Kama’s ‘Mother of Orgasms’ talks pleasure, sex and market domination
You may have heard of the Kama, the second best selling sex toy for 2021. In fact, it would be difficult to avoid the fandom that has encompassed this horseshoe shaped device.
Who you probably haven’t heard of is the woman behind this life-changing sextech Taslim Parsons, the Wholesale Solutions Business and Product Development Manager behind the suppliers of Kama Share Satisfaction.
To say that Parsons gifted New Zealand with the best thing for self pleasure since you discovered removable shower heads would be an understatement. Through the parent company Share Satisfaction Kama hit the streets to fanfare, and quickly became the new must-have toy. Thanks in large part to the ever continuing boredom of lockdowns.
“Over COVID-19 we grew more than 300%. We sell thousands of units of Kama a month across our range of retailers which shows the movement this device has inspired,” says Parsons.
This spike, she says, is an upward trend they’ve seen continue past the pandemic.
“Of course we were going to see a spike over COVID because people were at home in greater numbers. But whether they were alone, or whether they had a partner at home, it was an opportunity to try something without any pressure. And I think that’s really important when you’re trying something new is not to feel like you’ve been pressured,” she says.
Parsons, a seasoned Wellington business woman, took over New Zealand billboards this February in an effort to promote Share Satisfaction over Valentine’s Day. A move, which she said, was to celebrate sexual exploration.
“With the LUMO billboards I wanted to remind New Zealanders that regardless of whether they are single or in a relationship sexual exploration should be celebrated, not shamed. Our message is all about sexual empowerment, consent, and sexual pleasure for pleasure’s sake. Because sex is normal, healthy, and everyone deserves to have a great sex life.”
For a sector that usually is greatly restricted when it comes to any kind of advertising, Parsons says this campaign was a huge step for them and the retailers they support.
“This was the first piece of advertising we have ever done so it was amazing to be able to have such perfect timing over Valentine’s Day.”
As New Zealand’s self-proclaimed ‘mother of orgasms’, Taslim said she gets a kick out of knowing how much pleasure she’s responsible in New Zealand, as well as overseas.
“Nothing makes me happier than looking through the comment sections on social media and seeing how often Kama is praised for giving people the best orgasms of their lives. I’m literally the mother of orgasms. I love that I’ve helped to bring so much pleasure to people’s lives. ”
The way Parsons looks at the sexual wellness market is a refreshing take on consumerism. Rather than focusing on units and sales, her main focus is pushing the envelope for all genders to have positive and meaningful conversations about sexual pleasure.
“We’re trying to help all genders find what’s good for them, and what works for them. With now 300 products in the collection, we’re catering for everybody. It’s been really cool to be able to offer this to the community. And it is breaking down those barriers getting more people talking about pleasure, sex and orgasms,” she says.
Parsons is heavily involved with the luxury feel that Share Satisfaction works hard to emit. Not only does she pick every product in the range, she also picks the colorways, names, and the packaging.
For her, having beautiful products removes the shock value that has previously barred people from exploring sexual wellness products. And instead chooses items that feel inviting, rather than intimidating.
“I was really clear about wanting things that looked beautiful. Once we open up these conversations, we don’t want to shock people. Because once you shock people they stop listening. You can’t have a conversation with somebody if you’ve offended them. So with the brand we were really careful in terms of making it really accessible, making it look beautiful,” she says.
Despite the long list of products Share Satisfaction boasts, it is the Kama that continues to shock and delight audiences, in a good way.
“When I tried the Kama prototype I instantly knew we needed to include it. I came into work the next day and said Holy shit, guys we have to do this. This has to be our hero product because I couldn’t walk afterwards.”
Kama has come at a good time. Pun intended. A time Parsons says where barriers are starting to come down and people are coming naturally more open minded.
“The barriers are coming down really fast, like really fast. All you have to do is go on social media and you see that people are talking about it. I have friends in their 60s and 70s that talk about it. Because there are more conversations happening both online and in person, people are feeling inspired to try something new,” she says.
Share Satisfaction is one of the retailers in the space working to change the narrative, and to move the industry forward to a more accessible light.
Now, looking forward, she hopes to normalise the conversation even more, and hopes to see the likes of department stores profiling the popular products.
“Part of 2022 for us now is growing the range and talking to non-adult retailers. My vision is to be able to walk into a Farmer’s or a David Jones and see a concession stand with luxury sex toys.”
Although a bold mission, when you see Share Satisfaction’s latest product line, Lucent, it’s clear that the company are serious about creating products that could just as easily be displayed next to crystal wine glasses.
“What we’re supplying is evocative, beautiful and magical. We’re channelling our magic and we’re keen to collaborate with non adult brands that are about wellness and pleasure, whether that’s physical, emotional or sexual wellness because all are linked.
“I’m hoping to open up conversations with other brands that want to collaborate with us, so from there we can open that space up and talk to more and more people. It’s through that we can start to truly de-stigmatise the sector and bring sexual wellness products to those who want and need them,” she says.
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