Giuseppe and Angelica Mileto understand the power of having fun in snowy weather. The couple are the inventors and marketers of the “Mr. Snowman Maker” four-piece jumbo-sized molding set that makes it easier than ever to create a snowman. The patent-pending design features four semi-sphere molds and two halves that can be combined and stacked to create a classic snowman. The molds are easily laid into each other, making storage simple. The “Mr. Snowman Maker” kit also includes a few classic snowman accessories such as eyes, a carrot nose, smiling mouth, hat, arms, buttons and a scarf.
Meagan Meehan (MM) of Entertainment Vine: How did you think up the concept for the Snowman Maker?
Giuseppe Mileto (GM): My family and I love the outdoors. I always loved making snowmen with my kids in the winter, but being in Canada, the snow is often dry or very cold and it’s difficult to make a good-looking snowman with dry snow. Even if the snow is packing, it can be hard for kids to make a large snowball. So, I said to myself, “There has to be a better way”. So, I experimented with my wife’s salad bowl to see if the snow will hold together, and to my surprise it did. That’s when I made my first prototype unit with cement and resin. I left the hole in the bottom because I was too excited and wanted to try it out quick and I didn’t want to take the time to seal the bottom. While making the first snowman, which is in the video on our website, we realized that we can collect the snow from the bottom. This feature actually made the units and also the method patentable. We actually had a lot of fun making our first snowman.
MM: How did you bring this product to market?
Angelica Mileto (AM): We introduced Mr. Snowman maker at the 2017 New York Toy Fair, and it had a great positive impact. Many distributors and retailers want to carry it. We are currently in the process of starting production and make it available by winter 2017 season.
MM: What has public response been like so far?
AM: One hundred percent positive. People passing by our booth wanted to buy for their kids!
MM: What was it like to exhibit at the big Toy Fair in NYC?
AM: It was a unique experience. Mr. Snowman Maker made quite an impression with everybody. .
MM: Have you made any other toys? Do you plan to?
GM: This is the first toy I have been involved with, but I do have other ideas for card games, which I hope to work on as soon as Mr. Snowman Maker is in production.
MM: What has been the most rewarding part of working on this project?
GM: Making a snowman with Mr. Snowman Maker was such fun, it was a joy to see my kids’ faces when we made our first perfect looking snowman.
MM: What are your career aspirations over the next ten years?
GM: Ideas constantly pop into my head, I have many items which I would love to see come to fruition. I hope to continue to innovate and develop items which improve something or make things easier and/or develop items that brings out the kid in everyone.
MM: What advice would you give to someone who is aspiring to enter the toy or game design industry?
GM: Try to think like a kid, make it simple and fun. Most importantly trust yourself and take the risk, so this way you don’t ever have to say, “I should have done it.”
MM: Are you currently working on any projects that you would like to mention?
GM: Not at this moment, but in the near future definitely!
* * * * *
To learn more about Mr. Snowman Maker, visit its official website.
