We were lucky to catch up with Mz. JewCee recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mz. JewCee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
My business story isn’t colorful – flashy – or even new. I got into business out of necessity. Single mother looking to make ends meet after divorcing her husband. At the time I needed to generate additional revenue. I attended a lingerie party and was recruited by the presenter. …the rest is history…lol.
Over the months, I got comfortable with talking to women about lingerie. I got so comfortable that my business began to grow! The home shopping parties that I hosted got bigger and longer. I found success in this business because I discovered that I had the power to uplift women and build their self-esteem.
As I spoke with these women and the women were able to speak freely with the help of a little libation and an atmosphere that was conducive to opening up about their own body images and insecurities, I discovered that there was a need to empower these women in their own sensuality and sexuality.
Over the years my business product line changed and grew to include adult toys and novelties. The addition of the adult toy and novelties line allowed me teach women, men and couples how to enhance the romance. As I progress with this philosophy, I am able to incorporate my sex education background to aid in better orgasms, intimacy, fellatio and other ways to improve relationships. Being able to combine my education along with my product line has afforded me a unique way of communicating with my clients. I’m able to answer questions as well as allow people to feel comfortable about talking about sex and their sexual needs.
I pride myself on my home shopping parties being engaging as well as educational. So many people have so many questions about sex that go unanswered over the years. They do not feel that they have a safe space to ask the tough questions or the questions that have been weighing on their minds. Furthermore, our society has made talking about sex a very uncomfortable topic, when it should be as natural a breathing.
While talking to women, men and couples about sex, I have found that the field of sex education is lacking and truly not teaching our youth – (who become the adults that I wind up hosting parties for) – what their bodies can do nor do they teach about intimacy, how to enhance the romance or how to discuss their sexual desires within their relationship. Believe me when I say ALL these topics come up and so much more at the home shopping parties and when I vend for an event.
I have been told by numerous guests that the way I approach a home shopping event is much different from my competitors. I have been informed on more that on occasion that my competitors shows are boring and lacking in knowledge – from not knowing how their products work to not knowing how their products can assist in enhancing the romance. Many consultants don’t know how to use the adult toys let alone know how to give professional advice to the audience on how to incorporate the toy into their relationship.
What makes me most excited about my approach would be the women, men and couples I help. The fact that I’m willing to listen to their situation and come up with solutions to aid them in getting the most out of their “playtime” and ‘me-time”. I’m always looking for more information that I can pass on to my clients. This industry is forever evolving and you have to evolve with it. From new studies on human sexuality to advancement in the design and use of adult toys. I love the challenge of learning and passing on knowledge to those that which to take their relationships to a higher level.
Simply put, I love helping people improve their personal relationships. Teach them to think outside the box that someone else built for them. Allow them to grow in their sexuality and sensuality. I want people to embrace their erotic side and enjoy all the avenues that pleasure has to offer. Opening a client’s mind to endless possibilities in the pleasure field gives me the greatest joy. To see the ‘light’ go on when they realize that there is so much more to explore then what they currently know, is a wonderful sight to behold.
Mz. JewCee, 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?
As I stated earlier, I got into the business based on necessity. Suddenly becoming a single parent meant that I had to find a way to provide for my family. I already had a 9 to 5 and wanted something part-time. At the time, I needed a job that I could control my time. Going to a lingerie home shopping party gave me the avenue I needed to add to my income while empowering women. I started off with lingerie and grew my business in later years to include adult toys and novelties. At the present time I still sell both, but the adult toy and novelties side of my business has surpassed my lingerie side, but I do keep pieces in my inventory as well as outfit models for various erotic events!
I love helping my clients discover their inner beauty. With so many ways to discourage women in particular for being their authentic selves, I definitely wanted my platform to be all inclusive when it comes to supporting women in their sensuality and sexuality. Genuinely empowering and encouraging women is the cornerstone of my brand. I’ve learned to outfit all shapes and sizes of women in lingerie over the years. I even have models that are made up of women from all sizes and backgrounds. The goal during a lingerie fashion show as hosted by JewCee Boutique is to allow our audience to identify with our models. It is very important that we show representation in size, height, and body type. From large chest to no booty…JewCee Boutique has you covered!
I am most proud of the fact that I didn’t give up the erotic side of my personality. I’ve been in the pleasure business for 35 years. Mostly part-time, but now a days looking more and more at doing this full time. I’m also proud of the fact that I’m able to constantly add to my business. I include Erotic Events, Erotic Greeting Cards (which I write myself), Erotic Short Stories, Erotic Advisor and my latest achievement – Sexuality Coach! I have a podcast that I host as well on Monday evenings along with two wonderful Melanated Queens – Syren and Purple Reign. We talk about sex, relationships and all things erotic.
…let me go back just a little… You see, there was a point in my life when I worried about what other people may think of me when I wanted to talk about sex. Although I thought about what people would think, I forged ahead anyway. What I decided to do is find a way to incorporate what I love and at the same time have the ‘approval’ of friends and family. I made this a teaching moment. In all things we must learn to adapt. I adapted what I wanted to project to others by using my formal education as well as my personality to get the point across that our Sexual Health is just as important as our physical and mental health. Continuing to stifle human nature is not in our best interest as human beings. Finding that teaching moment not only allowed me to do what I have a passion for doing, but it also allowed me to not offend my family and friends. In all things, education is key.
From my persona Mz. JewCee to my business name, I want people to know that sex should be fun! Allow yourself to step outside of your comfort zone and enjoy the pleasure(s) of being your sensual self. Holding a non-judgmental zone for those that wish to explore and understand their sexuality is very much my passion.
All of this took time and grace. I had to give myself the ‘grace’ to step outside my own comfort zone and leave behind antiquated thought processes that no longer served my individuality or my needs. I blossomed into an Erotic Advisor. A person that is willing to try new erotic adventures as well as share those adventures with others. I learned to not pass judgement on what others may enjoy as pleasurable. I learned to accept that not everything is for everyone – and guess what…that is ok! As long as you are open to ideals within the sexuality realm, I can deal with you. It is the closed-minded people that won’t budge and/or are not willing to listen (even if their thoughts and preconceived notions are incorrect) that I have a problem with.
Along my JewCee Journey I have learned that you can’t change everyone. However, if I can get just one person to listen, it makes my heart soar and allows me to know that I am on the right track. …and honestly that is all I can ask for. I am quite capable of respecting boundaries and have no intention of forcing my thoughts onto anyone. I just want people to be OPEN to new techniques and keep an open mind when it comes to sex and how we have sex. Keep an open mind to keep your relationship hot, tight and together (one of my favorite sayings).
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
People that know me would say that the word RESILIENCE should be my first and last name. I’ve personally been through a lot in my life. At 16 my mother and I walked into our home after being at a competition all day, to find my father dead. Fast forward a year later, after kissing my mother and going off to play with some of the neighbor kids at the park, I came back home to see a rescue squad across the street from my house. My mother was visiting one of our neighbors when she had a stroke and massive heart attack on their porch. At 17 years old I was on my own.
I’ve been treated poorly by my ex-husbands – one cheated, which I could have handled, but he cheated with someone that was not ‘clean’ and I wound up with PID. The second husband was abusive mentally, physically and psychologically.
I was involved in three very serious car accidents in about a 12-year time period. None of these accidents were my fault. I was ‘spared’ 3 times from dying. The first accident was an old Ford Pickup truck ran a stop sign and t-boned my car. The second was – as I was sleep in my bed a car crashed through my bedroom window and pinned me under it for 3.5 hours. I fought to stay alive. …and lastly, I was a passenger in a car traveling for work to Chicago. My co-worker and I were struck head on by a car that lost control on the other side of the highway, but wound-up head south bound in the north bound lane. After surviving the crash, 6 days later, I would find myself fighting for my life again as I had a hematoma that ruptured in my thigh. I had to be rushed from the rehab center to the hospital.
I’ve always had to re-invent myself once life’s changes took place. I had to find the resilience to continue to live let alone work. My body has been through so much trauma, that it is all I can do to keep my sanity at times. 20 years since the last accident and there isn’t a day that goes by when I’m not in some sort of pain. However, I use my ‘pain’ as a reminder that I am still ALIVE!
At 55 I started over in my life journey. I came back to my hometown of Cleveland to not only live out the rest of my life, but to complete my circle of life. My life has come full circle now and I’m living my Best Life doing what I want to do and embracing my erotic side.
I know that I’ve been through a lot – I only touched on a few things here. Believe me when I say there is more! I honestly don’t like to dwell on them, but know that prayer, taking a breath, meditation and positive mantra’s can get you through. …did I mention a good glass of wine doesn’t hurt either.
I know that I’m resilient because I’m still here, I’m still fighting, I’m still learning. I will never stop. My father once told me, “As long as you have breath in your body, you can make a change. It’s when you stop breathing that you have problems.” I hold that close to me. Because it means the essence of resilience and re-inventing yourself. Navigating this thing called life.
Going through your ups and downs and coming out on the other side maybe a bit bumped and bruised, but better for the experience is PRICELESS!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Something I learned a long time ago: Change is the only Constant. …and… Life is a character builder. With those statements in mind, pivoting is something I’ve had to do in business as well as in life.
You won’t stay in business for very long if you cannot adapt and change with the times. In my business of adult toys “change” has been a constant. I would also like to use the word ‘evolving’. When I started in the business, I was a consultant for Undercover Wear. It was a great company to work for, however as I evolved in the erotic business and I hosted more and more parties, I found that the business I excelled at was lacking in product diversity. I learned from my customers that representation matters. In other words, a woman of color wants to see a dildo that is not pink or a light flesh color. She wants to see a black dildo – plain and simple.
I had to pivot. I had to branch out on my own. My close friends had been telling me for years that I could sell adult toys on my own. That I should start a business, after all I had been an entrepreneur since I can remember but did not realize it at the time. I found a distributor through an ex-significant other and off I went. Some more of my college education would kick in as I had a business minor and yet I worked for years in Corporate America – making other people money. Now I had the chance to do for myself what I was doing for others – only on my own terms.
I admit is was scary stepping out on faith. Did I falter? Sure did, but I learned along the way. I learned how to order my supplies in a manner that would not sink my financial battleship. I got very organized. I had to teach myself all about adult toys. I found an entirely overwhelming amount of product and products lines that I had no idea even existed. I boldly stepped into this world without a clue of what I was really doing when it came to making a selection on what to present to my customers. I pivoted again… You see, all I knew is what I could order by being a consultant – working for someone else. It is different when you are ordering for your own business, and you are now inundated with so many options. I went from 2 or 3 types of rabbits to over 1000+ different types of rabbits! Believe me when I say, it was a lot to grasp.
I was under a brand and now I had to learn about marketing differently as well. I had to have a name, but not just any name. I wanted my name to mean something to me. I wanted my name to represent my resilience and where I came from. I never wanted to forget my erotic voyage. I also wanted my name to be Erotic. I got wanted I wanted by changing my identity and my thought process.
I have totally pivoted toward my Erotic Empire. No longer afraid to embrace my Authentically Erotic self. I enjoy what I do and I have a passion for it. My drive and determination to empower others when it comes to their Sexual Health is stronger than ever.
Life is about change. Pivoting is a part of life. How you handle those pivots will be your legacy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jewceetales.com
- Instagram: mzjewcee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dara.smith.9699/
- Twitter: MzJewceeOne
- Youtube: @mzjewceeone