profile

WIA Profile: Nadine Schwalbe

WIA Profile: Nadine Schwalbe

In the midst of the 2020 corona crisis lies a silver lining like only a German sextech brand could create. We are in the age of the “sex toy r-love-ution,” says the team at Satisfyer, and pleasure industry veteran Nadine Schwalbe is leading the charge.

Innovative, breathtaking, timeless: are we talking Satisfyer products or Schwalbe herself?

I have seen how we started out with a toy and how we managed to become one of the world's leading brands in sexual wellness in only four years.

As the team lead in international trade show planning for this premier brand, Nadine Schwalbe experiences all the best parts of the industry, in-person. Schwalbe lives for the people, the products and the passion that keep the big wheel of sex toy innovation turning strong, year after year.

With over 11 years of pleasure industry expertise under her belt, Schwalbe is still surprised by the enthusiastic crowds that storm the trade show booths she helps coordinate — especially when said crowds are bee-lining for Satisfyer product ambassador and porn star Rocco Siffredi. (But we'll let Schwalbe finish that anecdote a few paragraphs down.)

Though COVID-19 might have stolen Schwalbe's pride and joy — trade exhibition coordination — for the rest of the year, her career is still going strong. Thanks to Satisfyer's focus on app-based sex toys, there's no shortage of customers vying for the next life-changing pleasure accessory from everyone's favorite techy toy brand.

All the way from Germany, Nadine Schwalbe extends a warm (but virtual) hug to all her industry friends in the locked-down U.S. Cheers to inducting Nadine as this month's edition of Women in Adult, and as Schwalbe happily reminds us, she'll be seeing us all again very soon.

XBIZ: Give us a little behind-the-scenes peek at your career and education prior to landing with Satisfyer. Where did you first build your skills?

Nadine Schwalbe: I have previously explored several areas. I worked for international companies like Hewlett Packard and Samsung in the field of IT systems management and decided late in life to go to university. I graduated in business psychology, because I have always been interested in what people buy and especially why.

XBIZ: What initially drew you to the pleasure products space, and where did you get your start?

Schwalbe: During my studies I already got the opportunity to work for the [German sex toy retail] company EIS in their customer support [department] and quickly got a feeling for the customers, but especially for the wide range of products that our industry offers.

After a short while I got the chance to support the Satisfyer brand from the very beginning and [have] work[ed] since then in the best team I can imagine.

XBIZ: What do you adore the most about working in this industry, both then and now?

Schwalbe: The seemingly boundless creativity of customers in terms of products and further development possibilities. It is unbelievable how interested people are in the industry, but also in the products, and the feedback is worth its weight in gold. I was thrilled how positively my environment reacted to my job and what an open-minded attitude people have towards the industry.

XBIZ: How have your job roles and overall career evolved with Satisfyer?

Schwalbe: In customer support, I was always happy to help customers and give them a smile, and gratefully accepted their feedback. This helped me a lot when I was able to work with Satisfyer. I was able to incorporate the experiences and at the same time always had the well-being of the customers in mind. Now that I am mainly responsible for the worldwide exhibition planning, it is a great pleasure to be able to pick up the mood on-site and give something back to the customers. It is only through all these years — it is 11 years that I have been in this business — that I have been able to assess the market and know what to do next.

XBIZ: Who truly inspires you in the sexual health and sex toy space?

Schwalbe: First and foremost, definitely Jerome Bensimon. We have been working together since the beginning and he taught me so much! I am very thankful to him — how patiently he put up with my younger me. But also Megwyn White, our sexologist. I can say that she is my biggest inspiration and I admire her for her open-minded attitude.

XBIZ: How does it feel to work with the Satisfyer team year-round?

Schwalbe: Exciting! I am lucky that I really experienced everything from the beginning. I have seen how we started out with a toy and how we managed to become one of the world's leading brands in sexual wellness in only four years. Being able to experience every step from production to sales and seeing what our team does every day makes me proud.

XBIZ: Satisfyer is always a staple at every pleasure industry trade show. Tell us about one of your most unforgettable moments while working the floor with your team.

Schwalbe: A highlight was definitely a trade show with [porn star and Satisfyer Mens' product ambassador] Rocco Siffredi. We had invited him to our booth to sign autographs and yes, I knew him of course, but I didn't know that he had a big fan base. So we had to lock up everything and ask security to watch out for us. He was the absolute megastar and his fans were so obsessed to see him that it really wasn't going to last. It was a bit like the sale of the latest iPhone: there was no holding back. That moment surprised but also it made me laugh so much because we ran to safety so fast that I will remember it for a long time.

XBIZ: How has the industry changed since you first began over 11 years ago? How is Satisfyer taking us to new heights of design and sexual experiences?

Schwalbe: When I started, the industry had an online shop through EIS.de that managed to make great inviting products available to the masses. They were playful and colorful products that I liked from the beginning.

Over the years, everyone added a lot of technology, like we did with our Satisfyer. I am very happy that my heart still beats for technology-based products. Now with the introduction of our new Satisfyer App Connect, we are taking the next step and allow customers to try out new features and discover new toys on another level.

I think that this is exactly what the future holds: app-based products. Especially in the corona crisis, it has become clear again how important it is to stay in touch even over long distances; and that of course includes one’s love life.

XBIZ: Despite the crazy year corona has thrown at us, are you looking forward to anything exciting in your professional or personal life?

Schwalbe: Professionally, we will hopefully see each other again soon! We have already announced that we have taken over the rights for Penthouse, and I'm very happy to be able to present lingerie and toys; and especially to prepare the trade fair appearances.

Privately, I profit from my professional experience and I am looking forward to traveling again to broaden my personal horizon, and to finally see everyone again.

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.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 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

profile

Novum Veteran Executive Team Leverages Expertise to Grow Brand

Novum Brands may be relatively new on the sex toy scene, but there’s nothing green about George Gatziaris and Vadim Daysudov, who together founded, own and helm the business.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

Al and Michele Harrington Discuss Vision for Pleasure Brand Love Verb

Former NBA player Al Harrington has matched his success on the hardwood with equally impressive accomplishments in the business world, including creating cannabis company Viola. Now, Harrington and his wife, Michele, have expanded their business portfolio with Love Verb, a venture aimed at enhancing couples’ intimacy through a variety of pleasure products.

Quinton Bellamie ·
opinion

A Look at the Benefits of AI for Optimizing Retail Operations

In the ever-evolving landscape of retail tech, staying ahead of the curve is not just advantageous — it’s mandatory for survival. Currently, small-to-midsize retailers face an unprecedented opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) features to gain an advantage, enhance employee productivity and optimize operations.

Sean Quinn ·
opinion

Boosting Visibility for Female Sexual Dysfunction Products to Overcome Stigma

It is undeniable that sexual wellness has entered the mainstream, and the market is expected to expand. Many of those sales are driven by women, who have become more empowered than ever to buy sex toys and accessories — especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, when a significant consumer uptick made this shopping category more lucrative than ever.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

Tips for Making the Most of In-Store Marketing

When it comes to brick-and-mortar retail, getting shoppers in the door is only the beginning. Once they are inside, catching their eye and getting them to open their wallets is a whole other ballgame — both for retailers, who want shoppers to spend as much money as possible in their stores, and for manufacturers, who want that money spent on their products specifically.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
profile

WIA Profile: Stephanie Elias

After encountering some less-than-body-safe adult products, Stephanie Elias joined forces with her real-life BFF, Hannah Hutton, to launch Personal Fav, a product collection that currently includes two lubricants that promise the cleanest, most vagina-safe experience ever.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Sweetening Up Sales With Lubricants, Topicals and Sexual Enhancers

For as long as people have been getting it on, they have also been finding ways to enhance their pleasure. The ancient Greeks loved sex and were incredibly open about it. We even have historical records of some of the various tools they created and used to enhance the experience.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
opinion

Why Sourcing Pleasure Products from Alibaba Might Pose Risks

The allure of Alibaba and similar ecommerce platforms is undeniable: They offer a vast marketplace where businesses can access a plethora of products at seemingly unbeatable prices. For those in the pleasure industry, however, sourcing from these platforms can present numerous potential challenges and issues that may outweigh any cost savings.

James Guo ·
opinion

A Look at Sex-Positioning Product Features That Drive Sales

Whether your customer has mobility or stamina challenges or is simply looking to try a creative new position, their new best friend in the bedroom can likely be found in the many styles of position support devices available on the market.

Corrinne Musick ·
opinion

How 'Bridgerton' Is Sparking Interest in Steamy Romance

Were you as excited as I was about the premiere of “Bridgerton” Season 3? If all those steamy scenes of passionate courtly love and lustful glances over Regency-era fans give you tingles of excitement, you are not alone.

Scarlett Ward ·
Show More