profile

WIA Profile: Michelle Liss

WIA Profile: Michelle Liss

Michelle Liss is nearing two decades in the pleasure products industry, and according to this well-known pleasure power player, life is still looking peachy from behind her desk at Paradise Marketing headquarters. Like many of the industry’s OG sales executives, Liss got her start pushing papers for major adult video production outfits. And like most old-schoolers, she fell in love with a career that started out as just another way to pay the bills and stuck with this gang of crazy dildo and lube slingers for life.

To the relief of Liss’ colleague partners-in-crime, we couldn’t get her to spill any scandalous stories. Liss instead chose to gush about the folks that inspired her to stick around since her days of working as an office temp and the empowered women that paved the way for the sexual freedom revolution. Though Liss may be too humble to say so herself, we’d count her as one of the amazing women whose presence has made this business a better place. Without further ado, Michelle Liss is our Woman of the Month, and if you ask us, this one’s been a long time coming. Take it away, Michelle!

I never thought this would turn into a career for me, but it has and I absolutely LOVE what I do and love everyone I get to work with and be around.

XBIZ: So what does it feel like to arrive at year 19 of your pleasure industry career?

Michelle Liss: I never thought this would turn into a career for me, but it has and I absolutely LOVE what I do and love everyone I get to work with and be around. The people in this industry have become family to me.

XBIZ: What did you do before you worked for America’s No. 1 condom and lube manufacturer?

Liss: I started off back in 1999 as a temp, then an assistant, and then I went on to VHS sales at Vivid for about six years. From there, I then worked as a sales rep for Red Light District and many other companies along the way. I fell in love with the industry.

XBIZ: How did you wind up with Paradise Marketing all those years ago?

Liss: I met Dennis Paradise back in the day when he made condoms for Vivid and we stayed in touch through the years. I would always joke with him about hiring me and he never had anything available. I moved back to Chicago for a couple of years and I was lucky enough to get a call from Dennis saying he had a position for me. I have now been here for just over four years and I couldn’t be happier.

XBIZ: What industry figures helped contribute to your career success?

Liss: Howard Levine, David Joseph and of course Dennis Paradise. I have to say, pretty much everyone who has been around and has a passion for what they do inspire me everyday!

XBIZ: How did you progress to where you are now at your position within Paradise Marketing?

Liss: I started in this same position, as a matter of fact. I am the only sales rep at Paradise Marketing. Everyone here contributes to the sales, especially Wayne Decker, the COO. We all work as a team here.

XBIZ: What are the best parts of your job?

Liss: The best part about my job … is the job itself.

XBIZ: What female industry pioneers have influenced your success?

Liss: Back in 1999, there weren’t many women of “power” in this industry The female pioneers who influenced my success, I have to say, are Joy King, Marci Hirsch and Susan Colvin. When I first started in the pleasure industry, these were the strong women who I saw work incredibly hard. I have so much respect for them and many others who continually show that women play a huge part in the success of this industry.

XBIZ: How have women’s voices changed the pleasure industry over the years?

Liss: As I stated before, there were few women of power in this industry when I started. Over the years, so many more women have joined the industry and all are kicking ass and taking names! I’m truly blessed to be able to work with all of the remarkable women who are proving that we are just as capable, if not more in some instances, of becoming successful in this industry.

XBIZ: Tell us a memorable or humorous story from your time in this crazy career field.

Liss: I have so many memorable and humorous stories from my time in this industry. This may be hard to believe, but I don’t think most of them are appropriate to publish. Another reason this industry is the BEST and I wouldn’t change a thing!

XBIZ: What exciting things are coming down the pipeline for you this year?

Liss: Everyday something new and exciting happens. This year will be my first time attending eroFame in Germany. I am excited to be focusing on international sales going forward, as well as domestic sales.

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.

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

Kraig McGee Blends Family Biz Experience, Creative Background at TAF Distributing

Walk into any Adam & Eve store in the Mountain West region of the U.S. and you’ve likely stumbled into a TAF Distributing outfit. Owned by industry veteran Kraig McGee Jr. and staffed by his closest family members, McGee’s 35 TAF-operated stores span 13 states, from woodsy Idaho to scenic Utah and well beyond.

Colleen Godwin ·
opinion

How Pleasure Brands Can Ethically Market to LGBTQ+ Communities

Every June, the rainbow floodgates open. Suddenly, pleasure products are “Pride-themed,” companies change their logos and brands rush to show just how inclusive they are — at least for 30 days. But as a queer, nonbinary marketing strategist who works with adult brands year-round, I’m here to say: Rainbow dildos alone are not progress. They’re often just noise.

Hail Groo ·
opinion

A Retailer's Road Map for First-Timers' Anal August

Anal August offers a prime opportunity for brands and stores to capture new customers and drive growth in a category that’s gaining mainstream momentum. As consumer interest in anal play continues to rise, now is the time to meet first-time buyers where they are, with approachable products, trusted education and a clear path to pleasure.

Matthew Spindler ·
opinion

Optimizing Your Leadership Through Wellness Practices

For many of us, 2025 has proved intensely stressful — and we’re still only halfway through the year. In times like these, it may seem counterintuitive or even irresponsible to talk about seeking pleasure. Yet pleasure, presence, joy and connection can help you return to a mental and physical state that allows you to face and handle stressors.

Sarah Tomchesson ·
opinion

Chastity Play Is Trending: Why It Should Be in Your Marketing Strategy

From chastity fetishes to power play, erotic control — once considered an esoteric niche within the world of BDSM — is now entering the mainstream. Google searches for “chastity cages,” “chastity fetish” and “orgasm denial” have exploded over the past year, with interest especially high for beginner-friendly models.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

A Look at Adult Retail's Role in Community Care

In the adult retail industry, we focus on empowerment, exploration and connection. We connect people with products that can transform their relationships with their bodies, with their partners and with themselves.

Rin Musick ·
trends

A Deep Dive Into Key Trends Shaping Pleasure Products

In 2025, the pleasure industry is evolving in intentional ways. Rather than racing toward newness for novelty’s sake, brands are reassessing everything from shape and function to what price intended shoppers can afford.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

WIA Profile: Jia Jeng

Modern branding is all about storytelling — and Jia Jeng certainly knows how to tell an authentic, perspective-shifting tale. As brand manager for ID Lubricants, Jeng applies her creative talent to shaping the long-established company’s public image in a way that aligns with her own vision for an ethical future.

Women in Adult ·
profile

Spicerack Market Offers Indie Brands a Launching Pad

Spicerack Market is an ecommerce platform with the heart of an artisan crafter and the soul of a kinkster. On the website, independent sex toy makers, lingerie seamstresses and kink gear craftspeople can set up a personalized shop to sell their handmade wares, unhindered by censorship or bans on adult products.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

Strategies to Bring Pleasure Brands into the Spotlight

Every brand dreams about landing a feature in The New York Times or Men’s Health — and pleasure brands are no exception. After all, mainstream media coverage isn’t just a vanity milestone. It builds trust, attracts new audiences and opens doors to connecting with retailers, partnerships, and investors.

Hail Groo ·
Show More