Former nurse and co-owner of Medusas, Kristy Gabel, shares how she transitioned into adult retail and pursued her goal of bringing inclusivity and a sense of community to Rochester, New York.
(NOTE: This story appears in the February 2025 issue of SE Magazine)
Transitioning from a career in advanced practice nursing to operating an adult retail store might appear to be an unconventional leap, but for Kristy Gabel, it was a logical progression fueled by passion and purpose. After building savings through a successful travel nursing career, Gabel and her business partner, Randy Gill, decided to invest in a shared dream: creating an inclusive and education-driven space in the adult industry. Recognizing a gap in Rochester, New York’s market for a welcoming, stigma-free adult store, they founded Medusas—a unique, alternative space aimed at breaking taboos while fostering community and creativity.
In this interview with StorErotica Legal Correspondent Larry Kaplan, Gabel shares insights into her journey, including how her nursing skills and her business partner’s counseling background translate to retail, the creative vision behind Medusas and the challenges of being a newcomer to the industry. Along the way, she highlights the joys of turning a passion into a career and the transformative impact of offering a space where everyone can feel welcome.
SE: Before you opened Medusas, you were an advanced practice registered nurse. You went from nursing to being an adult store operator. If you were going into retail, what led you to open an adult store over less stigmatized retail sectors?
GABEL: My first job after graduating college was at Good Relations, an adult store in Eureka, California. This sparked my interest in the adult industry, and from there, it was always in the back of my mind that, one day, I wanted to open a business like this.
During my time as a travel nurse—a quite lucrative specialty—I saved a substantial amount of money. Initially, we planned to invest these savings in purchasing a house. However, given the volatility of the housing market, we started to rethink our priorities. We asked ourselves, why not invest in something we’ve always been passionate about like starting our own business?
We both have a strong interest in the adult industry and are driven by the desire to educate others and challenge the stigmas and taboos associated with it. We realized that Rochester lacked a space that combined these elements, making it a promising opportunity for us. So, we decided to take the plunge.
Embarking on this venture has been a significant commitment and required a lot of hard work, which led me to take a break from nursing. Now that the store is up and running successfully, I can step away from nursing for good. Running this business is more enjoyable and feels like the path I’m truly meant to pursue.
“We wanted to create a space where everybody would feel welcome, no matter their orientation, body type, religion or anything else.”
—Kristy Gabel
SE: Has your nursing experience helped you as a business owner, and have any of your professional skills carried over to retail?
GABEL: It taught me how to discuss sensitive topics, which helps with customer interactions. I also draw on my medical knowledge to answer health-related questions, though I always advise customers to consult their doctor.
SE: Tell me about your creative focus at Medusas.
GABEL: We aim to create a welcoming and fun space for everybody and to be different. So that’s where a lot of the creativity comes in. I design product packaging and the like. I create all of our social media graphics.
SE: I like your artwork. Are those snakes on her head like Medusa?
GABEL: Yes, we use her image in our branding with elements like leaves and the Medusa head for a memorable symbol.
SE: I won’t print this because we wouldn’t want to scare away any customers, but have you ever had to turn any customers to stone like Medusa was known for?
GABEL: No, but we’ve had a few people joke about wanting help to make them rock hard.
SE: Can you describe the store’s esthetic?
GABEL: Cozy and alternative, like a locally owned Hot Topic or Spencer’s Gifts, but focused on adult products. As goth kids, that vibe resonates with us.
SE: How did you come up with the name Medusas? And do you use Greek mythology anywhere else, like in the store’s marketing or aesthetic?
GABEL: No, I wish we had a fun story that came along with it. We were just thinking of different stories and different goddesses. We liked the name and the story, so we decided to go with Medusas, but we don’t use mythology much beyond the branding.
SE: How do you implement customer outreach? How do you draw customers into your store? Is there a market segment you’re particularly interested in?
GABEL: Our marketing is primarily on social media like Instagram and Facebook. We’re starting to branch out to some other platforms. We try to be fun, relatable and approachable to build a bond with people engaging with us online. Our Instagram is very unserious, yet serious at the same time. Recently, we’ve been making “Unsolved Mysteries” themed Instagram posts. We’ve posted this whole playful storyline about someone stealing a dildo.
SE: What sort of educational and special events do you put on?
GABEL: The Rochester Kink Society conducted several kink classes, including BDSM basics and an electro-play class. We’re renovating our basement to create a workshop space for community events.
SE: How does Medusas differ from other adult stores in Rochester?
GABEL: There are only a few other stores here. The biggest thing that sets us apart is that we’re very open and inclusive; we cater to a highly diverse audience. We wanted to create a space where everybody would feel welcome, no matter their orientation, body type, religion or anything else. We also carry many tchotchkes and fun knick-knacks, which people love. We even have things for asexual people; they can still have fun in our store.
SE: What was your biggest surprise in operating an adult retail store?
GABEL: The lack of sexual education is shocking; many people don’t know basic anatomy. On the business side, all the taxes businesses must pay were an unexpected challenge.
SE: Do you feel that being new to the industry gives you any advantages over more established store operators?
GABEL: There are pros and cons; obviously, we don’t know what we don’t know. But at the same time, having fresh eyes helps us identify problems and innovate, though there’s still a learning curve.
SE: What’s the best part of your job, and what’s most challenging?
GABEL: The best part is that it doesn’t feel like work. Customers see our enthusiasm, which makes it rewarding. The hardest part is staying motivated for the creative tasks because even though I enjoy being creative, sometimes I don’t feel like making stuff; I just don’t have it in me.
Larry Kaplan has been the Legal Correspondent for ED Publications for 24 years. Mr. Kaplan is a broker in the sale and purchase of adult retail stores and adult nightclubs and the Executive Director of the ACE of Michigan adult nightclub state trade association. Contact Larry Kaplan at 313-815-3311 or email larry@kaplanstoresales.com.
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