586 – The Power of Play in Business with Cas Holman

586 – The Power of Play in Business with Cas Holman

Author: Henry Lopez October 27, 2025 Duration: 46:10

Toy designer and educator Cas Holman explores how embracing play can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and help small business owners reframe failure as part of growth.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/586-cas-holman-play-in-business/

Cas Holman, renowned toy designer, educator, and author of Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity, shares with host Henry Lopez how play isn't just for children. It's a powerful mindset for entrepreneurs.

From her early projects like Rigamajig and playful installations at New York's High Line to working with teams at Google, Nike, and the LEGO Foundation, Cas has made a career out of turning curiosity and experimentation into design breakthroughs.

Cas and Henry discuss how small business owners can benefit from a more playful approach to work, shifting from rigid outcomes to exploration and possibility. Cas explains her "three essentials for adults to relearn play": release judgment, embrace possibility, and reframe success.

Together they reveal how these principles foster innovation, collaboration, and agility - qualities essential for thriving in today's rapidly changing business environment.

"The most important thing any human can be right now is flexible," Cas shares. "A playful mindset makes us more creative, more agile, and more open to what's possible."

You will be inspired to integrate play into small business meetings, problem-solving, and daily business life. Transforming creativity from a childhood memory into a strategic advantage.

Cas Holman is an award-winning toy designer, educator, and author. Founder and Chief Designer of Heroes Will Rise and creator of the acclaimed Rigamajig building kits, her work focuses on the combination of creativity, design, and learning through play. Formerly a professor of Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design, Cas now consults with companies and teams around the world, including Google, Nike, and Disney Imagineering, on the power of play to inspire innovation.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com


Henry Lopez hosts The How of Business-How to start, run, grow and exit a small business. It’s a practical resource for anyone who wants to move beyond just the idea of entrepreneurship and into the actual work of building something. Each week, the focus is on the tangible steps and decisions involved in a business’s entire lifecycle, from that initial launch through to managing daily operations, scaling up, and even planning a future exit. You’ll hear straightforward conversations that dig into specific topics, breaking down complex challenges into manageable advice. Often, Henry sits down with a small business owner who shares their real-world experiences-the successes and the setbacks-offering a genuine look at what it takes. This podcast is built on the understanding that running a business is a series of learned skills, and it aims to provide those lessons without fluff. Whether you're sketching your first plan on a napkin or steering an established company toward growth, the discussions here are meant to be directly applicable to your own journey. Tune in for a regular dose of clarity and concrete strategies from someone who understands the day-to-day realities you face.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.
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