Bridging social work and sexual wellness

University of Vermont student Greta Huang explains how she found purpose in pleasure education while working at Earth & Salt.

(Note: This article appears in the December issue of SE Magazine.)

When University of Vermont student Greta Huang wandered into Burlington’s Earth & Salt for a class assignment, she never guessed it would shape both her education and career path. What began as a visit for a university paper evolved into a two-year journey that blended academic training in social work and gender studies with real-world conversations on intimacy, comfort and wellness. In this interview, Huang shares with StorErotica Legal Correspondent Larry Kaplan how she applies her classroom lessons to the front lines of sex-positive retail and how Earth & Salt’s philosophy of inclusive education has influenced her personal and professional growth.

SE: So, how did your studies lead you to Earth & Salt?

Huang: A class at the University of Vermont had an assignment to engage with the community on something related to sexuality or gender. Many of my peers attended community events, but I wanted to do something different, so I visited Earth & Salt, Burlington’s only true adult store, for the first time and wrote a reflection paper about it. Later, after declaring a double major in social work and gender studies, I saw in their newsletter that they were hiring. I applied on a whim, and here I am two years later.

SE: What was your impression of the store and its mission when you first saw it and when you first started working there?

Huang: As a customer, I thought it was immaculate and beautifully curated. When I became an employee, that impression deepened. I saw how much effort goes into making every customer’s experience comfortable and welcoming—by Beth, our owner and the whole team. At nineteen, Earth & Salt was one of the first adult stores I’d ever entered. Its sexual wellness focus really stood out; it normalizes intimacy and reminds people that pleasure is open to anyone and never something to be ashamed of.

SE: How does your role complement what you’ve learned in your classes?

Huang: Working here lets me translate what I learn into practice. My classes taught communication and empathy, but being in the store makes those skills tangible. Every day, I connect with people around intimate topics, helping them feel comfortable sharing what they need while keeping clear boundaries. It’s very much real-world social work, just in a retail setting.

SE: Are there specific customer needs or product areas you feel most drawn to?

Huang: Lubricants, definitely. I feel strongly about them because they go into the body, yet they aren’t FDA-regulated. Companies can use all kinds of ingredients, which can be confusing for consumers. Beth reviews every formula to ensure our selection is bodysafe and irritation-free—that’s a guiding principle across everything we sell.

SE: How do you integrate your academic knowledge into everyday sales and support?

Huang: My social work background helps me connect with customers around vulnerable subjects while respecting their boundaries. I aim to find that “Goldilocks range,” enough information to guide them without prying too deeply. My gender studies training has made me more attentive to inclusive language. Burlington has a large queer population, and our words and our products must affirm everyone’s identity. Not everything has to be gendered.

SE: Social work emphasizes starting where clients are. How does that shape your interactions in the store?

Huang: It helps me slow down and meet people where they are. Beth often says we’re sometimes a customer’s first line of defense when they’re facing something new, like a diagnosis, a breakup or misinformation. Someone might come in saying, “I’m freshly divorced and need a thing.” My role is to stay calm, listen and guide them toward options that make sense for their needs and emotions.

“Inclusion isn’t just about diversity of products — it’s about how those products can be used.”

— Greta Huang

SE: That’s really the antithesis of typical retail, where people work from scripts.

Huang: Exactly. Beth always says this may be retail, but not your typical retail experience. It’s about listening, not pushing; letting customers move at their own pace and building genuine trust.

SE: Have you had any customer interactions that left a lasting impression?

Huang: The ones that stay with me are when people come in completely open and trusting. They put their faith in me to steer them toward something helpful. I find that really moving. When they come back months later and share how a product helped or changed their comfort level, it feels incredible. Our “regulars” aren’t daily customers—they come every few months, and it’s rewarding to see the progress in their personal journeys.

SE: How do you build trust quickly with customers discussing such intimate topics?

Huang: A lot of listening, and sometimes a little appropriate self-sharing. Saying, “You’re not alone—others feel this way too,” helps. Occasionally, if it’s relevant, I may share a personal experience to make someone feel safe. But it depends on the person—some want dialogue, while others prefer space. I never push; I let them come to me. It’s about “moving at the speed of trust,” something I learned in social work.

SE: What products do you often recommend to people new to exploring sexual wellness?

Huang: It’s always case-by-case. If someone says, “I had a terrible reaction to a lube,” we start with bodysafe lubrication. I also talk with women about pelvic floor health, dilators and similar tools. We meet many perimenopausal and menopausal women who need comfort products or reassurance that pleasure doesn’t have to mean penetration. Those are meaningful conversations—helping them redefine intimacy and choice.

SE: Have you become passionate about any other product categories since starting?

Huang: Lubes will always fascinate me—the chemistry, ingredients, how they react differently for each person. Earth & Salt offers testers, so customers can actually feel and compare. I love that interaction. And I really enjoy our vibrator section—especially guiding people buying their first one, whether they’re young college students or much older adults exploring new options.

SE: Earth & Salt emphasizes that sexual wellness is social justice. How does that influence your work?

Huang: Beth’s philosophy is that pleasure belongs to everyone. During training, she told me, “I won’t say this is a judgment-free space—being human means having judgments. But your job is to notice them and ensure they don’t affect how you treat others.” That idea of awareness and accountability changed how I think about inclusivity—it’s active, not passive.

SE: How has this job changed your understanding of inclusivity in practice?

Huang: It’s shown me that inclusion isn’t just about diversity of products—it’s about how those products can be used. Providing support for sexual wellness, framing it as health rather than something “dirty,” is truly inclusive. It’s a mindset shift: we sell tools for care, not taboo.

SE: What’s been your most significant learning curve?

Huang: Managing conversations and staying confident. Some people come in wanting to discuss things that are unusual or unrelated—the trick is recognizing what’s behind the interaction and maintaining boundaries. Confidence and professionalism go hand in hand here.

SE: What part of your job is most fulfilling?

Huang: Making genuine connections. Burlington is such a close-knit community that I often see familiar faces around town. It’s gratifying to know I’ve helped someone feel comfortable or more empowered in their body. Those moments remind me why I do this.

SE: How do you see this role influencing your future career in social work or sexual education?

Huang: It’s shaping it entirely. When I started college as a gender studies major, I wasn’t sure where it could lead. Working at Earth & Salt showed me ways to apply my degree through education and support. After graduation, I hope to continue working on projects that feel this meaningful—helping people learn, connect and feel seen.

SE: If you could design a workshop for Earth & Salt, what would it focus on?

Huang: I’d love to host workshops on starting conversations—how partners, friends or family can talk about intimacy and access resources. I’d also create community-based programs to help people meet others like themselves. Customers often ask, “Where can I find other poly folks or people who think like me?” A workshop that fosters those networks would be powerful.

SE: Serendipity seems to have played a role in your path.

Huang: Absolutely. Unlike my coworker Robin, who sought Beth out intentionally, I just applied on a whim—and it’s been one of the best decisions of my life. Working with Beth and Robin has completely changed my trajectory. I’m still at the beginning of my career, but Earth & Salt has taught me so much about professionalism, empathy and human connection.

Larry Kaplan is a broker specializing in the sale and purchase of adult retail stores and nightclubs. He is also the Executive Director of ACE of Michigan, the state trade association for adult nightclubs. For 25 years, Mr. Kaplan has been the Legal Correspondent for ED Publications. Contact Larry at 313-815-3311 or email larry@kaplanstoresales.com.