Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to James Guo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, James thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

From day one, I chose a traditional path. Instead of chasing every new online trend, I worked directly with distributors and brick-and-mortar stores. I wanted the kind of relationships where people knew my face, trusted my handshake, and believed in the products we were putting on their shelves.

The smartest move I made early on was hiring people who were already part of the industry’s inner circle. They had personal relationships with store owners and major distributors, which meant we could walk into rooms that would have otherwise been closed to us for years.

Brand awareness was the next big challenge. In this industry, you can’t just exist—you have to be seen. That’s why we made a point of showing up at the biggest events in the business: Xbiz, AVN, Champs, Stimulate and ANME. We weren’t just setting up booths. We were meeting people, having real conversations, and getting products into the hands of the decision-makers who could put them in stores nationwide. Every show gave us momentum and made the brand a little more familiar to the people who mattered most.

Along the way, we launched products that became conversation starters in their own right. One of the most memorable was the Sexy Pot, a marijuana-shaped remote control egg vibrator. It’s so simple it can be hidden in plain sight, which made it not only playful but also a huge hit with customers looking for something discreet and fun. Products like that didn’t just sell—they gave our brand personality and helped us stand out in a crowded market.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing. Some distributor deals didn’t pan out. A couple of product launches missed the mark. But those setbacks forced us to sharpen our approach. We learned which products resonated, how to present them, and when to bring them to market.

Looking back, our growth was never about one big win. It was about showing up, over and over, building relationships one at a time, and stacking small victories until the foundation was too strong to ignore.

James, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I come from a family business in China. Growing up, I was surrounded by manufacturing—from supply chains to quality control—so I learned how factories work before I could walk. But I always felt I had my own path to carve. I didn’t want to follow the familiar; I wanted something of my own.

That led me to launch Our Erotic Journey in 2019—a sex-tech brand grounded in creativity and quality. I wanted to build something playful, stylish, and reliable.

What We Create & Why It Matters:

Our Erotic Journey offers a plethora of products—everything from lipstick-shaped vibrators and glow-in-the-dark accessories to remote-controlled rotating butt plugs, suction vibrators like the “Gravity Rocket,” and the stand-out True Sensation dildo (7 inches, vibrates, thrusts, and heats up to 105°F—all controllable via app) .

Each product brings something different to the table. Some are quirky, others sleek or joyful, but they share one thing in common: they’re built with attention to detail and user experience.

The Problems We Solve & What Sets Us Apart:

– Trust in quality and safety. I know production inside and out—thanks to my family’s background—so I insisted from day one on partnering with reputable manufacturers. In this industry, a single safety misstep can destroy trust, so I made quality non-negotiable.

– Refreshing design and authenticity. Rather than chasing AI or futuristic gimmicks, our products are eccentric, tangible, and full of personality. They’re meant to delight, not just function.

– Blending craft with playfulness. Each collection—like Cristal (glass toys), Space, Thrillz, and Lit or the Zodiac Collection—celebrates a different mood or desire, telling the world who we are as a brand.

What I’m Most Proud Of:

I’m proud that Our Erotic Journey didn’t just grow—it became quietly influential without compromising on vision. We didn’t bend to trends; we leaned into unique design with integrity. Being able to pull production knowledge into every stage—from R&D to packaging—has made that possible .

What I Want Readers & Clients to Know:
• I’m not just selling products; I’m building experiences with heart, humor, and trust.
• My background gives me a unique edge—you’re getting craftsmanship, not just creative “wow.”
• Behind every playful design is a commitment to quality and safety.
• I learned from the factory world—but chose to do something entirely different with it.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

One of the biggest things that set us apart early on, and still does today, is our 5 year, no-questions-asked guarantee on every product we sell. In this industry, that is rare. Most warranties are short, filled with fine print, and leave customers feeling like they are taking a gamble.

I wanted to change that completely. If someone buys one of our products, I want them to know we stand behind it fully. No forms, no run-around, and no awkward conversations. Just a clear promise that if something goes wrong, we will replace it.

That guarantee gave our customers a lot of confidence. It showed them we were not just selling toys, but something we believed in enough to back for half a decade. Over time, that trust became one of the strongest foundations of our reputation.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy has been focusing on the brick-and-mortar approach — working directly with businesses rather than only selling online. Building strong, personal relationships with store owners and distributors has been key.

By connecting directly with these partners, we get a clear sense of what works for their customers and what doesn’t. That allows us to be flexible, swapping out products that don’t sell for ones that might perform better. This flexibility takes pressure off retailers and makes it easier for them to carry our brand without risk.

Having our products on physical shelves where customers can see and experience them firsthand also builds trust and loyalty. Direct-to-business relationships gave us a solid foundation and helped us scale steadily. There’s a kind of connection in face-to-face interactions that no online marketing can fully replace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oureroticjourney.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/oejsecguo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-guo-4b930419b/
• Twitter: https://x.com/oej_official