Mark Rappaport has fond childhood memories of his dad bringing him toy cars from his job at a toy company. This early exposure to the world of toys sparked Mark's passion for toy design, leading him to working at major toy companies for nearly two decades. But Mark found the corporate world challenging so he started his own toy business in 1996, Marky Sparky Toys. Now he works with his son Ethan, proving that creativity and fun run in the family.

Starting his own company gave him the freedom to create toys his way. Ethan describes Marky Sparky as a "soup to nuts" operation, where the team invents, manufactures, and sells all their products.

Scaling the business was their biggest challenge. Transitioning from a garage packed with merchandise to a warehouse full of products required significant investment and faith in the company. This expansion also brought logistical challenges, which FedEx® helped streamline.

Mark emphasizes that "trust and reliability" are crucial in choosing a shipping partner. The support from their FedEx representative has been invaluable in making daily operations smoother and faster. With FedEx, he knows his orders will be picked up on time. He also relies on FedEx Office® for printing needs, especially for trade shows where printed information is vital to sales.

Mark and Ethan offer wise advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. For them, the problems of selling on large ecommerce platforms outweighed the benefits. Research the pros and cons before jumping into that space. Make sure to manage your time wisely—it’s crucial to your long-term success. "If you don't do something today, it doesn't cost you a day. It costs you an entire week," Mark says. "What you do now in your business matters two months and two years down the line."

As one of the recipients of the 2024 FedEx Small Business Grants Program, Marky Sparky Toys plans to launch new products and expand marketing to boost direct-to-consumer sales through their website. They're already selling in toy stores across the country and are exploring new opportunities, like selling to schools and camps. Mark and Ethan pride themselves on staying true to their passions. Their genuine approach and commitment to fun, much like their popular Faux Bow® bow and arrow set, truly hit the mark. "We are incapable of making any product that we aren't interested in and don't want to play with," says Mark. "We can't do it. We've tried; it doesn't work."