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.

For the past seven years Chloe Pearce has been building a career in the pleasure products industry as part of the Nexus Range team. Coming on-board as an office assistant, Pearce has endured trying times with the company and now oversees Nexus’ international growth and product development – which includes the male-centric brand’s transition into women’s pleasure products. This month Women In Adult spotlights Pearce as she discusses Nexus’ brand evolution, as well as her own.

XBIZ: What is your role and responsibility at Nexus Range?

Chloe Pearce: I am currently responsible for the sales and operational functions here at Nexus, however I am also deeply involved in new product development, packaging design, education and marketing. It’s hectic and no two days are ever the same but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

XBIZ: How (and when) did you get into the pleasure products industry?

Pearce: After graduating from university with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature back in 2007 I moved to the bright lights of London to seek my fortune. During my job hunt I came across an intriguing advert for an office assistant job at a “luxury adult lifestyle brand.” I’ve always been open-minded and outgoing so I applied and two weeks later I was sat at a desk staring at a wall of shiny anal toys.

XBIZ: What challenges have you confronted in your career and how have you overcome them?

Pearce: Aside from the odd legal dispute Nexus has had to endure, the ongoing challenge for me and for the brand as a whole has always been in educating men about the benefits and pleasures of prostate massage and to overcome the stigma of anal play being only for gay men. Happily, as our sales can attest, attitudes are changing and it’s nice to know I’ve contribution towards this liberation.

On a personal level, being taken seriously as a woman in business has its challenges, for me it’s having your ideas sometimes ignored and then reappropriated by male associates as their own. It is constantly frustrating but not a deterrent – in fact it pushes me forward time and time again.

XBIZ: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Pearce: It is by far the feeling of launching a product so innovative and awesome that people go crazy for it – seeing that product on proud display in stores and knowing that I was integral to its existence is fairly mind blowing. The knowledge that these products bring lasting pleasure to people around the world is pretty cool. I definitely have one of the best jobs around, which is further compounded by the many amazing and inspiring people I get to meet and work with. This industry definitely has the best collective sense of humor.

XBIZ: What is your personal motto or mantra that you live by?

Pearce: Do what you want, 100 percent of the time. Just joking! At the age of 28 I’m still figuring out my mantra, but I guess it boils down to a combination of trying to live as openly and honestly as possible whilst treating people how I expect to be treated… oh and to work hard and play hard of course, because otherwise what’s the point?

XBIZ: What career accomplishment are you most proud of?

Pearce: My longevity in the industry! Starting off as an office assistant here at Nexus and working my way up to where I am now is something I am proud of. There have been some turbulent times, for example when the recession hit Europe, when we had the American market taken away from us – but the fact that the Nexus brand is now stronger than ever and launching amazing products like the Revo series is something I am intensely proud to have been a part of.

XBIZ: What are some of your professional goals for the future?

Pearce: Having worked predominately on a male-orientated brand I am hoping to gain experience with female pleasure products – the ball has already started rolling as we launched Nexus Femme last year with our first rabbit style vibrator, Bisous and have just launched Cadence, a unique G-spot stroker. Hopefully Nexus Femme will become as well known as the Nexus line! Far into the future I would like to study for a qualification to become a sexual therapist – it’s fair to say that I’m in this for life.