Interview by William Dean
(7/18/01)
Toys in Babeland was begun in 1993 by friends Claire Cavanah and Rachel Venning.
They were hanging out one day bemoaning the unfriendly atmosphere of sex shops
in Seattle. They decided the answer was to open their own sex-toy store with
a commitment to women's pleasure. Toys in Babeland would offer top quality products, a pleasant place to shop,
and, most of all, information and encouragement to women who wanted to explore their
sexuality. Over the years their commitment to women has grown stronger.
They’ve also happily discovered that men, too, like to shop for their sex-toys in
a sleaze-free environment, with sex positive information available, and a caring
sales staff.
In 1999 the Toys in Babeland owners developed a specific mission: to promote
and celebrate sexual vitality by providing an honest, open and fun place to
shop, encouraging personal empowerment, educating the community, and supporting
a more passionate world for all of us. They're believers in that mission, are
excited and energized by it.
CS interviewed co-founder, Rachel Venning for a peek behind the dildoes, vibes, and
toys, books and videos at what drives the babes at Babeland.
CS: The concept of women-owned sex-toy shops is radically different
from the old adult stores of yesteryear with racks of sleazy skin magazines
and peep shows. What's the environment like in a Toys in Babeland shop? Is it
more like walking into your favorite place at the mall?
RV: The environment at Toys in Babeland is more like that of an independently
owned local bookstore than a mall shop. We're just there on the street, easy
to walk, bus, or ride a bike to (or drive of course). The staff is friendly,
smart, and helpful -- people you'd see around your neighborhood and might become
friends with.
CS: There seems to be a lot of sex-toy products out there today where
there used to be maybe a handful of varieties. How do you make your selections
on what products to carry? How do you choose what will be promoted highly?
RV: We go with what we like. We have a product testing program where
folks who work here get to try the new toys and then they write reviews for
the rest of the staff, so we all get a first hand report. If a product gets
a rave review, is well-made, good looking, and unique then we'll spend extra
effort promoting it.
CS: Do you work closely with the manufacturers of the sex-toys? Are
they concerned about input from your customers?
RV: So far we haven't worked with any manufacturers. When I do pass
along customer feedback to the smaller manufacturers they are always interested,
but we haven't gotten into designing toys.
CS: We notice you're starting to broaden the range of items you carry
and including videos. How do you select the videos and what's been the response
of customers to them?
RV: We're lucky that a couple of people who are really knowledgeable about
adult movies have joined the staff, so they are helping us grow in that area.
There is so much out there it takes a lot of time and attention to pick the
good stuff. We look for tapes that depict authentic portrayals of female sexuality,
have sexy production values, and good sex information in the how-to tapes. We've
always carried how-to tapes and some porn, but we are adding a lot more titles,
and our customers like it.
CS: You also promote further education in sexuality issues and erotica.
Isn't that a bit unusual for a sex-toys shop, or are we seeing a trend generally
in a stronger commitment by women in the sex business to address issues and
concerns? What kinds of events does Toys in Babeland promote?
RV: We love doing sex education for adults. Our culture is so closemouthed about the realities and possibilities of sexual experience that it's
hard for people to get the honest and encouraging information they need to have
fulfilling sex lives. By offering in-store workshops and online sex information
and how-tos, we are promoting and celebrating sexual vitality, encouraging personal
empowerment, and supporting a more passionate world. I think most women in the
sex business are struck by the dearth of accurate sex information out there,
so it's natural that we want to help others, especially women, have more fulfilling
sex lives. We cover a lot of topics: male and female sexual response,
sex-toys 101, cunnilingus and fellatio workshops, G-spot workshops and information,
and many more. We also produce the National Masturbatathon which is a fundraiser
and a pro-masturbation event in May. Lastly, we go out and do sex-toy talks all
over the place -- med schools, community groups, parties -- wherever we can.
CS: We've all had the experience of the "unknowing clerk" in some store.
How do you train your salespeople about the various products and to be especially
sensitive to the needs and curiosity of a sex-toy shopper?
RV: Everybody who helps customers gets extensive training in product
knowledge and in how to approach people who may be shy or embarrassed talking
about sex and sex-toys. People have such different comfort levels -- it takes
a little practice to learn to really "read" people and to meet them where they
are.
CS: We're seeing other sex-toy distributors and shops developing beyond
the "expected" with newsletters, beginning to publish original erotica, and
sponsoring live readings of erotica. What's in the future, in this sense, for
Toys in Babeland?
RV: Our main thing is to provide accurate helpful information about
sex and to offer sex-toys, books, and videos. We have a lot of extras on our
Web site, including photography and erotica, and we sponsor a lot of sex related
events in New York and Seattle, where our stores are, but I don't see us opening
a publishing house or anything.
CS: I recently covered an Erotica Expo held in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Does Toys in Babeland see an international place for themselves, maybe franchising
in other countries?
RV:That sounds great -- St. Petersburg! Well, we get approached a
lot, so it could happen sometime, but it would have to be a very good match,
ideologically -- we're really into it for the sex revolution aspects, so it
would have to be like minded people, not just businessmen who want to cash in.
CS: Finally, if you could somehow personally address all your customers
at once, what would you tell them?
RV: I would say, "Follow the spark of your own desire." I think we
develop sexually and we get attracted to ideas, like bondage or anal sex or
whatever, and it's good to pursue that spark. Sometimes it may not be as fun
as your fantasy, but if you try it, then you know -- and you get to keep going
imaginatively and try something else. I don't mean crushes on people so much
as keeping passion alive within yourself, and to really get into the sex you're
having -- don't go through the motions -- be turned on and do what your turn-on
is. Stay fresh and open to new things and your sex life will be a lot more fun.
And, everyone should try anal beads -- they feel great!
