Have you seen the October Staff Picks yet? We've got a bunch of great toys featured this month, including the innovative Tiani and the classic Mystic Wand + G-Spot Combo.  Or the fun new Kiki, recommended by this month's interview subject, Jennyrose! Jennyrose has been with Babeland since 2003, so she really knows her way around this place.  She makes sure all our locations have the products they need so that you, our beloved customers, can get what you need!  Aside from that, she's whip-smart, generous, hilarious, and an all-around joy to work with.  And she's got a special place in my Babeland heart, as we've worked together since her first day here.  Read on to learn much more about how she got here and what she's learned.

Abby:  What first brought you to Babeland?  Tell us the story of how you started working here.

Jennyrose:  Well, I had always been interested in sex, sexuality, and gender.  I was unschooled and was really encouraged to pursue my interests, which led to a lot of reading youth-oriented sexuality websites and forums like Scarleteen.  Before I knew it, I discovered the Babeland website.  When I was 19, I moved to Brooklyn and immediately sought out Babeland on the Lower East Side.  I was surprised by the coziness of the store, because I had built it up in my mind to be larger than life.  A couple of weeks later, I met someone who was leaving New York and their Sex Educator/Sales Associate position at Babeland, and told me I should apply.  So I did, and after an interview with Jen May (now C.O.O.) and Claire (co-founder/owner) in the Rivington Street store basement, I was hired!

Abby:  And I will always be thankful that you were.  Where were you before Babeland?  Give us a summary of your career.

Jennyrose:  Well, my parents are glass artists who make dip-style writing pens and knitting needles, so I spent my formative years driving to craft fairs around the country, educating customers about different kinds of glass and capillary action.  I got to see almost every state in the continental U.S., and met all kinds of people.  It's funny how that experience really translates well into educating customers about lube ingredients and silicone sex toys!  I've worked out of all three Babeland NYC stores, as well as the Oakland, CA warehouse/administrative offices, so I've learned a lot about Babeland, and I've gotten to work with so many wonderful, passionate, fun, engaged people.

Abby:  Tell us about a day in the life of the Babeland Allocation Analyst.

Jennyrose:  I manage the inventory for our four stores and website, and I work with our Director of Purchasing and Buyer to ensure that our product mix is fresh and responsive to customers' needs.  On the daily, I spend most of my time analyzing product sales, creating sales projections, placing orders with vendors, and moving inventory around within the company to make sure that no one location is over- or under-stocked.  Even after eight-plus years, it's always challenging, and I look forward to going to work every day... which isn't something most people can say!

Abby:  What was your family's reaction when you told them you work at Babeland?

Jennyrose:  They were and still are really supportive.  We are a very tight family, so my parents were not really surprised when I told them that I wanted to work with sexuality.  My mom proudly tells a lot of her friends what I do, which I think is really sweet.

Abby:  Tell us about your favorite/most touching/life-changing moment with a customer.

Jennyrose:  I always think about all the people who came in when I was working on the sales floor, who told me they'd never had an orgasm, and wanted to make it happen for themselves.  Usually, we would spend at least half an hour together, talking about books, videos, toys, libido, anatomy -- everything.  My favorite experiences were with women who were in their 70s and 80s, and had finally decided to take control of their own sexual pleasure after all those years.  Amazing and so humbling.

Abby:  And what's something you've learned about yourself through your work at Babeland?

Jennyrose:  I've learned how to speak publicly and work through my shyness, through teaching workshops and helping customers in the stores.  And I've learned that I'm a total nerd when it comes to Excel.

Abby:  How about something you've learned about sex?

Jennyrose:  I've learned that sex and sexuality really are unique to every person.  That you can't assume anything about people's desires, regardless of who they are, how they identify, or their background.  Also, that talking openly and honestly about personal desire is scary and challenging, whether you've been working in this industry for years, or you've never set foot in a sex toy store.  It takes constant practice.

Abby:  Indeed it does.  Finally, what are your favorite words for genitalia?

Jennyrose:  Hunnah-hunnah.  Pussy.  Cock.  Business. wanted to work with sexuality.  My mom proudly tells a lot of her friends what I do, which I think is really sweet.

Abby:  Tell us about your favorite/most touching/life-changing moment with a customer.

Jennyrose:  I always think about all the people who came in when I was working on the sales floor, who told me they'd never had an orgasm, and wanted to make it happen for themselves.  Usually, we would spend at least half an hour together, talking about books, videos, toys, libido, anatomy -- everything.  My favorite experiences were with women who were in their 70s and 80s, and had finally decided to take control of their own sexual pleasure after all those years.  Amazing and so humbling.

Abby:  And what's something you've learned about yourself through your work at Babeland?

Jennyrose:  I've learned how to speak publicly and work through my shyness, through teaching workshops and helping customers in the stores.  And I've learned that I'm a total nerd when it comes to Excel.

Abby:  How about something you've learned about sex?

Jennyrose:  I've learned that sex and sexuality really are unique to every person.  That you can't assume anything about people's desires, regardless of who they are, how they identify, or their background.  Also, that talking openly and honestly about personal desire is scary and challenging, whether you've been working in this industry for years, or you've never set foot in a sex toy store.  It takes constant practice.

Abby:  Indeed it does.  Finally, what are your favorite words for genitalia?

Jennyrose:  Hunnah-hunnah.  Pussy.  Cock.  Business.