Former NBA player Al Harrington has matched his success on the hardwood with equally impressive accomplishments in the business world, including creating cannabis company Viola. Now, Harrington and his wife, Michele, have expanded their business portfolio with Love Verb, a venture aimed at enhancing couples’ intimacy through a variety of pleasure products.
In 2021, the couple began attending trade shows and events like XBIZ Retreat to learn about the industry, meet key people and gather information for product development. They wanted to understand what characterized the most authentic and successful products within the pleasure retail space. Armed with the fruits of their research, the Harringtons then focused on creating a brand that reflected their personal vision of passion and eroticism.
We saw an opportunity to create a fun line that was not only approachable, but brought to life our own love story.
“We realized there was a need for a more intimate approach to sex toys,” Michele Harrington recalls.
After settling on the name, the couple spent several months testing and evaluating a range of some 30 to 40 prototype toys their Chinese business partner provided, to determine which products would be featured in the initial launch of Love Verb. Once the lineup was determined, the next step was gathering feedback, which meant sending more than 200 product samples to couples for real-world testing.
“The feedback was honestly excellent,” Al Harrington says. “Everybody really liked the color, the way it felt. We didn’t get much negative feedback.”
Love Verb’s current line of products includes toys for clitoral stimulation as well as penis products, for solo or couples play. Among the clitoral vibrators, massagers and suction vibrators, standout products include the Indulge Me wand, which has a second motor for clitoral stimulation, and the Cuddle Me and Snuggle Me models, which are equipped with advanced vibration technology.
The Harringtons note that all of their products have undergone rigorous quality control to ensure a top-of-the-line experience. They have also put together a strong team to navigate challenges such as logistics and creating packaging that is friendly to the adult retail space.
“It’s been a work in progress,” Al Harrington says. “But we’re learning. Every day, every week, we do calls with our sales team. As we continue to get that feedback, we make the proper adjustments.”
Love Verb has made its products widely available, selling online and nationwide in stores such as Secrets and Adam and Eve. Next, the company aims to expand its global footprint.
“I think that in this industry, people like to see if it works first and ensure their customers can relate to the products,” says Al Harrington. “Right now, we’re probably in about 40 to 50 shops and looking at some international expansion.”
Even amid ongoing technological advancements, including mobile app development and AI integration, the Harringtons are confident that Love Verb’s commitment to innovation will set it apart from competitors.
“At Love Verb, innovation starts with the copper-infusion silicone,” Michele Harrington explains. “It sets the standard for hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and antibacterial toys. Its ability to increase the intensity of orgasms because of the additional blood flow stimulation is the cherry on top.”
To remain cutting-edge and bring customers even more intense pleasure, Love Verb also aims to achieve synergy with the Harringtons’ other main venture, Viola.
“We’re trying to figure out ways that we can elevate the experience by including cannabis,” Al Harrington says. “Whether it’s THC-based products or hemp-based products.”
Michele Harrington adds, “We are looking to bring the social media marketing from Viola to the sexual wellness space via Love Verb. The reach and impact of the brand’s and Al’s social media following, along with events and connections with celebrities like Allen Iverson, Yung Miami and 2 Chainz, will serve Love Verb well.”
For fellow aspiring entrepreneurs interested in entering the adult retail industry, the Harringtons emphasize the importance of partnering with a reliable collaborator.
“Find a great manufacturing partner that has the resources to not only create products but educate and have a sense of what’s working in the space so you have a fighting chance out the gate,” they advise.
Love Verb’s commitment to challenging industry norms, redefining what is possible in the realm of sexual wellness and empowering individuals to have fulfilling erotic experiences reflects the values the Harringtons share and have grown into together since beginning their relationship when they were 18.
“We saw an opportunity to create a fun line that was not only approachable, but brought to life our own love story,” affirms Michele Harrington. “That’s when we came up with Love Verb. Because the word ‘love,’ as our brand states, is an action.”
For the Harringtons, that makes the company more than just a business venture and brand:
“For us, it is like a love letter.”
