Each month, industry news media organization 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. Women like Kira Basciano, sales executive of JuicyAds.
How did you get into the business?
In a business where I am constantly surrounded by intelligent, successful, powerful people, it is hard to be the kid in the room. I am my own worst critic.
Unbeknownst to me, half of my cheering audience at my softball games, when I was ten years old, were industry veterans. These were my mother’s good friends and colleagues. Having been around the business my whole life, it was only a matter of time before I joined the family. All it took for me to realize that I belonged in the industry was two European conventions where I witnessed the fast moving, upbeat, chaotic networking from the sidelines. I was hooked. I learned the trade, banded with the Juicy team, and I haven’t looked back since.
What in your background prepared you for what you’re doing now?
Prior to taking my position at JuicyAds, I was studying international business in Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona. The knowledge I gained from my courses there, combined with the skills I developed from years of representing customer service and sales at two large corporations, formed the perfect foundation for me as a sales executive. With some additional training on terminology and procedures my job became second nature.
What do you see as the challenges of working in the adult online business? How do you overcome them?
In a business where I am constantly surrounded by intelligent, successful, powerful people, it is hard to be the kid in the room. I am my own worst critic. I want nothing more than to be as influential and vital to not just a company, but a whole industry as many of you are. This isn’t exactly a challenge that can be overcome, but rather learned. I will continue to work my hardest, absorbing every piece of wisdom that is imparted on me along the way, hopefully becoming a future leader.
Does your work life affect your personal life?
What personal life? In all seriousness, work has affected my life in a way I could have never imagined. I used to believe that having a huge social life made me important and getting my name on the wall of a bar for drinking 200 Jagerbombs was something to be proud of. My idea of a crazy night has become watching a movie until midnight with my dog and a glass of whiskey. My definition of friendship is now a bond where people can learn from each other and want to see each other succeed. To most I am boring and isolated but I see it as my life and relationships actually holding value. The JuicyAds team has become my family, the rest of the industry, my friends. This has been the most positive change to my life and I am thankful for everyone who welcomed me to the business with open arms.
Keep it juicy!
