Robin Zabiegalski turned a sudden setback into an unexpected opportunity, paving the way for a hybrid role at Earth & Salt.
(Note: This article was originally published in the December 2025 issue of SE Magazine.)
When longtime sex education writer and former Kinkly.com managing editor Robin Zabiegalski suddenly found themself out of a job after the platform’s mass editorial layoffs, they faced both loss and opportunity. Years of guiding global conversations on sexual wellness had honed their passion for inclusive, empathetic education—something they were determined not to leave behind.
That commitment led them to Burlington, Vermont’s Earth & Salt, a boutique blending sexual wellness retail with education and advocacy. What began as a freelance writing project for store owner Beth Hankes evolved into a full-time, hands-on role combining writing, administration and in-person teaching. Today, Zabiegalski channels their editorial expertise into direct community engagement, helping Earth & Salt make sex education accessible, affirming and locally rooted.
In this interview, Zabiegalski shares with StorErotica Legal Correspondent Larry Kaplan how their career transformation reshaped both their work and understanding of connection.
SE: You’ve had a dynamic career in sex education and writing. How have those skills translated into your work at Earth & Salt?
Zabiegalski: At first, the transition was pretty direct. I reached out to Beth, the owner, and offered help with blogs, newsletters and marketing materials. I’d freelanced for years before managing Kinkly’s editorial team, so it felt like returning to that hustle—writing, researching, supporting wherever needed. Over time, it expanded into admin work and, eventually, into in-store operations. Now I handle everything from content writing to helping customers on the floor.
SE: When did you know this was where you wanted to be professionally?
Zabiegalski: When Kinkly’s editorial side shut down and the editorial team was let go, I knew I didn’t want to leave the sex education field. As managing editor, I read everything that came across the site, and it opened my eyes to how vital this information is. I’d been freelancing in sexual wellness, pelvic health and women’s health, so when I heard about Earth & Salt, I reached out. At first, it felt like just another freelance gig. But I quickly realized that Beth’s vision went far beyond retail.
She’s an AASECT-certified sex educator, and Earth & Salt is as much a community resource as a store. Customers come in expecting knowledgeable conversations, not just product pitches. That depth of interaction is what hooked me.
SE: How has shifting from an international online platform to a local boutique changed your education approach?
Zabiegalski: The most significant change is the person-to-person experience. At Kinkly, communication was digital, including reader emails, submitted questions and editorial feedback, but there was no face-to-face connection. At Earth & Salt, customers come in unsure, curious or even timid. They say, “I’ve never been to a store like this,” and I get to say, “Let’s figure out what works for you.” Helping someone discover what brings them pleasure or confidence, and seeing that growth firsthand —that’s the most rewarding part.
“Sex Week started as a pipe dream, but we all built it because people needed it.”
— Robin Zabiegalski
SE: What are your primary responsibilities now?
Zabiegalski: It’s a mix. Some days I’m writing or handling admin tasks, other days I’m ringing up customers and answering questions. As new products arrive, Beth encourages the team to learn everything about them. Recently, we did a complete lube walkthrough, testing textures and discussing who might benefit from each. That hands-on learning keeps us engaged and informed.
SE: Any standout customer experiences that made you feel like you made a difference?
Zabiegalski: My favorite moments are with older women rediscovering pleasure after menopause or after divorce. Many come in saying they’ve never used a sex toy but want to experience orgasm for the first time. I help them explore options, reassure them it’s okay to experiment and remind them that pleasure has no age limit. When they return saying, “That worked,” it’s everything.
SE: How do you handle customers who aren’t sure what they’re looking for?
Zabiegalski: It depends on their comfort level. Some love long conversations; others say little. Sometimes I guide them through questions: internal or external vibration? Shape preferences, and other times it’s as simple as walking them to “Vibrator Island,” the big display in the center of our store. They may browse quietly or ask, “Why is this one shaped like that?” Those small exchanges are often where trust builds.
SE: Are there products or categories that reflect Earth & Salt’s broader mission?
Zabiegalski: Our pelvic health section defines that mission. It came from Beth’s sex education background and focuses on menopause, pelvic pain and recovery products that few other stores carry. We also collaborate with gynecologists and pelvic floor therapists, who sometimes send patients to us for specific items. I love the moments when I turn a medical recommendation into an educational conversation centered on wellness.
SE: Have you helped shape any new directions for the store’s lineup?
Zabiegalski: Yes, we’ve recently refined our focus. Burlington’s a college town, so affordability matters. Beth initially envisioned a high-end boutique, but our customers want accessible options that don’t compromise quality. In the past few months, we’ve expanded our vibrator and suction toy selection by roughly 25%, which boosted sales significantly. We’re proving that reliable, well-priced products can coexist with education and trust.
SE: Are you seeing shifts in how people shop for sexual wellness products?
Zabiegalski: Definitely. There’s a growing emphasis on shared pleasure. More couples shop together, looking for toys they can use simultaneously. This summer, we saw a significant rise in pegging-related purchases, lots of harnesses and more interest in couples’ toys overall. The stigma of sex toys being “solo secrets” is fading. People see intimacy tools as ways to connect with partners, not as ways to hide from them.
SE: You touched on social justice earlier. How does Earth & Salt serve that mission daily?
Zabiegalski: We aim to be an inclusive educational hub, especially for queer and trans folks. As a non-binary person, I love helping young people find their first harness, dildo or gender-affirming apparel. They’re exploring identity, not just pleasure. Those conversations matter deeply because sex education rarely covers queer experiences, especially for teens. We also work with Kiah Morris, a local advocate in the BIPOC community, to expand outreach and make sexual health information accessible across identities. Uplifting others to lead those conversations is central to our work.
SE: How did Burlington’s first Sex Week come about?
Zabiegalski: Sex Week was a collaboration with other sex educators in the community. It was always Beth’s dream to be involved in such a project; workshops, mixers, panels, all celebrating sexual education in fun, open spaces. Being an integral part in seeing it realized reinforced our belief that Earth & Salt isn’t just a store; it’s a resource. Next year, we want to bring local sex educators together with poly, kink and wellness communities, and make information more accessible year-round.
SE: What’s been your biggest adjustment moving from editing and writing to retail and direct interaction?
Zabiegalski: Honestly, being in person again. I went from freelancing at home to engaging with people face-to-face daily. It’s more immediate and unpredictable, but also energizing. It reminds me why I love this field: the connection.
SE: What moments feel most rewarding in that in-person space?
Zabiegalski: Seeing the range of customers, older women reinventing their sexuality, young queer couples exploring together. Being visibly queer and knowledgeable helps them feel seen and supported. Vermont’s public sex ed barely addresses queer experiences, so we fill that gap. Teens can even visit with a parent, which lets families learn together. Creating an environment that is safe, respectful and informed is what makes me proudest.
SE: Where do you hope Earth & Salt’s educational outreach goes next?
Zabiegalski: Participation in annual Sex Week is just the beginning. I’d love for us to host more in-store workshops and demos throughout the year. People crave these spaces; they want to learn and talk openly, and there aren’t many safe places to do that. Expanding our community programming is my biggest goal.
SE: And your role as that community grows?
Zabiegalski: I’ll do whatever it takes to make things happen. Sex Week started as a pipe dream, but we all built it because people needed it. My role is part educator, part organizer and all hands-on. The vision is simple: give our community room to connect, ask questions and feel supported. If that means more events, more mixers or bigger teamwork, I’m ready for it.
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.
