YNOT News is proud to bring you our webmaster interview series, In The Spotlight. Through these questions and answers you’ll learn a bit about familiar names in the adult Internet business, how they got started, what they love about the biz, and where they see the adult Web in five years.YNOT News is proud to bring you our webmaster interview series, In The Spotlight. Through these questions and answers you’ll learn a bit about familiar names in the adult Internet business, how they got started, what they love about the biz, and where they see the adult Web in five years. If there’s a particular someone you’d like to know more about, or if you’re interested in doing your own interview, please contact editor@ynotnews.com.

YNOT: What drew you to the industry and what type of work were you doing?
Laurel: Ever since I could remember, I’ve always wanted to get into the sex industry, but not as someone in front of the camera. I’ve had a strong passion to do work behind-the-scenes. My original goal, when I was 21, was to get into the audio-text industry. However, I quickly soured on this idea because of the start-up costs and the fact that this industry was already too saturated. When I first started in the Internet business in 1996, I was very excited and thrilled to become involved in an enterprise that was still in its infancy and was unlimited in its growth potential.

YNOT: When did you get your start in the online adult business?
Laurel: I was full-time student, majoring in International Business with a minor in Economics. While I was putting myself through school, I worked as a staff accountant and a bartender. In 1996, I knew that the Internet was going to be revolutionary and I was eager to learn more about it. I stumbled across an ad that read, “Own your own Adult Website” from a company specializing in adult turnkey websites. I knew that this was probably not the wisest business venture to jump into, but I also knew that since I was “Internet illiterate” this would be the best way for me to get my foot in the door. My turnkey site was called “CMEBBAD” – See Me Be Bad, which actually converted extremely well. From there, I taught myself some basic Html and started my second site, “2-Girl Show”, which pushed live video services.

YNOT: What type of sites and or targeted business did you start with?
Laurel: My two original sites were both free because I’ve always been partial to those types of sites. Especially since the three sites that influenced me the most were Janey’s, Carol Cox’s and Asia Carrera’s, which were all free! “CMEBBAD”, offered straight heterosexual material, while “2-Girlshow”, offered live video services of lesbian shows, courtesy of Videosecrets.

YNOT: Where did you begin gathering information about the business?

YNOT: Did you already have friends in the business?
Laurel: No I didn’t, but I found that it was very easy to make friends quickly due to the power of the Internet and the nature of the online adult industry as a whole. It’s amazing to see such openness an in industry where people are eager to share and exchange ideas with one another about marketing and business strategies via boards and newsgroups. I can’t think of another industry where this is done. I must also admit, that I had an advantage because webmasters were eager to talk to a woman, because of the dearth of Webmistresses that existed back then.

YNOT: Give us your thoughts on how easy or difficult it was for you to get started.
Laurel: With a turnkey site, it was easy to get started because I didn’t have to worry about writing all of the Html pages. All I had to do was market my site. However, there was a huge learning curve that sometimes leads to some headaches and frustration. However, the feeling of empowerment kept me going because I owned my own business, I was living my dream, and had a stake on the ground floor of something with infinite potential.

YNOT: Any interesting stories about the business that you’d like to share?
Laurel: I have plenty of interesting and funny stories about some of the parties and strip bars that I have attended, but I think if I told you any of them then we would never finish this interview!

YNOT: What changes would you like to see made in the adult Internet industry?
Laurel: There should be more innovation on website development, driven by customer experience and satisfaction. The ability for improvements exists and I think it would be refreshing for webmasters to take the initiative to personalize and customize their sites to have more appeal to the end user. Another idea is to foster cooperation between US webmasters and International search engines because there is significant room for growth there. It would be advantageous to get a foot in the door of a market that’s in its infancy on the business life cycle.

YNOT: What do you love about the adult Internet industry?
Laurel: It’s not a typical industry by any stretch. This industry is not as stuffy and highly restrictive as working in Corporate America. Plus, I have a fascination with experiencing the full cycle of an “Industry’s Business Model”. I have watched this industry grow from an embryonic stage, to the growth stage, and perhaps in this current cycle, to a shakeout stage. I know that some webmasters feel that this market is too saturated and mature, but I don’t think we have hit this stage yet. Yes, there is some fierce competition out there, but it’s time for webmasters to find that competitive edge, in order to survive.

YNOT: What do you dislike?
Laurel: Basically, I don’t like people taking advantage of others to get rich quick. I realize it is a dog-eat-dog world, but you can maintain effective and productive business practices without resorting to unethical activities, which is why I am very happy to be a part of Videosecrets team. It’s the only company I’ve ever worked for that maintains business relations with a positive and highly ethical outlook. Karma is very big here, and it shows. I think of Videosecrets as the Ben & Jerry’s of adult entertainment.

YNOT: Where do you see yourself in one year? Five years?
Laurel: I envision that our company will continue to prosper and create new relationships in the International market. I think it is very advantageous for our company to have a joint venture with one of the largest International adult companies, Private Media Group. In addition, I foresee that we will offer more products and services to create a competitive advantage for Adult Webmasters.

YNOT: What are your thoughts on the future of the adult Internet industry?
Laurel: I see ample opportunities for globalization of markets and production to reduce costs and boost profits. Since sex is universal, it can be tailored to fit the needs of differing countries and cultures. Again, tapping into these new and unexploited territories is essential for anyone to sustain a competitive advantage.

YNOT: If you had one bit advice you could offer new Webmasters, what would it be?
Laurel: Get out and develop numerous positive contacts to help chart your course. Never get discouraged! Be persistent and take advantage of opportunities that present themselves.