Each month, 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.
What retains excitement longer than a sex toy, doesn't require batteries, and provides a unique experience each time you play with it? An adult game! And who could possibly be better at selling tongue-in-cheek, adults-only laughs than the woman who could arguably be crowned the pleasure industry's happiest person?
This is a fantastic time to be in the adult industry, as it’s gaining new technology, insight and growth.
Cathy Ziegler is the vice president of sales at Kheper Games, a company she's called home since setting foot in the pleasure arena over two decades ago. She's been a Kheper sales representative in some form for nearly 25 years, having worked there part-time for a few years before her undeniable talent in sales landed her a full-time spot in 2000.
Ziegler was born with a knack for selling, and it's no wonder. She is rarely seen without a genuine smile that lights up the room wherever she goes. Far from the fake salesperson stereotype, Ziegler reveals that her honest love of human interaction, a well-curated career, family and love life make it easy to find joy every day.
After 25 years as one of the pleasure industry's most personable women, we're immortalizing Cathy Ziegler as this month's WIA Woman of the Month.
XBIZ: Where did you get your start in the pleasure industry?
Ziegler: Within the adult industry, I’ve only worked for Kheper Games. I was working as a sales rep for a toys and gift-ware agency, and Kheper was one of the lines we represented. It was such a departure from the plush bunnies, dancing hamsters, singing fish, crayons and hula hoops. It was new and exciting, and more than a little taboo.
XBIZ: Looking back on the wildly unpredictable year of COVID, how did the adult games niche fare? Was there anything that surprised your team about last year’s sales or trends?
Ziegler: Games and activities of any kind that served to distract from the horror of the pandemic and to help relieve us of our misery fared well. These fun adult party games were instrumental in bringing instant interactive communication with a heavy dose of laughter, prompted by intellectual foreplay. We have so many games that can be played socially distant and online!
XBIZ: How has the adult games sector evolved over the last few years? What are consumers demanding lately from this niche?
Ziegler: We’ve been in business for 26 years and it has been a very interesting ride. We work within a few different industries, both mainstream and adult, and in brick-and-mortar as well as ecommerce. Adult games have become more accepted by the mainstream within the past seven or so years and are being carried currently by more prominent retailers. They are entertaining for adults and provide comic relief — a healthy belly laugh is always welcome.
XBIZ: One thing that’s unmistakable about you is that no matter where you go, and whether it’s in person or a photo, you are always smiling the most genuine smile. Can you tell us your secret for that seemingly never-ending happiness?
Ziegler: I have a genuine affection for humans, and I love people. I adore my job, and I have the love of a great man and family. Nothing gets better than that, and I wake up every morning with the thought that I am lucky to be alive with new adventures to always look forward to.
XBIZ: Are there any other women in the pleasure space that have really helped you along the way in your career, or maybe just other professional women you look up to?
Ziegler: [Pleasure products industry vet] Mara Epstein. She showed me around the arena. I absolutely love her, and she’s one of the industry greats!
XBIZ: How has Kheper Games kept up with the latest trends and fresh product launches? Has the team made any exciting new changes to the business?
Ziegler: We gave a lot of attention to gender-fluid products. We have two, which have exceeded our expectations in terms of sales and consumer satisfaction. Mind, Body and Soul was our first gender-fluid product released in 2018, and it won the Best Adult Game at the XBIZ Awards in 2019. It’s focused on how to get to know your significant other and how to heal your chakras with your lover, and surprisingly, this game doesn't feature any sex acts. A fabulous feature is that it can be played by any couple, be it same-sex or a hetero couple. We are very proud of this game and are thrilled at how well the adult community has embraced this product. It sells almost immediately wherever we put it. This game is available in both English and Spanish.
We serve several markets, as most of our romance- and sex-orientated games and accessories are geared towards foreplay and how to get the sex going. We offer a very diversified range of products to fit many preferences.
We are the premier light-kink resource for beginners with our kits. Our Bondage, Fetish, Chocolate, and Massage Seductions kits contain a generous amount of accessories to accompany each foray into these genres for beginners, along with 20-24 cards detailing what couples can experiment with. The cards help couples get to know how to engage in these types of romance if they are curious. We offer many categories of romance and sex games that provide how-tos, from hard to soft. We also have a few romance games that are G-rated, like Mind,Body and Soul, as well as our bestselling Date Nights.
XBIZ: How will Kheper be participating in the B2B sector this year, considering we still aren’t fully free from COVID yet?
Ziegler: We will continue to offer both funny, comic relief games and hot new romantic games. When you think adult fun, remember Kheper as the premier source for fun candy, party games, romance games, and accessories to use at parties!
XBIZ: In conclusion, what advice would you give to other young women who hope to have a successful career in the pleasure space?
Ziegler: Be yourself. This industry is so endearing, and your peers will appreciate meeting the real you. This is a fantastic time to be in the adult industry, as it’s gaining new technology, insight and growth.
