Suki, OhMiBod's founder and former Apple employee, runs OhMibod together with her husband, Brian. OhMiBod has developed unique products by linking them with music. How did the concept come about? What are the benefits of having music tied to the experience? Are they planning on extending the Freestyle range?
Suki and Brian have been married for 22 years, and have two children. They started OhMiBod together and have worked hard to make their company flourish. Together, their mission is to bring their technology enabled pleasure products to the mainstream consumer market. After their recent inclusion in Grammy awards swag bags, it seems they are well on their way.
The concept for OhMiBod was born out of personal experience. At the time of its inception, Suki’s husband, Brian was traveling quite a bit and for Christmas he had given her two stocking stuffers – a vibrator and an iPod. She found herself using the two together and started to think about what a big part music plays in our sex lives and what a huge role it plays in setting a mood. Bringing sex and music together in a toy proved, for her, to be a sensational combination and created a truly unique sexual experience.
What were the early versions of their music integrated vibes like? Did Suki have experience from her time with Apple that helped with product development? Did she and Brian rely on friends and colleagues to help them define the product line? The Freestyle, their latest wireless luxury edition, has been very well received. We’re hearing that OMB will be extending the range significantly during 2010, and we know just who to ask about what that range might include!
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Christina Gleason
What is the most surprising song that works well when testing the products? Something religious? YMCA? The Chicken Dance?
Surprising? Hum...Well...I actually had a customer (college student) use our product for a paper she wrote about how well it worked with classical music. When I think about it, it certainly makes sense. Classical music and OhMiBod isn't something I would personally gravitate to, but that is what makes the OhMiBod experience special. Different music moves people differently. -
How long did you work at Apple? What did you do there? And did your experience at Apple lend itself to creating the OMB line?
I worked at Apple for 7.5 years. I worked in Worldwide Product Marketing for Desktops and Displays. I was there for the introduction of the first iMac and towards the end of my career I was to witness and be part of the introduction of the first iPod.
My experience at Apple did lend itself to creating OhMiBod. I am a gadget girl at heart. I love technology and the difference it has made in my life.
I would say my experience at Apple influenced my view of branding a product. I learned there the importance of brand building. Every product we produce is a reflection of our brand and I want to make sure we produce products that have strong/relevant design sense, quality and that our brand is always associated with superior customer service. -
Any plans to make toys that are male friendly, i.e. vibrating masturbation sleeve? Any toy with a flanged base? (I own a freestyle and I like it a lot however being a male I have to hold it in a death grip when using it anally.)
Yes. We have had many customer requests for this and we are listening....so stay tuned. -
Do you use one? What is your favorite tune to play too? Is it possible that OHMIBOD and APPLE would sign a contract to get a discount on downloads?
Yes. Of course, I use our products. I'm lucky that I can design products for my own liking
My personal fav, I have to say, is the Freestyle! It's our latest & greatest and is extremely versatile. I love that it's wireless and while I love how the vibe pulsates to music and gets me in a groove, I also enjoy switching to the preset patterns, it offers, as well. With Freestyle, it's very easy to switch between the two because functionalities since we integrated them into the Freestyle end cap. Freestyle has all the "bells and whistles" you would expect in a luxury vibe...it is rechargeable, has an integrated manual mode (like I mentioned), is splash proof and comes with a super cool custom travel case. I shouldn't forget to mention...like all OhMiBod products, it comes with a one year warranty.
As far as my favorite tunes goes...I actually have published/posted a couple of my playlists to iTunes. If you go to the iMix section of iTunes and search under "OhMiBod", you will find user playlists posted there. My two are called "Sunday Morning Mix" and "Full-O-Soul". I love Sunday Morning Mix because it is comprised of several male vocalists and I find there voices very sexy As for Full-O-Soul, you just can't go wrong with the likes of Marvin Gaye & Isaac Hayes.
As far as a contract with Apple, that would be awesome, but I don't think we are quite there yet
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How did the test phase go? I can see 500 women lined up in secure rooms with a long play list, rummaging through it until they found the most intense beat to beat to. lol That would be fun!
It was really fun seeding our product to the original "master beta testers". We wanted to get real customer feedback before we really released it to the world, so we could iron out any wrinkles.Victoria (host): ""Master Beta" testers! ;) No pun intended, right?"
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Wow! What a gift to find in a grab bag. I read the article about the Grammy Awards, and all I can say is wow. I bet it was heaven for those who enjoy kink, and like "what they hell is this, a new ipod?" for those who don't.
How did that come about? Did you sign a contract? I think the freestyle being given away at the Grammy's is very impressive.Congrats!We felt honored to be part of the GRAMMY gift bag. We felt like it was the next little baby step in bringing self pleasure mainstream. We were really surprised when we received several mentions on Rush Limbaugh's radio show due to our participation in the GRAMMY bag. It was pretty crazy.
The company that manages the GRAMMY gift bags sent us an email and the rest is history!Victoria (host): "It's especially flattering that they came to you! Kudos, again!"
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♥ Amanda ♥
1 user seconded this question.
What's next? Any new ideas pumping through OHMIBOD? What can we expect next?
We really don't talk about unreleased products, but you can expect some interesting additions to our wireless line of products. -
Delete My Account
1 user seconded this question.
You have a solid background in the tech sector and a degree in finance. Do you think that gives you an edge over other innovators who might have great ideas but not the experience carry it through? How have those assets informed your creative design?
There are lots of creative talented people out there in our industry that I have a great deal of respect and admiration for. Having a good idea sometimes is the easy part, it is the execution that is the challenge. I attribute our success of bringing great product ideas to market to my husband/partner, Brian. He has the experience and knowledge base to bring our ideas to fruition. -
Carrie Ann
8 users seconded this question.
I've noticed all the ohmibod vibrators are firm plastic. Any silicone or soft toys in the works?
The short answer is Yes! I personally like the texture of our products like Freestyle and Naughtibod that have a velvety feel, yet are firm for control and a strong resonating vibration, because I am mostly an external girl...But we have some softer materials products in the works! -
MuffysPinguLove
6 users seconded this question.
After the success of your ohmibod products, did apple ever contact you to try and bring you back to their company? Have you gotten any feedback from apple and the people you used to work with about your product line?
I’m still really good friends with my old colleagues at Apple and they are really quite supportive of what I’m doing! They have had quite a run the past few years and sometimes I wish I were still part of it. But I’m also pretty psyched that I get to attend my kids’ school events, make time for Brian and still have time left over for myself – that wouldn’t have been the case if I were working at Apple. In fact, the reason we moved back east was because we wanted a slower paced life than the one we had in San Francisco.Victoria (host): "I think it is great that you talk so frankly about balance. It is funny to hear that the east is slower, though :)"
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The Bloggess
5 users seconded this question.
I got the naughtibod vibrator in a swag bag and it's quite nice except that it uses the most fucked up batteries ever and I can never find them anywhere and when I ask clerks they're all "A 1.5 volt 'N' battery? I don't think we've ever carried those. What's it used for?" and then I have to just walk away. And yes, I know it came with extra batteries but I promptly lost those. I guess what I'm asking is if you would call my local grocery store and ask then to start stocking 1.5 volt N batteries so that I don't have to. No pressure.
We had similar feedback and switched pretty quickly to a more universal battery type (AAA) @The Bloggess – send me your address (suki @ ohmibod.com) and I’ll get you a new one that has the AAA! Here’s the deal – we are pretty new at this whole thing and we don’t always get things right. But we try really hard to listen to customers like yourself and make them happy whenever they have problems.Victoria (host): "WOW! That IS super customer service. Great answer, Suki!"
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seaofneptune
4 users seconded this question.
Does the OhMiBod only work with an Ipod or does it work with any MP3 player? If it only works with an Ipod, are you planning on making a vibrator that is compatible with other mp3 players? I used to have an ipod mini and it lasted forever and then died, I miss it but due to prices I probably won't buy another Ipod again if I get another mp3 player. I'd hate to miss out on your neat sounding vibrator because of it.
We’ve got you covered! Our products work with anything that has a 3.5mm audio jack which is universal now in all mp3 players and most smart phones. If it has a head phone jack – it’ll work with our stuff. -
TacoODoom
4 users seconded this question.
Is there any plans for a waterproof OMB toy? Do you feel that y our OMB products have opened up a new dimension in interactive pleasure, or do you feel that they're in a class by themselves?
Yes, we have a project that we are working on currently that addresses the folks who enjoy “tub time” – stay tuned on that. I think what we are doing is making the idea of self pleasure more about the journey than the end result. I can churn out a quick orgasm – that’s the easy part. But for me its more fun to get in touch with my body, get the chance to feel sensual about myself and get lost in my own head. It’s also about connections with partners and allowing them to take part in the experience – physically or emotionally. Think old school mixed tapes! We get so many emails from customers saying that they were in the car, listening to a song on the radio and wondering “how that would feel with our OhMiBod” and messages talking about the OhMiBod playlist that they sent their lover via iTunes. Its really fun to think that we are bringing couples closer together. -
MuffysPinguLove
2 users seconded this question.
If you could construct the perfect ohmibod product, what would it be?
That’s a very good question – one that I’m working on - @MuffysPinguLove – maybe you and I can do some brainstorming together. J We love to get experienced customers involved. -
Are your children aware of your business? If they are adult in age, do they ever contribute to your business or product designs? Do you ever get suggestions or feedback from your children concerning your products or company? Is sex an open topic of conversation in your household, considering your occupation?
MuffysPinguLove
2 users seconded this question.
Your little blurb says that you and your husband have two children. Do your children know what you do for a living? Have your children ever found one of your products and started to ask questions?
Another good question – We have young children so what we do is on a “need to know basis” right now and they don’t need to know. They are not the right age to really understand what we do for a living. They know that we are entrepreneurs. They know that we like to invent things and market them to people. They know that they are safe and protected and that’s really all they need right now. An R rated film actor might tell his kids he is working on a film, but doesn’t let them watch it – simply because they aren’t old enough to digest the content. That’s pretty much the same for us right now. It will become a part of our dialog with our older child in the not so distant future.
Sex is a very approachable topic in our household. We actually had a more biological based discussion with our kids when they were around 6-7, because they, of course, asked how babies were made, etc. When my oldest was 10, we had a more in depth conversation around it, but discovered that maybe we were actually jumping the gun. He was very uninterested and probably not really ready. -
Kayla
3 users seconded this question.
Because of the name "OhMiBod" have you ever had anyone take offense? Because it's so close to "Oh My God", it seems like someone might take offense to it. Maybe I read too much into it, though.
We’ve actually never had any negative response to the name (at least, that we know of). Before our launch, we ran our various name choices past our beta team and they responded with a resounding yes to OhMiBod. It was chosen because it was a fun, clever play on words and mimics the reaction people have when experiencing it for the first time. -
Luvasaurus
3 users seconded this question.
All I can think of when I look at the Club Vibe is I bet that would be awesome to wear while watching Star Wars. Are my assumptions correct?
Most definitely! -
Sundae
3 users seconded this question.
Before you started on the path to inventing the OhMiBod, did you have much experience with the sex toy industry as a consumer or was it more something that you learnt about as you started to manufacture your products? Do you have a collection of toys now to supplement your own range?
I was pretty much a novice, before I started OhMiBod. Honestly, that’s what’s so exciting about it. I learn new things all the time – about products, my body and about people. I also believe that my novice status at the beginning contributed to my ability to take a fresh look on things. I always tell Brian…we are designing products for someone like me…I’m our customer. Yes – I have a nice collection that I rotate quite a bit...I like change! -
♥ Amanda ♥
2 users seconded this question.
What is your favorite gadget or piece of technology?
Ah…well since I am a gadget girl at heart I have a lot of them. My two favorites are my iPhone and my nike + iPod system that helps me keep track of my workouts. -
Kayla
1 user seconded this question.
How do people respond when you tell them what you do for a living? Do you try to flirt around the question or do you tell them straight up? Also, what's the weirdest reaction you've ever gotten when telling someone what you do?
We used to flirt around it – when we first started. We live in a small New England coastal town and we weren’t quite sure what the reaction would be. But now we practice what we preach. We’re extremely open and honest with what we do. Most people embrace it and want to understand how and why – others might be slightly ambivalent, probably. I remember a really sophisticated older woman I was talking to at a cocktail party – she asked what I did and I told her straight up. She excused herself and immediately…went and grabbed her husband and brought him back to me – “Dear” she said, “You need to talk to this woman”. -
sophie2229
1 user seconded this question.
Have you tried to make a vibrator that can also act as a remote? I would imagine that this feature would be very useful for those who plug their receiver into a laptop/leave the ipod on a desk.
I think you are asking about whether we have a wireless version of our product? The answer is yes. Freestyle is wireless. You just plug the wireless transmitter that comes with the product into the iPod and the transmitter into speakers. This way you can use the Freestyle together with someone listening to the music through the speakers and you do not need to connect the vibe directly to the iPod as with our original product. -
sophie2229
1 user seconded this question.
When you introduce a new vibrator do you see dips in the sales of the older models?
Actually no – We have designed our product road map to appeal to a variety of customer preferences and market segments. This maintains each products’ relevancy in our product line. -
Splendwhore
1 user seconded this question.
Have you ever tested a song that was so horrible you'd never use it again?
John Hiatt. I really love his voice. I find it really sexy. I had added his song to my “Sunday Morning Mix”, but the song just didn’t work…too many pauses. -
tskd19
2 users seconded this question.
Do you ever catch your self humming your favorite OhMiBod song outloud? Or catch your self listening to the same song over and over again? or on your car stereo?
Yes – all the time! That’s the fun part…anticipation. Thinking about how that song will feel on my body. -
Sammi
2 users seconded this question.
We recently saw your interview at the AEE on G4. What was it like to be at the Expo this year? Was this your first time there, and what can you tell us about the experience?
We’ve been a couple of times now – it’s a great experience and always quite a bit of fun…mostly because Brian and I get to spend some quality time together away from kids. We also have a lot of friends in the industry who we really look forward to seeing at our tradeshows. The show brings the crew together and reminds us that we work in a really dynamic, smart and playful industry. -
MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
Did you get any interesting or feedback from famous people about including the ohmibod in the Grammy gift bags that you particularly enjoyed or would like to share?
Yes we’ve been lucky to talk with some really great people. They are pretty much stars – and while we’d love to share some of the stories - like all of our customers, we respect their privacy, so we don’t mention them by name.
One story that we can share is that Rush Limbaugh got wind that we were in the GRAMMY Gift Bag and then talked about OhMiBod on air for a few minutes – the transcript can be found on our blog. It was hilarious. I think one is in the mail to him right now with an iPod loaded with Obama speeches. -
Do you feel like your inclusion in the Grammy gifts brings pleasure objects a better name?
I think that every little bit helps! We have a big ball to push up a decent sized hill. There is still a lot of stigma attached to our industry, but feel that we all (collectively) are pushing it in the right direction...sometimes progress happens in baby steps. -
♥ Amanda ♥
1 user seconded this question.
What other gadgets do you make? Is it a hobby? Do you have any fun things lying around your home that no one else has?
When we get prototypes for new products – they are fun to have around and know that we are the only ones that have them…but also can’t wait to share them with the rest of you! -
DixieDoo
1 user seconded this question.
How do you deal with your kids when it comes to your work?
Check out my answer to MuffysPinguLove. -
sophie2229
1 user seconded this question.
Do customers ever try to send you their playlists?
Yes, but we encourage them to post their OhMiBod playlists on iTunes in the iMix section. If you search on OhMiBod – you’ll see quite a few user posted playlists there to experiment with or find inspiration for your own playlist. The variety of music that turns people on is really interesting. -
How does your family react to your products? Are they like "oh, cool, get me a discount" or is more of an unspoken rule to keep it hush hush?
I would have to say that it depends on the family member. We were actually really surprised about the reactions we received. The family we thought might have an issue with it - didn’t and visa versa. This social experiment continues and there will be a good book about our experience someday! -
DixieDoo
1 user seconded this question.
Can you consider this new product one of your favorites?
Most definitely. -
What is your favorite toy that is not a part of your line?
My husband, Brian together with Dean’s Sliquid Organics lubricant. -
TitsMcScandal
1 user seconded this question.
Do you browse other people's music suggestions to find new songs to play with or do you stick with what you know you like?
I browse other’s playlists for sure – and I’ll experiment with their music more so for research – sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised and opened up to a different genre of music I wouldn’t have otherwise naturally gravitated to. -
TitsMcScandal
2 users seconded this question.
What's your favorite song to have sex to?
Brian actually serenades me in bed. (jk) There are honestly too many to pick, even just a few. I will say that Dave Matthew’s voice sends me over the top, “Crash Into Me” is such a sexy song. -
How long has this product been in the making?
It took us a while to bring to market – mostly because we wanted to wait until the iPod market was er, deeply penetrated. Once we pulled the trigger on the project, it took about 9 months. -
MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
What was your first sex toy?
It was a standard issue vibe that had some bumps on it and a knob at the end to control the intensity. It did the trick, but didn’t last very long. We are creating vibes with the intention that they will work for a long time. That is why all of our products come with a one-year warranty (which isn’t really common in this industry). -
Splendwhore
1 user seconded this question.
Have you ever been approached by Apple looking to buy exclusive rights to your product &/or company? Do you think Apple might ever be interested in either buying rights to your product &/or company? Do you think Apple might ever consider a partnership of your two companies?
It’s a good question. I would love to be considered for a partnership opportunity, but my first goal would be to get into the Apple Store. It is all about baby steps. -
Have you gotten any negative feedback about the ohmibod, and if so, do you take it personally or merely attribute it to the fact that you can't please everyone all the time?
We get feedback all the time and from a variety of people. It’s true that you can’t please everyone all the time, but you can really listen to customers and that’s what we do. Some of the feedback is based on personal taste, other times it’s on functionality. Regardless of the feedback, we listen and that hopefully helps us design better and better products. We don’t ever take the feedback personally…in fact, we encourage ideas and suggestions on how to make our products better. -
MuffysPinguLove
2 users seconded this question.
The freestyle is a wireless vibrator, and I was wondering if you have any interesting stories that led to this innovation?
We always wanted a wireless version – it just made total sense for the product functionality. Honestly, it just took a while, before we could afford it. The technology around it took a while to nail down and we didn’t want to wait for that. That is why we introduced the wired part of our line. The wired product line is great for customers with budget constraints and allows them to experience the technology – just without the bells and whistles. -
MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
Have you heard any stories about your products completely changing a users life, or at least revitalizing their sex life?
Two days ago we received this from a customer:
“Your product has changed both my wife's and my life. Do you have a place on your site for success stories?? Ours deals with over 30 years of frustrated sex because she has an extremely hard time getting an orgasm. The first time she used the OhMiBod vibrator she got 3 orgasms before she stopped. If you have a story site I would like to submit our story in more detail to it.
Again, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for us. I retired from GM, and when the Government forced GM into bankruptcy, I lost almost all of my pension. With the way things have been this past year that really hurt. That is why I asked if you could give me a promo code or something. I was not going to let my wife go without another vibrator from your company, but it was not going to be easy.” -
Have you ever considered offering OhMyBod products for other parts of the body? For instance, will we be seeing a OhMyBod vibrating nipple stimulator anytime soon?
MMMM - I like the way that sounds! Stay tuned. -
The freestyle is a wireless vibrator. I was curious how strong the wireless signal was on this product. Has anyone ever reported picking up someone else's ipod transmission? Or is the plug in rather short range?
No reports of that yet! It’s a pretty good range (approx. least 25 ft), but not strong enough where that would be a problem. -
RogerT
Given Apple's recent purges of iPhone apps, it would seem there's still some reticence to acknowledge natural adult urges and desires. Do you find the tech industry receptive to your innovations, horrified, or somewhere in between? Any general observations?
I agree with you that there is still resistance to what we do. That’s partly why we do, what we do. From the start our mission was to bring self pleasure mainstream and we hoped that by linking our product to the iconic iPod this would make the mission ever so slightly easier. We want to be part of a cultural shift and, in some small way, help move the ball forward. We’ve had an amazing reception in the tech world. I think they embrace us because most of them do, in fact, acknowledge the adult urge and desire – and we give them the opportunity to write/blog about it due to our connection to technology. -
RogerT
1 user seconded this question.
Which tunes work best with the Freestyle? Music with a lot of bass? Lots of treble? Or just a lot of crescendos and variations up and down the scale?
DixieDoo
2 users seconded this question.
What music works the best with this product, do you think?
It really depends on what turns you on – and what types of vibrations feel great to you. That’s part of the uniqueness of the product – it’s about the journey and about finding what fits your body while offering an infinite array of vibrations. No two songs are alike and even within a song you can adjust the intensity of the vibrations to achieve a different sensation. It really is a dual sensory sensation which can be impacted by a song's makeup, the emotional connection that you have to a song, the artists voice, etc. -
Splendwhore
1 user seconded this question.
Do you think Apple is in any way jealous (as they should be) that you invented this innovative product which combines music and sex? Or do you feel that perhaps it is a subject matter they want to stay away from completely? We all know sex sells, but we also know that it's still rather taboo in our current society.
I think that they are ok with the fact that a third party is tackling this market segment. We are just another iPod/iPhone accessory company to them. The more apps, gadgets etc that work with their products, the better they do in terms of capturing market share. Our product just gives a potential Apple customer another reason to own an iPod. -
Splendwhore
1 user seconded this question.
If you could do it all over, would you do everything the same? Is there anything you wish you could change about how you started your business and the path your product line has taken?
Excellent question – there are a million tiny things that I would change. Some having to do with the product itself, some to do with messaging and resource allocation, but overall we’re pretty happy with the way things have gone. We’re getting better everyday when it comes to manufacturing, marketing, packaging etc. We always want to make sure we are on the cutting edge of technology in this industry. We want to be faster and better and sometimes it’s very frustrating when things take more time than we’d like, but that’s the nature of producing any product. In the end, we’re having a blast doing what we do and, hopefully, helping a lot of people enjoy themselves and their partners along the way. -
Splendwhore
1 user seconded this question.
Do you believe being included in the Grammy swag bag was a step towards open acceptance of sex & sexuality?
To a certain extent, but we still have a long way to go. -
Splendwhore
1 user seconded this question.
At the Grammy awards, did any of the celebrities seem outwardly surprised or embarrassed to find a sex toy included in their bag of toys?
We were actually backstage, so I don't have an honest answer to that question. The people that I did have contact with seemed pleased to receive their Freestyle -
Splendwhore
1 user seconded this question.
Will OhMyBod ever release non sex related products? For instance, will we ever see a back or neck massager compatible with our ipods?
We really don’t like to talk about products in development and spoil any surprises, so you will just have to wait and see. All I can tell you is that we have some really great things in our pipeline. -
Splendwhore
1 user seconded this question.
I notice the description on one of your products mentions plugging the vibrator into a guitar! Have you ever stroked some keys or strummed some strings to get a deeper understanding of just how strongly your music can be felt? Do you think this would be a good tool to help teach adults how to play an instrument?
That’s a pretty cool idea. The most interesting use for our products though was when we were informed that a doctor was using OhMiBods to help communicate with people who have severe disabilities. They sent some videos of the project – and it was really amazing. On you tube, there is a video of a Guitar hooked up to a couple of OMBs. https://bit.ly/cmmXH for the video NotCot.com put up on YouTube. -
MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
You worked for apple, which produced the ipod, and now you've produced the ohmibod product line which has combined music and pleasure. I was wondering since these two companies are related to music, if you have a love for music yourself? Do you play an instrument?
Yes, I love music, but no, I can’t play an instrument. I wish I could. For the majority of my young life I explored my love of music through dance, ballet, jazz, lyrical, etc. I really…really love to dance. It is a big passion of mine.
When we launched Club Vibe (a wearable bullet vibe that reacts to the ambient sound, in say, a club or concert), we were in Miami at the Winter Music Conference (WMC). WMC is a conference where DJs from around the world descend on Miami and spin all week long. I danced my ass off that week.
Victoria (host): "That sounds amazing! What a great way to really enjoy the work you put into that Club Vibe!"
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Is there anything you wish you could have added to any of your product's designs that either didn't make it into the final model, or you thought about afterward?
Yes, that inevitably happens. It’s like playing Monday morning QB though – you can’t always second-guess your decisions – what’s done is done. You make the best decisions you can at that time and take the experience with you to the next project. -
Passionate Pastor
1 user seconded this question.
Have you thought about other versions of the toy? Like nipple clamps, anal toys, clitoral vibrators, or other ideas?
Yes. We are constantly dreaming up new ideas for toys. -
MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
If you had to choose between technology and music, and you could only have one of them, which would you pick?
Music. Hands down! -
MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
If you had to describe your products in three words what would they be?
Hip. Versatile. Unique. -
Do you think your line targets a specific age group or audience? Or do you consider OhMyBod products versatile everyone?
We know that many different age groups enjoy our products. What it really comes down to in terms of common denominator is that they all LOVE their music and understand that OhMiBod can offer them a truly unique experience. -
Splendwhore
3 users seconded this question.
Has one of your regularly played songs ever come on when your around friends or family? Do you ever feel awkward or slightly embarrassed knowing that's a song you get off to?
Yes, that happens quite a bit. The feeling I get largely depends on who it is around me at that time. -
MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
Do you have a specific creative process? Is there anything in particular that you like to do when you're developing something or thinking about new products?
I’m a runner and tend to do some of my best thinking when my legs are moving! -
MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
Who's more creative, you or your husband? What areas do the two of you focus in, in your company? Do you find that working together works the best, or do you like to work in separate areas, and consult each other?
I have to say that if you are going to work with your husband/partner – this is the best industry in which to do so. Sure, it is really hard sometimes and you have to be very careful about the amount of time you spend physically together, but we’re making sex toys!
We have separate offices, we work on different areas of the business due to our own skill sets, as you suggest. I think we are equally creative, but in different areas. I’ll admit, when it comes down to it we are very different people with strong opinions on just about everything. When we go head to head – it’s not pretty. It’s like making a sausage…the result is great but you’d never want to see how it’s made. The product testing phase is the only time we don’t go head to head – it’s more like head to toe!Victoria (host): "Oh man, can I relate to this one! I work with my husband too. We have separate offices, and manage different areas - with some overlap and lots of discussion about broad ideas. Same goes for the strong opinions :) and the fun product "reviewing" together!"
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MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
Since your product was in the bag, did you get a swag bag of your very own?
You know, I never thought to ask. -
Splendwhore
3 users seconded this question.
Have you ever used an OhMyBod product on your husband? What are his favorite songs for himself? What are his favorite songs to use on you?
I have and he loves it. He enjoys pretty much the same types of music that I do and so that makes it a lot of fun for us to enjoy together. We have a little iHome that we plug the ipod and transmitter into so we can both enjoy the music. -
macho99
1 user seconded this question.
Great product... for the ladies! LOL do you see anything for the guys coming out? Is your husband trying really really really hard to come out with something for the guys?
Yes, Yes Yes - he said to pass that along to you Macho! -
Splendwhore
3 users seconded this question.
Do you think your products will ever appear on television or in movies in the near future? Perhaps in some erotica movie, or even in a coming of age story or comedy? I could picture this featured in something similar to Meet the Parents.
We were just spotted in one of the episodes for Bravo’s new Kell on Earth – that was fun! Do you know any Movie Producers? -
MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
If you hadn't created ohmibod, and you weren't working for Apple, what do you think you would be doing now? What would be your dream job?
Great question: I’d be doting on my two amazing children – oh and of course taking care of Brian! -
Splendwhore
2 users seconded this question.
Out of curiosity, if you had two different Freestyle vibes, could you hook up just one transmitter to your ipod and send the music and vibes to two consecutive toys, for pleasuring both you and a partner? If this currently isn't possible, can it be in the future? Please & Thanks!
Working on it – great suggestion and we'll work on that one just for you! -
MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
It seems like most young adults have ipods these days. I would think that your products would be appealing to the "Ipod Generation" as my professor likes to call it. That being said, how do you feel about the age restrictions of sex toys only being able to be purchased by users who are 18 and older?
...it will be a topic of discussion over some red wine tonight... -
SailorMoonxRRx
3 users seconded this question.
I have to ask this...when and where on earth did you come up with the idea, to merge music and pleasure? It's one of the most interesting ideas I have heard in this business in quite sometime...and I HAVE to get one...but are they compatible with Zune? I don't particularly like iPods XDDDD No offense! =3
Yes, we’ve got you covered…our products work with any mp3 player with a 3.5mm audio jack. -
Luvasaurus
1 user seconded this question.
I noticed on your site, you have featured DJs. Do you have a lot of DJs apply? What all does it take to be one and how are they involved in Ohmibod?
We love our DJ’s and hook them up with products, gear etc – in return they help evangelize to the music community and spread the vibe! -
Jill Ingoff
3 users seconded this question.
I enjoy listening to audio books (erotica specifically) on my ipod. Would I be able to use your line of toys while listening to erotica books on audio? Do the toys only work with music?
We’ve tested the toys with erotic story telling and it works really great. It depends on the cadence of the speaker in terms of the vibrations but it definitely reacts to the voice and provides a great experience. -
macho99
2 users seconded this question.
Have you ever used the OhMibod with porn instead of music? if so, which movie does the toy go with best? =)
I’ll that one for you Macho – please report back! -
LucyLemonade
3 users seconded this question.
How hard was it to get a business like OhMiBod in the area that you live? I used to work near your office and the area itself tends to be rather conservative when it comes to sexual expression in general. The lack of good adult toy stores seems to be proof that the people can be rather suspicious of sex positive individuals.
Yes, our area is known for its conservative roots. We were lucky enough though to have been known as “regular” folks to most people in the town before we started OhMiBod. I think that helped us a great deal and helped our friends here acclimate to our new profession. We have a handful of really great friends here and travel to see the others! We do know that we get talked about quite often but our feeling on that is “hey, we wont charge’em for being their entertainment” -
Splendwhore
5 users seconded this question.
How do you choose beta testers for your new & upcoming products? Do you have a handful of people from all types of backgrounds, all sexualities, etc? Is there a special selection process? Can I get an interview?
When we launched OhMiBod, our first music driven vibe, we seeded the product to 500 beta testers made up of friends, friends of friends and others enthusiastic to try our product. We received a bunch of feedback from them and made tweaks to the product prior to its official release. Yes, absolutely - contact me (suki @ ohmibod . com)Victoria (host): "Whoa - 500 beta testers, that's a lot of feedback! But a great way to gauge the product. Kudos to you!"
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hamita27
3 users seconded this question.
Since creating the Freestyle, has there been any ideas of creating another product similar to the Freestyle? How long does the Freestyle last? Has there been more positive feedback than negative feedback about the product?
We've had overwhelmingly positive response for the Freestyle. Its a very versatile, quality constructed vibe. The batteries on the Freestyle are rechargeable and last for up to 4 hrs from one charge. The vibe has an integrated end cap that makes it really easy to switch from music to manual mode and comes with a really nice travel/storage case. -
Sapphires13
4 users seconded this question.
The OhMiBod has intrigued me since the first time I saw it, since music has always been a big part of my solo sex life. I haven't gotten to use the OhMiBod yet but certainly plan to make it one of the next sex toys I purchase.
The only worry I have is that the product will latch onto the wrong parts of my favourite songs. For example, one of the sexiest songs I know has a perfectly delicious bass line groove, but a slightly annoying techno drumbeat. If the OhMiBod started pulsing to the bass line, I'd be in heaven... if it latched onto the drumbeat instead, I'd be crushed. Have you ever personally experienced such a disappointment, or had a OhMiBod user complain about such?Thats actually the fun part of the process... determining which songs work best. The Freestyle has an adjustable transmitter so you can make any song "work" for you. It controls the intensity of the vibrations so you can pick up the bass and the inflection of the music softly or really power things up! I'm guessing you'll be in heaven... -
Captain Stubing
3 users seconded this question.
There are quite a few dual motor vibrators out there. What are the plans for OMB to come out with a vibrator that acts "in stereo"? How about attachments for full surround sound!!?!?!?! By using various butt plugs, dildos, cock rings, etc you could have a full orchestra pulsing through your body!
You won't have to wait long Captain! Stay tuned....we have a OhMiBod fan page on Facebook that we announce new products on. Check it out. -
Which of your products is your favorite, and why?
My two favorites are the Freestyle and the Club Vibe. The Freestyle because Brian and I really enjoy listening to the music together and I love the fact that its rechargeable and lets me switch from Music to Manual mode with a flick of the switch ...Club Vibe because I love to feel it on the dance floor and although I have a couple of small kids, I still manage to find my way to a club ever once and a while. -
Miss Cinnamon
2 users seconded this question.
While developing your brand of products, did you ever imagine it would become this successful? Did you ever have a moment of doubt when you thought "This can't possibly work!"
Did you tell your friends at Apple the second the idea for the OhMiBod popped into your head, or did you wait until product testing was well underway?No, we really didn't. It pretty much started out as just a fun project to work on...but we've been really fortunate to have created something that people really enjoy - that was our mission. We love the industry, the people in it and are fortunate to have such great retail partners as Edenfantasys to help us spread the vibe.
We told a few of our closest friends about the project right from the beginning and yes, some of them happened to still work at Apple.
Victoria (host): "And we are so glad to have you here, keeping it exciting and innovative for us too!"
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Superdumb
2 users seconded this question.
Any plans for a travel sized version of the Freestyle?
Yes, stay tuned! -
macho99
2 users seconded this question.
do other gadgets (cellphones, 2 way radios, bluetooth devices) interfere withe signal of the freestyle?
Ever experience it yourself (like "rouge" vibrations not really part of the music)?No, we havent experienced that in our testing or in my personal use. -
Bob Modern
2 users seconded this question.
What possibilities do you see for couples to experience a greater depth of intimacy and sharing with the OhMiBod? Can you envision couples becoming closer by creating playlists designed with each each other's pleasure in mind?
We actually hear a lot of that from our customers. Partners creating playlists for one another, listening to music together and talking about what that particular song would feel like on their Freestyle for example. Our latest product (Freestyle) had an adaptor so that you can plug your music player directly into speakers so both partners can enjoy the dual sensory experience. Check out the iTunes store and search OhMiBod in the iMix section, you'll see what I'm talking about. -
Polyserena
1 user seconded this question.
In the Freestyle you seem to have developed a product that seems to have a very universal appeal in terms of vibrator shape and size. However, I am wondering whether your future plans include an expansion into different designs that also incorporate the wireless transmitter (perhaps in the shapes/sizes of Ohmibod the Naughtinano or the Gspot)?
Yes, we have a bunch of stuff in the pipeline that takes advantage of our wireless technology...stay tuned. -
Bob Modern
2 users seconded this question.
Many of today's sensual accessories have such a strong aesthetic design sensibility that they look like works of art. With the OhMiBod's integration of the way we enjoy music with sexual pleasure, do you think we're heading toward more technology that couples artistic and sensual experiences?
Yes - absolutely. I really believe that when designed and executed well, technology can play a big part in our "sensual" lives. The trick is to make sure that the technology is super easy to use and we continually try to climb up that curve and make our products truly "plug n play" -
dirty doll
1 user seconded this question.
Have you guys considered making a smaller wireless ohmibod so it can be used in a penis ring to allow couples to share the music simultaneously? or even put it on a strap on?
Yes - if you follow us on Facebook or Twitter you'll be the first to know when it happens -
Splendwhore
1 user seconded this question.
Do you ever plan to work on a line of discreet OhMiBod products? Maybe some geared towards the average college student? For instance: a tube of lipstick, a twist-on "pen", or vibrating eraser? Lol.
I like that suggestion!! Really fun... -
macho99
2 users seconded this question.
any plans for a toy small enough for someone to wear for long periods of time? like something to wear while at work?
Macho - take a look at our Escort and Club Vibe products. Both are meant for more continuous use -
DixieDoo
1 user seconded this question.
What music types do you suggest against when using this product?
Check out the iMix section in iTunes. Just search ohmibod and my favorite playlist is posted under "Sunday Morning Mix"
But you'll see a lot of user generated playlist activity under OhMiBod that will give you some ideas. In general though, its whatever music turns you on! -
Have you ever had any other invention ideas besides the ohmibod? If so what was the difference between those ideas and the idea for ohmibod? What made you pursue this idea and not any of the others?
Actually yes, we have some things we are working on now - but they are top secret! We pursued OhMiBod because we both really believe in the mission, about what we do...and on top of all that - its a lot of fun! -
I don't think I was clear with my remote question so I apologize.
I meant having a button on the vibrator that changed the songs on the ipod/computer. For example if the receiver was plugged in a computer that was sitting on my desk and if I was at the other side of the room I would be able to change the song from my vibrator, or by using an external remote. Would this be possible? I think there's a market for this device - or maybe you can do a promotion with apple or a remote manufacturer to include an existing model of a portable external remote that changes songs on itunes wirelessly (intended to be used while simultaneously using the Freestyle).oh sorry about that Sophie! Yes, we are working on something that currently. It will have the capability to control your ipod remotely. -
Being a techie, what do you think the effect of the new imaging technolgy of the TSA will be on the sex toy industry? Think it will affect your escort and club vibe line? sample pic
that would be kinda funny - with TSA I mean. We have so many hilarious stories with TSA in various parts of the world...we've made quite a few of them blush!
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MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
What kind of tests do you run when your experimenting with a new product or idea?
From a pure testing perspective the products are qualified with CE and RoHS. These are pretty standard tests for any types of consumer electronic products. For Freestyle, there was quite a bit of testing on the wireless side and certifications that we have to acquire to make sure it meets all the FCC guidelines. Its a time consuming and expensive process for sure. -
sophie2229
1 user seconded this question.
Which songs did you have in mind when creating the Freestyle?
everything by Dave Matthews!!
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DixieDoo
1 user seconded this question.
How does this product rate against the others of it's kind you have used in the past?
i'm pretty biased, but i'm in love with my Freestyle! -
Splendwhore
1 user seconded this question.
Were there any songs that perhaps weren't your favorite, but left a lasting impression? What song has given you the most intense vibrations? The softest tickle?
honestly, really hard to answer. intensity is controlled by the transmitter so even a "light" song can become an intense experience. i love john hiatt - and thought that his music would be great, but it didn't with the acoustic version of one of his songs and i was totally bummed! soft tickle: marvin gaye - lets get it on! -
Smithie13
1 user seconded this question.
This isn't about the OhMiBod product, but it is about sex...
I'm a freshman in college and grew up being taught that sex should wait till marriage. Now that I'm in college it seems that fooling around is pretty common, especially since I go to a women's college and am bi. I don't really think just fooling around is that bad, it's just pleasurable, but I can't help feel guilty. Do you have any advice/opinions?I wish I could grab you by the shoulders and shake the guilt right out of you! You are young! Have fun. Be safe about it. Be smart about it and enjoy yourself. -
Eager Beaver
1 user seconded this question.
Since your product has proven so successful, have you considered creating an app for the iPod touch that allows the user to create a more personal "beat" that can satisfy their particular needs?
be patient (wink wink) -
MuffysPinguLove
2 users seconded this question.
Whats your ideal ohmibod playlist?
you can find it on the iMix section of the iTunes store. just search ohmibod and mine is called Sunday Morning... -
Splendwhore
2 users seconded this question.
Because of your career, do you feel you have a better understanding of sex and sexuality? Have you ever spoken publicly about sex to teenagers or young adults? Do you feel it's important to properly educate our youth concerning sex, and do you feel that public education alone has been doing this? Do you believe that if sex toys were made available to adolescents at a younger age (say 15 or 16), that perhaps we wouldn't have such a huge problem with teen pregnancies?
Yes!
Not as much as I should.
Yes - absolutely!!
No.
Probably! I would tend to agree with that. Its all about education, toys or no toys. Women should feel good about their bodies and know how to satisfy themselves. -
Sundae
4 users seconded this question.
If you could get one artist to write you a sexy song for your OhMiBod playlist, who would that be? What sorts of things would you want in that song?
Thats an easy one - Dave Matthews I just need his voice...that alone does it for me!
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Bob Modern
4 users seconded this question.
Do you think that the OhMiBod experience could be translated to other entertainment media? Can you envision an accessory like the OhMiBod being integrated with video game technology, so that if a player chose a certain mission, they'd have an intense sensual experience?
That is a cool idea, they have haptic feedback on a lot of gaming modules but I'm sure there is room for one of our products to "slide" into the market... -
Shaiha
4 users seconded this question.
I have to give you kudos for designing a product that will work with the Shuffle. Myself and my partner tend to use vibrators together in play. Are there any plans to incorporate a speaker into the remote so that we can share the music?
Yes, check out our latest product - Freestyle. You can hook the shuffle up to any speaker with a line in - so you can both listen to the music! -
quizzical pussy
6 users seconded this question.
I can see a day when your line of toys spawns a completely new genre of music, where artists specifically try to make the most mind-blowingly orgasmic tracks. What do you think would make for an amazing OhMiBod-tailored piece? Thumping bass? Syncopated rhythms? Mixolydian scales? The music of the future depends on this!
D) all of the above
We have some artists that we're working. Mostly DJs but they can easily create and control tempo with mixes, so their style lends itself well to our products. -
TitsMcScandal
7 users seconded this question.
How long did it take you to bring your first OhMiBod product to fruition?
around 9 months. I think there is a more detailed answer on that one already. -
MuffysPinguLove
1 user seconded this question.
What gave you the idea for ohmibod?
I think we answered this before but can't seem to find it. Short version is: My two favorite stocking stuffers came together to inspire the product. A vibe and my iPod mini.
Forum
| Recent discussions | Posts | Last post | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| suggestions | 10 | 04/13/2011 | Strap It On |
| store? | 7 | 07/10/2012 | Other Toys |
| ohMiBod | 14 | 08/02/2012 | OhMiBod |
