What is your role and responsibility at Intimate Organics?
Since we are a small company I wear many hats. I create the ideas for the new products — (look for our Great New Organic Extract Lube line — it just came out after working on it for almost a year!). I am also director of business development for our international department. For example, I have been working for over a year to bring our company into the Middle East which is coming to a head soon. I am also a big PR person for our brand.
It is hard struggling to keep up with all the new business and spend quality time with my son and husband.
Describe a typical Monday at your desk.
Going through hundreds of emails and trying to catch up on what I couldn’t get done last week! I plan out the week’s schedules for product development, PR/advertising and international development. I do try and sneak out to go for a run to clear my head everyday.
What is the biggest challenge of being a woman in the adult business?
I honestly don’t see the challenge the way women probably did even 10 years ago. I think a big reason for that is many of the owners, buyers and vendors are women as well! I have a great relationship with our buyers and also our vendors and they treat me with a considerable amount of respect. Since we are not at all in the porn side of it and our products are quality formulas with beautiful packaging I feel no reason to feel shy of what our company does!
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Experiences such as when I went for dinner with a high school friend that I hadn’t seen in almost 20 years. When I gave her my business card, she recognized the Intimate Organics logo because her husband had bought her our whole collection over Christmas and she was so impressed that it was the company I represent! I love that people love our products so much and nothing gives me a bigger thrill than breaking ground in a new country. For example, we have just entered the South African market as of last week. It makes me proud!
How do you maintain balance in your life?
That is a very difficult task. I have a four year-old son who is at the moment madly in love with me and wants every moment of my time (I am sure that will change!). It is hard struggling to keep up with all the new business and spend quality time with my son and husband. I literally schedule “dates” with both of them. I am hoping that in the very near future I can have more time to spend with friends and family. It is a very challenging role that I play and it can really have you burning the candle at both ends. If any one has some advice on this I would love to hear it!
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.