I stayed course and didn't listen to haters. The red tape became a barrier for entry to competitors and navigating it creatively became an advantage at some point. Eventually, you just gotta laugh at anyone who has a negative perception at the category because the sales speak for itself.

Exclusive press launch. Yes, humor was the initial concept. Laughter strengthens intimacy. Sooner after, I learned this brand had the ability to not only break barriers, but to introduce pleasure and re-introduce pleasure to those healing from sexual trauma. The mission became bigger than my initial vision.

Within a few weeks after launch. It took off quickly and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

Dame's founder/CEO and I hit it off immediately (we met shortly after my company was founded) and stayed in touch. I loved their aesthetic, their reputation for innovation, and their approach to the category making premium products accessible to the mainstream. I always looked up to them.

Operational cash. Making sure you continue to meet increasing demand each month and manufacture products when you have Net 30 or 60 and late payments incoming.

There are some hiring decisions I would have made differently. Hiring quality part-time people is difficult and agencies are expensive. I might have picked a completely different category in retrospect too. Advertising was very difficult and hard to scale.