The business of sex: WaterSlyde
This is a series from and for everyone connected with or interested in the porn industry. We ask various sex-companies about their history, break-event points, dealing with social stigma and what is specific while working in an industry like this.
The WaterSlyde is a revolutionary female pleasure product and hygiene device. It is a sleek plastic water diverter that simply attaches to most forward facing bathtub spouts. The water flow is easily directed to the midline of the bathtub, allowing the water to land in the most delightful way. Some women use it for hygiene, some for pleasure, and some for both.
How long did it take your company to start earning money? What should have to be done to monetize a business?
I would say our break even point would be a little over a year. After mentioning the concept of The WaterSlyde to my OBGYN, her response was, “Now that’s something I would invest in!” I immediately called a patent attorney and received the green light. Then the real fun began. I attempted to make prototypes using different materials found at local stores, failing each time. Then a good friend helped me design it using a 3D printer. I sent the CAD file to be printed and made a few adjustments. I tried it and loved it. Then 20 women tested The Water Slyde and after each one either wouldn’t give it back or wanted to buy one, we knew we had something special. Finally, I met with an injection molding factory to mass produce The WaterSlyde in the final pretty translucent pink
What should have to be done to monetize your business? I followed great advice from some success friends. One such tip I lived by for the first year was, “It’s either time or money”. At the time I had more time than I did money, so I learned how to put on many hats and learn to do what was needed to be done. And the things I didn’t think I was able to do alone I contracted out.
What was the toughest part while building your company?
Being first to market is both a blessing and a curse. One of the toughest things about coming out with a brand new invention is you have to “inform” people what it is. I was once at a trade show and laid a WaterSlyde on the table and said to people if they could guess what it’s purpose was they could have it for free. I gave people 15 seconds and no one could guess. Once I told them the responses where usually, “Ohhhhh yes, why didn’t I think of that.” One of the best forms of marketing so far has been participating in interviews. You never know who is listening. One of my favorite events that occurred after doing an interview with KLAQ in El Paso was a very special someone finding The WaterSlyde in the studio. Unbeknownst to me, porn star Dani Daniels came in to do an interview too then did an amazing YouTube review us The WaterSlyde. Let me just say, she is brilliantly hysterical. (Watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG7fufGaKXI).
What is specific when it comes to a porn industry? What is specific when it comes to working in a porn industry?
We find it easy to work in an adult industry, it’s others who sometimes have a difficult time working in it. We like to think that we are more modest in our marketing and packaging. However, some companies like, well, let’s just say that start with an F and end with acebook have policies in place to not allow us to promote our ads because they have the word “pleasure”. In turn, other marketing companies may be begging for our business and when we go to sign they have to pull out because they have a contract with FB. We want to change the industry and how it’s viewed. There is nothing inherently “wrong” with pleasure. And people constantly surprise me how supportive they are. We live in an amazing time to be a woman and it just keeps getting better.
What about the social stigma?
There is a social stigma around the porn industry but it’s not as taboo as it used to be. There is still a certain amount of people who don’t feel comfortable shopping at a sex toy shop whether in stores or online. With that being said, as a way to keep the WaterSlyde available to all types of women we keep our sight modest. We have broken into the mainstream by should l I say “keeping it clean” (pun intended). We are sold in pharmacies, mom and pop shops, and some wonderful pleasure stores like SheVibe.
WaterSlyde in association with thespotlive.com
Would you like us to feature your company? Write to kaja@thespotlive.com
Published on November 3, 2017.
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