Annette Bentley-Smith: How Her Storytime Plush Tales Are Creating Comfort Through Connection episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 3, 2025 · 39 MIN

Annette Bentley-Smith: How Her Storytime Plush Tales Are Creating Comfort Through Connection

from The Dollpreneur™ Podcast · host Georgette Taylor, Producer & Host of The Dollpreneur™ Podcast

www.thedollpreneurpodcast.com When her granddaughter wished she could hear bedtime stories every night, Annette Bentley-Smith turned that heartfelt moment into Storytime Plush Tales. On this episode, Annette shares how she created Kobe—a cuddly, tech-enabled companion that lets loved ones record stories, songs, and messages to comfort children from afar.From helping her mother during a cancer battle to connecting families facing deployment or illness, Kobe is more than a toy—it’s a bridge across distance and time. Throughout our conversation, Annette also opens up about her journey as a solopreneur, the challenges of bringing an innovative product to market - from manufacturing setbacks and funding constraints to the persistent belief in her vision. Her mother's wisdom "persistence beats resistance" carries her forward as she continues expanding the Kobe universe with new designs, features, and applications.Discover how one grandmother’s love sparked an invention bringing families closer—one story at a time.Send us Fan MailSupport the showThanks for joining us on The Dollpreneur™  Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the episode and feel inspired by our amazing guests and learn something new about the creative people within the doll community.  We would love for you to stay connected so please subscribe to us on Instagram, FB & our Youtube Channel all @thedollpreneurpodcast You can also subcribe to The Dollpreneur™  Podcast newsletter by visiting our website The Dollpreneur™ Podcast to subscribe. Until next time, have a Dollpreneur™ Fabulous Day!

www.thedollpreneurpodcast.com When her granddaughter wished she could hear bedtime stories every night, Annette Bentley-Smith turned that heartfelt moment into Storytime Plush Tales. On this episode, Annette shares how she created Kobe—a cuddly, tech-enabled companion that lets loved ones record stories, songs, and messages to comfort children from afar. From helping her mother during a cancer battle to connecting families facing deployment or illness, Kobe is more than a toy—it’s a bri...

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Annette Bentley-Smith: How Her Storytime Plush Tales Are Creating Comfort Through Connection

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This episode was published on April 3, 2025.

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www.thedollpreneurpodcast.com When her granddaughter wished she could hear bedtime stories every night, Annette Bentley-Smith turned that heartfelt moment into Storytime Plush Tales. On this episode, Annette shares how she created Kobe—a cuddly,...

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