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Articles by Verna Meng
WIA Profile: Blanca Estrada-Gonzalez
Blanca Estrada-Gonzalez will be the first to tell you that she “drops panties for a living,” and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Though Magic Silk’s star saleswoman once aspired to become a medical doctor, the universe had other plans — and those plans involved jock straps, lacy undies and see-through bedroom wear for all. Estrada-Gonzalez splits her time between the two loves of her life: her family and her career.
N69 Founder Kamila Hrecka Brings Sex Ed, Products to the Polish Market
Come for the Catholic cathedrals, stay for the world-class pleasure expertise! While that may not be an official slogan, there is no denying that modern retail boutique N69 is adding a touch of intimate class to the Polish adult products market. N69 founder Kamila Hrecka is a professional sex educator specializing in comprehensive, accurate information on various aspects of human sexuality. She started the brick-and-mortar in Warsaw, Poland, with a specific mission.
Canadian Sexual Wellness Brands Nobü, BodiSpa Reveal Goals for Growth
Today’s most beloved pleasure products often blend the adult and mainstream worlds, marketing their sensual designs in boxes that won’t deter vanilla shoppers — or mainstream retail buyers. Canadian sister brands BodiSpa and Nobü aim to embody this vision, bringing adult fantasies to even the shyest of consumers. Both brands are produced by BodiSpa, which was conceived in 2013 by founder Alain Elmaleh and is currently headquartered in Saint Laurent, Quebec.
A Look at the Serious Business of Novelties in Retail
Adult retailers put a lot of thought into the products they carry. They want to offer customers high-quality sex toys with the latest technology and features, plus a robust selection of condoms and lubricants — all at competitive prices. In fact, adult retail has come such a long way since the days of “novelty” items that it’s easy to forget how lucrative a category “novelty” still is.
Retailer Online Engagement Strategies for Pride Month
Pride month is more than a celebration; it is a platform for advocacy, inclusivity and community empowerment. As we celebrate Pride month in June, therefore, it is essential for the pleasure industry to engage with the queer community by embracing thoughtful digital marketing initiatives that resonate with LGBTQ+ audiences. Let’s review some guidelines to help accomplish that.
A Deep Dive Into 'Shallowing' Sex Toys
The term “Shallowing” refers to engaging only in shallow penetration of the vagina, and/or stimulating the vaginal opening and the few centimeters inside of it, rather than deeper penetration and trying to stimulate the G-spot or A-spot. Since 90% of the vagina’s nerve endings are actually at the opening, this often-overlooked erogenous zone can provide more pleasure than most individuals and couples might think, fueling anticipation while allowing them to explore and discover new sensations.
Which Tech Should Retail Businesses Consider Outsourcing?
The more successful you are, the more you grow — and the more you grow, the more complex your operations and technology needs. Since technology is the backbone of almost any retail business nowadays, one of the biggest challenges adult retailers encounter is making sure they have the right technology stack and staff needed to support growth. In particular, one of the most important decisions any retailer can make is what to take on in-house, and what to farm out.
WIA Profile: Rebecca Buffham
Rebecca Buffham’s Women in Adult profile could not have arrived with more perfect timing. The U.K.-based sales executive is marking a full decade with pleasure brand JO. Ten years in the pleasure industry would be cause enough for celebration, but 10 years with the same company? That warrants congrats of grand proportions. In this month’s Women in Adult spotlight, we’re profiling Becky Buffham for all her accomplishments, from devoted mother and wife to world traveler to seasoned saleswoman.
Ball & Chain Founder Dawn Phillips Reflects on Company's Roots
The niche of bedroom and bachelorette games is a surprisingly popular yet often unexplored sector of the pleasure industry. Developing and manufacturing mischievous adult play products that don’t require batteries or a charging cable seems to require a certain special creative spark. Fortunately, that’s something sex game creator Dawn Phillips has consistently demonstrated over the more than two decades since she founded Ball & Chain LLC in 2003.
Amy Baldwin, April Lampert Bring Podcast to Print in Debut Sex-Ed Book
When a journey begins with squirting and anal licking, you know you’re in for quite the adventure.
How Retailers Can Challenge Stigmatizing Attitudes Toward Masturbation
Masturbation is a natural and healthy aspect of human sexuality, yet it is often surrounded by stigma and misinformation. Fortunately, adult retailers can play a crucial role in reshaping the narrative surrounding masturbation and creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for customers. In honor of Masturbation May, let’s explore some strategies for debunking myths about masturbation, breaking down taboos and fostering an environment that celebrates sexual pleasure in all its forms.
WIA Profile: Sarah Konkel
Each month, XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives. Lingerie marketing and sales requires a special touch. In the case of Florida-based lingerie brand Oh La La Cheri, that also means a woman’s touch — namely, that of Key Account Manager Sarah Konkel.
Shunga Founder Manon Vallee Reveals the History Behind Her Veteran Brand
Shunga Erotic Art is best known for its boutique vibe, its stunning Japanese art visuals and of course, its curated line of oils, lotions and potions meant to be touched, tasted and smelled. Shunga bath and body products have been a staple of the pleasure sector for 24 years, making French-Canadian founder Manon Vallee a long-celebrated figure in the industry.
Meet the Mother-Daughter Duo Behind Like A Kitten Pleasure Brand
In 2017, Natalie Annis was ready for a career pivot. She was working in the construction industry as the owner of a manufacturing and distribution company, but after 20 years in that business, she was ready for a change. Both she and her daughter Shae, who had recently graduated from college with a degree in fashion merchandising and design, were on the lookout for a new professional venture — something fresh and inspiring that they could feel passionate about.
What Pleasure Brands Can Learn From Lush's Boycott of Facebook, Instagram
Leading cosmetic company Lush has completely turned its back on the top social media platforms, stating simply, “Be Somewhere Else” on its otherwise empty profile pages.
How to Bring Philanthropy Into Your Retail Business Plan
As manufacturers and retailers, we have the power to bring people new products, to influence their buying choices, to save them money and to make them feel good about themselves. We actually have a lot of power! More and more companies are using some of that power to do a different kind of good in the world, by giving to meaningful organizations and causes.
How to Boost Online Retail Biz With Behavioral Analytics
In a world where instant gratification and quick results reign supreme, behavioral analytics — the quiet cousin of paid media, conversion rate optimization (CRO) and electronic customer relationship management (eCRM) — is often overlooked and underinvested in. It’s past time to make some noise about this powerful skill, what it has to offer and how it can complement other marketing activities with data-driven insights.
50-Year Dream: Pipedream Products Celebrates Five Decades of Evolution, Growth
This year, industry stalwart Pipedream Products celebrates its five-decade milestone — and what a long, amazing trip it’s been. Over the years, the company has endured an ever-changing economy, supply chain issues and various other challenges, tackling them all with creativity and determination while achieving seemingly limitless growth.
WIA Profile: Tracy Leone
Each month, XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives. Just under a decade ago, the adult industry — especially the DVD sector — was still blatantly a man’s world, but that didn’t stop Tracy Leone from daring to break ground with her own style of business savvy and candy-sweet approach to customer service.
Timeless Experience: Jessica Drake on Promoting Sex-Ed Through Pleasure
Jessica Drake wears many hats for Wicked Sensual Care. A well-known adult star for over two decades, she now serves up enthusiasm, knowledge and passion in product development and marketing for the lube brand. “It’s been a ride, that’s for sure,” she says. “I shot my first movie at the end of 1999. Coming from Texas, being raised Jehovah’s Witness, I never imagined I’d be such a sexual person, let alone that sex would become such an integral part of my career.
How Training Retail Staff Uplifts Newbies to Become Savvy Shoppers
The number of choices that shoppers have today is astounding. Not only is there a variety of product categories and styles to browse through, but more mainstream retailers seem to be expanding their online “pleasure” sections every quarter.
Dr. Picolya McCall-Robinson Aims to Improve Oral Sex With SugahLipz
Dr. Picolya McCall-Robinson first conceived her idea for an oral-sex enhancement product through her work as a licensed psychologist. She observed that many of her clients, individuals and couples alike, were struggling with questions, concerns and discomfort related to their sex lives — particularly oral sex. Regardless of gender, sexual orientation or relationship status, McCall-Robinson found, many of her clients shared similar worries about performing or receiving oral sex.
A Look at the Power of Exclusive Brands in Adult Retail
One of the biggest challenges facing both brick-and-mortar and ecommerce adult retailers is staying ahead of the competition — namely, megasites like Amazon and big-box stores that offer a vast array of products at substantially lower prices. To stay relevant, stand out, attract customers and compete with these mainstream retailers, many businesses are turning to industry-exclusive brands and products. What are industry-exclusive brands and products?
Tips, Strategies for Enhancing Retail Profitability
In the ever-evolving landscape of the pleasure industry, retailers play a crucial role in providing customers with a diverse range of high-quality and pleasurable experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or a budding entrepreneur, understanding the dynamics of profits and margins is essential for sustainable growth and success. In this column, we’ll delve into the intricacies of maximizing profits in the retail sector of the sex toy industry.
The Importance of Intuitive Thinking in Marketing Pleasure
We’re not selling refrigerators here. We sell orgasms, sex, intimacy — and when your product is pleasure, there’s only so much business metrics can tell you. That’s why it is crucial for our industry that the personal, subjective and sometimes hard-to-define relationships we have with our bodies should not be overlooked or devalued in the drive for metric-based marketing.
Why Aligning a Brand's Identity With Its Image Is a Must
For a brand to succeed, it is essential that its identity and image align. This article will cover what is meant by brand identity and brand image, the consequences of misalignment, how to realign and, finally, how to keep identity and image aligned. What is brand identity? Brand identity refers to the visual and nonvisual elements that differentiate your brand from its competitors, and that help shape how consumers perceive it.
The Evolution of Masturbators Continues With Diverse Offerings
The sex toy industry can move fast. Manufacturers are regularly cooking up brand new ideas as well as unveiling exciting new iterations of existing toys — sometimes multiple times a year. As designs get reworked, upgraded and expanded, even the freshest and most innovative features quickly become commonplace and expected by consumers. This fast-paced evolution can be fun and fascinating to witness, if sometimes a little dizzying.
Demand Grows for Pleasure Product Shades Beyond Pink and Purple
Anyone who has ever set foot in an adult retail establishment has most likely encountered aisles bursting with pink and purple items. For a long time, those two colors have been the default for sex toys, vibrators especially. But times have been changing! These days, consumers want more color choices — and retailers now have many more options to offer. Maybe your shoppers want less gendered colors when selecting a toy.
WIA Profile: Stephanie Keating
Each month, XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives. From We-Vibe to WOW Tech to Lovehoney Group, there have been plenty of big changes behind the scenes at the home of brands like Womanizer, Fifty Shades of Grey and pjur, but at least one thing has remained the same: Sales and Marketing Director Stephanie Keating.
Carly S. Serves Up NYC-Style Sex Education, Toy Expertise
New Yorkers have a reputation for not f-ing around, and pleasure advocate Carly S. brings that no-holds-barred NYC attitude to her unabashed brand of sex education. An adult industry freelancer-of-all-trades, Carly is brashly unafraid to throw the realities of sexuality straight into your face. She is the founding blogger of DildoOrDildont.com, where she reviews sex toys and muses on modern sexual health.
The Changing Landscape of Gender Affirmation Products
Over the past decade, the pleasure industry has changed in more ways than most of us could ever have imagined. The needle has shifted radically on what is “mainstream.” Part of that shift has been the industry coming together to help transgender and gender nonconforming people feel seen and heard. What started as a few items in small stores has now grown into its own category: gender affirmation products.
Why Consumers Are Buzzing Over Grinding Toys, Accessories
Many people started their sexual exploration by humping or grinding. It’s so natural for humans to hump and grind without even thinking about it, it’s almost second nature. Toddlers will dry-hump just about anything and anyone; it’s all completely normal and an important step in early development. Humans need to explore those experiences to help shape their understanding of their own bodies and sexuality. Dry humping is also important for teenagers’ sexual maturation.
Products for Improving Intimacy, Coping With Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is one of the most frustrating issues that people with penises experience in the bedroom. Although it is common, affecting roughly 30 million cisgender men in the U.S. alone, it is still stigmatized and considered taboo. Without information and support, experiencing ED can make a person feel like it means the end of sex as they know it. In adult retail and sex education spaces, however, we know that is not true.
Showing Pride Year-Round With LGBTQIA+ Products, Marketing
We are coming up on one of the most joyful times of the year in the adult retail industry: Pride! This is when brands bring out their most colorful products, brick-and-mortar stores get creative with their window displays and digital marketing reminds us all that love is love. Pride celebrations should be year-round, not reserved for just one month, but early summer is an especially important time to promote and support it.
Why the 'G-Spot' Is More Than a Spot
When it comes to sex, pleasure and anatomy, few things are as lauded, debated, fixated on or misunderstood as the so-called G-spot. Yet for all the attention paid to it, the G-spot is often still shrouded in mystery and misinformation. From its total misnomer of a name to media campaigns dedicated to debunking its existence, this pleasure point has had a lot working against it. That’s why today we are taking on G-spot myths and misunderstandings.
What Makes a Sex Toy Brand Truly Ethical?
In the early days of the pleasure industry, nobody was talking about body-safe silicone. There was a culture of shame surrounding sex toys, which for most people meant the less talk about them, the better. Today, however, along with our new sex-positive attitude comes a higher degree of consciousness about the materials that we use in our toys. We want all elements of our business to be both fun and ethical.
Marketing Tools, Strategies to Build a Strong Pleasure Business
We’re all familiar with the age-old question, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” When it comes to running a business, we might ask: “If a new product drops into the market and no one knows about it, does it make an impact?” Unfortunately, the answer is pretty self-evident. Every year the adult retail industry is flooded with new shops, products and businesses but many — even some very good ones — don’t last long. Why?
WIA Profile: Zoë Ligon
Each month, XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives. As a boutique owner, sex educator, sexuality influencer, author and sex toy co-designer, Zoë Ligon is as trendy and widespread as the air pulse clitoral stimulators she sells online.
Beloved Entrenue Frontman Joe Casella Announces Retirement
Somewhere in Arizona, there’s a newly retired guy buried in a pile of books, trying to hold an awkward yoga pose while contemplating which hiking trail to hit this weekend. To the surprise and sadness of many pleasure industry veterans, that guy is Joe Casella.
Why Retailers Should Be Stocking Up on Discreet Toys
Often when the topic of business startups comes up, the focus tends to lean toward tips and advices, even after they have already started up. This is doubly true with a sex toy startup. In recent years, there has been a major shift in consumer buying habits. Spontaneous, impulsive buying has been benched by more conscious consumers who place far greater importance on online reviews and social media referrals when choosing a product — and the adult industry is no different.
Marketing Tools, Strategies to Build a Strong Pleasure Brand
We’re all familiar with the age-old question, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” When it comes to running a successful business, we might ask: “If a new product drops into the market and no one knows about it, does it make an impact?” Unfortunately, the answer is pretty self-evident. Every year the adult retail industry is flooded with new shops, products and businesses but many — even some very good ones — don’t last long. Why?
Tips for Including Diversity in Your Product Photography
There are as many body types in the world as there are people. Every single body is unique. Truly reflecting your customers therefore requires a commitment to improving representation. The issue of representation manifests in big ways as well as smaller, more insipid ways. For example, brands with smaller marketing budgets or on tight campaign deadlines can’t always conceptualize and execute their own photo shoots every time.
How to Introduce Retail Customers to Violet Wands
With pretty tubes filled with neon colors, arcing electricity with an ear-tingling crackle and zap, violet wands look futuristic and exciting. Yet the idea of a sex toy using electricity for stimulation is also intimidating to many people. Truth be told, these daring devices are not as scary or painful as they may appear. Let's dispel some myths and misunderstandings, and replace them with the information you need to know about violet wands.
Sex Is a Part of Life, So Why Is Silicon Valley So Afraid of It?
Sex is a fundamental part of life. That ought to be an uncontroversial statement. Yet my experience as co-founder of a sex tech brand with a mission to destigmatize sex and pleasure is that we have entered a new era of censorship, driven not by church or state, but by the powerful tech and media giants who control so much of the information we receive.
How Glass Is Crossing Over Into Multiple Product Categories
Glass sex toys account for some of the most eye-catching, head-turning, breathtaking adult products available today. They are not just pretty to look at, either. Glass toys offer quite a few benefits that other toy materials can’t replicate, and they look and feel uniquely luxurious. As glass toys have grown in popularity, so have glass toy options expanded.
How to Build, Strengthen Your Supply Chain Relationships
Over the last few years, certain phrases have become part of the common vernacular and everyday life, like “social distancing” or “remote learning.” Another phrase that we saw enter the mainstream discourse was “supply chain,” as shoppers became more aware — sometimes for the first time ever — of the process that their furniture, home goods and essentials go through to get from the manufacturer to their doorsteps.
Tips for Growing Followers, Building Loyalty Through Social Media
It’s no secret that our industry is heavily regulated, even stigmatized. It may seem unfair that content about sex education and intimate wellness gets lumped into the same category as pornography. Social networks have played a big part in the industry’s efforts to change this, and even though at times it’s been difficult to reach a broad audience, we’ve managed to build a community online.
The Basics of Influencer Marketing for Pleasure Brands
"Influencer marketing" means exactly what it says: sourcing people to help promote your products, services or events. Influencers can boost your signal by attending brand events, uploading candid reviews of your products or simply giving you a shoutout on social media. There is no one particular type of persona that makes someone an influencer; as long as they have an audience that you want to reach — and that can mean 1,000 followers or 1 million followers — then they are an influencer.
How Romance Publishing Can Learn From the Sexual Wellness World
When it comes to diversity and inclusivity, the sexual wellness world is forging a path for other businesses to follow. Now a mainstream category, sexual wellness has opened up conversations around these topics — and as cultural attitudes toward sexuality, race, gender and relationship dynamics change, the sexual wellness market is responding accordingly. Just as the sex toy industry has seen growth in online sales, the same is true in the publishing world.
How to Advise Shoppers on Products for Sex in the Tub or Shower
These days, folks are more sexually adventurous than ever. BDSM has gone mainstream, sex clubs are hopping and even the most reserved folks are ready to think outside the bedroom. Especially after the lockdowns of the last couple of years, people are interested in unlocking the sexual potential of their whole homes. And really, what better place to explore than a place where they are already frequently naked — and sopping wet to boot?
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