We spent the month of June criss-crossing the country to attend Pride events in many different cities, and the energy was incredible! The LGBTQ community made this straight woman feel so welcome and at home in every way that I was proud to be an ally, and happy to give out thousands of free samples! I guess it’s not surprising that inclusivity is at the top of my mind for this sex toy issue. I think it’s about time that sexual wellness products reflect the beautiful diversity of our culture.
We have a long way to go, and I personally think that the answer to the question, “How do you become more inclusive as a company?” is to actually become inclusive. We also need to keep this in mind in our day-to-day business when working with consumers. I know it sounds cliché, but do not judge a book by its cover. One day when I was doing commission sales, a gentleman walked into the store who looked homeless. He asked about products, so I took him to our most expensive items, and he walked out spending more than $2,000. It turned out he had just traveled across the country to move and hadn’t had time to stop by his new place to shower and clean up. Making assumptions would have lost a big sale.
I think it’s about time that sexual wellness products reflect the beautiful diversity of our culture.
Listen carefully when people tell you what they like, what they don’t like, what they wish for, and how they like to play. At one Pride event in Denver, I spoke to a lesbian couple that were intrigued by our “cum play” product because they enjoyed using ejaculating toys together. I never would have thought this could be a “crossover” product, but then again, I never asked. When you’re working at a booth giving out product, you get to hear about people’s real-life experiences and find out how they’d like to be marketed to, and that’s so important when you’re trying to expand your offerings to reach niche markets.
Part of a thorough development process is planning for a product to undergo the testing required to gain FDA approval as a Class II medical device. I am here to tell customers that our bodacious cum play lube has been heavily tested for intimate safety. This means that the product is demonstrated as safe to insert within the cavity, the preservative is functioning properly, updates to safe ingredients are ongoing, the packaging is suitable, and overall the product is shown to be as safe as other products that are well established. We work tirelessly to maintain a complete product licensing strategy — but even more than this, we work to earn and maintain consumer trust that what we put out to market is awesome.
Without our consumers’ trust, we wouldn’t be able to develop new performance lines in any category. Sometimes companies will jump on something because it’s trendy and they think they can make a quick profit, but this business model doesn’t usually create a long-lasting high-quality product. It’s better to take your time, do the scientific research, do the market research, test and test again, and only put out the product when you know you’ve got a winner.
Before I go, a word of encouragement to everyone out there, regardless of your gender, orientation, age, or other traits. Sex is a positive thing and it should always be fun. It can also be uniquely expressive. Love yourself, love your partner — just spread the love! We offer something for everyone, from sensitives to specific lifestyles, whether you buy in bulk or on a budget. For travelers, or users looking to sample, we offer a wide variety that they may not have tried before. To quote a song that often comes to mind: “It’s the time of the season for loving.”
Victoria Titus-McCrobie leads U.S. account development at United Consortium, where she manages the flow of communication between departments to give clients the best possible experience. With a background in management and business development in beauty and retail, she has embraced the pleasure products industry with a personal passion that reflects her commitment to sensual health and wellness.
