xbiz world
xbiz premiere
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 © 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

opinion

The Basics of Total Cost of Ownership in Retail

Almost every retailer has experienced that “oh no” moment. It’s when support tickets pile up, staff can’t get answers fast enough, store openings get delayed because Wi-Fi isn’t ready, or the POS proves to be outdated. Suddenly you’re too busy fixing problems to focus on driving sales.

Sean Quinn ·
opinion

How to Market a Product You Can't Name or Show Online

You’re trying to sell legal, helpful products to consenting adults — yet the internet treats those products like a problem. The viral success every brand dreams of can seem maddeningly elusive when search engines block or restrict common keywords, social feeds shadow-ban PG posts, review bots misread images and policies shift overnight with no notice.

Hail Groo ·
opinion

How Managing Inventory With AI Helps Retailers Stock Smarter

If you’ve ever stood in a stockroom looking at a wall of unsold merchandise, then you know this basic truth: Your inventory is an asset — until it starts gathering dust. But how do we predict what customers want? That’s the eternal retail dilemma.

Zondre Watson ·
opinion

A Retail Guide for Boosting Sales in the Often-Overlooked Nipple Play Category

When it comes to sex toys, one area of the body that often gets overlooked by both consumers and salespeople is the nipples. Even though human nipples are packed with nerve endings and are sensitive and responsive across genders, they frequently get ignored as a focus for pleasure products — usually simply because nipple toys are small and come in tiny packaging.

Sara Gaffoor ·
opinion

What Sexual Wellness Brands Can Learn From Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is an undeniable cultural force, but her superpower isn’t just music. From surprise album drops on podcasts to billion-dollar tours, the Swiftie empire has turned into a global movement in large part thanks to effective marketing.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

How Humor Breaks the Ice in Adult Retail

Laughter sells. That’s especially true in our industry. Where vulnerability and curiosity walk through the door together, humor can help turn hesitation into comfort.

Alexandra Bouchard ·
trends

Multipurpose Products Take Center Stage as Pleasure Brands Face Headwinds in Europe

As 2025 unfolds, the European pleasure industry finds itself balancing between resilience and recalibration. After riding high on customer demand during the pandemic, the sector is now adjusting to more cautious customer behavior, global geopolitical tensions and shifting retail strategies.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

WIA Profile: Sara Gaffoor

Though it may be surprising to outsiders, a job in the sex toy space can be a source of much self-esteem and personal growth.

Women in Adult ·
profile

Zhe Founder Karyn Elizabeth Creates Gender-Affirming Lingerie Fashion

For years, the mainstream lingerie market has been shaped by narrow beauty standards and cisnormativity, with little room for gender diversity. Most lingerie is designed to fit cisgender female bodies, while trans people are often forced to go DIY with uncomfortable solutions like pantyhose, duct tape and ill-fitting shapewear.

Naima Karp ·
profile

Neon Coyotes Sets the Tone for Trendiness With Bespoke Leather Kink Wear

If your kink wear can’t readily make the leap from a dark BDSM dungeon to a sunny, mimosa-fueled brunch, you haven’t yet been initiated into the cult of the Neon Coyotes — fresh, leather kink wear brand transforming restraints into runway-ready art.

Colleen Godin ·
Show More