Join us for an incredible episode recorded live in New York City, where we sit down with Alex Fine, CEO and co-founder of Dame Products, the pioneering sexual wellness brand that's been breaking barriers and changing the conversation around women's pleasure for over 12 years.
From a curious six-year-old getting in trouble at show-and-tell to earning a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University, Alex shares her unconventional journey from aspiring sex therapist to building one of the first female-founded vibrator brands in the industry.
Alex gets refreshingly honest about the realities of building a consumer goods brand, from bootstrapping for six years, navigating the complex world of venture capital as a female founder (spoiler: only 2% of VC dollars go to women), to the challenges of inventory management, cash flow constraints, and finding sustainable profitability.
We explore the notorious New York City subway ad battle where Dame sued the MTA for discrimination, the absurd advertising restrictions sexual wellness brands face on platforms like Meta, and the creative workarounds required to market products that science proves are good for you.
Plus, Alex shares her philosophy on product innovation through community-driven research with Dame Labs, why she's more proud of bootstrapping than raising capital, her top advice for female founders considering investment, and why sexual wellness deserves to be recognized as an essential part of overall health and well-being.
Whether you're a founder navigating taboo industries, interested in the sexual wellness revolution, or just love a story about persistence and purpose-driven entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with raw insights, tactical advice, and inspiring moments from a true industry pioneer.
✨ Make sure to like, subscribe and follow along for more founder stories from the world's most innovative companies.
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