After a full year as JOPEN brand manager, Robin Stewart says she enjoys her dynamic role traveling nationwide, providing retailer support to expand the profile of the JOPEN brand. With several years of experience in sales, marketing, instructional education and personalized brand management, Stewart wears many hats in her current role, working side-by-side with JOPEN product design, marketing and sales execs. In this month’s WIA Woman of the Month spotlight, Stewart discusses reaching her goal of making a positive impact on the industry.
What is your role and responsibility at Jopen?
The most rewarding part of my job is meeting new people and training them on our products. I learn something new every time I interact with the mangers and sales staff of adult retailers.
I’m the brand manager for JOPEN. I helped create our Authorized Distributor program which preserves the integrity of our brand. I also meet with customers and educate them about the amazing JOPEN products and work with them to enhance the brand image through pricing, merchandising, trade shows and more. If someone needs in-store training, merchandising help, or any assistance with JOPEN sales, I’m the person to call.
What is a typical day at the office like for you?
Is there such a thing as a typical day when you work in the adult industry? I don’t think so! There’s never a dull moment and I never do the same thing every day.
One of the things I enjoy most about my job, and that I get to do quite a bit, is travel to help educate retailers on our fabulous products. I love the interaction of meeting new people and sharing ideas. I have the best job ever!
When in the office I answer our customer service line, attend marketing meetings to help contribute ideas to help promote and sell our product lines, manage our JOPEN where to buy section on our website, and help the wonderful ladies in our product development department with new JOPEN products.
How did you get into the adult novelty business?
In March of 2005 a dear friend told me about a new publication that AVN had started (Adult Novelty Business) and that they were looking for a dedicated person to sell advertising and help with their B2B trade show. The first thing he said to me was, “I think you would be perfect for the job, you’re not a prude!” And so my career started!
What challenges have you confronted in your career and how have you overcome them?
The only challenge I’ve faced in my career is the push-back from former friends who didn’t like my choice to work in the adult industry. I did say “former.” I now consider them just acquaintances. No hard feelings; they made their choices and I made mine.
I have two children and some people thought this wasn’t an industry befitting a young, divorced mother. I totally disagree. I’ve never been more comfortable in my environment or happier in my work than I’ve been since I chose to join “the industry.” I set a positive example for my children. In me they see an independent, hardworking person who enjoys going to work every day … the same things I wish for them.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is meeting new people and training them on our products. I learn something new every time I interact with the mangers and sales staff of adult retailers. They have their pulse on what the customer is looking for and collaborating with them to make the customer happy is truly rewarding.
What is your personal motto or mantra that you live by?
Customer service is not a saying it’s an action. I want to treat people I work with, and those that I meet with, positive karma. I always sign my emails with, “Please let me know if I can be of further service.” And I mean that.
What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
Well, this one of course! Being selected for an article in a magazine that I love — I’m over the moon. Thank you for letting me share a little bit about me. I’m looking forward to many more years in this industry. The best is yet to come!
What are your professional goals for 2013?
So much to do and so little time. It’s April already!
I made a long list for 2013 and I’ve been checking off accomplishments as the year goes by, but in short, I want to continue making a positive impact on our business. Not only in sales and promotion, but I also want to make an impact as a worthy ambassador of our luxury brand, JOPEN.
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.
