In a world filled with fleeting distractions like TikTok videos, Instagram reels, and YouTube Shorts, kids have more options than ever for entertainment without meaningful connection with their families and friends.

For over two decades, I have dedicated my time in the Toy and Game industry with one enduring goal in mind: to create great products that entertain and bring families closer together.  And that’s what we do as toy makers, We make great products that resonate with kids and parents, allowing them to connect and communicate through play. And in those moments When we achieve that, when we see the joy children get interacting with the products we’ve made, it’s something truly magical.

So that’s been my mission, just like many of you, for the past 24 years at a few of the biggest toy brands in the world. I’ve worked as hard as I could to elevate the “big” ideas, and poured my soul into every detail to make it happen — from the vibrant hues on a box that promises adventure, to the intricate workings of a toy that sparks a child's wonder. From the board games that turn family game night into a cherished memory, to the microscopes that open up galaxies in a drop of water, I've sought to enhance the magic inherent in learning and play. Whether carving out new paths with RC cars or laying down tracks for the next wooden train adventure, my focus has always been to find new ways to make this product just a little better, and sometimes a whole lot better than what already existed.

 "I mean isn’t it amazing that this is the industry we all get to work in. We as “toy makers” have the power to create the FUNtastical, the Magical, the wonder and the awe, and that’s been the guiding compass of my career."

The collective endeavor to innovate—to craft products that entertain and also bring people together—has been the highlight of my time in this inudstry. The energy of working on a team united in this vision and purpose is unmatched, and it’s within these collaborations that I've been able to shift paradigms and redefine what it means to “play.”

When I embarked on the journey with Paper Bag Creative, a few years back, it was with the intent to deliver this same passion for creating great products to these small burgeoning companies. To share with them everything I know, in hopes that together we could create an impact in the Toy and game industry…

And then came the call from Bestway; when I spoke with Pat from Bestway he shared with me his vision for what could be, what should be, and it was inspiring. What Bestway was looking to achieve in the next few years, aligned so perfectly with what I had been working at for the past 24. And this opportunity presented a larger engine that could drive this spirit of innovation forward. Moving to Bestway wasn't just about scaling up; it was about working with a team that shared this vision to create groundbreaking innovative products in the outdoor recreation category that creates family connections and memorable moments.

Bestway's call to action was clear to me: drive disruptive innovation, and partner with inventors in crafting concepts previously unimagined, leading to products like the inflatable hot tub and kayak—now staples in their impressive lineup. Their goal has always been to deliver more than just fun; it's been about crafting enduring memories and connecting families, and now they have invited me to help them do just that.

This is a company that had the scale to change the outdoor recreational industry, and this is a company that shared my vision. They too wanted to create innovative, new products for the backyard, pool, lake and beach. They weren’t asking me to just make the next swim-ring, or come up with a cool design for a beach chair. They were asking for disruptive innovation; "they were asking me to partner with the inventor community to come up with the craziest of ideas. Product concepts that had never been thought of before; products that deliver the kinds of experiences that become the family stories of tomorrow."

Bestway brought to me a vision for creating high-quality, innovative inflatable recreational products that infuse joy, relaxation, and fun into the heart of every experience, bringing families together. They knew that by collaborating with the inventor community, we could create products that bring families together in delightful and unexpected ways.

The last time I received a call like this it was from Hasbro offering me the role of managing the Family Games team. And during my time there, we delivered multiple Pie Face games, so many monopolies such as Monopoly Gamer, Monopoly for Millennials, and Monopoly Cheaters, and a slew of other games that I am still proud of today.

So how do you turn down the call to have another go like that? How do you say “no” to the opportunity to make amazing products and bring disruptive innovation to an already incredible catalogue of products? Well, I didn’t and that’s why today I am working for Bestway, leading Inventor Relations, and working with the Inventor Community to bring FUNtastic new products to Bestway. In my opinion working with the Inventor community is the best job anyone can have in the Toy & Game Industry, and I’m doing it once again; once again I’m living the dream, collaborating with the most creative people you can meet, and working to create the future of fun. This is THE role, this is the job of working with incredible people and every day, we get to turn dreams into reality, where we get to discuss and create innovation, where every brainstorm is a step toward the extraordinary.

And that’s why now I am with Bestway. And why I would encourage you to join me on this journey. Together, let's create not just toys and games, but stories, moments, and memories. Let's not simply add to the marketplace; let's redefine it. Because when we unite under the banner of innovation and fun, we do more than create—we inspire, we connect; we play.