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.
Kate Hodgson-Egan is an industry veteran who formerly served 14 years at ABS Holdings, and erotic goods distributor and retailer, before taking the plunge and embarking on a new adventure with global brand, Lovehoney. The rapidly growing, multi-lingual international sales team at Lovehoney consists of seven individuals with big ambitions. In this month’s edition of Women in Adult, we profile Hodgson-Egan, who discusses her career and future in the pleasure products industry.
One of my goals is to make sure the brand goes from strength to strength all over the world.
XBIZ: What is your role and responsibility at Lovehoney?
Hodgson-Egan: I am Lovehoney’s international sales manager for the U.K., U.S. and the Americas. I joined the team this year and it’s been a thrilling rollercoaster ride ever since then. I am responsible for managing an extensive network of distributors and the promotion of our licensed products. I travel all over the world regularly to showcase our products and meet customers.
XBIZ: How did you get into the business?
Hodgson-Egan: I started my career in the adult industry at U.K. distributor ABS Holdings, working my way up to director. Lovehoney founders Richard Longhurst and Neal Slateford were one of my first-ever customers. It’s been fascinating to watch how their business has grown into the amazing success it is today.
XBIZ: What challenges have you confronted in your career and how have you overcome them?
Hodgson-Egan: It’s honestly been an incredible journey and every time I’m faced with a challenge, I learn from it. I’m relatively new to Lovehoney and so far I’ve not been faced with anything too challenging; I would say having spent a large proportion of my career with one company and then leaving was a little heart-wrenching, but in the same instance it’s been a learning curve and enabled me to learn new things and ultimately challenge myself as a manager.
XBIZ: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Hodgson-Egan: It’s a joy to work with such amazing, dedicated, forward-thinking people. My inspiring team, enthusiastic customers and colleagues in the wider industry make every day interesting and rewarding.
XBIZ: What is your personal motto or mantra that you live by?
Hodgson-Egan: Work hard, play harder!
XBIZ: What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
Hodgson-Egan: I’ve been in the industry for many years and I’m proud of the relationships and friendships I’ve made along the way. More recently though, I must say I was super-impressed with our team’s passion and diligence at the recent eroFame trade show in Hannover. Our stand was designed in-house and was pure rock-and-roll!
XBIZ: What are your professional goals for the rest of 2016?
Hodgson-Egan: We sell the official licensed product for Fifty Shades of Grey — The Official Pleasure Collection and it’s been an absolute whirlwind of a year showcasing our range of products, with the reception in the trade being overwhelmingly positive. The new range, Fifty Shades Darker, has just launched in good time for the release of the new movie in early 2017. One of my goals is to make sure the brand goes from strength to strength all over the world.
