B2B Breakthrough Podcast Summary

Episode: The Marmals Method: How to Sell Toys, Test Ideas & Thrive on the Convention Circuit
Host: Sierra Christo
Guest: Jeff Lauber, Creator of Marmals
Release Date: August 5, 2025

Introduction to Jeff Lauber and Marmals

In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sierra Christo welcomes Jeff Lauber, the innovative mind behind Marmals—modular, magnetic art toys designed to inspire creativity in both children and adults.

Sierra Christo (00:40):
"Jeff Lauber is the creative force behind Marmals, an adorable modular toy function fostering imaginative play."

Origin and Development of Marmals

Jeff shares the heartfelt origin story of Marmals, highlighting how his children's playful interactions inspired the creation of a versatile and imaginative toy.

Jeff Lauber (01:43):
"The origin story behind this is it was really designed as a toy for my children... I watch them play with magnetic blocks and coloring everything, coloring the walls, you know, Markers everywhere."

Drawing from his extensive background in industrial design, Jeff transitioned Marmals from a grassroots idea to a beloved product.

Jeff Lauber (02:46):
"Originally designed as a wooden toy, but through a series of missteps, ended up with a vinyl toy that I absolutely love and adore."

Design Philosophy and Modularity

The modularity of Marmals is central to its appeal, allowing users to customize and create unique configurations, fostering individual creativity.

Jeff Lauber (03:49):
"It's about creating your own ideas, creating your own vision of a thing. So with the modularity, you're able to construct it however you see fit and design it to make it your own."

Manufacturing and Supplier Relationships

Jeff emphasizes the importance of collaborative relationships with manufacturers, which have been pivotal in evolving Marmals from concept to production.

Jeff Lauber (04:41):
"I've looked at all these different reference points on Alibaba through the different manufacturers, and to explore all these different options."

He recounts how interactions with suppliers have sparked new ideas and innovations, enhancing the product line.

Jeff Lauber (05:36):
"Conversations with manufacturers lead to new ideas and facets of their manufacturing processes that I probably didn't realize."

Operations as a Solopreneur

Despite managing a growing business single-handedly, Jeff maintains hands-on control over production, working with multiple factories to ensure quality and consistency.

Jeff Lauber (07:30):
"I've got so many factories, probably two dozen, maybe more. I like to have eyes on the process."

Acknowledging the workload, he expresses his desire to expand his team to better handle business logistics.

Jeff Lauber (08:28):
"Still a solopreneur. Yes. That will be changing soon... any help that I can get on that aspect of things would really help push the brand further and faster."

Launching During COVID-19

Jeff launched Marmals officially in late 2020, amidst the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed significant challenges to production and marketing efforts.

Jeff Lauber (09:33):
"Officially, marmals have been on the market for about five years. I ordered all my parts like two weeks before COVID hit."

He navigated supply chain disruptions by pivoting to crowdfunding and wholesale channels to sustain the business.

Jeff Lauber (10:19):
"It was really tricky trying to promote a product that may or may not exist."

Growth and Milestones

Since the Will Meets Way campaign in 2023, Marmals has achieved significant milestones, including recognition from Alibaba and expanded market presence.

Jeff Lauber (11:22):
"Will Meets Way was that first sort of big swing that I took... it really opened my eyes to, like, oh, this is real now."

Trade Shows and Customer Feedback

Trade shows, particularly Comic Cons, have been instrumental for Marmals, providing direct customer interactions and invaluable feedback that drive product improvements.

Jeff Lauber (13:24):
"The trade shows, and especially comic cons, ground me as far as talking directly with the customer, getting immediate feedback."

A memorable feedback story involves a customer who used Marmals to keep her children engaged during a family trip, avoiding screen time.

Jeff Lauber (14:41):
"They made such an impression with her kids that her kids never touched an iPad or a screen the entire trip at Hawaii."

Product Line Expansion and Prototyping

Jeff discusses the expansion of the Marmals line with new characters and the ongoing process of prototyping to refine and introduce innovative products.

Jeff Lauber (15:58):
"Launching these characters next month... I have a huge list of pre-orders for the figures."

He actively uses trade shows to test prototypes, valuing real-time feedback to guide product development.

Jeff Lauber (16:45):
"Just seeing people react to prototypes... has market research worth its weight in gold."

Target Demographics

Marmals appeal to a broad audience, from children aged 4 to 14 who use them as construction and art toys, to adults over 24 who appreciate them as desktop fidget toys.

Jeff Lauber (19:01):
"I have kids aged probably 4 to about 14... but then there's a jump to about 24 and up that use this as a desktop fidget toy."

This dual appeal has unexpectedly expanded Marmals' market reach.

Supply Chain Challenges and Innovation

Facing tariffs and rising costs, Jeff turned challenges into opportunities by embracing innovation, such as incorporating domestic production and leveraging 3D printing technology.

Jeff Lauber (20:44):
"The tariff thing, it sucks... but I took that as an opportunity to really try to be innovative with the tools that I had accessible to me."

Balancing Business and Family

As a solopreneur, Jeff juggles business responsibilities with family involvement, drawing motivation from his children’s enthusiasm for Marmals.

Jeff Lauber (23:23):
"There's no balance. It's a lot of work... but when you have a happy customer, that's what matters."

Community and Future Plans

Engaging with the Marmals community at trade shows fosters a sense of camaraderie and drives continuous innovation. Jeff plans to attend numerous Comic Cons, including the upcoming San Diego Comic Con, to further expand his network and gather customer insights.

Jeff Lauber (25:37):
"Talking with the customers, getting that feedback, pushing out a new idea, seeing what happens. That's my life."

Online Presence and Engagement

Jeff encourages his community to share their creative uses of Marmals on social media, fostering a vibrant and interactive online presence that inspires new product ideas.

Jeff Lauber (29:13):
"Every customer that comes to my booth, I always encourage them... just tag Marmals on social media."

He actively integrates customer-generated content into his product development pipeline.

Jeff Lauber (29:52):
"I've gotten a lot of feedback on new characters to create that way."

Conclusion

Jeff Lauber’s journey with Marmals exemplifies resilience, creativity, and the power of community-driven innovation. Through hands-on manufacturing management, active customer engagement, and adapting to global challenges, Marmals has carved a unique niche in the toy industry. As Jeff looks to the future, his commitment to fostering imagination and maintaining strong relationships with both his family and the Marmals community remains evident.

Sierra Christo (30:05):
"We love hearing what an incredible community you've fostered, all of the imagination that you've brought into the product line, and really excited to see what's next."

Find Jeff Lauber and Marmals Online:
Website: Marmals.com
Social Media: @ovemarmals on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook

This summary encapsulates the insightful conversation between Sierra Christo and Jeff Lauber, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative strategies that drive Marmals' success in the competitive toy market.