profile

Steady Rise — Spartacus Leathers' Josh Miller

Spartacus Leathers launched in Portland 26 years ago as a single adult retail store known for offering highquality, adult leather goods. Josh Miller joined the company as an inventory control specialist a little more than 15 years ago while the company was still manufacturing its leather goods in its retail store’s basement. Miller worked his way up through the ranks and today is vice president of the company, which has transformed from a local adult retailer into a manufacturer of premium leather, metal, and rubber goods that are sold globally.

Miller’s job is to ensure that the well-tuned corporate machinery that drove the company’s vast expansion through the years continues to run smoothly. “I’m a pretty hands-on type of executive and my duties include overseeing various aspects of our operations,” Miller told XBIZ. “Every day I talk to our production manager and our production crew. I talk to our sales and marketing crew several times each day and I even still meet with the manager and staff of our retail store quite regularly.”

The work [our artisans] produce, the craftsmanship involved, is pretty amazing when compared to the rest of the market. —Josh Miller VP, Spartacus Leathers

Though manufacturing has far outpaced the company’s retail operations by a wide margin, Miller values his experience on the front lines, especially his stint managing the company’s Portland, Ore., retail store where he learned valuable lessons about the importance of earning the trust of the consumer. “It is especially important now in this social media savvy culture to build connections with your customers. Not just building name brand recognition, but building trust in the product itself, so that customers know that what they are is getting is a good value. We stand behind our products 100 percent and that really goes a long way to building that trust that customers need.”

One reason Spartacus can safely vouch for its products is that even as it continues to expand production efforts, the company continues to assemble its products at its own facility. And Spartacus chooses to do so even though contracting the work to foreign manufacturers could feasibly reduce the company’s costs and add to the bottom line. “Producing the work in-house gives us more control over the quality of the products, allowing us to ensure that every item meets our high standards,” Miller said.

The company’s growth required moving the production division out of the basement and into a separate manufacturing facility but the items are still hand assembled by artisans, some of whom have been at the company even longer than Miller. “The work they produce, the craftsmanship involved, is pretty amazing when compared to the rest of the market. I know what is out there and I am very impressed with what these guys do.”

While Spartacus continues to be known for its premium leather, BDSM goods, its manufacturing has expanded to include various product lines that complement its core niche. Through the years, the company introduced BDSM related products such as clamps, handcuffs, paddles, and other such accessories that are a large part of each year’s catalog. “For our most popular leather items we offer fabric alternatives such as rubber and sheepskin lining, fabrics that offer unique textures that some customers prefer.”

According to Miller, the company’s fastest growing product category is nipple clamps. “Our product line is probably the most diverse on the market,” Miller suggested. “We have everything for everyone in that category; for novices, experts and everything in between.”

In order to make it easier for customers to find the right clamp for their needs, Spartacus rates its clamps on a “1-to-3” scale, where “1” represents the clamps that offer the lightest pressure and “3” signifies the clamps that offer the most pressure. Adjustable clamps are indicated by multiple numbers that indicate that model’s pressure range. And the clamps are not simply for nipples; Spartacus offers a Y-style model that features an attached clit clamp or cock ring.

Last year Spartacus celebrated its 25th anniversary with the launch of Blown, a line of hand-blown glass dildos and plugs that nudged the company known for BDSM gear into the mainstream of adult retail. Miller suggests that part of the reason that Blown is a success is because of the reputation Spartacus has for creating excellent hand-crafted items. “Blown was very well received even though it is not a product category that we are traditionally known for,” Miller said. “We are known across the globe for our premium hand-crafted goods made by artisan craftsmen and Blown fits that bill exactly. Customers accepted our new product line because they knew they could trust us to produce quality products.”

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

How Adult Retailers Can Enhance Sales With Supplements

The supplement industry is big business. In 2024, Future Market Insights estimated it to be valued at $74.3 billion, and other market research firms anticipate that number will grow to upwards of $170 billion in just 10 years.

Rick Magana ·
opinion

Why It's Time the Pleasure Industry Got Serious About IPX Waterproof Ratings

As someone who regularly communicates with manufacturers, retailers and consumers, I’ve seen how this ambiguity can do a disservice to both the customers who use these products and the businesses that sell them.

Alicia Sinclair Rosen ·
opinion

Tips for Sexual Wellness Brands to Win Over Gen Z This Summer

As summer rolls around, the excitement in the air is palpable, especially for one particular demographic: Gen Z. College and university classes are over, vacations are booked and it’s time to let loose.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community With Inclusive Packaging Design

Pride Month is a time of visibility, joy and self-expression. In the pleasure industry, projecting that energy can start with something as simple as a box. Market research shows that 72% of U.S. consumers say product packaging influences their purchasing decisions.

Matthew Spindler ·
profile

WIA Profile: Pettus Ashley

Pettus Ashley brings her A game to the world of authentic adult branding, flitting between airports as the American face of U.K. brand Bathmate. As a company brand ambassador, Ashley personifies Bathmate’s dedication to the retail world, showering staff with equal amounts of appreciation and sales education.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Good Relations Fosters Sex Wellness, Positivity for 40+ Years

Melinda Myers, the founder and owner of Good Relations in Eureka, California, was still in college when she got invited to attend her first pleasure products home party.

Quinton Bellamie ·
opinion

Why It's Time for Pleasure Brands to Stop Ignoring B2C Marketing

For many B2B adult brands, marketing to consumers feels like a waste of time. I’ve heard it so many times: “We sell to retailers, not consumers. Why should we invest in B2C marketing?”

Hail Groo ·
opinion

The Midlife Movement Is Exploding; Is the Pleasure Industry Ready?

In marketing, there tends to be an emphasis on the younger generation — the trendsetters. The assumption is that appealing to the younger market has a halo effect on older consumers, who look to younger folks for what is on trend.

Sarah Tomchesson ·
opinion

Gender Play Gets Creative With Fantasy Toys

Sex toy manufacturers are increasingly recognizing the value of fantasy products, expanding their lines to include ever more diverse designs. What was once considered a niche market has proven to have broad appeal, demonstrating that people are eager to explore desires that extend beyond conventional human experiences.

Rin Musick ·
opinion

How Sex Toy Retailers Can Better Support Marginalized Communities

As someone who has been in the industry since 2003, I’ve seen countless trends, products and marketing strategies come and go. Yet one thing has remained consistent: a significant gap in how sex toy retailers serve marginalized communities.

Kimberly Scott Faubel ·
Show More