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WIA Profile: Carmen Lumina

How did you get into the business?

I’ve always wanted to become an entrepreneur so the online business was the next step. Once I figured out what I want to do, I kept a laser focus on the goal and sinked my teeth in. Here I am now … the adult industry has a history of being innovative, so seemed the right place to continue doing what I know best!

Being a woman in such male-dominated industry has its advantages, but I believe despite all the taboo around it, the brain still makes the difference in my job.

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

I moved from my hometown, Galati, when I was 18… to the capital of Romania, Bucharest. Bucharest is HUGE!!! 2.2 million, the 10th largest city in the European Union. At first, this was a real challenge. Me, coming from a small quiet city, all by myself, in the middle of a “jungle.” But being the optimist that I always am that things will work out, helps make any challenges less overwhelming. I was accepted to one of the best universities, studying business management and marketing, I got a job for sales representive, and I was helping part time a friend in organizing real estate conferences. I started to love interacting with people, get to know them and adapt on each type of personality and needs. But I wanted more. So I persisted through thick and thin until I succeeded to get where I wished.

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

The challenge of the adult online business is to stay on top of the game. We are talking about a fast-moving market where new products, new services and business models appear daily, and because of that you need to move and think faster than they happen and to come up with innovative solutions and new products that the users need or would like to pay for. I try to be there for all my business partners and attend their needs at the highest level by working 24/7 and not letting anything passing by. But I love it. And I tend to be one of those who live and breathe what they do and love every minute of it.

Does your work life affect your personal life?

For sure. It’s one of those things that you have to be there 100 percent, and that includes having business partners that become friends. But I love it as it shows how tight and close we are in this industry. It feels like one big family. Of course I believe we need to have very strong moral standards, no matter of the area in which we work … and a smart and understanding boyfriend! Being a woman in such male-dominated industry has its advantages, but I believe despite all the taboo around it, the brain still makes the difference in my job.

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.

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