How did you get into the business?
I applied for a job with a publishing house as the PA to the editor-in-chief as I wanted to work in publishing, not being aware at first that what they publish is erotic magazines. When I got the job I was handed a list with URLS of adult sites on my first day — quite a shock but I got over it quickly and have enjoyed it immensely since. That was 12 years ago ;)
I love my job and if it means I stay on track by working late and doing bits and pieces out of office hours then I am happy to do just that and frankly I always have.
What prepared you for what you are doing now?
Nothing really. I have worked in various fields within the adult industry and learned a lot along the way. When I first started I never thought that my job would take me away from friends and family and have me move to another country. After publishing I have worked in broadcasting and became a content manager for mobile content, from there I moved on to video-on-demand and then became a marketing manager at an amateur tube site before I joined the payment side of things. What I have taken with me from each job is invaluable and after 12 years in the business I can say that I have probably seen a bit of everything and nothing can shock me anymore ;)
What do you see as the challenges of working in the adult online business? How do you overcome them?
To be honest the only challenge is that you have to be fast and go with the flow, constantly keep up as everything is moving really fast and if you are not good enough to keep track and stay competitive by evolving within your field you will get stuck somewhere on the way and this is very hard to come back from. Apart from that I cant say there are any other challenges. It is, and I am sure that a lot of people will agree with me, the most interesting and most fun industry to work in! Almost everybody I have met in the past decade has been incredibly nice and amazing to work with. A lot of work relationships have even formed into friendships and I am happy to count so many people I have met in this industry to my close personal friends.
Does your work life affect your personal life?
Yes it does, but I am sure that I am not the only one. I honestly can say that I dont know anyone in this industry who goes home at 5 p.m. and switches off until the next day. To be honest, I hardly mind. I love my job and if it means I stay on track by working late and doing bits and pieces out of office hours then I am happy to do just that and frankly I always have. I try not to let work influence my private life too much and I think right now I got the perfect mixture to keep friends and family happy.
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.
