profile

WIA Profile: Kate Hodgson-Egan

WIA Profile: Kate Hodgson-Egan

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.

XBIZ: What is your role and responsibility at Lovehoney?

One of my goals is to make sure the brand goes from strength to strength all over the world.

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.

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.

Related:  

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 Adult Retailers Can Enhance Sales With Supplements

The supplement industry is big business. In 2024, Future Market Insights estimated it to be valued at $74.3 billion, and other market research firms anticipate that number will grow to upwards of $170 billion in just 10 years.

Rick Magana ·
opinion

Why It's Time the Pleasure Industry Got Serious About IPX Waterproof Ratings

As someone who regularly communicates with manufacturers, retailers and consumers, I’ve seen how this ambiguity can do a disservice to both the customers who use these products and the businesses that sell them.

Alicia Sinclair Rosen ·
opinion

Tips for Sexual Wellness Brands to Win Over Gen Z This Summer

As summer rolls around, the excitement in the air is palpable, especially for one particular demographic: Gen Z. College and university classes are over, vacations are booked and it’s time to let loose.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community With Inclusive Packaging Design

Pride Month is a time of visibility, joy and self-expression. In the pleasure industry, projecting that energy can start with something as simple as a box. Market research shows that 72% of U.S. consumers say product packaging influences their purchasing decisions.

Matthew Spindler ·
profile

WIA Profile: Pettus Ashley

Pettus Ashley brings her A game to the world of authentic adult branding, flitting between airports as the American face of U.K. brand Bathmate. As a company brand ambassador, Ashley personifies Bathmate’s dedication to the retail world, showering staff with equal amounts of appreciation and sales education.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Good Relations Fosters Sex Wellness, Positivity for 40+ Years

Melinda Myers, the founder and owner of Good Relations in Eureka, California, was still in college when she got invited to attend her first pleasure products home party.

Quinton Bellamie ·
opinion

Why It's Time for Pleasure Brands to Stop Ignoring B2C Marketing

For many B2B adult brands, marketing to consumers feels like a waste of time. I’ve heard it so many times: “We sell to retailers, not consumers. Why should we invest in B2C marketing?”

Hail Groo ·
opinion

The Midlife Movement Is Exploding; Is the Pleasure Industry Ready?

In marketing, there tends to be an emphasis on the younger generation — the trendsetters. The assumption is that appealing to the younger market has a halo effect on older consumers, who look to younger folks for what is on trend.

Sarah Tomchesson ·
opinion

Gender Play Gets Creative With Fantasy Toys

Sex toy manufacturers are increasingly recognizing the value of fantasy products, expanding their lines to include ever more diverse designs. What was once considered a niche market has proven to have broad appeal, demonstrating that people are eager to explore desires that extend beyond conventional human experiences.

Rin Musick ·
opinion

How Sex Toy Retailers Can Better Support Marginalized Communities

As someone who has been in the industry since 2003, I’ve seen countless trends, products and marketing strategies come and go. Yet one thing has remained consistent: a significant gap in how sex toy retailers serve marginalized communities.

Kimberly Scott Faubel ·
Show More