When Tracy Felder steps into a room, it's hard to tell what truly enters first: her ever-present, mega-watt smile; her forever-changing, jaw-dropping hair colors and styles (that have spawned the occasional hashtag #tracywiththegoodhair); or the vibrant personality that earned her a coveted spot with Alicia Sinclair's family of brands.
Felder is a monumental pleasure revolution all wrapped up in a single human. She's queer, black and female, and continuously paving the way for all people to access sex toys and sex education. In her role as a brand ambassador and product trainer for COTR Inc.'s b-Vibe, Le Wand and The Cowgirl lines, Felder has taken to the trade sector of the industry like a vibrator socialite. Felder regularly rubs elbows with sex-ed heroes like Zoë Ligon while preaching the gospel of inclusive pleasure to retailers and distributors across the nation.
It’s so imperative to educate consumers as well as our retailers.
In the coming year, Felder is looking forward to hitting the road with increased frequency, armed with a boatload of butt plugs and buzzing goodies. The only thing more colorful than Felder's hair is her sensually liberated career ladder, which she's enthusiastically climbed from the second she set foot in the job market.
It was about time Felder received accolades for her shining contributions to every product training, trade show and industry event that's been bettered by her presence. Now that she's been named Woman of the Month, Felder's undeniable mark can be spotlighted on an international scale. But first, she's taking us back to where it all began in this exclusive interview.
XBIZ: What’s your career backstory prior to entering the pleasure industry?
Tracy Felder: My background is in both retail management and event production. I’ve worked for high-end lingerie boutiques, managed an adult store in Philadelphia, and produced a private show with George Thorogood and The Delaware Destroyers and production-managed the reopening of the Washington Monument. I’m also a former exotic dancer and have always found a fun way to combine all of my strengths with what keeps me happy in life.
XBIZ: How did you cross over into the sex toy industry?
Felder: I worked for a lingerie store in Philly before transitioning into event production. I found myself again in the adult business when I started managing an adult store in Philadelphia. Following that, I found myself applying — and then being hired — for an amazing opportunity in wholesale sales and product training for COTR Inc. with Alicia Sinclair.
XBIZ: How has your life changed since opening this new chapter in your career?
Felder: My position afforded me the opportunity to travel to different places. I never expected to have a position that would put me on the road and I found myself creating new friends and relationships with the people with whom we work. I feel like I have people all over the country that I can call family.
XBIZ: What unique opportunities has this industry brought your way?
Felder: Making connections and educating! It’s so imperative to educate consumers as well as our retailers. I also find ways to bring this to my non-business friends and family, which includes dispelling the negative stigma attached to what we do. Now I have people asking me, “How do I begin with anal play?” or “What kind toy would be good for me and my partner(s)?” My role with COTR provides so much opportunity for me to pass along that education that I’ve personally never had before.
XBIZ: Who are some of your industry mentors, and how did they help you pave such a powerful career path?
Felder: My first is Alicia Sinclair. Alicia has shown me a larger side of the industry. I used to see the glass ceiling and she’s taught me how to shatter it. I thought it was so much hard work to achieve a pure and healthy sexual relationship with yourself and others and now I can find the balance of a professional career in the sex industry, how to appropriately include it in your work/life. I honestly never realized that there was so much more to the adult toy industry and sexual health. She has really opened my eyes — and to the latest and always greatest.
Some others I look up to would be Jessica Drake, Ana Foxx, Kevin Patterson, Zoë Ligon, Buck Angel, Carly S and Emily Morse — just to name a few. Their commitment to education has really resonated with me because of their advocacy, conviction and power within. They have all inspired me to want to so be a part of the sexual revolution and share the “wealth” with others.
XBIZ: What’s it like to work for one of the industry's most popular boutique manufacturers?
Felder: Absolutely fabulous! We have had a lot of releases this year, which means we have been quite busy and productive. There are always cool new projects and fun initiatives in the works. Our dedication and mission-based advocacy means that we’re continuously committed to events and programming that allows us to connect with consumers, retailers and media.
XBIZ: Do you have any fun road warrior stories that stick out in your mind at the moment?
Felder: Having a customer showing her new breast augmentation and then joining in a product training that I was performing. I definitely wasn’t expecting that!
XBIZ: What positive changes have you observed in the pleasure space since joining the industry?
Felder: I think many manufacturers are really starting to listen and pay attention to trends and the requests of current generations — listening to the millennials! (I’m technically an elder millennial, by the way, 35 and happy about it!) Seeing more products attached to sexual positivity and answering demands of consumers is refreshing.
I see businesses taking the pleasure industry into the cyber lifestyle. That’s why I love that The Cowgirl is such a sexy, sleek, tech-savvy product that advocates solo play and partner play anywhere in the world. Virtual reality — yes, the Cowgirl can! Users can potentially enjoy this anywhere they want.
XBIZ: In both your personal and professional lives, what's up next for you in the coming year?
Felder: Professionally, I’m going to be stepping into an even more key role in product training. I’m incredibly excited to travel more and bring the sex-positive message to our partners on the frontlines of adult sales. I’ll be hitting territories for product education and visual merchandising in an even bigger way!
Personally, I’m learning more about myself and “Feeling my Power” each and every day. As a queer person of color, I am constantly working towards the goal of equality in every facet. I have a cat named Mabel who enjoys outside walks, I’m a regular yogi, and the more I travel, the more I enjoy sharing my story and learning about others.
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.
