This is a five-part weekly series of Sextech founders by Relationship Counselor & Clinical Sexologist Dr. Martha Tara Lee of Eros Coaching. This is part 5 of 5.
1) What do you do?
I co-founded MysteryVibe with three friends, Stephanie, Rob and Shanshan. We wanted to make pleasure a mainstream topic, be the catalyst for starting conversations about long lasting passion between couples and create beautifully designed products to make bedrooms fun.
2) Why do you do it?
I passionately believe that an enlightened and liberal society is a safer & happier one.
I focus on pushing the boundaries on R&D, customer experience and supporting their long-term goal of changing perceptions around pleasure in a positive, empowering way.
3) What are some of the reactions to what you do?
I feel very lucky that people I meet, from all over the world, can relate to what we are trying to achieve… help couples keep their relationships exciting. Often, especially when we are in a non-sex event like a tech conference or expo, people’s initial reaction upon seeing us, is one of surprise. However as soon as we tell them what we do and why we do it, they immediately relate to it and their surprise turns of curiosity and they want to learn more.
4) What do you wish people knew about your work?
The main thing we strive for is open conversations about pleasure in a massively mainstream way – no different from how we speak of our food or travel.
5) Would you consider what you do sex tech, and what is sex tech?
Definitely. I see SexTech as bringing the best in tech to make sex and pleasure better. The key to building great SexTech is to put Sex before the Tech. Focussing on the user, their pleasures and orgasms … with the technology hidden underneath beautiful design, delivering mind-blowing experiences without getting in the way.
6) Do you see a trend in this industry?
The biggest trend we see is one of normalisation. For example at a big Consumer Electronics conference called Distree, distributors went from ‘we can’t talk about sex toys’ to ‘best gadget of the year’ in a 12 month timescale. Big retailers like Brookstone, FNAC, Media Market, Airport Duty Free are all selling our products now … something they wouldn’t even consider when we started the business 4 years ago.
We see the same trend in mainstream press. While before sexual topics would either be shyed away from or presented in a trivial way, now it sits amongst other topics like anything newsworthy would.
7) What makes your products unusual?
Our flagship product, Crescendo, is the world’s first body-adapting smart 6-motor vibrator, that can be bent to flex and form to the user’s body and offer countless vibrations through the app. It provides a truly personalized pleasure experience for all – singles, couples, men, women, all orientations, all sexualities.
It’s the only vibrator in the world that can be ‘moulded’ to take any body shape and reach any spot. It is only the only toy to have 6-individually programmable motors allowing users to create any pattern they want. It is the also first vibrator to be designed by experts with experience in sex (Durex), luxury (Aston Martin, Bentley), technology (Nokia, Sharp, Google) and Brand (BBC, MTV, Vogue) and in collaboration with 1,000 real users in 50 countries over a 2 year period.
8) What are some of the unique technology you’re proud of?
Crescendo uses custom-made military grade high tensile plastic to be able to withstand 1000s of friction bends over years without breaking – a first in the industry. It also uses custom made stainless steel rivets to create the exact level of friction between the hinges to make it just-right in tightness – not too hard to make it difficult to bend, and not too soft to make it weak when bent. Crescendo also has a custom-made flexi-PCB wiring which bends with the toy without breaking.
Crescendo’s 6-hinge design which makes it perfect for adapting to any body shape. It is also the only toy to have 6-individually programmable motors allowing users to create any pattern they want. With its smart phone app (both on iOS and Android) users can set the toy’s vibrations to any pattern to suit their and their partners’ every mood.
9) What would it take for somebody to do what you do?
I think finding the right co-founders and building a great team around it is the key. Also having a deep understanding of one core area is a huge advantage – be it product, marketing, sales or finance. But above all a genuine passion for bringing about change / solving a pain point in the topic.
10) Anything else you like to add?
We’re pleasure seeking creatures. We like things that make us feel good, and nothing makes us feel better than an orgasm. Climax is the most natural pleasure experience on the planet, which is why we think everyone should embrace it. MysteryVibe was created out of a desire to see more innovation around sex and technology. We noticed that even though sex and masturbation are as old as time itself, there was a lack of development when it came to pleasure products and experiences. It was obvious the taboos surrounding the topic played a significant role in this.
Everyone is different. We have different tastes, desires and bodies – when it comes to pleasure products, one size does not fit all. So we wanted to create something that would give the person a personalised experience – unique and perfected to them. Introducing Crescendo, the world’s first body-adapting six motor vibrator. By shaping Crescendo to your body and discovering new vibration partners, you’re in control of your pleasure.
We believe tech should enhance your sex life, not replace it. MysteryVibe was designed to address this – to help people switch off from the stresses of daily life and help turn them on when, and how they want.
Website: http://www.mysteryvibe.com/
Twitter: @mysteryvibe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mysteryvibe/
Disclaimer: Dr. Martha Tara Lee has neither vested interest, investment in MysteryVibe nor did she receive any monetary exchange or incentive in doing this interview series. MysteryVibe did not influence or tell Dr. Martha Tara Lee what to ask above either.
About Dr. Martha Tara Lee
Surrounded by friends who were sexually inhibited and struck by dire lack of positive conversations around sex and sexuality in Singapore, Dr. Martha Tara Lee set out to make a positive difference in embarking on her doctorate in human sexuality before launching Eros Coaching in 2009. Today, she remains dedicated to working with individuals and couples who wish to lead self-actualised and pleasure-filled lives.
She also holds certificates in counselling, coaching and sex therapy, and her fourth degree – a Masters in Counselling in May 2018. In practice since 2009, she is the only certified sexuality educator and certified sexuality educator supervisor by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) in Singapore.
Often cited in the local media, Dr. Lee is the appointed sex expert for Men’s Health Singapore, and Men’s Health Malaysia. She was recognised as one of ‘Top 50 Inspiring Women Under 40′ by Her World in July 2010, and one of ‘Top 100 Inspiring Women’ by CozyCot in March 2011. She is the host of weekly radio show Eros Evolution on the OMTimes Radio Network. She has published three books: Love, Sex and Everything In-Between, Orgasmic Yoga and From Princess to Queen.
Martha works with individuals and couples in private coaching sessions, and conducts her own workshops. She takes prides in making sure all her workshops are also fun, educational, and sex-positive. This comes easily to her because even though she is extremely dedicated and serious about her work, she fundamentally believes that sex is meant to be fun, wonderful, amazing and sacred. As such, this serious light-heartedness has shone through again and again. For her full profile, click here. Email her here.