It takes an ever-smiling face and a constantly creative mind to keep a retail outfit up and running. Luckily for TAF Distribution, regional manager Stefanie Neumann has endless good vibes and smart decisions to boost business and staff relations at the company’s retail chain.
Neumann manages eight retail locations under the TAF umbrella throughout Florida’s east and west coasts. Whether her customer guests visit a Caliente-branded store or a Jack and Jill shop, Neumann utilizes her background as a licensed sex educator, buyer, district manager and staff trainer to bring out each store’s potential for sales associates and clients alike.
Experiencing the shift from 'sex shops' to sexual health and wellness centers has been amazing.
Inspiring customers and staff keeps Neumann motivated to continue down a career path that grabbed her by the heart after an initial stint as a clerk with one of TAF Distribution’s stores many years ago. Nowadays, Neumann leads with expert managerial knowledge and straightforward sex ed that assures her stores’ teams are always up to the task of changing lives, one sex toy or lubricant at a time.
Neumann says her favorite part of the job is showing customers that no matter how winding and difficult their path to pleasure may seem, there’s always a solution once they walk through the doors of a Caliente or Jack and Jill adult boutique. Neumann was instrumental elevating the chain’s status, establishing her stores as sex-ed-focused shops where folks could find up-to-date advice from caring, well-trained sales clerks to go with each purchase.
Now in her 12th year in the pleasure industry, Neumann is joyful in reflecting on her past achievements while looking forward to a continuously growing, exciting career. This month, we highlight Stefanie Neumann for all of her behind-the-scenes work, helping her retail locations to shine as community pillars of sexual health.
XBIZ: Let’s start with a little intro to your career. What inspired you to want to work in this field?
Neumann: I walked into a store formerly known as the Spice Rack, now called Jack and Jill, 11-and-a-half years ago. I was looking for something interesting to keep me occupied while I went to school for accounting and business. I thought once I graduated, I would be moving on to utilize my degree. However, I fell in love with the industry. I found working with our customers extremely rewarding, and the open-mindedness and acceptance of those working in the industry refreshing. Now I can’t imagine working in any other field!
XBIZ: Give us a snapshot of an average day in the life of an adult retail manager.
Neumann: As a regional manager, my job entails managing our managers in every aspect. This includes overseeing store operations, maintenance, merchandising, inventory and guiding them with managing their staff — but most importantly, the customer experience.
No two days are ever the same, and we can never predict what the day will bring. Having a strong management team under me makes all the difference in navigating these daily changes. The owners of the chain are also extremely engaged and hands-on, which makes facing any challenges a breeze.
XBIZ: What kind of clients does your store attract? How do you use your knowledge to cater to your local demographic?
Neumann: The eight stores I manage for TAF Distributing are in Florida, and my stores run along I-75 from Miami to Tampa, so our demographic varies greatly. For example, one of our locations is in an area that is the third wealthiest per capita in the U.S., while another is surrounded by blue-collar workers. Regardless of the demographic, the key to catering to our clients is customer service and carefully curating the products available in our stores. The only thing that truly differs from location to location is the volume of high-ticket versus middle-ticket versus low-ticket options.
XBIZ: A lot of retailers struggled with dwindling consumer budgets last year. How did your stores keep folks returning when they had less to spend?
Neumann: Keeping our customers happy and returning boils down to the customer experience. This includes customer service, the overall vibe and feel of the store, and cleanliness. We want our customers to feel like their shopping experience with us is an amazing escape from the outside world.
XBIZ: What has felt the most rewarding about your job in the last handful of years?
Neumann: I came on board with the Jack and Jill and Caliente store chain when all of the locations were named as their own individual stores. I was an integral part on the front end of rebranding the chain as Caliente throughout the east coast of Florida, and Jack and Jill on the west coast of Florida. Seeing and being a part of making the shift from “sex shops” to sexual health and wellness resource centers has been an amazing experience.
XBIZ: What are your methods for maintaining an enthusiastic, motivated store team?
Neumann: Among the motivators we use are SPIF programs, company-wide awards, vendor training and regular staff meetings to keep them focused and engaged. We keep our staff in tip-top shape by focusing on product knowledge and giving them the tools they need to best educate our customers.
XBIZ: What are the most unique, positive experiences you have encountered in your adult retail career?
Neumann: There are so many examples I could give, but the most common ones I’ve experienced are: finding a safe lubricant that works for someone who’s had nothing but bad reactions to cheaper pharmacy options; educating our customers on toy materials, and helping them realize they can use toys, they just needed something silicone; introducing the struggling post-menopause consumer to vaginal dilators and lubricants that rejuvenate the skin; and so many more!
This industry is special in so many ways. What stands out to me the most is how much we can educate and assist our customers in making safe, healthy choices. There are some customer interactions where you realize that you are changing your customers’ lives by improving their sex lives.
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 businesswomen.
