educational

Tasteful or Tawdry? A Toy Story

Elizabeth had asked me for some advice on starting a potentially profitable adult Web business that was not the typical "hardcore fuck fest" that seems to have become all-too commonplace. She wanted to find something "comfortable" enough to deal with if her mother ever "found out..." Here's her story:

How It All Began:
I was bored and looking for something new and different to do, and I had heard that there was lots of money to be made from working at home on the Internet; but by doing what? Since I'm a pretty open-minded girl, and I know that "sex sells," I thought that finding a way to make money in the adult business was a smart thing for me to try — or was it? I didn't want a "hardcore porno" site or anything really "nasty," but was that really necessary? Couldn't I just find a profitable, sexy, and interesting "hobby / business" that was "clean" enough that it wouldn't embarrass me, and not so "sleazy" as to make me want to throw up?

Toys for Twats
I decided to have a look around the Web: It didn't take me long to come up with something, and that something was an adult toy store! What a great idea! *I* like to "experiment" with a variety of dildos and vibrators, but I've always been embarrassed about going into a sex shop to buy them. Since *I* myself would be much more likely to purchase something "naughty" online, and from the "anonymous" comfort and safety of my own home, I reasoned that other women (and men) would want to also!

But what was the best way for me to set up my toy store? My mind raced with the possibilities and pitfalls. Would I need to rent warehouse space? Would I need to process orders, then box and ship these products — or would I have to hire someone to do it for me? What about customer service, returns, and all the rest of it? I sure didn't like the idea of answering my customer phone calls at all hours of the night...

I had so many questions, and so few answers. I surfed the Web and looked at all the toy stores that I could find, and researched the ways in which they operated as best as I could. My efforts finally paid off for me, when I discovered Internet Fulfillment (https://www.imfc.com/), which claims to be "the largest provider of online adult shopping." Hmmm, free help from a large, established, professional operation? Where do I sign up?

Turnkey Technology
What Internet Fulfillment promised was the fast and easy setup of my own customizable adult sex toy store, one where my customers could pay using all major credit cards, money orders or personal checks, and where the company would handle all of the order processing and customer service issues. Best of all, not only would they set up my store free of charge, they would pay me a 30% commission on all of my sales! Since I felt that a 30% profit margin on my toy store was a reasonable enough return, why not go with a program like this, and leave all the inventory, customer service, and site maintenance hassles to someone else! It was worth a try...

I obtained a new Web site domain name and hosting account, then had my ISP make the "DNS" changes that were required to setup my store (which is hosted on Internet Fulfillment's servers, but has my site's address). The whole process was painless, quick, and didn't take a penny out of my pocket: Altogether, this was a quick and easy way for me to start "getting my feet wet" in the business without risk or expense, and I have a great feeling about my new project. But will I make any money from this endeavor? I have little to lose, and will be delighted with ANY sales that I might make.

I'm not too sure how much (if anything) that this new site will make for me, but it looks good, and I like it: Since I didn't spend anything yet to make this happen, I have little to lose, and will be delighted with ANY sales that I might make. I'm still full of questions like "How can I promote my site so that I can get some customers to it?" and "little" things like that: But rest assured that when I have some more answers, I'll be back to share them with you. In the meantime, I think I'll take a look around my new site, and see what bit of happiness I might like to order for myself:

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

Dennis DeSantis on Building a Blockbuster Career in Adult Retail

The adult industry and the mainstream Hollywood scene often intersect, and few executives are more familiar with that crossover than Dennis DeSantis.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
opinion

How to Secure High-Risk Transactions With Network Tokenization

Ensuring the security of data as it moves through digital channels is the foundation of safe transactions, and crucial for your success. If your business can’t secure transactions, you’re exposed to myriad processing traumas.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

'Pleasure Professionals Place' Facebook Group Marks 5 Years of Fostering Connections

Where can you find the pleasure industry’s most tantalizing, trending and relevant conversational banter? For once, we’re not talking about a trade show after-party!

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

How Cannabis Culture Is Reshaping Sexual Wellness, Pleasure

April is a month of celebration: Lovers Day, Earth Day… and 4/20. Once a subculture symbol, “420” has evolved into a movement that bridges cannabis advocacy, wellness and an increasingly vital discussion around sexual health and pleasure.

Ian Kulp ·
profile

WIA Profile: Holly Corbella

Even during last year’s retail slump, the adult home party business continued to rock and roll — at least in New Jersey. Just ask Holly Corbella. Based in the Garden State, Corbella is the founder, CEO and lead party planner for Parties by Bellas, an intimate, in-home sex toy event company focusing on creating budget-friendly home parties for women on the East Coast.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Friday Bae Founder Benoit Palix Discusses Brand's Gen Z Focus

French sexual wellness brand Friday Bae is aiming to disrupt the market with its genderfluid, inclusive pleasure products. With bright pops of color for Gen Z and millennials to swoon over, Friday Bae is merging creativity and education for fans, dubbed the “Bae Squad.”

Namma Karp ·
profile

Self Serve's Matie Fricker on Promoting Sex-Positivity in Albuquerque

For 18 years, Self Serve has been providing a sex-positive space for adult toys and resources to folks in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The story behind its success is all about making connections: connecting with your passion, with your business partner, with your customers, with your staff and with your community.

Justin Goodrum ·
opinion

Why Inclusivity in the Pleasure Industry Is More Important Than Ever

2025 has kicked off with a series of unsettling events. Tension and anxiety are high across North America as the unknown impact of tariffs, climate change and attacks on human rights loom ominously. In times of unrest, seeking pleasure is not frivolity but necessity.

Sarah Tomchesson ·
profile

WIA Profile: Reba Rocket

As chief operating officer and chief marketing officer of Takedown Piracy, long at the forefront of intellectual property protection in adult entertainment, Rocket is dedicated to safeguarding the livelihoods of content creators and producers while fostering a more ethical and sustainable industry.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

2025's Top Tech Trends That Adult Retailers Should Know About

I just got back from the National Retail Federation’s Annual Convention & Expo, also known as “Retail’s Big Show,” where I walked the floor, sat in on key panels, talked with industry experts and influencers, and did my best to sift through the b.s. so I could report back to you all on the things you need to care about.

Sean Quinn ·
Show More