The Future is Faster Than You Think: Frank Kautzman Of Made Concepts On How Leaders Are Preparing…

Yitzi Weiner

13 hours ago

The Future is Faster Than You Think: Frank Kautzman Of Made Concepts On How Leaders Are Preparing for The Innovations, Disruptions, and Strategies That Will Define Tomorrow

An Interview With Cynthia Corsetti

Sustainable Practices and Materials: Sustainability is no longer optional — it’s essential. Today’s eco-conscious consumer expects brands to align with their values, and regulations are increasingly pushing companies toward greener practices. For a recent project, we eliminated plastic packaging in favor of sustainable alternatives, reducing environmental impact and reinforcing our commitment to responsible innovation.

The pace of change is accelerating, with innovations and disruptions reshaping industries faster than ever. Leaders must not only anticipate these changes but also develop strategies to thrive in this evolving landscape. How are forward-thinking leaders preparing for the technologies and challenges of tomorrow? What strategies are they putting in place today to ensure success in the future? As part of this series, we are interviewing Frank Kautzman.

Frank Kautzman is a seasoned leader and founder of Made Concepts, a creative consultancy dedicated to helping consumer brands create iconic product lines that resonate with audiences. Over his career, Frank has worked on 3,000+ licensed products, including some of the world’s most recognizable IPs like Pokémon, Star Wars, Spider-Man, and Disney, generating over $3 billion in revenue. He is also a mentor for MassChallenge and a member of Branch Venture Group, where he supports early-stage startups. With 20+ years of experience in product strategy, innovation, and brand development, Frank empowers aspiring innovators and transforms businesses by turning ideas into market-leading products.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

I’ve always been interested in making and building things — from playing with Legos as a kid to working in a robotics lab during college. Early in my career, I had an opportunity to work in the toy industry as a design engineer and I jumped on the opportunity.

Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of working on over 3000 licensed products, from Pokemon and Star Wars to Spider-Man and Disney, generating more than $3 billion in revenue.

Over time, I held various leadership roles, including one in Hong Kong, where I collaborated closely with manufacturers. In Hong Kong, I became more and more curious about startup life.

When it was time to return to the US, I decided to go on my own and start my own company: Made Concepts. I started Made Concepts to help entrepreneurs turn concepts into products and turn their ideas into reality.

My entrepreneurial journey has taken many twists and turns leading to today. And so has Made Concepts. We are now a full-service creative agency helping toy and game, entertainment, and consumer product brands turn ideas into profit through impactful product strategy, design, and innovation.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

The most exciting part of my career has been its creative evolution over the past couple of years. As a toy industry professional turned entrepreneur, my journey took a fresh turn when I reconnected with Steve Linker, a creative genius, fellow innovator, and long-time friend. Together, we relaunched Made Concepts, focusing on product strategy and design for the toy and entertainment industries. It has been incredible to see Made Concepts evolve from a product development-focused consultancy to a full-service creative agency, partnering with clients to tackle challenges across product strategy, design, and development.

What excites me even more is our purpose-driven mission to create products that address today’s social challenges in a fun way, starting with a product line to help kids manage anxiety. This venture represents the convergence of my passion for innovation and my desire to make a meaningful impact.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

Made Concepts stands out because of our deep and diverse experience working inside large organizations as well as navigating the unique challenges of small businesses. This dual perspective allows us to merge creativity with strategic insights, tailoring our approach to meet the specific needs of each client — whether it’s an early stage founder or a global giant.

For example, we recently partnered with a global toy company to rebrand the look of a well-known product line. Through a collaborative discovery process, we identified opportunities to refresh their brand while staying true to its roots. This project illustrates how we dive deep into our clients’ brands to empower them to innovate while still aligning with their core brand identity.

On the other hand, we’ve worked with smaller, early stage businesses where resources and time are often constrained. In these cases, we adapt by using nimble, efficient strategies such as prioritizing Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development, leveraging cost-effective prototyping methods like 3D printing, and focusing on targeted go-to-market plans that emphasize digital channels and direct-to-consumer engagement.

This balance of working with large and small organizations uniquely positions us to help our clients, no matter the size, uncover innovation, and identify ‘white space’ opportunities to bring fresh ideas to life.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Empathy: Listening to others’ perspectives helps build trust and leads to better outcomes. For example, when working with a client on a major product redesign, taking the time to truly understand their vision allowed us to deliver a solution that exceeded expectations.

Ownership: Taking full accountability for a project’s success or failure is critical. I’ve learned that even when challenges arise, leading with ownership ensures team alignment and builds credibility.

Empowerment: Encouraging team members to take ownership of their projects fosters innovation. At Made Concepts, we prioritize creating a collaborative environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas.

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. What emerging technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on your industry in the next five years, and how are you preparing for them?

The next five years will bring transformative technologies that will reshape industries, including ours. At Made Concepts, we see the following innovations as having the most significant impact on product design, consumer engagement, and sustainability.

Generative AI: AI-driven creativity and automation will revolutionize how products are designed, prototyped, and marketed. AI tools allow us to quickly brainstorm new ideas, push boundaries in some cases, and work through alternate concepts in an efficient way. To prepare, we’ve incorporated AI into our workflows, training our team on these tools and experimenting with how AI-generated content can complement traditional workflows and processes.
3D printing: This technology is democratizing production by making prototyping faster and reducing the cost of small-batch manufacturing. At Made Concepts, we are building partnerships with suppliers that specialize in advanced printing techniques. This allows us to test and refine products rapidly, ensuring they are market-ready.
Phygital and Augmented Reality (AR): Phygital products, or the blending of physical and digital experiences, are redefining how consumers interact with products. AR, in particular, opens doors to interactive storytelling and immersive play experiences. To prepare, we’re integrating AR capabilities into product concepts, such as creating digital extensions for physical toys that enhance engagement.
Sustainability Innovations: Advancements in materials and manufacturing are pushing the toy and consumer goods industries toward more eco-friendly and sustainable practices. At Made Concepts, we’re actively researching sustainable materials, such as biodegradable plastics and recyclable packaging, to incorporate into our product designs.
Data Driven Insights: Data is an invaluable tool for staying ahead in a competitive landscape. We identify white space opportunities and emerging needs by analyzing market behavior. Through data insights we uncovered the growing demand for products addressing mental wellness, inspiring the development of a new product line focused on anxiety management for kids.

At Made Concepts, we’re actively preparing for these changes by integrating emerging tools into our workflows, building strategic partnerships, and continually training our team to adapt to new technologies. This proactive approach ensures we stay ahead of the curve and deliver innovative, future-ready solutions for our clients.

How do you balance the need for rapid innovation with the risk of potential disruptions in your organization?

We follow the MVP model to test ideas early and often. This iterative approach ensures we’re learning and improving quickly while staying aligned with our core values. For example, during the development of Legends of OM ®, a collectible figure line designed to spread positivity and good vibes, we tested character concepts with target audiences before committing to full production, reducing risk and ensuring consumer resonance.

Can you share an example of a strategy you’ve implemented to future-proof your business against upcoming technological changes?

Our strategy is threefold:

1. Stay Informed: We regularly connect with industry networks, engage in startup ecosystems, and obsess over consumer trends to stay ahead of technology trends.

2. Test and Learn: We experiment with emerging tools, such as AI-driven applications, to assess their fit within our process.

3. Scale Strategically: Once we align new technologies with our business goals, we integrate them into our workflows.

What skills or mindsets do you believe are essential for leaders to thrive in an era of rapid technological advancement?

Curiosity — Staying curious about technological trends and their applications is key to staying competitive.

Adaptability — Leaders must act quickly to leverage new technologies for business growth. In other words it’s more than researching and learning about new technologies — one needs to also take action.

Focus and relevance — With so many tools available, it’s essential to prioritize technologies that align with your mission and values.

What are your “Five Things You Need to Prepare For The Disruptive Future”?

1. Generative AI Workflows: Generative AI is revolutionizing creativity and productivity across industries. From automating repetitive tasks to brainstorming new ideas, it enables teams to focus on higher-value strategic work. Recently we have been leveraging AI to help build out our digital marketing campaigns as well as create social media content and design advertisement visuals.

2. Diverse and Inclusive Teams: — Diverse teams with varied expertise and backgrounds drive innovation by offering fresh perspectives. At Made Concepts, we actively build teams and collaborate with partners who bring a wide range of experiences and diverse backgrounds to the table. Our team includes professionals with expertise in product design, marketing, manufacturing, and storytelling, ensuring we approach projects from multiple perspectives. Demographically, we prioritize diversity across age, gender, cultural backgrounds, and geographic regions. For instance, during the development of a collectible figure line we sought input from our team and external partners. Their insights helped us create designs that resonated with diverse audiences and ensured broader consumer appeal.

3. Sustainable Practices and Materials: Sustainability is no longer optional — it’s essential. Today’s eco-conscious consumer expects brands to align with their values, and regulations are increasingly pushing companies toward greener practices. For a recent project, we eliminated plastic packaging in favor of sustainable alternatives, reducing environmental impact and reinforcing our commitment to responsible innovation.

4. Consumer Connectivity in a Digital World: Consumers are more digitally connected than ever, and businesses must meet them where they are –through social media, immersive digital experiences, or direct-to-consumer channels. At Made Concepts, we’ve developed engaging online campaigns and interactive product showcases that help connect brands with their audiences. For example, our Legends of OM ® social media strategy has successfully built curiosity and driven engagement by bringing the brand’s characters to life online.

5. Data-Driven Decision-Making: Data provides insight to trend forecasting and tailor products to consumer preferences. For instance, while marketing a product targeted at a younger audience, customer surveys revealed a stronger interest from an older demographic. By pivoting our strategy to focus on this segment, we were able to reposition the product effectively and maximize its market potential.

How do you foster a culture within your team that is both adaptable and resilient in the face of fast-paced innovation?

We encourage failure as a learning opportunity, rewarding insights gained from experimentation. This supportive culture empowers our team to take bold risks, learn from setbacks, embrace challenges and innovate fearlessly.

How do you ensure that ethical considerations and social impact remain a priority as you navigate rapid advancements in technology?

Ethics and social impact are at the heart of what we do at Made Concepts. We ensure these values remain a priority by:

Infusing them into our brand ethos.
Regularly engaging with our customers and community to align on shared values.
Choosing partners who prioritize social impact and ethical practices.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

If I could start a movement, I would address today’s social and societal challenges through play. Play has the power to inspire creativity, build resilience, and foster connection. Our first initiative is focused on mental wellness, starting with products designed to help kids manage anxiety.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

www.madeconcepts.com

Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!

About the Interviewer: Cynthia Corsetti is an esteemed executive coach with over two decades in corporate leadership and 11 years in executive coaching. Author of the upcoming book, “Dark Drivers,” she guides high-performing professionals and Fortune 500 firms to recognize and manage underlying influences affecting their leadership. Beyond individual coaching, Cynthia offers a 6-month executive transition program and partners with organizations to nurture the next wave of leadership excellence.

The Future is Faster Than You Think: Frank Kautzman Of Made Concepts On How Leaders Are Preparing… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.