“I just knew that there were plenty of people desiring something more than a flat base and it didn’t seem too difficult to create an accessory."
It wasn’t long before she’d turned her idea to make strap-on sex better and more comfortable for the strap-on wearer into a business. Enter the Bumpher, b.cush and Shagger and, most recently, the Honeybunch, a line of dildo base stimulation cushions that cleverly fit over or attach to the flat base of most dildos to provide both cushioning and texture for the wearer.
Bumpher, the first in the line, features “plump protruding nubs, made to rub you in all the right places.” It stretches over the base of most strap-on dildos providing both stimulation and cushioning.
The Bumpher's stretchy silicone allows it to fit over the base of many dildos.
Next up, the b.cush. It has a super cushy texture and rather than fitting over the base of a dildo, it has a tacky surface that sticks to it, allowing it to be used on much larger (and smaller) bases.
The b.cush's tacky back allows it to stick to dildos with a larger base.
The Shagger is a bit more of a wild child, sporting a spiky row of silicone tips, allowing for unique stimulation and sensation.
The Shagger's spiky silicone tips offer more intense stimulation.
The latest product in the line is the Honeybunch. It features a row of soft silicone nubs, which can conceal a cavity for a bullet vibrator (the vibrator's not included.) Its flat, tacky back allows it to adhere to most dildo bases.
The Honeybunch includes a cavity for a bullet vibrator.
Weisman’s first batch of inventory arrived just before Christmas in 2018 - at her apartment, where she packages and ships it herself - and she’s been building her business around squishy dildo accessories ever since.
“I just cram it all into my office and then I’m lifting all these boxes. It’s a lot of physical labor, but I love it,” Weisman said.
There’s no question Weisman made a huge leap in jumping from photo editing to sex toys. When asked what the key challenges have been, Weisman says, “besides my fears and anxieties? Well, we can talk about those too but that’s for another call.”
She said she did keep her idea and brewing business private for a while, especially from people she used to work with. “Like, oh great, all we need is for them to start imagining Nancy with a strap-on!”
She also had to dive into the logistics of designing and manufacturing a physical product. With a designer in Barcelona and a manufacturer in China, bringing her products to the U.S. - and to market - took longer than expected.
Other new challenges include patents, trademarking and the learning curve that goes along with starting a new business in a brand-new industry.
“Making things, manufacturing things, producing things - it’s bananas!” Weisman said.
“It’s interesting because if I can contribute in some small way to people’s joy, you know, that’s a really great thing,”
Weisman sees all the trials as being totally worth it, though.
“It’s interesting because if I can contribute in some small way to people’s joy, you know, that’s a really great thing,” Weisman said. “Every time I send out a product to a customer online, I check it for quality and, like, give it a little bump. Like, OK. Go on and bring some joy to these folks.”