159. 30 Years in the Adult Industry: What a Female CEO Wants to Share

The unexpected transition from making toys for children to the adult industry.

Sanae Takahashi originally started out manufacturing toys for children. However, due to the bankruptcy of business partners and the rise of major corporations, continuing the business became difficult, leaving her with significant debt. In the midst of this adversity, a personal realization about her own life led her to pivot toward the adult goods industry.

In an era before social media, direct door-to-door sales were our only lifeline.

Thirty years ago, before the existence of the web or social media, how did products gain visibility? At the time, basic sales strategy involved visiting shops one by one. She shares an anecdote about how a particular event in a back alley helped her land her first retail placement, revealing the struggles and passion of sales in those days.

Discussing changing demands alongside the times and our vision for the future.

Once considered a rarity, adult goods have become more accessible today, alongside the growing awareness of FemTech and self-pleasure. Having overcome past hardships, they share insights on the evolution of the industry and their vision for the future. There is much more to this story, so please listen to the full episode.