Hustler buyer David Ballow has a few tricks up his sleeve, and though they might count as some strange form of BDSM, Ballow’s plotting doesn’t necessarily involve whips or cuffs. Spend a week in the office with him and you might just encounter well-aged cheese and a subsequent flying shoe to go with your daily dose of vibrators and kink gear.
As the guy in charge of stocking Hustler Hollywood stores with the latest sex toys and BDSM gear, Ballow has a real Goliath of tasks to keep consumers streaming in for more than a few nudie magazines.
I started as the buyer, then store manager and eventually director of operations. I had the opportunity to make significant changes there, to create an adult space that you were not ashamed to enter.
David Ballow sat down with XBIZ to tell the tales that make him a colorful pleasure products industry character.
XBIZ: What were you up to before landing in the pleasure products industry?
David Ballow: Decades ago, when I was driving a forklift for a car wax factory, I never dreamed that I would be facilitating orgasms on a nationwide scale.
After many years in retail, I worked for a tiny gay mag called Planet Homo in the ‘90s. That gave me a unique vantage point to observe gay sex culture at the time. The need for better awareness of sexual health and well-being was very clear to me, but I had no idea that it would become such a huge part of my life.
XBIZ: What was the catalyst that sparked such a fiery career in sex toys?
Ballow: In 1994, my friend Clint Yeager was the buyer for the Pleasure Chest. He was planning to start his own leather gear company and was looking for someone to groom for the buyer position. I happily accepted the challenge.
I started as the buyer, then store manager and eventually director of operations. I had the opportunity to make significant changes there, to create an adult space that you were not ashamed to enter. This was a new idea for adult at the time, and customers loved it. Working with the new owner, we furthered this progression in West Hollywood and connected the other shops in New York and Chicago.
After exploring all these aspects of a small business, I was ready to enter the corporate world of Hustler.
XBIZ: It’s the question everyone is dying to know: Who’s responsible for the connection that got your feet into the doors of Hustler headquarters?
Ballow: Austin Ferdinand of CalExotics introduced me to Theresa Flynt. She told me that she had been watching the changes at Pleasure Chest, and she was impressed. I was of course completely flattered, and I knew that I could bring something great to the table at Hustler.
Theresa and I shared the same vision of bringing sex toys to the mainstream. Not only did Hustler Hollywood create an upbeat, comfortable shopping environment, but they reached more people in more cities as well. And Larry’s vision was to grow the business and expand into many more markets. Needless to say, I hit the ground running.
Working for a legend like Larry Flynt makes me feel like I am a part of something so much bigger. I feel honored to be a part of the Hustler Hollywood corporate team.
XBIZ: What’s it like to be a buyer in this industry? It seems like a dream gig considering that buyers are constantly wined and dined by business customers, but what’s the real story?
Ballow: I hardly get a chance to enjoy the wine and dine aspect of the position. There is never a dull moment here with all of our growth and refinements. When you are busy, the day just flies by. By dinnertime, I am ready to curl up with my cats and call it a day.
The process of buying on a large scale is all encompassing. Finding the right items for 25 locations involves more than just picking things and sending them out. It means working with the store’s feedback and suggestions; the store managers are my eyes and ears because they listen to the customers and make it a priority to communicate the info to me. In addition, I have to make sure everyone is on the same page with understanding the product by scheduling in-store vendor trainings, promotions, and spifs. I could use some of that free wine just talking about it.
XBIZ: We all know the Hustler brand, but what’s so darn special about Hustler boutiques?
Ballow: Well, me of course! Hustler Hollywood is a hugely recognized brand and locations, locations, locations. The corporate environment is way more productive and efficient than a mom-and-pop store operation. Things move much faster with a great team. We all get along very well so we are able to work together and accomplish more. Most importantly, we are able to laugh and have fun between the peaks of activity.
XBIZ: After all these years, what keeps you sticking around all these crazy sex toy folks?
Ballow: Most definitely the team. We are a group of driven people with tons of knowledge and experience. We have a common goal of upward movement and can rely on each other to make great things happen. We all work together at the Flynt building in Beverly Hills, so it is easy to bounce ideas off each other and gain perspectives. Our fearless leader Philip Del Rio is on fire but always makes time for each of us. He is truly an inspiration (and I am not just kissing butt here either). Everyone agrees that he is the best thing that ever happened to Hustler Hollywood. I don’t know how he does it all and still maintains his great sense of humor. Also, working with the most amazing people in this industry. It’s relatively a small industry, so you tend to get to know everyone fairly quickly. What a great group of individuals. Everyone is so warm, helpful and supportive of each other. I feel so fortunate to be a part of it all.
XBIZ: I hear you’re a regular comedian around these parts. Tell us a funny story that shows the world what it’s like to work with Mr. David Ballow on a daily basis.
Ballow: Mostly, it’s the ongoing hijinks with the people that I work with. Quirky little pranks are my personal favorite. Just simple things to annoy or surprise — an unplugged telephone or some carefully concealed stinky cheese can make someone’s day, for the most part. I do recall a dear coworker chucking her shoe down the hall at me. No more stinky cheese for her.
You know, you have to have fun with it all and be able to laugh at yourself too. Otherwise, it is just another day at the office.
XBIZ: Besides the typical “we’re getting bigger and better” sort of response, what are some exciting things happening for Hustler stores this year?
Ballow: Well, I have rousing work travel plans visiting vendors in Amsterdam and Prague. Then I’m off to Germany for the eroFame show in October. I hope to bring back some unusual things to play with. I’m always on the hunt for new things to delight our customers and set us apart from the rest.
Besides bringing our store count to 30 and a major expansion of our e-com HustlerHollywood.com, we are finally getting a warehouse for centralized distribution this fall. It’s hard not to mention bigger and better, I suppose!
