profile

The Most Downloaded Exec: 2

XBiz recently had an opportunity to learn more about Ashe's back-story and find out what she has in mind for her third act.

XBIZ: How long did you feature dance before launching Danni's Hard Drive?

DANNI ASHE: I started my career as a stripper, first in Seattle and then Texas. I danced, off and on, for almost eight years leading up to starting Danni's.

XBIZ: How did you make the leap from web surfer to webmistress?

DA: In 1994, I found out about Usenet groups. Around the same time, my husband's company started to build one of the early commercial websites. I bought a modem and decided to check it out for myself. Within a short period of time, I found pictures of myself in one of the Usenet groups, and the proverbial light bulb went on.

XBIZ: What were your first years running a site like?

DA: When I found my first ISP, I asked him for a dedicated server prior to launch because I thought I might get a few hits. He was a nice guy and assured me that a public server was fine. We launched and shut down his whole system. Then he gave me a dedicated box. It was all brand new, so there was no history to draw from. I hired employees, but not in any traditional sense. They were friends of friends, and drama was the flavor of the day. But, I wouldn't trade any of it. We had so much fun the whole way through that I really consider those early years the most formative of my professional career.

XBIZ: Did you do most of the initial programming yourself?

DA: I tried to hire people to do it, but I think, like most entrepreneurs, your vision is crystal clear. But enabling someone else to realize that vision is easier said than done. So after a couple of attempts at hiring someone, I decided to do it myself. I bought a couple of books, went to the beach and, while other folks were plotting with Grisham, I learned HTML.

XBIZ: Is it true that one programmer turned down a 50-50 split to build the site?

DA: I offered a guy 50 percent of the profits to build the site out. He asked for $900 instead. I didn't want to part with the money, but I needed my site. I paid him, and, in retrospect, it was a really fortuitous thing [for me]. For the programmer, maybe not so lucky.

XBIZ: In what ways has the business changed since then?

DA: Well, the industry has gone from being the Wild West to being a real industry with well-defined success metrics and operating parameters, structures and rules. None of that existed when I started. Our business has changed drastically as well. We are a media company now, as opposed to a website, and a very successful one at that. Our content is distributed via the web, TV, video-on-demand and DVD. We also distribute content through a partnership with Akimbo Systems, provider of a set-top box that allows Internet content to be viewed on home televisions. And we're not done yet.

XBIZ: Do you see the Internet eventually eating the offline aspect of the adult entertainment business?

DA: Not at all — they coexist wonderfully. For example, e-books haven't destroyed the publishing industry; they've simply provided another way for people to access what they enjoy. I do think that DHD has a unique opportunity to create a truly integrated and complimentary online and offline consumer experience by better understanding what subscribers seek from a variety of media delivery channels.

XBIZ: Could you tell me more about some of your other business ventures?

DA: We have two subscription websites — the main Danni's Hard Drive site and a wholly owned subsidiary, Misha Online. Misha Online has been an interesting addition for us because it fills a different niche than Danni's but does so with the same female-empowering style of Danni's, one of our strongest brand elements. Then there's a production company that creates and markets adult films. Existing film lines include Danni Ashe Presents, a line of R-rated programs sold at mainstream retail stores like Musicland, and Danni's Hard Cut, a series of hardcore films. We also have licensed consumer products, including photosets and novelty items, which are sold online and via retail outlets; and we distribute content to a wide variety of sources, including the handheld devices like the iPod and other MP3 players and Akimbo Systems.

In part three we'll wrap up our exclusive interview with Danni Ashe.

Copyright © 2025 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

profile

WIA Profile: Leah Koons

If you’ve been to an industry event lately, odds are you’ve heard Leah Koons even before you’ve seen her. As Fansly’s director of marketing, Koons helps steer one of the fastest-growing creator platforms on the web.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

What France's New Law Means for Age Verification Worldwide

When France implemented its Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law on April 11, it marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing global debate surrounding online safety and access to adult content.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

From Tariffs to Trends: Staying Resilient in a Shaky Online Adult Market

Whenever I check in with clients these days, I encounter the same concerns. For many, business has not quite bounced back after the typical post-holiday-season slowdown. Instead, consumers have been holding back due to the economic uncertainty around the Trump administration’s new tariffs and their impact on prices.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Optimizing Payment Strategies for High Ticket Sales

Payment processing for more expensive items, such as those exceeding $1,000 per order, can create unique challenges. For adult businesses, those challenges are magnified. Increased fraud risk, elevated chargeback ratios and heavier scrutiny from banks and processors are only the beginning.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Lexi Morin

Lexi Morin’s journey into the adult industry began with a Craigslist ad and a leap of faith. In 2011, fresh-faced and ambitious, she was scrolling through job ads on Craigslist when she stumbled upon a listing for an assistant makeup artist.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Still Rocking: The Hun Celebrates 30 Years in the Game

In the ever-changing landscape of adult entertainment, The Hun’s Yellow Pages stands out for its endurance. As one of the internet’s original fixtures, literally nearly as old as the web itself, The Hun has functioned as a living archive for online adult content, quietly maintaining its relevance with an interface that feels more nostalgic than flashy.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Digital Desires: AI's Emerging Role in Adult Entertainment

The adult industry has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology. From the early days of dial-up internet and grainy video clips to today’s polished social media platforms and streaming services, our industry has never been afraid to innovate. But now, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking things up in ways that are exciting but also daunting.

Steve Lightspeed ·
opinion

More Than Money: Why Donating Time Matters for Nonprofits

The adult industry faces constant legal battles, societal stigma and workplace challenges. Fortunately, a number of nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to protect the rights and well-being of adult performers, producers and industry workers. When folks in the industry think about supporting these groups, donating money is naturally the first solution that comes to mind.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Consent Guardrails: How to Protect Your Content Platform

The adult industry takes a strong and definite stance against the creation or publication of nonconsensual materials. Adult industry creators, producers, processors, banks and hosts all share a vested interest in ensuring that the recording and publication of sexually explicit content is supported by informed consent.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

Payment Systems: Facilitator vs. Gateway Explained

Understanding and selecting the right payment platform can be confusing for anyone. Recently, Segpay launched its payment gateway. Since then, we’ve received numerous questions about the difference between a payment facilitator and a payment gateway. Most merchants want to know which type of platform best meets their business needs.

Cathy Beardsley ·
Show More