Hi Austin, thanks for taking time in a busy season and for being one of our Chicago Toy and Game Fair ehibitors next week! Can you share with our readers what do you do in our industry?

I deliver Smiles of Wonderment one person at a time.

What is it about the Toy and Game Industry that you love?

Please see above ;) Also the people we are fortunate to work with and associate ourselves with.

What is your claim to fame?

I lived in Brazil on the equator for two years and got to live among the people in that country.

What do you feel has been your greatest “win” so far in life?

Marrying my beautiful wife Jen who is expecting our first in February. We are still working on names!

What are you still hoping to accomplish?

We would love to get a ZipString in every home where there is a child, a ZipString in every desk of a teacher, and lastly we want to do a demonstration of a ZipString in outer space! The science community wants to see what would happen to our flying string in zero-gravity and in the vacuum of space.

What keeps you up at night?

The endless knockoffs.

Why and how did you get into the Toy and Game industry?

Completely by chance!

What are you working on now?

Only the Oompa Loompas know.

What has kept you motivated to stay in the toy industry?

The innovation we have coming! Working with great people and watching the smiles of wonderment through the faces of our raving fans.

If you look back at yourself 10 years ago is this where you thought you’d be?  Where did you think you’d be? What changed? What went right?

My dream was to be an entrepreneur but I had no idea it was going to be in the toy industry

If we were in a zombie apocalypse, where would you hide?

The original ZipString HQ – My parents basement! Lots of tools and gadgets where we can craft for fun and defense.

What was your favorite project to date?

Besides ZipString, restoring my grandfather’s 1968 F250 in high school Started when I was 14 years old and finished it when I was 16.

What trends do you see in toys or games that excite or worry you?

Toys that create relationships will always be important in fact, more important than ever.

What advice can you give to inventors who are presenting new toy or game ideas to you?

Go for it! Innovation is great but hard work is still essential.

What advice would you give a young adult graduating from high school or college today?

Learn how to use tools! The creativity will come after. Don’t be afraid to try new things and its okay to fail!

What advice do you have for people starting in the industry?

Have fun! It’s the toy industry. Don’t get to serious!

Do you have a typical workday and how does it play out for you?

Gospel study, workout, and jump in!

What’s your workspace setup like?

I have a standing desk but I do share my space with my business partner who is a mad scientist. You can fill in the gaps! I would not have it anyway.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Seeing the Smile of Wonderment!

What is the most trouble you’ve ever been in?

At the tail end of covid making the first 4000 ZipStrings by hand in my parents basement.

What’s a problem you’re still trying to solve?

Too many to count!

What and/or who inspires you?

My father! He always puts others first.

What excites you?

Woodworking! Projects!

How do you define creativity?

Elegant innovation honed for a purpose.

How do you define innovation?

Elegant creativity honed for a purpose.

Where do you come up with your best ideas?

Surrounded by the team!

What blocks your creativity?

Exhaustion and Stress.

How do you recharge or take a break?

Spending time with my wife!

What words describe how you think or how your brain works?

Constantly solving problems. It’s a bad habit sometimes!

Were you obsessed with any toys, games or objects as a kid?

I built my own CNC router in high school!

Who is your all-time favorite Disney character?

Dash from the Incredibles.

Would you rather have one $100 toy or 100 $1 toys?

How about 1 $100 dollar toys?

What was your life like growing up?

Surrounded by every tool you could think of. We always fixed everything ourselves.

What do you read every day, and why?

I am a gospel sort of person. The bible and the Book of Mormon.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

If you are reading this its, you! We live in the south. All are welcome!

What is your favorite gadget, app or software for work?

Fusion 360

Do you have any kiddos?

Baby girl on the way!!

What’s in your fridge?

Cookie Dough!

What’s your favorite cereal?

Fruity Pebbles!

Tell us about your hobbies?

I love woodworking! Especially when I get to use my CNC router table. I also love to play the piano, and restore classic cars.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A Dad

Thank you for taking time to answer our questions thoughtfully and with a sense of play!