SE’s Kristofer Kay will join experts from both mainstream and adult sectors to help guide developing brands through the complexities of the modern retail landscape.
(Note: This article was written by Nicole Leinbach Hoffman and appears in the April 2026 issue of SE Magazine.)
STIMULATE, the premier business-to-business trade show, conference and community for sexual wellness, has announced the return of its Emerging Brands Experience, a mentorship-driven initiative designed to support early-stage founders entering the category.
The Emerging Brands Experience has quickly become one of the most anticipated opportunities for new entrepreneurs entering the sexual wellness market, offering direct access to experienced retail, media, and brand leaders who value helping to guide the next generation of industry innovators. Through curated mentorship sessions that begin prior to STIMULATE and continued onsite experiences at the show, emerging brands confirmed to STIMULATE can look forward to some of the industry’s most well respected and trusted decision makers leading these moments.
Joining STIMULATE’s 2026 Emerging Mentors will be:
- Dr. Alisa Brady | Founder of personal care brand Sweetums and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist
- Shonda and Marcus Cleveland | Franchise owners of multiple Adam & Eve stores throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex
- Sasha Harris | Director of Women’s Health, Personal Intimacy, Fem Care + Baby Care at CVS
- Kristofer Kay | Managing Editor of StorErotica Magazine
- Thao Luu-Brinberg | Co-Founder and Chief Innovative Officer of Nu Sensuelle
- Tiara Trudeau-Gullotta, ACS | Owner + CEO of Sultry Company
The Emerging Brands Mentor Experience at STIMULATE will take place on August 2, 2026, just prior to the official opening of STIMULATE. Only those exhibitors featured in the Emerging Brands dedicated space are invited to join, truly guaranteeing a highlighted experience that is priceless for young brands and founders to gain from. This experience will include a one hour panel moderated by STIMULATE’s Founder, Nicole Leinbach Hoffman, as well as one hour of the mentors visiting each respective brand for personalized reviews.
STIMULATE is honored to welcome back Sasha Harris, Director of Women’s Health for CVS, who served as a mentor in 2025, as well as Tiara Trudeau-Gullotta. Both Harris and Trudeau-Gullotta expressed this as a favorite 2025 experience at STIMULATE, and we’re thrilled to have their retail leadership support our 2026 Emerging Brands again.
Dr. Alisa Brady, Founder of personal care brand Sweetums and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years of combined experience across healthcare, business development, and entrepreneurship, brings her leadership to this experience with having founded multiple companies and successfully navigated several acquisitions. This brings invaluable expertise to the Emerging Brand experience, and her company Sweetums has also been an exhibitor at STIMULATE since our debut show in 2023.
STIMULATE also looks forward to welcoming Shonda and Marcus Cleveland, franchise owners of multiple Adam & Eve stores throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, who lead one of the region’s most recognized and customer-focused adult retail operations. Known for their strong business acumen and commitment to creating welcoming, education-driven shopping environments, they have become respected leaders within the sexual wellness and adult retail community.
“Mentoring emerging adult retail brands is something I’ve long aspired to. These entrepreneurs are shaping the future of our industry, and I’m proud to be part of the conversations that turn strong ideas into scalable businesses.”
— Kristofer Kay
Additional mentors joining the 2026 program include Kris Kay, Managing Editor of StorErotica Magazine. Through his leadership at StorErotica, Kay has spent years covering the business of adult retail, highlighting emerging trends, innovative brands, and the evolving retail landscape of sexual wellness. His leadership will help our emerging brands gain a better understanding of the role media plays in this space, as well as much more.
Thao Luu-Bringberg, Co-Founder of Nu Sensuelle, brings the perspective of a founder who has successfully built a brand within the sexual wellness category. As the creator and product engineer of Nu Sensuelle, she has championed thoughtful product design and inclusive brand storytelling, offering valuable insights to founders navigating product development, brand positioning, and connecting with modern consumers.
Together, this diverse group of mentors represents one of the most experienced advisory collectives supporting emerging brands in the sexual wellness industry today.
For more information about the Emerging Brands Experience, visit StimulateTheShow.com or connect via stimulate@retailminded.com. Limited spots remain for those brands hoping to be a part of the experience.
For more information, please visit stimulatetheshow.com.
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