profile

Pipedream Products’ Chris Armstrong Talks Work Ethic, Motivation

Pipedream Products’ Chris Armstrong Talks Work Ethic, Motivation

Chris Armstrong just might be the newest old-schooler in the pleasure industry. He’s well over halfway out of his Millennial years, but understands the kind of values that most businesses are built upon; the kind of values that pay off in spades within the adult B2B market.

Where most buyers and sellers are happy to exchange a few emails and spreadsheets, Armstrong does what most CEOs would have done decades earlier: he picks up the phone, charms his customers into genuine friendships, and shows up to their stores thousands of miles from his home base in Southern California.

My next goal is to keep expanding our brand globally with an exciting work ethic and natural motivation.

“My ability to work in several roles allowed for a better understanding of how this industry works and has allowed me to better serve my client base,” says Armstrong.

Of course, he can still put together a mean spread sheet of the latest realistic dongs, but there’s more to this charismatic salesman than an eye for the best butt plugs.

Like many pleasure industry veterans, Armstrong started in the warehouse of a mid-level sex toy distributor and worked his way into a sales role.

“I fell into this business by default,” recalls Armstrong. “I was asked to help do inventory for two days and it ended up being the beginning of my career.”

Armstrong stuck around for 11 years, learning the ropes of the business (which, during the “Fifty Shades” craze, happened quite literally) and building up his reputation as a friendly, competent face in the sales community.

“I stayed because I fell in love with the products and the people in this industry,” gushes Armstrong.

After his first year, Armstrong was asked to manage the warehouse, and things kept going for him from that point forward.

“After three years, my role evolved into sales, where I became the top sales person for the distributor I worked with,” he recalls.

When Armstrong landed at his current home base with Pipedream Products, it was a perfect fit. Years of hawking endless brands at the distribution level had prepared him for Pipedream’s seemingly infinite SKUs and brand identities.

Focusing in on a single company was almost a challenge in itself after Armstrong had gotten used to the exhausting task of managing hundreds of brands.

“The transition was a challenge due to the fact that I had so many brands to offer and now my focus is solely on one brand,” explain Armstrong, “but it has made me more well-versed in placing our product with our clients.”

Armstrong’s specialty is his natural people-person attitude; a valuable talent that he looked forward to exploring with his new role in manufacturing. With the ability to devote more face time to his customers, he leveled-up his specialty in globe-trotting to meet clients in some of the world’s most enviable destinations.

“I’ve continued to grow and take on more responsibilities as our industry continues to evolve,” says Armstrong.

Since joining the notorious Dream Team, Armstrong has been put to a big test: renew the company’s stronghold in Spanish-speaking countries, and forge his way into new accounts. Luckily for Armstrong, his Spanish is as good as his sales techniques.

“I have maintained and increased sales within the Latin market and have continued to bring Pipedream products to entirely new international communities,” he said.

Armstrong’s fluency in Spanish has led him on a bucket list-worthy tour of Latin America. His accounts — and business trips — range from Mexico to Central and South America to Spain, and span 10 countries.

“I’m starting to learn many more dialects, phrases and sayings, as each country is pretty diverse with the Spanish language,” remarks Armstrong. “I have started to do presentations in Spanish for groups of clients, buyers and owners, and I also attend international trade shows.”

Granted, Los Angeles might be full of multilingual speakers, but not necessarily ones who are adept at training on the finer points of a King Cock in their second language.

When your target markets cover several dialects and cultures, every trip brings something new to the table.

“My favorite thing about going to visit clients is learning new business techniques and the way businesses are run in other countries,” says Armstrong.

His easy-going personality and sense of humor toward selling some of the pleasure industry’s most famous plastic dicks is perfectly poised for the Latin adult market, which hinges on the brotherly bonds between businessmen.

“The fact that I can turn business relationships into friendships is the strongest thing I can do to grow my business,” says Armstrong. “All of my customers want me to come back, but they want me to bring my family on the next trip or even just to vacation.”

This year, Armstrong can finally take that family vacation. Being a parent in the pleasure industry is the gift that keeps on giving. Either your job is the butt (pun absolutely intended) of every family joke, or it’s a delicate balance of well-intentioned deception.

Armstrong finally decided it was time to have “the talk” that all sex toy sales reps know so well: confessing to your kids that you sell dildos to pay the bills.

“I sat down with my 10-year-old son and explained to him what I did for a living, as he kept on inquiring and getting curious since I travel so often,” Armstrong said.“He was a little weirded out when I told him.”

Like most adolescents, the young Mr. Armstrong put on his best poker face and played it cool.

“He sat back with an awkward face and said, ‘Really? I thought you sold office supplies and traveled around to show people how they work,’” laughs Armstrong.

For the future, Armstrong’s goals are pretty reasonable: keep moving onward and upward in his career, and avoid clumsy situations while attending PTA meetings.

“Being in this business with kids can tend to be a bit awkward,” jokes Armstrong, “like when you’re at a parent-teacher conference and your occupation comes up as a topic.”

However, it’s all worth it for the pride Armstrong can take in working for Pipedream’s Nick Orlandino, a man he calls “the best CEO in the industry.”

With the Dream Team behind him all the way, Armstrong feels anything is possible, even beyond the adult sector.

“This industry becomes even more mainstream everyday,” he concludes. “My next goal is to keep expanding our brand globally with an exciting work ethic and natural motivation.”

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

Tips for Keeping the Adult Retail Trade Show Momentum Going

Trade shows are a whirlwind of energy, excitement and opportunities. You spend days on a vibrant, buzzing show floor, making valuable connections and discovering innovative and exciting new products. You spend time, energy and money to be a part of this fabulous circus.

Rin Musick ·
opinion

2025's Top Tech Trends That Adult Retailers Should Know About

I just got back from the National Retail Federation’s Annual Convention & Expo, also known as “Retail’s Big Show,” where I walked the floor, sat in on key panels, talked with industry experts and influencers, and did my best to sift through the b.s. so I could report back to you all on the things you need to care about.

Sean Quinn ·
opinion

Understanding the Importance of Graphic Design in Sexual Wellness Social Media Marketing

In the world of social media, graphic design is more than just making things look visually appealing — it’s a vital tool in shaping and maintaining a brand’s identity. Your social media is your storefront, so aesthetics mean everything.

Hannah McManus ·
opinion

How Adult Retail Is Shaping Sexual Health One Customer at a Time

Remember back in health class, when they taught us about boundaries, consent and how many nerve endings are in the clitoris? Of course you don’t, because it didn’t happen. In fact, sex education is still severely lacking in much of the U.S.

Kimberly Scott Faubel ·
trends

Meet the Up-and-Coming Pleasure Brands of 2025

Over the past year, the pleasure industry has witnessed the emergence of new brands across various adult retail categories — brands that are now entering 2025 with ambitious goals for success and growth in their sophomore year.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

WIA Profile: Nefertiti Mitchell

Local retailers are the backbone of the pleasure industry. Driven by passionate business owners who are deeply dedicated to sexual wellness, brick-and-mortar stores serve as safe spaces that uplift and delight customers — while greasing the wheels of commerce for manufacturers and distributors.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Industry Vet Mike Savage Discusses Comeback, Goals With Full Circle Distribution

"We never know where life’s going to take us,” says Mike Savage. He should know. The pleasure biz veteran, who describes himself as “a poor Irish kid from Philly,” first made his name in the adult retail biz over the course of a nearly 40-year career.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

Sensually Yours Founder Shellee Rose on Boosting Sex Positivity in Hawaii

Honolulu pleasure store Sensually Yours has served Hawaii for 40 years, establishing itself as a top destination for adult products. Founder and President Shellee Rose says her most important strategy for achieving four decades of success has been prioritizing customers.

Quinton Bellamie ·
profile

Gregory Dorcel on Building Upon His Brand's Signature Legacy

“Whether reflected in the storyline or the cast or even the locations, the entertainment we deliver is based on fantasy,” he elaborates. “Our business is not, and never has been, reality. People who are buying our content aren’t expecting reality, or direct contact with stars like you can have with OnlyFans,” he says.

Jeff Dana ·
opinion

Westridge Labs Celebrates the History, Future of ID Lubricants Brand

If you work in adult retail, you know ID Lubricants. With its classic, clear bottles and consumer-friendly pricing, ID has maintained a home on brick-and-mortar shelves since the brand’s inception, way back when physical stores were still the name of the pleasure game.

Colleen Godin ·
Show More