Risk-taking often goes hand-in-hand with creativity. Progressive leaders blaze unknown trails to explore what’s on the horizon and adopt new strategies that often become standard practices for years to come.
XBIZ’s “Execs of 2018: The Year in Review” showcases the thoughts and strategies implemented by the forward-thinking executives that are driving the adult retail market into the future.
Each of the executives we spoke to below is among the finalist nominees for the Progressive Leadership Award in the retail edition of the 2019 XBIZ Exec Awards.
Where do you draw inspiration for staying on the cutting edge?
Raj Armani
Co-Founder and CEO, Besharam
“I get inspired when I hear, watch, see other people make it and hit their goals and feel accomplished. It could be in any industry, any product or domain. I totally dig success stories, especially of those who had to face challenges and tribulations to get where they are now. They fire my mind. I am a believer. I mostly always support the underdog. Because it is not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
Jerome Bensimon
VP of Sales, Satisfyer
“Satisfyer’s product development and design teams are constantly orientating their work based on what we learn every day from end-consumers. Also, being part of a group that operates the largest online retailer platform is helping us to draw our future and become a market leader in the sexual wellness industry.”
Chad Braverman
COO/CCO, Doc Johnson
“Staying on the cutting edge is not instantaneous or magical. Instead, it is the result of continuously asking the right questions and relentless hard work over an extended period of time. Many companies fail to fully invest in research and development. Doc Johnson does the opposite. We have an incredibly strong R&D department, we relentlessly tweak our approaches based on feedback from our customers and the end-consumer, and we broaden our gaze to the industries around us. So, we avoid only encountering ideas that our industry is already talking about.
Aside from that, we believe that fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce is absolutely vital to generating fresh ideas and staying on the cutting edge globally. Diversity of thought brings together different perspectives, and we are also inspired by the various generations represented among our teams. In an arena marked by incredible variety, where consumers are constantly flooded with options, creativity is still a differentiator that sets great brands apart. To be noticed, we cannot be complacent, and we have remained laser-focused on always pushing forward and upwards with our products, processes and our communications.”
Joris Guisado
Director of Sales and Marketing, Lovense
“My desire to make Lovense stay cutting-edge comes from a combination of things. I believe our customers are the biggest sources of motivation and inspiration for me, as they are the people we are making these toys for. I always try to be accessible and listen to what people want. Many of them have lots of experience with toys; so, they know exactly what is missing, what could be better and what they would rather never see again.”
Eric Idema
CEO and Founder, EDC Wholesale
“I really love what I do, and going to work every day gives me so much joy. I find my inspiration in the people I work with. We have an amazing team who work hard to create amazing brands, partnerships and serve our clients in the best way possible. I also love this industry and the line of business we work in. I mean, we sell products that make people happy and put a smile on their faces. Isn’t that inspiring? Love what you do and do what you love; that is the true power to success.”
Nenna Joiner
Owner, Feelmore Adult Gallery
“There are two sides to every blade: dull or the cutting edge. I draw my inspiration from using skill sets gained over time, not just the retail skill sets from countless hours on YouTube, to survive. Thousands of retail businesses like Feelmore have virtually moved in five feet away, thanks to Amazon with its many stores in one. I can either compete and get discouraged, or else, I can find a differentiation point in Feelmore’s soul. This is where our value proposition sits. I have given myself no choice but to write a new narrative from our vantage point, which feels right.”
Matthew Matsudaira
CEO, Pipedream Products
“Finding inspiration is deeply personal and derives from what is important to you, and what drives you. I draw inspiration from the possibility of change and how to seize that. Here are places I draw inspiration: (1) Working together to solve problems — my team. I am lucky to go into work every day working on a mission and solution that we all feel so passionately about. I can’t think of better inspiration than that. (2) Passionate people. Being around passionate people is contagious for me. (3) Staying curious. Good leaders are committed to learning and staying intellectually curious. I am inquisitive and always looking for new ideas, insights and information. (4) Customer feedback. I think what inspires me most is our customers. I specifically set aside time to read customer chats. Reading the positive comments is awesome, of course, but I also get value from the things that we can improve on. I read those conversations and get inspired to do things better, change things, and develop products/services based on that feedback. That inspires me every day.”
Bob Pyne
President and CEO, Williams Trading Co.
“In 2018, Williams Trading decided to concentrate on our relationships with our brick-and-mortar accounts and long-time e-commerce partners. The uncertainty of Amazon re-sellers has us going back to our roots and concentrating on the relationships that helped Williams Trading become one of the leading distributors in the U.S."
Peter Ovsonka
President and CEO, Zalo, USA
“I knew that if I could enhance people’s sex lives by exponentially improving the way they feel about themselves in a tangible way, I could affect countless people. The problem was that there were thousands of designs out there. We had to do something different. It was all about the details. Our plan: a keepsake box, artistically a step away from mass production with jewelry craftsmanship, but with state-of-the-art technology. As a result, the moment one lays eyes on Zalo at a store, they can’t hold back their enthusiasm — and that’s just from sight. Now, just wait ‘til they get it home.”
Polly Rodriguez
CEO, Unbound
“I draw inspiration for staying on the cutting edge through an array of sources. I think living in New York City provides access to some of the emerging trends across technology, design, fashion, music and theatre. All of these culminate to provide inspiration for how the Unbound brand can grow and evolve. I also draw inspiration from the group, Women of Sex Tech, which is inclusive of women, femme and non-binary individuals.”
