Creative Conversations with Rachel Baker, LBDO
Creative Conversations is our conversation series that works with our Rosé Friday IGTV and podcast. Get a snapshot of some of the amazing conversations we have here and you can jump over to our podcast or our IGTV channel for an extended chat to get to know guests even more.
Rachel Baker | LBDO
@mylbdo
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Rachel Baker, the founder of LBDO, a modern sexual wellness company built on a foundation of inclusivity, safety and thoughtful design. As founder and CEO, I lead LBDO on its mission to create timeless and uncomplicated pleasure products for everybody and every body as well as nurture a safe space for our community to come and learn about how to get more in touch with themselves.
How did the business come about?
I was the Digital and Communications Brand Manager for L’Oréal Paris when the pandemic hit, and like many people, I spent a lot of that time in lockdown contemplating and re-evaluating my priorities and where I wanted to invest my time and energy going forward. And so, I decided to leave my job and launch LBDO, a company and industry I’m so passionate about.
The idea came about based on my own experience of not being able to find products that reflected me and my sexual experience.
I felt there were no products on the market for ‘real people’, products that looked as beautiful as the skincare and fragrances I was buying, that were equally as functional and that I could leave out on display on my nightstand.
Best career advice you have ever received?
There is a solution for everything.
Worst advice you have ever received?
Don’t start a business!
What is one thing we should invest in for our business?
A great support network! Launching a business is hard work and the support of friends, family and partners can be so important along the journey. I also think it’s good to invest (when ready) in a dedicated work space away from your bedroom/house. When you’re a founder a business can be all-consuming, so for me it has been important to separate my work life from my home life as best as I can.
What is one thing you wish you had known when starting your business?
That it can be lonely starting a business by yourself! I came from a large company at L’Oreal where I was really close with my team, so to leave and launch LBDO was a huge adjustment. At the beginning, I spent countless hours by myself working across all areas of the business. But I’ve now built a small team which has been great, surrounding myself with other passionate and intelligent women - who are also amazing for a laugh and a chat in the office.
What is your favourite part of your day to day?
I love running a startup as it is always changing and always evolving. Every day is different. At this stage, I still need to be involved in nearly all aspects of the business so each day presents unique challenges and makes it a constant adventure! I also get excited watching ideas come to life and watching the business grow day to day - it’s so rewarding.
What was an unexpected joy of creating your business?
Definitely receiving emails and messages from customers saying that our products have helped change their lives, changed their relationships with themselves and their partners, learned (or unlearned) something on our blog etc. When I left my corporate job I wanted to take the plunge to do something that was going to make a difference and that would be fulfilling and meaningful - and these messages certainly remind me of that.
Leave us with some words of wisdom?
Everyone deserves pleasure. Carve out time in your schedule to do things that make you feel good - whatever it is. Don’t worry if it looks different to other people’s idea of sexual self-care because remember that sex, and your relationship to it, is entirely personal. But your self-care routine is an important part of your life and it deserves your time and attention.
3 words to live by for 2022
Self care routine!
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