By Arial Struthers
Before he helped build billion-dollar brands, Jeremy Padawer (MBA’01) was a kid who loved to collect. “I always liked stuff,” Padawer said. “I always felt a real desire to turn one dollar into two. That was always exciting for me, even as a little kid.”
That passion didn’t fade. It grew into a career shaped by curiosity, creativity, and persistence. Today, Padawer—a self-proclaimed “wildling” entrepreneur—is a partner at Jazwares, the global toy company behind popular brands like Squishmallows.
But Padawer’s story isn’t just about market share and toy shelves. It’s about hard work, adaptability, and staying true to what drives you. For Padawer, success has never meant following the conventional path; it’s meant forging his own and helping others find theirs along the way.
From Passion Project to Career
Padawer poses with a wall of Squishmallows
Padawer’s fascination with toys and collectibles started as a personal passion. In the early days of the internet, he built websites that funneled traffic toward those interests. But what began as a digital hobby eventually revealed a deeper business instinct. “I realized I could do more than just collect,” he explained. “There was a gap in the market, and I could build something.”
That mindset led to co-founding Wicked Cool Toys in 2012. With a small team and no revenue, the company focused on overlooked brands like Cabbage Patch Kids, Teddy Ruxpin, and Pokémon. By 2019, it ranked among the top 20 toy companies in the world and was acquired by Alleghany Capital, later merging with Jazwares.
Padawer stayed on as a partner in the new venture and, shortly after, helped lead the acquisition of Squishmallows, which has since sold over 500 million units. In 2022, that journey took another leap: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway purchased the company, with Padawer now operating under the legendary investor himself.
Staying Grounded in Values
At the heart of Padawer’s approach to business is a commitment to people and principles.
“When I walk into a room, I want people to see someone who’s a very normal human being who didn’t do anything genius, but who connected with others, cared about people, acknowledged those around them, worked hard, failed, and kept going,” he said. “Persistence, timing, hard work, and building real connections matter so much more than genius. Because if you talk to anyone who’s been successful, and they’re being honest, they’ll tell you about all the times they failed along the way.”
That mindset has helped him build lasting partnerships, and it’s part of what draws him back to his alma mater. He credits his time at Vanderbilt Business with giving him the confidence to scale ideas and work alongside others.
“Business school taught me that you don’t have to do everything on your own,” he said. “You create more value when you collaborate and trust.”
Lessons in Resilience and Vanderbilt’s Convoy Conference
When Padawer returned to Vanderbilt’s campus this spring for the inaugural Convoy Conference, he wasn’t just revisiting his alma mater, he was closing the loop on a journey that began with childhood curiosity and evolved into entrepreneurial success, global brand leadership, and a commitment to investing in the next generation.
Jeremy Padawer
At the conference, Padawer spoke candidly about his missteps, including product failures and career setbacks. Throughout his journey through the toy industry, Padawer has come to learn that success is not about having all the answers or following a perfect plan. For him, it’s about showing up consistently, treating others with respect, and learning from experience. “Prepare yourself to get the 4.0 and fail,” he said. “Sometimes the greatest lessons that you learn are in failure.”
He also discussed the evolving nature of the toy industry, where adult collectors now drive significant demand. “Toys aren’t just for kids anymore,” he explained. “They’re for anyone who wants to show their fandom to wear their passion on their sleeve.” That ethos is reflected in recent partnerships with Netflix and recently launched projects under the Berkshire Hathaway umbrella, including a new Squishmallows product, SquishPillows, which was announced at the company’s annual shareholder meeting.
Paying It Forward at Vanderbilt Business
Even after becoming one of the most recognizable figures in the toy industry, Padawer remains closely tied to Vanderbilt Business. He credits Owen for teaching him to trust others and scale ideas through collaboration.
Through his establishment of the Jeremy Padawer Scholarship for Entrepreneurial Students and his service on the Owen Advisory Council (formerly Owen Alumni Board), he continues investing in the next generation of leaders.
“I want students to know that their uniqueness is their strength,” Padawer said.“Each one of you is remarkable. You have to walk your own path.”
Looking Ahead and Giving Back
Padawer’s keynote address at the 2025 Vanderbilt Business Commencement ceremony brought his journey full circle. For him, it was an opportunity not just to reflect, but to speak directly to those standing on the edge of their own big leap. “It’s not about being a genius—it’s about showing up again and again,” he said.
His daughter will start at Vanderbilt this fall, adding a new chapter to his story. “Vanderbilt is more than a school—it’s where I learned to dream bigger and trust others with those dreams.”
Padawer continues to embody the values that define Vanderbilt Business: curiosity, resilience, collaboration, and impact. For those who follow in his footsteps, he’s not just a successful alumnus; he’s a living example of what it means to lead with purpose.