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.
Jennifer Brice is that girl we all knew and loved in high school — and lucky for us, she grew up to sell sex toys and lubricants.
The future is female — I look forward to seeing more women bring new ideas to keep the industry growing.
Brice can turn the most exhausted, burned-out trade show Sunday into a cause for sidesplitting laughter. Whether you’re unsure about taking that new gig or just need an honest ear to hear out some serious venting, Brice is the pleasure industry’s go-to gal, no matter the topic.
Brice’s magnetic personality and sales skills were developed behind the counter of her parents' candy shop and later, the jewelry department of Nordstrom’s. Though Brice’s sparkly rings and necklaces weren’t recession-proof, she soon stumbled upon a new career that could stand even the stingiest of economies.
Jenn Brice’s pleasure career has long outlasted the national recession that landed her a gig with Patty Brisben’s Pure Romance brand. Since her early days, Brice has gone from party planner and recruiter to road warrior to sales expert.
Now Brice is Wicked Sensual Care’s latest leading lady, where she heads up the sales team alongside other famous industry businesswomen. If you know Brice — because who doesn’t know this outgoing dog mom and donut lover? — you already know she’s long overdue for recognition as a go-getting colleague, friend and pioneering woman in adult. Now Brice is Wicked Sensual Care’s latest leading lady, where she heads up the sales team alongside other famous industry businesswomen. If you know Brice — because who doesn’t know this outgoing dog mom and donut lover? — you already know she’s long overdue for recognition as a go-getting colleague, friend and pioneering woman in adult.
XBIZ: What were your career aspirations before landing in the pleasure space?
Jennifer Brice: I knew early on that I wanted to work in sales. My parents owned a candy store while I was in high school and I really enjoyed working there. I loved merchandising, helping my mom buy new product and working the counter.
I moved from Oregon to California to attend college for fashion merchandising. During this time I worked at Nordstrom and one of the first things they teach is the importance of customer service. I have carried this value with me throughout my career. No matter how great a product may be, if the store carrying the product has bad customer service, they won’t last. After Nordstrom, I became a sales rep for a jewelry manufacturer. Eventually I was promoted to watches and managed merchandisers at Timex and Victorinox. When the recession hit, jewelry sales tanked and I began looking for opportunities in more robust industries.
XBIZ: What events led to what would become your stand-out career move?
Brice: On Super Bowl Sunday 2009, I was flipping channels and landed on a pilot reality show called, “Mother Knows Sex.” It was about Patty Brisben, the founder of Pure Romance home parties, which were based in Ohio. I lived in Southern California at the time and hadn’t heard of them. I asked some girlfriends if they had ever attended a Pure Romance party and no one had.
That very night I emailed my resume to Patty and Chris (her son who also worked for the company). I told them I loved their story and mission and wanted to help them build Pure Romance in Southern California. I woke up the next morning laughing at my gall. What was I thinking “applying” for a job that didn’t exist during the recession?
That evening their assistant called me to schedule an interview. I spoke to Chris for 10 minutes and he asked if I could come out to Las Vegas in a few weeks for the national convention. Hell yes! I went, and I spent the weekend working alongside their staff. By the close of the show Chris offered me a remote position, recruiting consultants in California. I knew immediately I’d found the right industry for me. And 10 fantastic years later I know I was right.
XBIZ: How did it feel jumping head-first into this completely new and often intimidating, blunt industry?
Brice: I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was for me to talk about sex with other women. At parties, some women would be so open and honest about problems they were having in their relationship, and it felt so good to be able to offer them products that could help and to be there to listen. I also loved hearing “success” stories — it made me happy to help people with this important part of their lives.
XBIZ: When did you finally cross over from retail to manufacturing?
Brice: After a few years, I moved back to Oregon and started working for The Store Program, and then System JO. I was traveling about 75 percent of the time and it was there that I honed my radar for finding adult stores (and Cracker Barrels), LOL. I think I visited just about every adult store in the U.S. in my first two years in the industry!
XBIZ: What various job positions have you proudly held throughout your career?
Brice: Throughout my career in this industry, I’ve been lucky enough to work in various capacities for several of the top companies in the industry. Starting as a brand ambassador moving to account manager roles and, now currently the director of sales at Wicked Sensual Care, I get to share an amazing product line and all of its benefits with distributors and retailers. I love it. Everything I have learned and all the relationships I have nurtured have led me to this moment. I still travel quite a bit, manage accounts, and support the team however I can.
XBIZ: Tell us about your role with Wicked Sensual Care. What’s it like to work with one of the leading players in lube?
Brice: It’s fabulous! The Wicked family is made up of professional, fun people that excel in their roles. Carrie Smith develops our amazing products, jessica drake is our resident sex educator, and Bonnie Kail is the original MILF who launched WSC!
The brand is well respected and it’s a pleasure not only to represent us but also to be able to share our products with the world. It’s a great feeling knowing that the products we formulate are done so to the highest of standards. As a company, part of our core purpose is to inspire the exploration of healthy sexuality. And we’re succeeding! We have accomplished so much in seven years, but there is still a lot to do — and I look forward to all the challenges that lie ahead!
XBIZ: Now for my favorite question! Tell us a story or two from life on the road that’ll have your industry colleagues rolling with laughter.
Brice: I have two!
While working for We-Vibe, I stopped at a fast food restaurant to get a drink. As I was walking up to the counter, the kid at the cash register looked absolutely terrified. His hands were shaking as he handed me my drink. I looked around to see what was causing his distress. With no one around, I shrugged and left. As I climbed into my car and pulled my seat belt across, my hand caught on a button on my blazer — “I can make you orgasm from across the room.” I laughed for several minutes sitting alone in my car. I’m pretty sure I scared that kid into abstinence!
Recently, I took a red eye to North Carolina. The other passengers and I were sleepily waiting for our baggage. It was pretty quiet until the luggage belt started. I hear some laughing and look at the belt — bottles of lube are sprinkled amongst suitcases. Then I see my suitcase — with a broken zipper. I quietly took my suitcase, with lube bottles still falling out, and left the terminal.
XBIZ: Looking back, what’s your take on the pleasure industry since you started this career?
Brice: It’s changed quite a bit. Retail stores are more inviting and many make education a priority. There are more female store owners and executives. I think their influence has been a huge factor in the way the industry has evolved and it’s very exciting to be a part of it! I think it will continue on the path of making sexual wellness fun to talk about — not taboo. And, the future is female — I look forward to seeing more women bring new ideas to keep the industry growing.
XBIZ: What keeps you inspired and excited for the future from both a professional and personal view?
Brice: I’m very excited to help Wicked Sensual Care grow. I have the #dreamteam by my side and we are all very passionate about WSC. I look forward to seeing Cassie Pendleton, Nicole Talley and Michelle Major continue to excel in their roles. They are all unique and as a team, it’s a great mix. And, our product is fantastic — it’s easy to be dedicated and excited about our future!
On the personal side, I’m very happy to be back in Oregon. I love being able to see my dad as much as I want and spending time at the beach with my pups. I am taking different types of classes — everything from carpentry to glass etching to baking homemade croissants! And I really enjoy it all — the classes and the croissants! It’s important to me to learn and to take time for things that are pure fun.
