S6 EP01 – Erin and Aaron (Muderick): Crazy Putty, Crazy Stories
Discover how to invent a best-selling toy in this interview with the CEO of Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty! In this episode, we discuss how Crazy Putty started, give business advice and explain several business terms, get interrupted by a honking car, and share several words of wisdom. Learn how he started his company and how his business evolved over the years! Crazy Aaron’s started as a business-to-business company before shifting its focus to making toys. Looking to start a toy business of your own? Look no further! This is the episode for you.
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Timestamps
[0:00] Introduction
[1:01] Interview Begins
[1:31] 6 Rapid Fire Questions – Top Selling Piece
[2:15] Favorite Thing to Do
[2:47] Least favorite Thing to Do
[3:28] Weirdest Experience
[4:32] What Would Aaron Tell His Younger Self If He Were Just Starting Today?
[5:49] Why can some artists earn more than other artists can?
[7:04] Ad break 1
[7:50] A for Art – How did Aaron decide to make putty?
[9:03] Creating the Formula
[9:55] Aaron’s First Putty
[11:32] How Art Influences Other Art
[12:53] How Does Aaron Keep himself Motivated?
[15:07] How Does Aaron Create an Open Environment?
[17:26] P for Product – Aaron’s Target Market
[19:31] Transitioning Target Markets
[24:04] Aaron’s New York Gift Show Presentation
[24:56] Ad Break 2
[26:27] P for Presentation – Aaron’s Metal Tin
[28:25] Aaron’s Logo
[29:50] Why does Aaron use Yellow?
[30:50] Educate – How does Aaron educate his audience?
[33:27] Amplify – How Does Aaron Grow His Market?
[35:03] Hiring Help and Saving Time
[36:58] Licensing and Contracts – What Does Aaron Look For in Contracts? Important Contractual Terms
[38:00] Agents, Sales Reps, and Handshake Deals
[39:23] Roles in the Toy Industry
[43:02] The Importance of Connections
[44:33] Aaron’s Licensing
[46:57] Aaron’s Conferences
[48:34] S for Success – How does Aaron Measure Success?
[50:22] Key Performance Indicator – Determining the Success of a Product
[51:26] Where to Buy Thinking Putty
[52:39] A Discount Code for You!
[53:09] Wrapping Up
About Aaron
Aaron Muderick is the inventor of thinking Putty and Executive Chairman of Crazy Aaron’s, a toy manufacturer based in Philadelphia, PA. The firm sells Thinking Putty, a toy and stress reliever, in over fifty countries
around the world. With magnetic, UV light-reactive, heat-sensitive, crystal-clear, glow-in-the-dark, and color-shifting varieties, Aaron has brought bouncing putty into the 21st century.
Crazy Aaron’s manufactures Thinking Putty from start to finish in the USA. The company has also developed unique production methods to employ hundreds of individuals with special needs. Aaron leads R&D
of new products and develops new methods of manufacturing. He has been featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Magazine, The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, The Chicago Tribune and various other media outlets.
In addition to leading Crazy Aaron’s, Aaron was elected to the Toy Association Board in 2019 and currently serves as chair of the organization. In December 2021, he retired from his role as President of his local town council where he had served for twelve years. Aaron has developed skills in bringing government and business together while recognizing competing priorities and timelines. In 2021, he testified before the Committee on the Judiciary of the US Senate to push for new legislation ensuring toy safety in online marketplaces.
As an active volunteer firefighter, Aaron has served on the board of his town’s local fire company and as Pyrotechnics Crew Chief for the annual fireworks show. Aaron is also the Treasurer of GEEO, a nonprofit organization that enables teachers to travel abroad and share their experiences with their students upon returning to the classroom. The organization’s goal is to promote a more outward-looking worldview in American students. Over 700 teachers travel the world with GEEO during their summer breaks.
Aaron holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Rochester. Prior to founding Crazy Aaron’s, he implemented internet software solutions for Fortune 500 clients including Apple, Sun Microsystems, Microsoft, AIG, Deloitte Consulting, Cigna, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, US Steel, Nabisco, Rodale Press, and KPMG.
Aaron’s hobbies include photography, restoring old cameras, collecting playing cards and photographs he finds on the street, caving, hiking, astronomy, garage sales, and dreaming of a trip to Mars. He currently resides just outside Philadelphia with his teenage children.
Aaron never sleeps. Instead, at night, he studies Wikipedia and toy safety regulations.
Visit Crazy Aaron’s to purchase his Thinking Putty!
https://crazyaarons.com/
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