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Michelle Smith is the owner of Piccolo Mondo Toys, an Oregon-based toy store, with three locations and a website. Michelle built her business from her unique passions of travel, cultural awareness, children in developing countries, play, and education. Piccolo Mondo is the Italian phrase for “Small World”, a perfect match for Michelle’s message of play and connection around the world for her store.
Michelle’s Three Tips and Lessons
- Pay really close attention to who you surround yourself with. Surround yourself with the people you want to be more like.
- Try new things, don’t be afraid to fail.
- Ask for help sometimes.
These three tips haven’t always come easily to Michelle, she admits it’s taken her until now to start to adapt these in her everyday practice. As she says in today’s episode, it’s progress, not perfection. She shares some great stories behind these lessons and how they’ve really impacted her business and life since following through.
As a business owner, you face many obstacles and new ideas. It’s hard to know what is right and when to try something. Michelle and I agree about gut feelings. She says she finds it important to listen to her inner voice, it usually proves to be the right choice and she’s thankful for it.

Goal Setting
Michelle’s best business advice is all about goal setting. She is a goal-driven person and executes goals in all aspects of her life. She emphasizes the importance of writing goals down. Michelle sets goals in her personal life and work and encourages her family to do the same. Oftentimes, we get so caught up in succeeding and doing so that we don’t stop to think about physical goals and how we can actually measure that success. This is such great advice all around!
What’s Next for Piccolo Mondo Toys?
As Piccolo Mondo Toys has expanded, Michelle wants to be true to herself and the message that brought her business to reality. She is striving to stay authentic in her branding and getting her message out to her perfect customers. You can find out more about Piccolo Mondo Toys on their website or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
What’s Inside:
- How a business can grow from your unique passions.
- Three tips and lessons from business owner, Michelle Smith.
- Michelle Smithโs best business advice.
- The importance of goal setting and writing down your goals.
- Are you communicating your desired brand and message for your business?

Mentioned in this Episode:
Piccolo Mondo Toys
Piccolo Mondo Toys (@piccolomondotoys) on Instagram
Piccolo Mondo Toys on Facebook
WhizBang! Retail Training
Streamline Retail
The Good Toy Group
Crystal Media
Crystal on YouTube
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal on Facebook
Crystal on TikTok
CRYSTAL! ๐ So loved this one! Michelle is very special. It feels a little like a full circle moment for me. We met last year at ASTRA in Minneapolis. She saw my name tag and introduced herself because … wait for it … she listened/watched the episode I was on with you! We managed to hang out in a few additional educational sessions @ ASTRA and got to know each other a bit more — but all because of YOU and Crystal Uncorked! How cool is that???
I now have the honor of being a newbie in TGTG (The Good Toy Group) and am learning from the best of the best and Michelle is certainly one of them. Such a fun episode. Thx for bringing us together. ๐๐
TAMI!! I love this SOOO much. Michelle has mentioned she watched your episode but I had no idea you ladies didn’t know each other then. This is SO fun!! You both are awesome women and I’m so honored that you both were on Crystal Uncorked. And that you both work with us at Crystal Media. I’m one lucky lady!! Thank you for listening to this episode and for you consistent support, I appreciate you Tami!! โค๏ธ๐ Cheers!๐ท