{"id":12489,"date":"2025-05-12T08:17:36","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T13:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staginggembah.wpengine.com\/?post_type=case-studies&#038;p=12489"},"modified":"2025-05-14T07:52:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T12:52:09","slug":"bones-and-friends","status":"publish","type":"case-studies","link":"https:\/\/gembah.com\/case-studies\/bones-and-friends\/","title":{"rendered":"Bones &amp; Friends"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em><em>How a loving dad, clever storytelling, and a powerful team brought a glowing skeleton to life.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Marc Fetscherin set out to create <em>Bones is Back<\/em>, he didn\u2019t just want to make a Halloween-themed toy\u2014he wanted to create a joyful, inclusive, and safe tradition that could live on in families\u2019 homes for years to come. What started as a family tradition with his two daughters, evolved into a mission: to create a high-quality product from scratch, one that blends playfulness, encourages positive behavior, and sparks a sense of wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And he knew he couldn\u2019t do it alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/girlsandme-998x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/girlsandme-998x1024.webp 998w, https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/girlsandme-292x300.webp 292w, https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/girlsandme-768x788.webp 768w, https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/girlsandme-1497x1536.webp 1497w, https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/girlsandme-1996x2048.webp 1996w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Marc\u2019s background in entrepreneurship and marketing allowed him to recognize a clear market opportunity: the absence of a Halloween-themed character that checked all the right boxes. He envisioned a product that was:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A storybook and toy set not tied to any specific religion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A first-of-its-kind: a cute, glow-in-the-dark skeleton toy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inclusive and child-friendly\u2014kids can touch, play, and interact freely<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stress-free for parents\u2014no nightly repositioning like <em>Elf on the Shelf&nbsp;<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And most importantly, designed with safety and quality at its core<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>He also wanted the story and character to reinforce positive values\u2014not just for kids, but for their parents too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe product is part of me,\u201d Marc told us. \u201cIt\u2019s an extension of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/box1.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12497\" style=\"width:820px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>An Exciting Start<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After conducting four market research studies in the United States, the results were clear and consistent: people loved the concept of a book and toy set. They found Bones irresistibly cute, were highly engaged with the story, and expressed strong purchase interest. Sharing early images of the Book &amp; Toy Set sparked rapid growth on Instagram\u2014averaging over 100 new followers per day. As of now, the account has already surpassed 6,000 followers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He had initial proof of demand. Now he needed to figure out how to make Bones real.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Finding a Partner<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Marc partnered with Gembah to bring the character <em>Bones <\/em>to life. The team helped turn sketches and ideas into a tangible product by guiding the design, sourcing, compliance, sampling, and manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI couldn\u2019t have done it without Gembah,\u201d Marc said. \u201cBringing a product to life is a massive undertaking. Having experts like Lance for CAD design, David for packaging, Larry for compliance, and Will and Nick guiding the overall process\u2014plus the support of the sourcing team consisting of Chris and Lennon\u2014gave me the confidence I needed every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That confidence was critical\u2014Marc had seen from other companies what can go wrong with a product launch. Safety, timing, and reliability are non-negotiable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey didn\u2019t just deliver a product\u2014they brought Bones to life in a way that exceeded my expectations,\u201d Marc shared. The partnership gave him the confidence to navigate a complex supply chain and launch on a tight timeline, all while staying true to his mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/box2.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12498\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What\u2019s Next?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/bonesisback\/bones-is-back-a-family-halloween-tradition-book-and-toy-set?ref=eums1c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marc recently launched on Kickstarter<\/a> for pre-sales and quickly began building a community of early fans. With Halloween just around the corner, Marc is focused on ramping up production and preparing for a delivery date in the Halloween season.<br><br>Marc launched <em>Bones is Back<\/em> on Kickstarter for four reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Market validation<\/strong> \u2013 to test if people actually wanted it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social proof<\/strong> \u2013 being funded builds credibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Momentum &amp; visibility<\/strong> \u2013 a successful campaign can create buzz and PR.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Early sales<\/strong> \u2013 directly supporting the first production run.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>He\u2019s quick to add, though, that running a Kickstarter campaign is <em>a lot<\/em> of work. Also there, you need professional help, smart strategy, and to watch out for scammers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEverybody promises you a lot on Fiverr\u2014be careful who you trust.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Advice for Entrepreneurs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marc\u2019s guidance for fellow founders is clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prepare financially. Product development is expensive, and always costs more than you expect..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be a <strong>generalist<\/strong> and a <strong>specialist <\/strong>at the same time. Understand the full stack\u2014from accounting and legal to logistics and product development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Partner with <strong>experts<\/strong>. \u201cYou need a team. You can\u2019t do this alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"724\" src=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bonessitting-Photoroom-1024x724.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bonessitting-Photoroom-1024x724.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bonessitting-Photoroom-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bonessitting-Photoroom-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bonessitting-Photoroom.avif 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Product: A Skeleton with Soul<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bones isn\u2019t just a toy\u2014he\u2019s a fully developed character with a rich backstory (he used to be an elf!), a glow-in-the-dark body, and heartfelt details inspired by Marc\u2019s daughters, like the two hidden hearts\u2014one in his chest and one in his nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The accompanying storybook, already the winner of five book awards, encourages kids and parents alike to engage in positive behavior. Unlike other holiday characters meant to be watched from a distance, Bones is designed to be played with, hugged, and brought into everyday fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thoughtfully crafted to fit most <em>Elf on the Shelf<\/em> costumes, Bones stands exactly 10.31 inches tall\u2014a playful nod to Halloween\u2019s date, October 31st. It\u2019s just one of many small touches that make Bones more than a toy\u2014he\u2019s a tradition in the making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Final Word<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Marc poured his heart into every inch of this product. And while the road from concept to launch was anything but easy, it was worth it, and we can\u2019t wait his vision to become reality, that Bones is part of every family\u2019s Halloween.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI wanted to create something joyful, inclusive, and meaningful\u2014a tradition families could truly connect with. And now, this has become reality.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to learn more about <em>Bones is Back<\/em> or see the Kickstarter campaign? Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/bonesisback.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bonesisback.com<\/a> or check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/bonesisback\/bones-is-back-a-family-halloween-tradition-book-and-toy-set\/description\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/bonesisback\/bones-is-back-a-family-halloween-tradition-book-and-toy-set?ref=eums1c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">kickstarter campaign here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a \nhref=\"\/expert-help\/\"\nstyle=\"\nbackground-color: #FEC72F;\ncolor: #42445C;\npadding: 11px 17px;\ndisplay: block;\nwidth: fit-content;\ntext-decoration: none;\nfont-weight: 600;\nfont-size: var(--font-size-75);\nline-height: var(--line-height-75);\nborder-radius: 8px;\n\">\nStart Your Journey Today\n<\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How a loving dad, clever storytelling, and a powerful team brought a glowing skeleton to life. When Marc Fetscherin set out to create Bones is Back, he didn\u2019t just want to make a Halloween-themed toy\u2014he wanted to create a joyful, inclusive, and safe tradition that could live on in families\u2019 homes for years to come. &#8230; <a title=\"Bones &amp; Friends\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/case-studies\/bones-and-friends\/\" aria-label=\"More on Bones &amp; Friends\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":12496,"template":"","topics":[15],"class_list":["post-12489","case-studies","type-case-studies","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","topics-product-development"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.1 (Yoast SEO v23.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Case Study | Bones &amp; Friends<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How Bones &amp; Friends brought a Halloween toy to life with Gembah\u2014from concept to glow-in-the dark cute skeleton.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/case-studies\/bones-and-friends\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bones &amp; Friends\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Looking to research, design, or manufacture your next product? 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