California Exotics Owner Colvin Profiled in UNM Paper

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — California Exotic Novelties owner Susan Colvin was profiled in the University of New Mexico's Daily Lobo newspaper today, in an article titled "UNM Alumna Owns Largest Adult Store."

California Exotic Novelties is an adult novelty wholesale distributor, not a retail outlet.

The article tells of Colvin's history at UNM and her work history before she was asked to step in as operations manager for an adult-products distribution company, which became Cal Exotics. In the article, Colvin speaks of the changes in the adult business that she initiated. "[14 years ago], the toys were in boring packaging," Colvin said. "They were not very interesting - there were no colorful colors. It seemed that there was a lot that could be done, and that they should be female-oriented. At that time, all the companies that existed were owned and operated by men. "At first, people were like, 'Nobody's going to buy pink and purple,'" she said. "Even a dong, they were like, 'We don't want pink and purple. You've got to be kidding.' I said, 'It's pretty. I think a lot of women will like this. I know the men don't care, but the women will.' And you know what? They sold." Colvin also points out the challenges of selling adult products in an international market. "We came out with a cute little item with a koala bear on it," Colvin told the Lobo. "It was very popular in the United States and Europe, but in Australia it did not sell, because they said, 'Koalas are not cute and cuddly. Koalas are vicious.'" The article can be viewed here

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