Page 40 - AVN Intimate Summer 2019

HONEY’S PLACE
SWEET TRADITION
After 25 years in business, three generations have thrived at Honey’s Place
≥ BY SHERRI L. SHAULIS
In every sense of the world, Honey’s Place is a
family company; and now, in the literal sense, it’s a
family company that spans from mother, to daughter,
to granddaughter.
“My daughter, Heather, also works at the company
and has for many years; she does all our marketing
and graphics and has been a great addition to the
company,” Bonnie noted.
Together, they and the staff of Honey’s Place
work to continue Helene’s visions. Among the first
pleasure products company to be founded, owned
and operated by a woman, the company touts a
superior fulfillment rate and a diverse product
selection, including the largest selection of lingerie in
the industry.
“We stock the big names, best-selling products,
as well as key boutique brands, and we work
hard to carry unique items,” Bonnie said, adding
the company’s website is second to none as well.
“HoneysPlace.com is modern, easy to use, and
has functionality built in specifically to help our
customers. Our drop-ship program is seamless; we do
not make mistakes and orders get shipped same day.”
Kusens started her own company at a time where
the pleasure products industry was creating products
Industry Leader Honey’s Place CEO Bonnie Feingold (right), seen at an opening-night party at the Adult Novelty Manufacturers Expo.
that were used by women, but actual women were
few and far between in the industry, particularly in
decades to putting customers first, and the result has been one of the most trusted
Three generations of family have dedicated themselves for the past two-and-a-half
and highest regarded distributor in the world of pleasure products.
Founded by Helene Kusens in 1994, the company started as a small boutique-style
distributor, operating from a renovated beauty shop in Los Angeles.
“Helene founded Honey’s Place after the company she worked for as an account manager
went out of business,” explained Bonnie Feingold, Helene’s daughter and the current CEO
and president of Honey’s Place. “She started Honey’s Place to continue to service her loyal
customers in the best way possible. Honey was her nickname in the industry, so the name
Honey’s Place was a natural choice.”
Kusens carved out a niche for her company by focusing on a unique style of customer
service: she would personally visit stores, working with owners to create the best
environments and stock the best products for their clientele. Years before it was the norm,
Kusens saw the value in making stores “softer,” thereby making them more inviting to
women and couples.
leadership roles.
“The role of women has changed greatly over
the years,” Bonnie said. “I watched my mother
succeed when there were no other women in the
industry, and as a woman it took a lot of strength
for her to open Honey’s Place. There were people
who did not want to see her succeed, but she did
regardless.
“When I came into the industry, there were
not many women owners or CEOs, and none in
distribution. Now every company has women
on staff, especially in sales, but it’s important to
remember that it wasn’t always this way,” she
continued. “I have watched this industry blossom
over the years. There are now women in every part
of the business, which I find refreshing. A lot of what
“My daughter, Heather, also works at the company and has for many years; she does all our marketing and graphics and has been a great addition to the company.” —Bonnie Feingold, CEO of Honey’s Place
we sell is geared toward female consumers, so to see
women take on these roles—taking ownership of how
products are marketed, packaged, taught and sold—
has been wonderful. There are now woman-owned
businesses in every part of the industry.
“The narrative for our industry is changing in
a positive way and women are at the forefront.
From the start, Honey’s Place wanted to be all things to all customers, and Kusens led by
example. Her dedication and hard work inspired her daughter.
“I joined the business in 2003, after my mother passed away in December 2002, to honor
her legacy, manage the company, and prepare it for the future,” Bonnie told AVN.
“Helene worked so hard to build this amazing company and I couldn’t bear to see
it fail after she passed away. We needed someone who would manage it with care. It made
sense to keep it in the family; I knew how much she loved Honey’s Place and I cared a lot
about what she had worked so hard to build.”
Years ago, when I first found out what my mother
was selling, there was a stigma about sex toys and
intimate products. Now there is body-positive
messaging everywhere. Pleasure products are seen
more as enhancements rather than replacements, or
something salacious, secretive or taboo. The industry
overall has changed because of the women working
in it,” she concluded.
40 | INTIMATE | SUMMER 2019