We were lucky to catch up with Elizabeth Ashford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for joining us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

Profitability can often go hand and hand with brand visibility, which leads me to one of the most significant obstacles in our industry: shadow banning. Whether it’s related to Instagram ads or our visibility in users’ feeds on TikTok, Instagram & more, self-marketing turns into a completely different challenge.

For instance, Beyond the Beez has been blocked from sharing ads on Instagram since 2020. This was frustrating as a brand because during the time we were able to utilize them, we experienced significant success with organic growth. Even more troubling is the situation other fellow founders have wound up in: a complete ban and removal from social media platforms all together for allegedly “violating community guidelines.” The decisions from the top come swiftly and can often become irreversible.

And while this situation has clear implications for both visibility and profitability, there is another critical impact: accessibility. The limitations placed on our industry stifles the flow of essential information for health equality, pleasure equality, mental health, and the list goes on and on.

We are hoping that as our community continues to push forward the sexual education and wellness space, the less people will be afraid of it. However, in the meantime, this situation presents additional challenges and efforts for those of us striving to make a positive impact.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

BEYOND THE BEEZ is a community focused on sexual education, aiming to challenge outdated beliefs and taboos. Founded by Elizabeth Ashford, it offers online workshops for all ages and promotes open, safe discussions about s*x. The initiative seeks to destigmatize sexuality and encourage authentic self-expression, fostering enjoyment and inclusivity in conversations. Here is a deeper look at our three core values:

1. Factual & trustworthy: We deliver accurate, and dependable sexual education content to our community members, addressing the misleading resources often found in educational settings.
2. Community Driven: We foster a supportive environment where members can connect and explore their sexual identities in a welcoming space.
3. Champions of S*x Positivity: We promote s*x positivity by confronting outdated attitudes and helping our members embrace their sexual selves as a vital aspect of their overall identity.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

In 2023, I created my first product, a card game titled “The Pleasure Is Mine.” When I began this journey, I was starting from the ground up— with little to no experience in product development and marketing. However, what I learned along the way is just how common that point of entry is. Many entrepreneurs are learning as they go. What I have seen is that, typically, first time entrepreneurs follow a three-step process: first, we start developing a product we are passionate about; second, we carry out extensive research; and third, we take bold action.

When it came to creating the content of the card game, I had already spent three years in the industry, and was well-prepared to utilize my knowledge and create the resources I envisioned in the palm of peoples hand. However, when it came to both manufacturing and visual design, numerous questions arose. I dedicated myself to step two, extensive research, to find the answers. This effort allowed me to identify several manufacturing companies that I was interested in working with. I conducted numerous calls to determine which I preferred. As the process moved farther along, I utilized the community around me to offer their opinions & advice along the way.

Once I finally had the product in hand, the next step was learning how to promote the game while bootstrapping. I rented a camera from BorrowALens and bought a lighting kit on Amazon, which cost about $100 in total. If you’re familiar with the industry, you’ll know that’s quite affordable. I spent a day or two playing around with set design, lighting, product placement, editing and more. Despite no formal training, I successfully completed a brand shoot that I was excited to share with my community.

The entire process of creating The Pleasure is Mine took several months longer than I had anticipated. I’m certainly not the first person to experience this, so if you’re just starting your journey, remember to keep this in mind!

All-in-all, developing a product had unforeseen hurdles that required commitment, time and patience to navigate. However, I’m proud to say that I am thrilled with how the card game turned out. If you’re embarking on a new journey, the best advice is to dive right in! Absorb as much knowledge as you can throughout the process, and keep moving forward with consistency and determination.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the tendency to think small, particularly as a woman. Consider how frequently people make self-deprecating comments about their looks, bodies, abilities, and more. This has become an unfortunately common approach to self-perception.

As time has gone on, I have begun to really notice those who choose a different mindset. For example, my sophomore year of college I had one friend who always told the women around her to not be afraid to take up space. She truly embodied that message. Her voice carried weight, she spoke with intention, and she took her time to articulate her thoughts. She played big, and it has led her to great success.

As I see the benefits that can be gained from releasing the normalization that belittles women, I have begun to confront the fear of being labeled as “cringy”. This required considerable adjustments from pushing myself to feel comfortable in front of the camera, to speaking at a slower pace, finding the confidence to promote my work and more. There’s still progress to be made, but the key takeaway is to begin now and work to embrace your presence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beyondthebeez.com/
• Instagram: @beyondthebeez

Image Credits

Headshot by @cortnee.photography