Check Out Bill Mangano’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Mangano.

Hi Bill, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Sure — I started out as a longtime art toy collector, who spent years sketching out characters and toy ideas just for fun. Things really shifted after I read We Are Indie Toys, which showed me that a lot of independent artists were creating their own art toys using resin and 3D printers. Around the same time, I discovered Demeng Toy — a platform that helps artists turn their designs into vinyl figures — and that’s where my first character, Bad Penguin, was produced in March 2024.

After that, with the guidance of some friends in Cleveland, I started experimenting with multicolor 3D printing at home using a Color Carbon printer and eventually met my main 3D rendering partner online. Together, we built a system: I send the concepts, visuals, and direction, and he helps bring each piece to life in 3d. That collaboration has helped me build out an entire design universe.

In the early stages of the project, my father passed away — and working on these toys became a form of therapeutic art. It gave me something meaningful to focus on outside of my day job and responsibilities. I’d always dreamed of working in art or entertainment professionally, and now that dream is becoming a reality, which is a beautiful thing. Every day I wake up feeling a lot of gratitude for how far this has come and the momentum we’ve built.

Now, just a year later, we’ve completed 30 original designs, built a following of over 34,000 fans, and are preparing to release two high-end vinyl figures, (‘KaleidoBat’ and ‘RoboSun’), this fall, under the brand MindSponge Toy. We’ve had art galleries reach out from different parts of the world, had major artists express interest in collaborations, and having had a major creative surge — I’ve now mapped out over 90 original designs I can’t wait to share. I genuinely think we’re building one of the most exciting new collectible art brands in the world right now.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Haha, I always say, “You gotta go through it to get to it!” When I started this journey, it was just a creative dream — an art project — and I had zero experience with 3D printing. Like anyone who’s used a 3D printer knows, it’s a steep learning curve. I had to figure out how the machine worked, how to prep the files properly, and troubleshoot constant setbacks. In fact, within two weeks of owning my first printer, I accidentally fried the circuit board and was out of commission for almost two weeks. It was incredibly discouraging.

Early on, I also approved a design that wasn’t fully developed, which led to multiple failed prints and a lot of trial and error. There were growing pains with my rendering partner too — miscommunications, alignment issues — all part of figuring out a new workflow. To top it off, I got scammed into paying for what I thought was targeted Instagram advertising, but it ended up flooding my account with bot followers. I had to manually delete nearly 800 of them last August.

But that’s when things started to turn. I began learning how to properly boost content, and my background in advertising kicked in. I built a low-cost but strategic promo plan, and that became a real turning point. We went from 1,300 followers in late September 2024 to 10,000 by the end of the year — and have added another 24,000 since then. We’re now gaining around 5,000 new followers a month, and the momentum just keeps building.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve always considered myself a well-rounded creative — I’m a musician and music producer, a digital artist, a designer, and a conceptual storyteller. I’m also into photography, abstract painting, video creation, and writing — whether it’s poetry or hip-hop lyrics. Over the past few years, though, my primary focus has been dreaming up original characters, designs, and storylines — concepts that aren’t just visually cool, but that resonate with all kinds of people. At the heart of it, I want to create work that brings different types of people together through art and imagination.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
They say no risk, no reward — and that’s true — but I’ve also approached this with a pretty conservative mindset. From the start, I had a clear vision for the brand, but I intentionally kept things in-house — literally working out of my home studio — and made sure the initial financial investment stayed manageable. I wanted real proof of concept first. Once the response became overwhelming and the demand was undeniable, that’s when I decided it was time to move forward with small-batch vinyl production to keep the momentum going.

Even then, I stayed cautious. While a few store owners and fellow artists encouraged me to produce 300 of each figure, I went with the minimum order possible — just 100 of each design. Scarcity plays a big role in this scene, and I’d rather sell out fast and scale responsibly than overextend too early. We’ll see how they move this fall and adjust from there.

For me, it’s all about taking smart, deliberate steps. But at the same time, if you have a dream, you believe in your work, and you’ve put in the time to understand the space you’re entering — then yes, you’ve got to go for it. No question!

Pricing:

• KaleidoBat Vinyl Designer Art Toy -$183
• RoboSun Vinyl Designer Art Toy -$188

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.MindSpongeToy.com
• Instagram: @mindspongetoy
• Youtube: @mindspongetoy