Every week, FSC members are asked to answer a few questions for the FSC’s X-Press newsletter Member Spotlight. This new feature helps you get to know your colleagues better, as well as their perspectives on the industry.
In the spotlight this week, Pipedream Products CEO Nick Orlandino.
FSC: How/when did you start Pipedreams?
Nick Orlandino: Pipedream was founded in 1973, and I relocated to Los Angeles from New York and joined the team in 1992 as Vice President of Sales/Marketing. In 1994, I became a partner and I’m currently CEO of Pipedream and run all day-to-day operations.
FSC: Talk about some of the things that set Pipedreams apart; innovations you’ve made to expand your market…
NO: I’ve always been one of the industry leader’s in innovation, and this is what has set Pipedream apart from our competitors. In the past 30 years, I’ve created some of the best-selling adult gifts and novelties in the world, it’s hard to keep track of all of the time-tested favorites. We’ve also created an exclusive merchandising and marketing program, powered by our award-winning Planogrammer software. We’ve changed the ways adult retail stores merchandise and market Pipedream Products, and it’s allowed us to stand out from the rest of my competitors because the software is proprietary.
FSC: What are the biggest challenges for the adult pleasure product market right now?
NO: Saturation of the market and way too much redundant product. I try to set Pipedream apart by creating unique, one-of-a-kind items that no other manufacturer can duplicate.
FSC: If you weren’t in the adult business, what would you be doing?
NO: I have no idea, i’ve been in this business for 30 years, since I was 15 years old. This business is my passion and I love what I do.
FSC: What do you see in the future for adult pleasure products?
NO: There’s definitely going to be some narrowing of the field, the strong and innovative companies will continue to grow and expand, and the smaller, weaker imitators will go away.
