8 Toy Maker Success Stories [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: November 19th, 2023

Become A Toy Maker

The toys market is growing at a CAGR of 2.5% and will reach a market size of $103 Billion in the next few years. Toys play a critical role in a child’s growth and development. They help in brain development, enabling the kids to acquire logical and reasoning skills.

Besides, toys help kids develop spatial reasoning and social and communication skills. Therefore, starting a toy-making business today could be the best decision you are about to make.

To start your toy-making business, identify a potential niche, and focus on delivering suitable toys.

Here are some real life success stories of starting a toy maker:

1. Toybox ($2.4M/year)

Ben Baltes, the co-founder and CEO of Toybox, came up with the idea for their 3D printer and creativity platform when he and his friends realized the potential of bringing 3D printing capabilities into kids' homes. They saw that kids could not only print their favorite toys but also have the ability to modify or design their own custom toys. Despite facing setbacks and challenges, Toybox has grown from selling only 2 units in its first 2 months to generating millions of dollars in revenue annually.

How much they make: $2.4M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 3

On Creating A 3D Printer And Creativity Platform For Kids

Toybox Labs co-founder and CEO Ben Baltes shares his journey of creating a 3D printer and creativity platform for kids, including brutal setbacks and incredible successes, resulting in millions of dollars of revenue a year, and offers a discount for those interested in purchasing.

About

Ben started Toybox over 6 years ago

Revenue

Ben grew the business to $200K/month

Costs

It cost Ben $10000 to start the business

Read this case study

Read by 9,269 founders

2. ZZZ Bears ($120K/year)

Justin Baum, a Creative Director in the advertising industry, came up with the idea for ZZZ Bears while filming a commercial at a Marine base and buying his daughter a teddy bear. Realizing that the bear helped alleviate her fears and knowing the sacrifices of military families, he decided to create a line of teddy bears dressed in military uniforms that would protect kids as they sleep. After facing initial challenges with manufacturing and marketing, the business gained success through Facebook ads and partnerships with military exchanges and major retailers like Target.

How much they make: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 0

How I Built A Teddy Bear Business Helping Military Kids Sleep At Night

This case study is about how the founder of ZZZ Bears created and grew a line of military teddy bears named SGT SLEEPTIGHT, primarily selling to military families and gaining success through Facebook ads and partnerships with military exchanges, Target, and TAPS, while also learning important lessons such as the power of mentors and seeking help.

About

Justin started ZZZ Bears almost 9 years ago

Revenue

Justin grew the business to $10K/month

Costs

It cost Justin $5000 to start the business

Read this case study

Read by 9,855 founders

So... can you actually make money with a toy maker?

Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.

But how?

Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
Take action, because now you have the roadmap.

Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:

Start Now

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Becoming A Toy Maker: Everything You Need To Know

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5. KiwiCo

KiwiCo delivers STEM, STEAM, science and art kits that provide serious fun and hands-on learning. Find kits for kids of all ages today!

Where they're located: San Jose, California, USA
Website traffic: 2.33M/month

So... can you actually make money with a toy maker?

Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.

But how?

Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
Take action, because now you have the roadmap.

Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:

Start Now

7. Make Community

Make: celebrates your right to tweak, hack, and bend any technology to your will.

Where they're located: Denver, Colorado, USA
Website traffic: 620K/month

8. Buy Closeout Toys Online

Empire Discount is a wholesale supplier of NEW toy closeouts, value priced toys and school supplies from leading manufacturers such as Mattel, Fisher Price, Hasbro, Playskool, Bandai, and more.

Where they're located: Ghanzi District, Botswana