How did you get into the business?
In August 1998 I was asked to help out my friends and come to work for them. They had just started a billing company specializing in the adult space. I started out doing customer service for their websites, all their accounting projects and slowly learning what to say in case someone called asking about the services they offered. Fourteen years later I am still selling adult processing. During this time span I have worked for only two companies. The first one I stayed 10 years acquiring a vast knowledge of the industry and developing business and personal relationships. I am now starting my fourth year at OrbitalPay Inc., a subsidiary of Global Electronic Technology, as assistant vice president of business development. I am honored to be a part of such an amazing group of individuals striving to provide the most outstanding services and products to all our customers.
I am dedicated to what I do and I believe in the integrity of who and what I represent which make the challenges less overwhelming.
What in your background prepared you for what you are doing now?
The only thing the somewhat prepared me is my background in accounting. I previously worked in public accounting as a full charge bookkeeper. I have a vast knowledge of how numbers work so it was easy for me to help with reporting, stats and rates. However, it did not give me the tools I would need. I was totally illequipped. I was shy and I had to learn to be outgoing. I was not a public speaker and I had to learn to speak in front of a large group so I could participate in the show seminars. I had never sent an email or been on the Internet, which in that day was not too uncommon I guess, so I had to learn that too. I had to learn to type (my first boss gave me a typing program to learn at home). I had to learn how to be a good traveler so I would be able to the shows. So all in all I have learned a lot over the years and now I find myself an industry veteran and I can say I remember when ....
What do you see as the challenges of working in the adult online business?
The adult online industry as a whole has not been challenging for me. I think there are certain challenges to be expected in the billing world as it relates to adult. There are multitudes of billing companies and it is extremely competitive. That in itself is a huge challenge which is not easily overcome. The biggest challenge for me has been to keep striving to be successful while maintaining my honesty, being humble and not losing sight of my goals and most importantly to not disappoint the people who believe in me and count on me to represent their company.
How do you overcome the challenges of working in the adult online business?
I am dedicated to what I do and I believe in the integrity of who and what I represent which make the challenges less overwhelming. I believe in working hard and doing my best which has carried me though many of the hurdles. The key is finding a solution that works for you.
Does your work life affect your personal life?
In some ways it does. Working in the online adult world doing sales I am virtually never off the clock. I get emails 24/7 thanks to my Blackberry, which is never more than two feet away from me. I am one of those people who if you contact me you will get an immediate response even when “on vacation.” I do my best to meet the needs of my customers and sometimes that takes precedence over my families’ needs. I do focus a lot on work and I don’t have a lot of free time especially during the work week. Don’t get me wrong I am not complaining it is what I signed up for and as a result I am rewarded on a daily basis in many ways.
I am honored to have been chosen to share my experience in the adult industry. I hope each and everyone has a joyful and prosperous new year.
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.