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.
Charlette Lopez entered adult retail with little knowledge of the industry but with a whole lot of passion to learn its ins and outs. When she landed the role of brand ambassador with Cloud 9 Novelties last April, she brought with her several years of experience managing multiple brick-and-mortar locations for the Love Stuff N More chain of adult stores. She also learned the importance of great customer service and product education. Lopez’s background also includes a previous career as a makeup artist and experience in makeup retail, which continues to inspire her professionally as she works to combat the stigma surrounding pleasure products with education and customer service. In this month’s edition of Women in Adult, we spotlight Charlette Lopez and her blossoming role with Cloud 9 Novelties.
Every interaction is an opportunity to learn and grow — just depends on how you look at it.
XBIZ: What is your role and responsibility as brand ambassador for Cloud 9 Novelties?
Charlette Lopez: I am the sales specialist for Cloud 9 Novelties and am responsible for the business development. My first responsibility as brand ambassador was to lead an extensive overhaul of the brand. I offered to take this position because I believed so strongly in the project. I also manage Cloud 9’s distribution channels and various e-commerce and brick-and-mortar accounts. Being a part of such a new and growing company, I also help with new product development and the overall growth and direction of the brand.
XBIZ: How did you get into the business?
Lopez: In 2013, I happened upon an ad to manage an adult retail chain. As a makeup artist with a background in retail cosmetics, I remember reading the ad and thinking, “I could so do this!” That position led to more mainstream integration of the adult wellness channel at Williams Trading in 2015. In April of 2016, I became Cloud 9 Novelties’ brand ambassador.
XBIZ: What challenges have you confronted in your career and how have you overcome them?
Lopez: My biggest challenge in the beginning was my learning curve. This was all new to me. First day in the office, I remember my training being a total crash course. I wrote notes, Googled later. I read as much as I could. I learned the most from working in adult boutiques, merchandising and talking with the staff and customers. I was an expert in a few months, ha. You hear all kinds of things in a store. Other than that, my biggest challenge is there aren’t enough hours in a day. I take one project at a time and know that tomorrow is another day. I have the great fortune to work for a company that holds the same values that I do and we share a vision for Cloud 9 Novelties’ future.
XBIZ: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Lopez: The most rewarding part of my job is being in a position to change lives. Everyday, I work to encourage sex-positive lifestyles and to help people experience heightened intimacy. I believe the work that my colleagues and I do everyday educates the public and will one day change the stigma surrounding the adult industry.
I get excited every time someone is interested in Cloud 9 Novelties. That relationship is so special to me because I know I am offering a quality pleasure product both to resellers as well as the consumers. I literally sell smiles all day — everyday is a new rewarding experience!
XBIZ: What is your personal motto or mantra that you live by?
Lopez: I believe everything happens for a reason. “Sometimes good things fall apart, so better things can fall together,” Marilyn Monroe said. I believe every experience is the makeup of who we are. We all fall; it’s how we pick ourselves up. I have this unwavering drive inside me because I know that I cannot fail. Every interaction is an opportunity to learn and grow — just depends on how you look at it. It has been a rough road at times, but I am grateful for every bump that I’ve experienced along the way.
XBIZ: What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
Lopez: Being recognized in XBIZ as a Woman in Adult has to be the most exhilarating accomplishment yet! This industry is full of strong female leaders and to be among them leaves me in awe. It is validation that I am doing the right thing and what I am doing is positively impacting others. I am thankful for the opportunity that I have been given to be a leader and establish myself as the brand ambassador for Cloud 9 Novelties.
XBIZ: What are your professional goals for 2017?
Lopez: My goal is to expand Cloud 9 Novelties distribution in the U.S. and Canada. I have big dreams of Cloud 9 being in every adult store in the world — so I have to start somewhere! We’re developing some more fabulous items into Cloud 9 Novelties’ assortment of pleasure products and really focusing on brand development. I’m setting the bar very high this year!
