opinion

Tips for Landing a Job in the Pleasure Products Industry

“I want to be you!” the clerk in the adult store exclaimed. “You have the most awesome job and I want to do that, too!”

Why yes, I do have the most awesome job in the most awesome industry. So how does one wind up with such an amazing career choice and how does one get there?

Learn it all. Learn who the manufacturers are, where they are, the distributors and the retail stores.

I’ve been thinking about the twisted path so many of us have been on to wind up in the most wacky and crazy industry that exists — the sex industry. Specifically for me, the sex toy industry. I certainly wasn’t born with a dildo in my mouth and probably you didn’t either but I did slide out of a vagina so maybe that has something to do with it.

I grew up on top of my father’s furniture store and his father was a trouble-shooter for Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. My mom’s parents were crazy and successful artists in Paris and I think that explains even more about my background. In other words, retail has never scared me.

Neither has sex. In fact, I find it pretty damn fascinating and even after living my lifetime with an undying curiosity of everything sex, I still am soaking up on a daily basis as much information about sex as I can. And living and doing as much as I can regarding sex in the name of research and I don’t want this column to be a TMI piece so you’ll just have to fantasize about it (just like I live it).

“I want to be you,” The clerk said to me. It got me to thinking. How does one actually get such a fantastic job in this industry? How does one go from a sex toy store clerk to being an on-the-road dildo slinger, traveling to all corners of the U.S. and the world? Now that I’m representing the global brand, Topco Sales, I can really get out there to spread the word of sex toys and pleasure. You can, too. Listen up — here’s a way.

Learn as much about this industry as you can. By the mere fact that you’re holding a copy of XBIZ in your hands (or reading it online), means that there’s something you want to know. Read all of the pages, the advertisers’ ads, the editorial intros, the product release information, the reviewers’ wise contributions whether they are for toys or DVDs, gay or straight. Learn it all. Learn who the manufacturers are, where they are, the distributors, the retail stores. Learn about your own retail store. With a good set of balls or ovaries, you may very well be able to open one of your own. Like I did.

Learn how the processes work at your store. Who your buyers are and where they get their products. Ask how your manager got to where they are and if the company promotes from within. Learn what products are made of to make suggestions to your customers but without insisting on your own agenda to choose this over that. Give your customers product facts and let them decide which will impress those shoppers by being an intelligent resource instead of merely someone who rings them up at the register.

Once you dig into your own store and learn as much as you can, congratulations! Hopefully your upper management will recognize you for standing out with your drive and smarts. They both go far in any industry, sex toy biz or otherwise.

The U.S. is a pretty big country and the next step might be working for a distributor. Do you know where they are? Here are a few clues: California, Florida, Texas, Michigan, New Jersey, Colorado and other states. To choose to work for a distributor, you might have to pack your bags and relocate although many distributors let you work from home since so many orders are placed electronically and work can be done in front of your computer. But what distributors do that? Time for more research!

Maybe you want to represent a manufacturer. Some companies advertise these openings on Craigslist or even on LinkedIn (do you have your sales profile up there with all of the strong keys words you’d need? Hint: leave out key words such as “pussy” and “cock” They won’t help you). If you’re lucky enough to work in a store that has company representatives such as myself come through for trainings and presentations, talk to us when we’re there because to me, that shows a drive and interest and that’s the best place to start when looking to advance oneself (I’m thinking of Jen at Pleasure Island in Torrance, Calif.)

Attend industry trade shows to network as much as you can and bring your resumé when you’re there. There are several industry trade shows and they are in the western states so get ready to fly there if you can’t drive to them. Ask questions when you are there. Talk to manufacturers and sales representatives. If there is nothing open at their companies, maybe they know somewhere that there is. Networking pays off.

There you have it. Success comes to those who reach for it so the next time you ring up that customer who’s buying the latest vibrator, think of how it got onto your counter and who helped to get it there. You may be joining forces with them before you know it.

Kim Airs is the founder of sexuality boutique GrandOpening.com, and currently works as the on-the-road sales representative for adult novelty manufacturer Topco Sales. She is also a consultant for all aspects of the adult industry, including training, sales and marketing.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

How to Build Retail Customer Loyalty Through Connection

The most valuable part of any business is the customer, so it’s no wonder that Get to Know Your Customers Day is celebrated not just annually, but quarterly.

Ian Kulp ·
opinion

Tips for Fostering Productive Conversations in Adult Retail Settings

In an ideal world, every workplace interaction would run smoothly. Employees would communicate clearly and directly, customers would always be satisfied and challenges would resolve themselves.

Tori Titus-McCrobie ·
opinion

A Look at the Fortune 500 Tech Available for Adult Stores

It used to be that if you wanted cutting-edge tech to power your adult store operation, you needed a Fortune 500 budget. Small and midsize stores had to settle for basic systems and manual processes, and hope that hustle, grit and good intentions could compensate for the tech gap.

Sean Quinn ·
opinion

A Manufacturer's Guide to Adult Retail Trade Show Success

Pleasure industry trade shows offer a vital platform for showcasing the latest toys and other intimacy products, building connections with potential buyers and generating industry buzz. However, simply attending isn’t enough — you need a strategic plan to stand out from the crowd.

Vincent Renou ·
opinion

Pleasure Brand Marketing and PR Trends to Watch in 2025

From the lockdown boom to the economic pressures of a post-pandemic world, we have seen shifting technologies, evolving consumer expectations and a hunger for authenticity shape pleasure product marketing and public relations.

Scarlett Ward ·
profile

WIA: Jennifer Jolicoeur Reflects on Passionate Home Party Journey

Nearly 30 years ago, Jennifer Jolicoeur became Rhode Island’s first adult toy party planner. After gaining experience with another company, she launched Athena’s Home Novelties from her apartment in 1998, guided by the mantra “Educate. Empower. Entertain.”

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Tips for Embracing Diversity Through Language

We are all used to slang terms shifting from generation to generation, as words or phrases get co-opted and acquire new meanings. It is a much rarer occurrence when some of the most fundamental words in our language undergo a major transition in a short space of time, but that is exactly what is happening right now with pronouns.

Claire Sass ·
opinion

A Look at the Ethics, Risks of AI-Generated Sexual Wellness Content

Few technological advancements have inspired the level of controversy that has been generated by the advent of artificial intelligence, which is now powering or being incorporated into digital tools we use every day.

Anne Hodder-Shipp ·
opinion

How the 10-Minute Delivery Model Is Disrupting the Indian Market

In September, when the iPhone 16 was released, a person in India had the brand-new model delivered to him — while he was waiting in line at an Apple Store, before reaching the front for his turn. How? By ordering on Zepto, one of the leading “quick commerce” platforms that are changing how consumers shop in India.

Raj Armani ·
opinion

How to Keep Meta From Derailing Your Social Media Campaign

The heavy hand of Meta can be both unforgiving and unpredictable. Profiles that Meta decides have violated its platforms’ terms may find themselves on the receiving end of punishments — including the dreaded “shadow ban,” which can be damaging for a brand’s social media campaign and strategy.

Scarlett Ward ·
Show More