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.
Most sex toy brands launch with guns blazing, but that's not Jessica Quinn's style — though she does stock a dual-stim vibrator called the Rabbit 45 that's shaped like an old Western handgun. Quinn is the founder and CEO of Nexstarr Toys, a manufacturing and distribution company that aims to curate its line of pleasure products with the keen eye of a boutique brand.
With Nexstarr Toys, I have always said it is a slow process of building into a greater and bigger brand one day, but right now, slow and steady wins the race.
Quinn's current selection of product offerings is modest — even quaint — and for now, she says, that's just how she likes it. Quinn's business offers a select few of the industry's most popular and unique products, like the Dream Rose, a newer, hybrid version of the social media-viral Rose clitoral suction toy that includes a slender vibrator attached at the end with a flexible, silicone string.
Quinn's past experience working with Penthouse adult stores taught her everything she needed to know when launching her own manufacturing and distribution company. Her approach to consumers is predicated on the idea that sex toys are luxury items that should be produced and sold as such, with the greatest care taken in design and creation. Nexstarr Toys operates on the traditional industry principle of selling quality pleasure products to clients whom we consider close friends and family.
In this month's edition of Women in Adult, we're highlighting Jessica Quinn as a woman in this business who is well worth knowing — and watching closely.
XBIZ: What was it about the pleasure industry that originally attracted you?
Jessica Quinn: My inspiration for starting Nexstarr Toys was the ambition to discover the next adventure after having hands-on experiences for just under 20 years in the adult industry. From running adult bookstores, starting in the Penthouse boutiques that were in Connecticut, and then gaining knowledge in the production aspect of an adult movie company to now learning and growing with this company, I live for helping people find their inner love for our products.
XBIZ: Why did you choose manufacturing and distribution when deciding which type of business to launch? What did you find appealing about these sectors of the industry?
Quinn: What I find most appealing about manufacturing and distribution is that it’s amazing to work together with companies to design and come up with new products that will hopefully amaze and inspire people to want to try them. Having a product that consumers love with great customer feedback is an amazing feeling of great accomplishment.
XBIZ: Now that you’ve been in the industry for a while, what aspects of the business do you enjoy the most? What keeps you continually satisfied with your work?
Quinn: Being in the industry for a while and engaging in different parts, I would have to say that I most enjoy two things. First, being in the retail stores and helping people learn about the items that could enhance their time in the bedroom, I’ve learned these customers come in there as a luxury. The products we sell are not "necessities." They are seeking face-to-face knowledge and hands-on experience, to see what they can learn to help their personal lives on their journey in life. It's an exhilarating feeling knowing someone went home happy, and they could return as a customer for life with a great customer service experience. Second, what keeps me satisfied is the distribution part. My first show as an exhibitor, as opposed to attending as a buyer, was Altitude in March 2022. I learned there are so many buyers and stores all over the country and the world, and I can help them expand their business and satisfy customers’ needs.
XBIZ: Which female pleasure pioneers do you find most inspiring and why?
Quinn: This is a hard question to narrow down. One “pleasure pioneer” that stands out as a person I would like to mirror is the one and only Susan Colvin with CalExotics. She is a staple in this industry and runs her company with an iron fist. Buying from her company over the many years we have had retail stores, I have found that the team she has put together over the years is exemplary in knowledge and leads in offering amazing customer service, and her product lines have created satisfaction all over the world. I have come across many veterans of this industry, though, both male and female, that have given me guidance, whether it was in the stores as a retail manager or how to grow my company, Nexstarr Toys. Everyone in this industry is family and whenever a question arises, I know I have a great team of colleagues to turn to for guidance.
XBIZ: What are your plans for Nexstarr Toys in the near future? Do you have any big goals or announcements coming up that you’re excited to share with the industry?
Quinn: With Nexstarr Toys, I have always said it is a slow process. We will build a bigger and greater brand one day, but right now, slow and steady wins the race. I say this because my general focus is to produce the latest and greatest products that have the power to sell versus being a staple item. Staple items are great, and we will always have them, but one step and genre at a time.
XBIZ: What do you foresee in the future of sex toy manufacturing and retail? How do you think we’ll continue to evolve to meet consumer needs?
Quinn: Sex toy manufacturing and retail is a constant and ever-growing business. Every day, someone turns 18 years old, and that person may or may not want to walk into a retail store or surf adult-oriented sites. Therefore, we must keep up with the times and new items and make sure the people that are new to adult find ways to get their pleasure needs met.
XBIZ: Where can your industry colleagues, clients and friends expect to find you throughout the remainder of 2022?
Quinn: Exploring all the shows here in the U.S., as well as possibly exploring European shows too. I plan to keep my team up to date with the latest, greatest items and shows, so expect to see us, if not exhibiting, then walking the shows to keep all options open. Store trainings with products will be coming soon as well.
