Maureen Pollack
CEO/Founder of MOJO Enterprise, creator of the WaterSlyde™, Intimacy Coach
I’m in the adult pleasure product industry. I had the concept for my WaterSlyde™ product when I was 15. I’ve always known I wanted to create this, but I had a lot of fears because of the nature of the product.* I’m a modern orthodox Jewish woman and PTA Vice President. I was nervous to produce and market something in the adult category.
Overcoming Fears
My biggest hurdle at the outset was my fear of being an outcast. I was afraid my kids would be made fun of at school or that their playdates would stop. I pictured the unfortunate stigma attached to the careers of strippers and porn stars. I didn’t want that for my life or my family.
There was definitely a pivotal point in my life where I can say it all came together. I went to my rabbi for advice. He agreed that my product was permissible, helping women with sexual health. He calmed my nerves and reminded me to stay true to my own morals and values. My Ob-Gyn told me it was an awesome idea and she wanted to invest in it. Ultimately I didn’t accept the funding offer, but hearing that a respected woman in the field thought it was a brilliant idea boosted my confidence.
“My biggest hurdle at the outset was my fear of being an outcast.”
With my husband’s encouragement, I launched my business, but it still took time for me to get comfortable talking about my product. I would hide behind the hygiene benefits of it. At dinner parties when people asked me what I do, I’d say, “I’m an inventor,” and then tell people I invented a feminine hygiene product. Right away people wanted to know more. Once I explained that my product also was meant for pleasure, some were a bit uncomfortable so I’d leave it at the hygiene part. But 90% of the people were fascinated and wanted to know more.
The more people started engaging with me and relating, the more I grew in confidence and comfort to speak freely. It’s funny because I’ve heard from men so many times that too much talking isn’t helpful. I reject that notion. And now, since I launched WaterSlyde™ in 2012, it has been written up in magazines all over the world, and I have gone on radio shows with audiences of 4 million people.
I can’t tell you how many huge opportunities have come up because of my talking. One opportunity happened when I got into a conversation with my Lyft driver. He overheard me talking about an awards ceremony I attended and immediately approached me about turning my story into a movie script. Just like that. I didn’t know he was a screenwriter until the end of our conversation.
Staying True to Yourself:
I’m not afraid to be open about sexuality, but at the same time I am modest and wanted to present my product that way as well. As I developed it, I noticed how few of my female friends felt comfortable going into an adult toy store and I wondered why. I realized it is because many of these products are meant for women but marketed by men. The boxes have raunchy pornographic images all over them. But the majority of us don’t need that, that’s typically what men want to see. I decided to stay true to myself and that’s what made me feel more comfortable putting this product out there because I had confidence that I would be able to stand my ground against anyone trying to push me in a different direction.
Following Your Dream
Sometimes it’s overwhelming to follow your dream. Take the first step and remember it’s okay to walk away if it’s not working. No one judges you for the first 30 things you tried before. Just keep doing it and along the way you’ll learn. There’s no failure, its only learning. Do what you want to do. If your desire is to be a stay-at-home mom, be that. Don’t feel shame for having a dream, whatever it is.
Also know that nothing is defining you for your whole life. Dreams can change. I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom for maybe 8 years. Then I started my business. I’m someone who follows my passions, whether it’s work or hobbies. I do what I love without compromising.
Maureen Pollack
CEO/Founder of MOJO Enterprise, creator of the WaterSlyde™, Intimacy Coach
I’m in the adult pleasure product industry. I had the concept for my WaterSlyde™ product when I was 15. I’ve always known I wanted to create this, but I had a lot of fears because of the nature of the product.* I’m a modern orthodox Jewish woman and PTA Vice President. I was nervous to produce and market something in the adult category.
Overcoming Fears
My biggest hurdle at the outset was my fear of being an outcast. I was afraid my kids would be made fun of at school or that their playdates would stop. I pictured the unfortunate stigma attached to the careers of strippers and porn stars. I didn’t want that for my life or my family.
There was definitely a pivotal point in my life where I can say it all came together. I went to my rabbi for advice. He agreed that my product was permissible, helping women with sexual health. He calmed my nerves and reminded me to stay true to my own morals and values. My Ob-Gyn told me it was an awesome idea and she wanted to invest in it. Ultimately I didn’t accept the funding offer, but hearing that a respected woman in the field thought it was a brilliant idea boosted my confidence.
“My biggest hurdle at the outset was my fear of being an outcast.”
With my husband’s encouragement, I launched my business, but it still took time for me to get comfortable talking about my product. I would hide behind the hygiene benefits of it. At dinner parties when people asked me what I do, I’d say, “I’m an inventor,” and then tell people I invented a feminine hygiene product. Right away people wanted to know more. Once I explained that my product also was meant for pleasure, some were a bit uncomfortable so I’d leave it at the hygiene part. But 90% of the people were fascinated and wanted to know more.
The more people started engaging with me and relating, the more I grew in confidence and comfort to speak freely. It’s funny because I’ve heard from men so many times that too much talking isn’t helpful. I reject that notion. And now, since I launched WaterSlyde™ in 2012, it has been written up in magazines all over the world, and I have gone on radio shows with audiences of 4 million people.
I can’t tell you how many huge opportunities have come up because of my talking. One opportunity happened when I got into a conversation with my Lyft driver. He overheard me talking about an awards ceremony I attended and immediately approached me about turning my story into a movie script. Just like that. I didn’t know he was a screenwriter until the end of our conversation.
Staying True to Yourself:
I’m not afraid to be open about sexuality, but at the same time I am modest and wanted to present my product that way as well. As I developed it, I noticed how few of my female friends felt comfortable going into an adult toy store and I wondered why. I realized it is because many of these products are meant for women but marketed by men. The boxes have raunchy pornographic images all over them. But the majority of us don’t need that, that’s typically what men want to see. I decided to stay true to myself and that’s what made me feel more comfortable putting this product out there because I had confidence that I would be able to stand my ground against anyone trying to push me in a different direction.
Following Your Dream
Sometimes it’s overwhelming to follow your dream. Take the first step and remember it’s okay to walk away if it’s not working. No one judges you for the first 30 things you tried before. Just keep doing it and along the way you’ll learn. There’s no failure, its only learning. Do what you want to do. If your desire is to be a stay-at-home mom, be that. Don’t feel shame for having a dream, whatever it is.
Also know that nothing is defining you for your whole life. Dreams can change. I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom for maybe 8 years. Then I started my business. I’m someone who follows my passions, whether it’s work or hobbies. I do what I love without compromising.
Maureen Pollack is an inventor and intimacy coach, who works towards removing the stigma surrounding sexual health. She has helped empower women in all stages of life to embrace intimacy through coaching and lifestyle products. Maureen is a strong proponent that all women deserve to feel comfortable and confident in every aspect of life. She is a devoted wife, PTA mom, Jiu-Jitsu love, and mikvah-going Jewish woman, as well as a proud user of her own inventions.
*The patented WaterSlyde™ is a plastic water diverter that attaches to most forward facing bathtub spouts. The water flow is directed to the midline of the bathtub, allowing a woman to comfortably position herself in the tub so the water falls directly onto her private parts.
Maureen Pollack is an inventor and intimacy coach, who works towards removing the stigma surrounding sexual health. She has helped empower women in all stages of life to embrace intimacy through coaching and lifestyle products. Maureen is a strong proponent that all women deserve to feel comfortable and confident in every aspect of life. She is a devoted wife, PTA mom, Jiu-Jitsu love, and mikvah-going Jewish woman, as well as a proud user of her own inventions.
*The patented WaterSlyde™ is a plastic water diverter that attaches to most forward facing bathtub spouts. The water flow is directed to the midline of the bathtub, allowing a woman to comfortably position herself in the tub so the water falls directly onto her private parts.
