Dirty Lola is an award-winning sex edutainer, speaker, and self-proclaimed dildo slinger. Known for her live sex ed, Q&A show Sex Ed A Go-Go, and as a Sexpert on the Netflix docuseries The Principles of Pleasure, Lola has spent over a decade working to end the stigma and shame surrounding sex and sexuality.
In addition to her powerful educational projects, Lola is the creative director of the Spectrum Journal, an online magazine offshoot of the female-owned online sex shop Spectrum Boutique, on the advisory board for the Youth Sexpert Program, and has brought her unique brand of sex-positive sex education to brands such as Shag in Williamsburg BK, B-Vibe, Freya, Womanizer, and Spencers Gifts.
We are very proud to share the great news that Dirty Lola will be in-person with us, speaking at R11 Desire Summit East, which will take place on April 13th & 14th in Jersey City, NJ. We were lucky enough to catch up with her before the event to discuss her expertise in the world of pleasure and sex toys.
What’s it like to work in a sex shop? What are your favorite things and your least favorite things about working in these shops?
Even though we’re selling pleasure, a lot of working in a sex shop is like working in any other retail job. We have to provide good customer service, restock products, and keep the shop looking good, but there are parts of the job you don’t deal with in a straight retail job. On any given day, I may be helping someone step back into pleasure after a traumatic event, navigate the changes that come with aging or after illness, replenish their collection after a breakup, or purchase their first sex toy. It can be a very emotional job. I’ve laughed, cried alongside, and celebrated with customers. That’s what I love most about working in a sex shop, the people. I have the immense privilege of guiding people through all facets of life, and I don’t take that lightly.
My least favorite things about working in a sex shop are the prank calls and occasional harassment. It comes with the territory, and sometimes it’s scary. I’m just thankful we can block numbers.
What are the most popular sex toys these days, and why are they so popular?
Usually, when a sex toy is popular, it’s because it was mentioned in a magazine or it’s gone viral online like the rose. Whenever we get a lot of people asking about a specific product, it never fails that it made some “Best Toy” list.
What are people’s biggest challenges when shopping for sex toys, and how do they overcome these issues?
The biggest issue most folks have is thinking that you can choose a sex toy like you choose a new microwave. Best is relative in the sex toy world. What is the best product for one person might absolutely suck for another. There are so many things to consider when purchasing a new sex toy, and that’s where I come in. When you look at a shelf of rabbit toys and see twelve of the same thing, I see twelve distinctly different products and how each of them provides a different pleasure experience.
What are your favorite toys?
In my personal toy rotation, I currently have the Magic Wand Rechargeable, LeWand Feel My Power, Womanizer`Next, Dame Dip, and Spectrum Essentials Compact. I’m a big fan of clitoral stimulation.
Be sure to follow Dirty Lola and Residence 11 on social media sites to catch all the latest sexy updates and programs offered. Tickets for the Summit are on sale now! Enjoy live performances, deep dive talks with experts in various fields of sexuality and intimacy, give aways and much more at our R11 Desire Summit on Intimacy & Relationships .