profile

WIA Profile: Kathi Stout

How did you get into the business?

In 1997 I moved from Mississippi to Seattle. My first job there was with the ISP that hosted Flying Crocodile (SexTracker). The ISP was sold and several members of the accounting department moved over to Flying Crocodile. I was with Flying Crocodile’s hosting department for five years. I moved to Atlanta in 2004 to work for Tony Morgan and NationalNet, staying with my hosting roots. I moved to Phoenix last May to be closer to my family and to work for Ron Cadwell and CCBill. I have to say, I have enjoyed and learned from each of my opportunities.

I think the biggest challenge for me is keeping up with technology. There are so many changes happening so fast.

What in your background prepared you for what you are doing now?

I come from a large Southern family. We planned events months in advance to accommodate everyone. Nothing is ever last minute in my family! This helps me with the organization needed to help plan The Phoenix Forum. It is attention to details and follow-up that makes an event run smoothly.

What do you see as the challenges of working in the adult online business? How do you overcome them?

I think the biggest challenge for me is keeping up with technology. There are so many changes happening so fast. I keep up by reading all the magazines and online blogs about different advances and what new is coming out.

Does your work life affect your personal life?

Absolutely! My work enhances my personal life. I get to travel and meet fascinating people. I get to expand my family to people I work with all across the world. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

trends

Meet the New Class of Pleasure Purveyors Making Waves

The sexual wellness industry has always evolved in response to cultural shifts, but the current wave of up-and-coming pleasure brands signals something deeper than trend cycles or aesthetic refreshes. These founders aren’t just launching new products; they are reframing what intimacy means, who it is for and how it fits into everyday life. Across supplements, toys, aftercare and even divination decks, a new generation of brands is closing long-ignored gaps — between pleasure and wellness, fantasy and function, science and sensuality, individuality and shared experience.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

Viben's Kara Liburd on Building a Fulfilling Career in the Industry

“We work in an industry where trust, follow-through and service matter just as much as product quality,” declares Viben sales exec Kara Liburd. “Retailers today want analytics, marketing assets and deeper product knowledge, and brands are stepping up to provide that support.”

Colleen Godin ·
profile

WoodRocket Delivers Classic Adult Fun With a Quirky, Modern Twist

What does it take to stand out in the industry these days? How about a “Live, Laugh, Cum” keychain?

Colleen Godin ·
profile

Efren Méndez Leads LoveStore Mexico With a Community-First Approach

Fifteen years ago, Efren Méndez and a friend walked into a sex shop. They were looking for nothing more than a few items for a party. Instead, the moment altered the direction of his career, and ultimately his life.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Guiding Shoppers With Clear Pleasure Education

One of the most valuable skills in pleasure retail isn’t persuasion — it’s translation. Customers often arrive curious but cautious, unsure of terminology, functions or even what questions to ask. The goal isn’t to overwhelm them with specs or explicit details, but to describe product features in a way that feels approachable, relatable and easy to imagine.

Sara Gaffoor ·
opinion

High-ROI Marketing Tactics for Online Retail

In adult ecommerce, the marketing landscape never stops shifting. What succeeded brilliantly in March may seem outdated by September. When you look at the bigger picture, however patterns emerge: clear, repeatable paths to strong ROI that remain consistent even as algorithms, platforms and buyer behavior keep changing.

Hail Groo ·
opinion

A Hands-On Review of AI Camera Monitoring for Retail

Last month, I outlined the main AI-powered loss prevention options available to businesses: DIY solutions, hosted services and enterprise platforms. This time, I decided to test one out myself. I contacted a cloud video platform that integrates with Lightspeed POS and scheduled a demo.

Zondre Watson ·
opinion

Turning Fantasy Fans Into New Creature Play Shoppers

Adult “creature play” is no longer just a niche novelty. There’s even a term for this kink: teratophilia, meaning sexual attraction to monsters. A heady mix of sensory novelty, curiosity about unfamiliar bodies and potential power dynamics has made lusting after and role-playing mythological creatures more widely accepted. The erotically captivating allure of otherworldly beings has even become prevalent across pop culture, from “True Blood” and “The Shape of Water” to Guillermo Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” and “monster boyfriend” romantasy literature trending on TikTok.

Naima Karp ·
trends

Signals Ahead: Pleasure Brands Track the Rapid Convergence of Tech and Intimacy

It’s complicated. As the pleasure industry enters 2026, many industry observers predict that the coming year will be shaped not by a single game-changing breakthrough or standout celebrity partnership, but rather by the slow, powerful alignment of consumer psychology, economic reality, cultural openness and shifting demographic needs.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

Kyrie Hara Fuels Tenga's Growth as U.S. Sales Lead

Kyrie Hara is making significant moves. After racking up sales and general management experience during her 14-year run with Hawaiian retailer Sensually Yours, Hara has quickly embraced her role as the newest U.S. sales lead with Japanese manufacturer Tenga.

Women In Adult ·
Show More