This episode highlights the huge progress we’re seeing (at long last!) in the sextech industry. Dr. Dweck and Rachel invite their guest Polly Rodriguez to share the journey of Unbound, the sexual wellness company she initially founded to fill a market gap – only to discover its super-power: Breaking open the silence around women’s sexual health and wellness.

Diagnosed at 21 years old with Stage 3 colorectal cancer, Polly was thrown into premature menopause, with all its ancillary challenges. She was no more willing to accept being “put sexually out to pasture” than she was willing to succumb to cancer. “When you go through something like a cancer diagnosis, you feel like you have no connection with your body. I felt like I wanted to reclaim it,” says Polly. And thus Unbound was conceived as a direct-to-customer platform that makes body safe vibrators, lubricants and accessories.

The company’s product-level focus is on supporting women who – for whatever reason – want to explore sex-related products like lubricant and vibrators. It has been a very successful entrepreneurial venture of which Polly is rightfully proud, but she is just as proud of her larger contribution to advancing sex education and sextech as an industry deserving of a voice in the marketplace.

You’ll learn about The Women of Sextech, a group Polly helped found in an effort to break barriers to advertising and ensure equal access to capital funding and social media platforms.  It’s exciting to explore yet one more example of sextech leaders coming together, working collaboratively and changing business as usual in “very fem, non-binary ways.” As a bonus, Dr. Dweck and Rachel weigh in with information about the status of sex education nationally, marketplace trends in sextech and femtech advertising as well as the causes of and new approaches to early and premature menopause.

We also recommend you view the article Why People Have Sex by Cindy Meston

Today’s Hot Flash

“The difference between premature and early menopause: The former refers to menopause prior to age 40 while the latter refers to menopause under the age of 45. Premature menopause occurs in about 1% of women.”

Watch the Interview with Unbound Founder, Polly Rodriguez

About Polly Rodriguez, Founder of Unbound

Polly is the CEO and Founder of Unbound, which launched in 2014. The sexual wellness company makes body safe vibrators, lubricants and accessories for curious babes. The Miami University graduate previously consulted for Deloitte, focused primarily on advising clients on growth strategy and customer experience.

Website: www.unboundbabes.com

Polly @LinkedIn

Unbound Box @Twitter

American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists

Quotes from Today’s Episode with Polly Rodriguez

• “Who wouldn’t prefer to browse these products – which at times can be intimidating and overwhelming – from the comfort of their home?” (Polly)

• “When you go through something like a cancer diagnosis, you feel like you have no connection with your body. I felt like I wanted to reclaim it.” (Polly)

• “I wanted to buy a vibrator because I wanted to rebel against this notion that my sexuality was dead or like I wouldn’t have any sex drive (post-menopause).” (Polly)

• “Sex ed is an enormous unmet need that companies in the private sector are really rising up and serving.” (Rachel)

• “The technological innovation and people behind (sextech) are what inspire me. It’s such a strong community of creators so committed to the mission.” (Polly)

• “Even if Unbound loses and goes out of business, I want someone else to win. Ultimately we all realize that we’re not competing against each other so much as we are fighting the systems that be, whether it’s advertising, banking or venture funding.” (Polly)

• “I don’t personally believe you can get addicted to your vibrator. I also think it’s okay if you need a vibrator during penetrative sex to climax. I need lubricant and refuse to feel ashamed about that because it’s just how my body happens to work.” (Polly)

• “Language that has become part of social norms and conversations is not helpful and in fact is quite hurtful to women and the business of pleasure.” (Rachel)