Starting as a salesman for L.A. Video in 1984, Gold stayed on for four years to learn more about the business. After a 9-year hiatus, he returned in 1997 as VCA’s vice president of sales.
In 2003, Gold joined K-Beech Inc. where he originally conceived the Cherry Boxxx name and business plan along with company owner Kevin Beechum.
“I have so many good memories of my time at Cherry Boxxx — the customers, the fun, the shows — all of it was special,” Gold told XBIZ. “I met a lot of friendly people along the way. I think outsiders perceive porn people as different, but I think we’re better than mainstream people, some of whom are so corrupt. We’re just honest people trying to earn a legitimate living.”
Gold also said he owes a debt of gratitude to his mentor, Beechum.
“Kevin is a great person and a teddy bear beneath all that toughness,” Gold said. “We go way back and he’s my best friend. Kevin is a larger than life personality with a heart of gold. He will stay with me forever.”
While Gold didn’t want to predict where the business is headed in the not-so-distant future, he remembers a time when straight adult movies sold for $50-60 and gay movies were $80.
“Technology has overcome everything,” Gold said. “I think there was more demand in past years and it also was harder and more expensive to transfer the technology. Now there’s high-definition, Blu-ray DVDs and other advancements. No matter what format, a great product always wins out.”
