908: Brad Pedersen – 10 Business Lessons Learned from Timeless Toys

What could be more fun than being in the toy business, right? But, as we'll discover in this episode, this line of work isn't all fun and games. Today I'm joined by Brad Pedersen, who shares his remarkable journey from an expected career path in chiropractic care to an unexpected adventure in the world of toy making. Brad's story is one of resilience and reinvention, as he navigates the challenges of scaling a business too quickly, emphasizing the significance of strategic planning and timing. Self-employed business owners will find valuable insights in Brad's reflections on his journey and the importance of play.

Brad Pedersen is a serial entrepreneur with a remarkable journey that spans decades. A husband to Kelly for 27 years and a proud father of two, his entrepreneurial spirit ignited during his teens when he launched his first business venture. Brad initially pursued a career in healthcare but was captivated by a story about a young entrepreneur who successfully built a toy business, inspiring him to venture into the toy industry. He bootstraped his first toy company from a basement condo, propelling it to become one of Canada's largest toy companies in the early 2000s, earning accolades like the CYBF growth award, consecutive rankings among the Profit 100 companies, and an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year nomination. Brad's career includes founding Tech 4 Kids, which grew profitably, merging with The Bridge Direct to create Basic Fun with consolidated revenues of $150M. In 2017, he co-founded Pela, a socially responsible company striving to create a waste-free future by designing products that reduce waste's impact. Pela has gained recognition as a certified B-corp with an impressive record, including Jay-Z as an investor, ranking in Deloitte's Fast 50 for cleantech businesses in Canada, and crowdfunded campaigns like Lomi, which raised over $9M and became the most successful cleantech crowdfunded campaign ever. Brad's entrepreneurial journey has been shaped by both triumphs and adversities, and he continues to seek personal mastery and growth, driven by his faith, commitment to values, and passion for fitness and adventure.

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Everything you need can all be found at jeffreyshaw.com.

Brad Pedersen, thank you so much for being here!

Remember, you might be in business FOR yourself but you are not in business BY yourself.

Be your best self. Be proud and keep changing the world.

Guest Contact –

• BradPedersen.com
• Startup Santa: A Toymaker's Tale of 10 Business Lessons Learned from Timeless Toys by Brad Pedersen
• Brad Pedersen on LinkedIn (@in/brad-pedersen-77075012)
• Brad Pedersen on Twitter/X (@brad_pedersen)

Contact Jeffrey –

• SelfEmployedNewsletter.com
• Website
• Books
• Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!

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