A morning with Angelina of Boudoir Sex Toys

Research for an impending documentary on women in the sex toy industry led me to Angelina Cirillo. A girl with gumption, succeeding in the adult industry with her unique style and vision. Cambridge educated with a genuine warmth and enthusiasm which translates into her approach to life and work.  Always trying to do too much, Angelina spoke to me about Boudoir Sex Toys, herself and the motivation in her busy life.

What was your childhood ambition?

I was the most dull child you can imagine. My parents were pretty wild and I had the definitive ‘Saffy’ syndrome, studious, quiet and very conservative. I wanted to be a lawyer and even brought law books to study in my spare time at school. Boudoir Sex Toys definitely didn’t crop up!  

What ambitions do you still have?

I love running my own business’ and want to take Boudoir Sex Toys onto the high street. I have pretty vivid store concepts in mind that would revolutionise the way that women and couples can shop for adult goods. I love to travel and there is so much more to be seen. I have been studying martial arts and want to attain my black belt in the following 3 years. I have lots of ambition to give back in years to come and I still have so much to learn.  There’s too many to mention, I am always trying to do too much, sleeps for wimps!

What was your first and most interesting job?

Well my first ever job was my holiday job as a student in a bacon factory, boy it was tough  but I have always had a strong work ethic and wanted to make my own money. Creating Boudoir Sex Toys has to be the most interesting! Outside of that there were many from editing photographs, working on magazine publications and running an estate where the royal family came to shoot.

What brought you to the adult industry?     

My own experience really. I had been buying sex toys for a while and was dissatisfied with the experience, about 10 years ago I formulated the idea and only began seriously researching it 5 years ago. Much has improved in that time but there’s a big place for Boudoir Sex Toys and our approach in the adult industry. I had another idea at the time of establishing a store for big boobed women (I’m a 32 FF) but ! was pipped at the post on that one! I believe the best ideas come from your own experience and realising that there is a gap in the market or that a market isn’t catered for very well.

Who are your customers?

We have such a cross section in terms of age, there are no limits!  The Boudoir aims its sex toys at women and couples and they make up the vast majority of our market. Lots of gay guys use the site and seem to like the style, thats a big compliment. Single women, married women, couples, widowers, widows, they all use us for advice, sex toys and ideas.  

Whats been the most difficult part of starting Boudoir Sex Toys?    

I wasn’t prepared for the reaction I would get from financial and professional institutions as an adult start up. I was lucky enough not to have to rely on outside funding but payment processors and banks can be narrow minded. The online element of the business was also a complete baptism of fire and a very steep learning curve, I love a challenge but it certainly tested my resolve.

What makes you laugh?

My children they keep me chuckling.

What makes you cross?

Ignorance and prejudice

Whats your idea of a great night out?

Good food, great wine and fantastic company.

What advice would you give to a woman looking to come into this industry?

You need to love hard work and be prepared to give it your all, its not as simple as it seems. Don’t rely on paying for advice, be prepared to educate yourself on ways to promote your own business. Gook luck!  

Boudoir Sex Toys Store:  www.boudoirsextoys.co.uk

Follow Angelina on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BoudoirSexToys

Contact Angelina: angelina@theboudoir.net