Her Story
About Kaitlin
My journey has taken me from some of the most respected academic publishers in the world to one of the oldest sex toy shops in America - two very different but equally iconic legacies. I spent 4 years in educational publishing, working with academic journals at the University of Chicago Press on Signs, Journal of Women in Culture and Society, and then at Oxford University Press specializing in women's gender and sexuality studies titles. When I had to leave Oxford a few years ago for serious mental health concerns, I really did feel like a failure. But through my experience with Lady Confidential, a different kind of legacy, I've been able to reconnect with who I can be as an entrepreneur. Lady Confidential traces back to Eve's Garden, founded in 1974 by women's rights activist Della Williams as the first ever woman-owned and woman-operated sex toy business in America. Now I handle mission-driven marketing in the sexual wellness space, working with the owner Kim to convey what makes us different. My days vary - sometimes I'm searching around on Instagram, sometimes writing new blog content or updating informational resources on our website. I've had the opportunity to collaborate on creative projects like working with a Renaissance fair juggler who used our products in a raunchy juggling show. Before finding Lady Confidential, I spent time waitressing and selling burgers and beers, and nothing has taught me more about hard work than that service industry role - you have to keep smiling no matter what people say to your face, you can't mute yourself or turn off your camera like on a Zoom call.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kaitlin
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having strong female role models throughout my entire life - intelligent teachers, a brilliant mother, and now at Lady Confidential, working with inspiring women. It's so much easier to say 'You know what? I think I might be able to do that' when there's a strong woman who has done it before, you know? Seeing examples of folks who came before us that paved the way, that we can look up to - that's what makes the difference. If they can do it, you can do it.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now revolve around censorship on different social media platforms when it comes to any kind of sexual wellness education and empowering women with information about their own bodies. You have to say everything in code, you have to use euphemistic words. It is frustrating that something so educational is considered inappropriate. But at the same time, there are so many opportunities for humor and poking fun at that, and being creative. Like, oh, okay, so I can't show an anatomically correct diagram? Okay, well, then I'm gonna have to make a little puppet and demonstrate the toys on that. You find ways to work around it and make it engaging.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.