customer service. She is the author of the videotape series “How to Give Exceptional Customer Service” (the number-one selling business tape in the U.S. for over three years). She is also the author of Exceptional Customer Service – Going Beyond Good Service to Exceed the Customer’s Expectations.

The 5 Secrets of a Phenomenal Business, presented by Howard Partridge Do you remember why you went into business for yourself? Was it to make a lot of money, or was it to be your own boss, to chart your own course,

and to have a more flexible schedule? So why is it that you often feel so tied to your business, bogged down by what feels like a job, rather than an exercise in freedom? Get ready to be inspired to make a change! In this closing session, Howard Partridge will share: • the one and only reason your business exists, • the five secrets of a phenomenal business, • how to stop being tied to your business, • how to build systems in your business, • the number-one reason small businesses don’t grow and what to do about it. At age 23, Howard Partridge started his first business out of the trunk of his car and built it up to a multi-million dollar enterprise. Today, he is the president of Phenomenal Products Inc., which helps small business owners improve their businesses through information products, seminars and coaching. He is the exclusive small business coach for the Zig Ziglar Corporation, and the author of 7 Secrets of a Phenomenal L.I.F.E. (April 2012) and 5 Secrets of a Phenomenal Business (January 2014.) For more information visit astramarketplace.org

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