Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Marks.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Going back as early as 2009:
I was wanting a change. I had spent most of my adult life working in the nonprofit sector and with small grassroots groups doing environmental and climate justice work, from coalition-building to tree-sits.
Though my passion for environmental causes has never wavered, I started to feel constrained by the nonprofit sector to really effect the changes I wanted to see in the world. I sought another pathway to make a living that would also allow me to organize and advocate the way I wanted. And to create something new that stoked my passions and allowed me to create change while investing in community.
So, how did I go from environmental defense to slinging dildos? I have always been that friend who talked openly about sex and relationshipping. I was the one who was comfortable being my sex-positive, polyamorous self and who enthusiastically took friends to buy their first sex toys. And I always enjoyed this part of myself: being a safer person to talk to, a confident companion in a sex toy store, a listener and advisor on sexual expression.
Because my friends turned to me about sexuality matters, I was painfully aware of the shame and nervousness people had going into sex toy stores. I was often asked by my trans masculine and gay men friends if I would go with them to get what they wanted from the feminist sex toy shop so they would not be seen as the “creepy guy.” This never sat well with me; I knew we needed more sex-positive spaces where everyone of all sexualities and gender identities could feel safe and seen.
Along with my passion to create safer spaces to discuss, learn about, and buy tools to enhance one’s sexual experiences, I am equally committed to body-safe products. When I started researching the business of sex products, I was shocked by the toxicity of so many of the ingredients in lubes, body oils, cleaners, and even some toys themselves. I watched the paradox of sexual shame in action: The same individual who would stand in the health-food store scrutinizing every shampoo ingredient would also hurriedly duck in and out of a sex toy store without anywhere near the same level of scrutiny about the safety of ingredients.
My vision for an inclusive, eco-friendly adult boutique took shape. I would create a space where everyone would be welcome, and all products would be body-safe. I would do the research to ensure there were no carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, or other harmful ingredients in anything I sold. I would research the companies from which I purchased products to review their labor practices and commitment to environmentally friendly production. People would feel comfortable spending time in my store, asking questions, exploring body-safe products, and knowing they were accepted for who they were—no shame, only inclusive sex positivity and accurate information. The thought of opening my own shop excited me; I knew I had to try!
I spent a year carefully researching what I wanted to do, how I wanted to be different, and what it would take to build a safer space so folks could be comfortable enough to ask the questions I knew they had. I spent endless time talking to my friends and interviewing folks who worked in adult stores. I started to work on my business plan. I started to see a path.
Alright, 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?
This was not a smooth road per se but it has been rewarding. From banks to landlords all I heard when I was trying to launch my business was “We do not support or work with this type of business.” It was hard to find a place to have the store, it was hard to find a bank who would work with me.
I even was given 48 hours once to get my website moved to another server for the same reasons as they made a change in their policy.
I have said before that running this time of business is not quite like running other with all of the judgments we face. It is like trying to jump rope while solving a puzzle.
But I am here for it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wanted to create a safer space that allowed folks to ask the questions they have been holding back on.
As You Like It is an eco-conscious, gender-inclusive pleasure shop that honors the diverse desires of our community. We encourage healthy and satisfying sex lives by offering a high-quality selection of books, body safe sex toys, lubes, and many other goodies for everybody and every body! Queer and woman-owned, As You Like It is a body-positive, eco-conscious, inclusive and affirming adult shop. A certified Community Sexual Health Resource, our mission is to provide body-safe products and shame-free sex education, and serve the sexual health needs of our diverse community.
I love the workshops that we offer though out the year, I love the look of relief we see on peoples faces when they find what they need. I love our huge gender affirming area where folks get the chance to try on their first binder, breast forms and finding what they need. We also have a huge book nook that i carefully curate coving many subjects by many diverse authors.
Any big plans?
Expanding our community and safe access to other towns and even countries.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.asyoulikeitshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asyoulikeit.shop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsYouLikeItshop/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-marks-6ab5661/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCloazVLW33af5WB6Kt1-1gQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/as-you-like-it-eugene-3?osq=as+you+like+it&override_cta=Get+pricing+%26+availability
