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.
How did you get into this?
I have always been fascinated with the latest web technology
I have always been fascinated with the latest web technology and ecommerce solutions. Early on in my payment career I discovered that the adult industry was always on the cutting edge of B2C technology and would take the risks with new ideas that mainstream companies would not. As soon as I made the decision in 2000 right after Y2K (HAHA) to work with clients in the adult entertainment space, I never looked back.
What in your background prepared you for what you're doing now?
My graduate degree is in Psychology. My previous life as a therapist taught me about being human.
I actually learned the business from the ground up starting with Lynk Systems during the early 90's. Lynk was bought by the Royal Bank of Scotland. This was a wonderful starting point where I learned the basics of what the merchant processing business was all about. From there I was able to grow into roles with larger spans of influence including my current role of EVP of Marketing with OrbitalPay and Global Electronic Technology Inc.
What changes have affected your work since you began it?
Perhaps the greatest change that happened over the last decade is that I found myself spending more time in the office being an administrator as we built the infrastructure and less time visiting with clients and developing new business. I made the decision this year, to get back to the part of the job I love the best, meeting with people and consulting clients on streamlining billing solutions and business models. It has been great over the last year to see so many familiar faces at the shows and events in addition to meeting the next generation of webmasters and entrepreneurs in the space.
What do you see as the challenges to working in online adult and how do you overcome them?
The greatest challenge has always been the 24x7x365 nature of the business. The online platform has succeeded in offering quality adult entertainment when you want it and we are on the verge through the evolution of the mobile platforms of adding where to the equation as well. As an integral part of the payment equation for some of the largest programs in the industry I have to be on call around the clock to address clients' concerns and needs.
Does your work affect your personal life?
I have found through the years when you reach a certain level professionally that the organizations you work for become a second lover, and a needing one at that. This added with a heavy travel schedule can definitely take a toll on personal relationships if you are not careful. I consciously make time for my significant other, my family, my friends, and my dog because really they're what feed my soul.
Do you have a personal motto or slogan that you follow?
I do "One Team – One Heart."
