Typically, being a salesperson is a difficult and tiring job. Jo-Ann Levins, however, loves doing it. This is because Levins isn’t your typical saleswoman. She’s selling sex, and it’s a multi-million dollar business.
Levins, 45, is a consultant for Pure Romance: a company that hosts at-home parties where women can buy “relationship aids.” These aids can be anything from shaving cream to bondage kits to vibrators.
Levins is charismatic, open, and reminiscent of your high school sex ed teacher– except she encourages nervous giggling and embarrassing questions. After working at Texaco Corporations and at two different hospitals, Jo-Ann has realized that her number one job is being a mother to her two teenage boys and a Pure Romance consultant.
“One thing I know about myself is that I put on an awesome party,” she added.
What interested you most about Pure Romance?
I went to a party while my husband was sick. At the time he was sick, disabled, and retired, and I needed to make some extra money. I just liked what Pure Romance stands for, how one woman started a business out of the basement of her house and turned it into a $100 million business.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
When that light bulb moment goes off for a customer. When she realizes she can take control of her sex life. When a woman takes control of her sex life, she’s more confident and happier. How many women just go through life on automatic pilot, not taking time for themselves?
What’s the demographic of your parties?
I’ve had all types of women. From college age to 67. My oldest customer is 67. She first came to a party when she was 62, and she had never had an orgasm. She cried to me in the ordering room for forty-five minutes. Now she’s my best customer, and she has all kinds of high end toys.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part of my job is getting through to women who have such a barrier put up about their sexual lives. I’ve actually had people walk out of my parties, and I’m not vulgar at all. I see myself as more of an educator.
How so?
I like to teach these women how to take care of themselves. How to make themselves feel prettier. How to enhance what’s so natural anyway, but kick it up a notch.
Has anyone ever given you a hard time about it?
One woman did. I was stamping my brochures while watching my kids play football, and she just came up and said, “That’s disgusting what you do.” And I said, “Really? I’m sorry you have a problem discussing your sexuality, but a lot of women don’t.”
Which product is your favorite?
Oh I have a lot of them, hun. Unfortunately my favorite vibe is discontinued, the One Eye Attack.
Do you always test the products?
Absolutely. I demo what I like. So I can say, “Oh yeah, ten thumbs up on that one.”
You said you had two sons, how do they feel about your job?
I don’t advertise it on my car or anything because they ask me not to.
I bet that “birds and the bees” talk was interesting.
I had an in-depth conversation with my older son regarding sex. That he as the man, has to wrap it, wrap it, wrap it, wrap it, and wrap it again. You got to think smart- you have to think with the big head and not the little head.
Why are the parties for women only?
Other companies do couple parties, but Pure Romance doesn’t. We’ve learned that when men are in the room and you’re talking about sex, men are like, “Are you kidding me? I’m perfect. I don’t need toys.” Women tend to shut down when men are around.
Do you think that’s just nerves?
Some of it. Some of it is culture. Some of it is generational.
So this is the new Tupperware party.
In sales, we’re the number one party for women.
Really?
Sex sells, babe.
Want to book a party? Contact Jo-Ann here:
http://www.joannlevins.pureromance.com
**Interview has been condensed and edited by Christie Rotondo