Today we’d like to introduce you to Searah Deysach.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started Early to Bed in 2001 because I was a frustrated sex toy consumer who wanted there to be a safe, friendly woman-oriented sex shop in Chicago. When no one else opened one I decided to create the place where I wanted to shop. That was 16 years ago now and we have not only a vibrant brick and mortar store but a busy website as well.
We also do educational outreach all over the city (and state) spreading the good word about healthy sexuality.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Owning a small business is never easy! The struggle is real every day.
I had no background in business so I have had to figure this out each step of the way. We have had some very scary financial situations. I have faced extreme burnout and we now face huge issues of competition from places like Amazon.
To add to all of that, I am woman in a very male-dominated industry, and while things have changed a LOT I have had to deal with my fair share of sexism and just plain-old cluelessness regarding what we do here. Our industry is singled out for higher insurance fees and credit card processing fees and we have faced plenty of discrimination just based on the fact that we are an Adult business.
Please tell us about Early to Bed.
We are safe and friendly mission-driven sex toy shop.
Unlike many traditional or profit-driven sex shops we create a place for people to explore their sexuality and get great products in a shame-free environment. Our staff is not only super-nice, but they know what they are talking about and can help steer people to making great choices when it comes to buying a very personal product.
I am very proud of our customer service record. Yes, you can buy these products lots of places, but we offer a great, pressure-free experience. We are here to help each customer find what is best for them, not to hit a sales goal or move a certain amount of product.
We also offer educational programs and only carry safe products that we believe in.
Our Mission:
Early to Bed is committed to helping people of all genders and orientations explore their sexuality to the fullest. In our comfortable and safe environment, we provide quality sex toys and accessories as well as access to the most current information about sex and sexuality. It is our mission to spread the good word about positive sexuality to as many people as we can through our shop, website, blog and various outreach events.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
The way my dad would hug me so hard it was like the stuffing might come out.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5044 N Clark St.,
Chicago, IL 60640 - Website: early2bedshop.com
- Phone: 7732711219
- Email: info@early2bed.com
- Instagram: @early2bed
- Twitter: @earlytobed
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/early-to-bed-chicago
Image Credit:
Searah Deysach
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