Each month, XBIZ World spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of women in the adult industry. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry’s most influential female executives.
This month’s WIA woman of the month is Dating Factory’s Jenny Gonzalez, who specializes in affiliate marketing, branding and sales.
I find women to be better leaders, as most of the time they won’t occupy their time fantasizing about female co-workers or contemplating who is the alpha male in the office.
Gonzalez holds the title of vice president of sales and marketing for Dating Factory, which is a leading international white label platform for online dating with more than 30,000 partners worldwide. The company operates in 22 languages and supports about 60 niche markets.
She joined Dating Factory last year after several years at Love Revenue, where she helped build and grow its dating program.
How did you get into the business?
I got into the business purely by chance! Back then Ilan Bunimovitz was the CEO at Private.com and he needed an executive assistant who spoke Spanish because the headquarters for the company is in Barcelona, Spain. I applied for the job because I liked how the role sounded and only properly checked out what the company did afterwards.
What in your background prepared you for what you are doing now?
Patience, drive and determination. I worked my way up in the industry from the very bottom of the ladder so I think I am able to understand the many different pieces of the puzzle when it comes to the business.
How do you answer the question of whether women lead differently than men?
Absolutely, for better or for worse we are just a different breed. In fact, I find women to be better leaders, as most of the time they won’t occupy their time fantasizing about female co-workers or contemplating who is the alpha male in the office. I have found the very few women leaders in the industry to be amazing deal makers, always direct, to the point and exceptionally business driven.
Who inspires you in this industry?
Women with balls inspire me. All jokes aside there is something to be said about women who have had the guts to go against the norm and become movers and shakers within a very male-dominated industry. My icons to name a few: Tanya Fathers and Lisa Moskotova for building what they have from what they had and turning Dating Factory into the success it is today, Julia Dimambro of Cherry Media for always being ahead of the curve in mobile, Kiwigirl (Jo Perkinson) of Kiwisourcing and Kristen of K2 Dynamics for creating their own businesses and showing us all how to get it done, and Julie Larson of JuicyAds for being always an inspiration on being a great deal closer, as well as the many other wonderful ladies that work within this industry. And the few guys who have done really well for themselves.
What’s a typical work day like?
Looking at numbers, finding ways to improve conversions, meetings, brain-storming sessions, being a love counselor for my affiliates when they need it, market research, jokes, laughter, enjoying the Mediterranean views, social media, networking, coming up with the next cool lander ... whatever I need to do that day, as long as it increases conversions for our partners.
When not thinking about the biz, what do you like to do?
I wish I had a really cool and shocking hobby, but seriously I really enjoy cooking, entertaining at dinner parties and traveling.
