My first word was condom.

No, it wasn’t! My first word was nine, as in German for no. Just as telling, perhaps. I never could accept no as a final answer.

I built my career making “impossible” things ordinary, starting with marketing condoms to femmes in the states, and more recently, launching the world’s first condom made with graphene.

While teaching sex education in college, I witnessed the power of condoms as stigmatized tools for political justice, and I was hooked: I made it my mission to sprinkle condoms everywhere, and I am nothing if not dedicated to my cause.

In 2014, I hiked across Northern Spain with my mother, leaving bundles of condoms, regalos, along el Camino de Santiago. We wrote notes to fellow travelers over sangria and hiked over 100 miles hand-in-hand. And we argued…You know, normal mother-daughter stuff.

Side note: Here’s a photo of Mom and me out for a “hiker’s chic” dinner with our big bag of condoms; and that’s baby me below getting my official certificate for walking hella far. ¡Vale la pena!

Shortly after our prophylactic pilgrimage, I launched the first condom company marketing to femmes in the US, ventured into lube and other stigmatized necessities, expanded our product line internationally, and built an entrepreneurship program to draw more folks into the naughty business.

It was a rubbery success! I worked with femmes in over a dozen countries who designed and distributed condoms for and by their communities. I built a robust network of underground support and educational resources for a taboo (and, in some cases, illegal) product. This was long before the sextech revolution. Note: In many corners of the globe - including many corners of the United States - it is not safe for femmes to carry condoms due to retaliation risk, sexual abuse, and even the law. Remember when femmes in NYC were arrested on account of carrying condoms? This is recent history, folks! This archaic and dangerous reality is especially present in communities marginalized on account of race, class, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Whether we’re talking about condoms, abortions, butt plugs, or rape kits — and I’ve talked about ‘em all — what we’re really talking about is culture. Our culture only changes when we speak up, and speak right. I know firsthand that actualizing progress requires keen communication and creative foresight. As a brand strategist and ballsy communicator, I bring just that.

I’ve convinced investors, reporters, celebrities, legislators, and even my most stubborn relatives to get on board with controversial ideas (like, you know, bodily autonomy and female orgasms). Turning naughty concepts into radical realities is what I do best. That, and turning a no into a supportive yes (or at least an okay, maybe).

I’m a cultural persuader and reproductive justice advocate who disrupts the patriarchy with great pleasure and persistence. My work inspires lasting social change that transforms the way generations think. I apply nontraditional strategies and years of mistakes to everything I do, and I have never accepted no as the final answer.

But if anyone asks, just tell them my first word was condom.