Nasstoys, a manufacturer of adult products and supplements, is marking 45 years in the pleasure industry. The company, known for its variety of adult products, has been led by Teddy Rothstein for this duration.

Company Origins and Early Products

Teddy Rothstein entered the adult market in 1968, working for Star Distributors, a Manhattan-based company that distributed and printed adult books and magazines. Star Distributors later relocated to Brooklyn and adopted the name Nasswalk, after a neighborhood street.

Rothstein acquired a small business from a friend, which offered 16 products. He recognized that these products could be sold to the adult bookstores that were already customers of Nasswalk, alongside their existing books and magazines. Among these initial "exotic" items were "Spanish Fly," "China Shrink Cream," and "Anal Eze," which continue to be bestsellers for the company.

The acquisition also brought Elliot Schwartz, the friend's cousin, into the company in 1978. Nasswalk began offering basic sex toys shortly after Schwartz joined. The company continued to expand into the 1980s. Following the death of Schwartz's cousin, Rothstein made Schwartz a partner in the business.

Nasswalk started with basic dildos and simple vibrators, progressively adding new designs and shapes. The company was among the first to produce a hands-free clitoral vibrator, the Ladybug, which featured elastic straps, a wired remote control, and was made of jelly rubber. An updated silicone version of the Ladybug is still offered by the company today.

After 17 years, Nasswalk's lease on its Brooklyn warehouse expired, leading to a relocation to its current facility in North Bergen, New Jersey. This move provided space for continued growth. As the company expanded, it hired staff artists, one of whom suggested the name "Nassty Toys," which eventually became "Nasstoys." Rothstein and Schwartz still refer to the company as Nasswalk to honor its origins.

Evolution and Modernization

Nasstoys has adapted to changes in the adult industry over its 45 years. The company's packaging, which previously featured nude or nearly nude images of individuals holding toys, has been redesigned. This change reflects the industry's evolution over the last 20 years, recognizing that a significant portion of buyers are now women and couples, leading to the rise of "boutique"-style stores.

The company successfully navigated the pandemic, avoiding a complete shutdown and managing supply chain issues. This allowed Nasstoys to benefit from the increased business experienced by the industry as consumers spent more time at home.

For its 45th anniversary, Nasstoys planned a modern repackaging of its Spanish Fly product, which debuted 45 years ago. The company also intends to refresh the appearance of its bestselling creams and lubes, including Anal Eze and China Shrink Cream, with a potential name change for the latter. The All American Whoppers line of dildos has been updated to include different skin tone variations. Nasstoys also introduced the Real Cock line, which consists of realistic dildos made of dual-density TPE, featuring a suction cup and offered at a reasonable price. The company's new Ass-Sation line includes metal and silicone remote-controlled butt plugs.

Nasstoys of New York produces over 1200 items across 15 product categories, utilizing body-safe and internationally compliant materials. The company is known for its customer service and fill rates, and its products are packaged and branded for both web and brick-and-mortar retailers. Nasstoys offers waterproof items and collections for men, women, couples, and the LGBTQIA community. Its dongs and strokers are available in various skin tones. The company's products feature high-quality motors, USB or battery-operated mechanisms, LED technology, and remote control, meeting international material compliance criteria. Nasstoys carries the only Award-Winning TOUCH ACTIVATED technology in the industry and distributes over 100 industry top sellers. Its original Anal Ese, Sta Hard, China Nympho, China Shrink Creams, and Stallion Delay Products continue to be top sellers.

Leadership and Industry Impact

Elliot Schwartz, President of Nasstoys, leads an all-female sales team. This team includes Taylor Means, who serves as brand ambassador and retail voice, and Suzy Contreras, a bilingual salesperson who has expanded Nasstoys' customer base in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Mexico and South America. Kathryn Hartman, a sales representative, has been with the company for over 30 years. Other personnel, including sales staff and Office and Purchasing Manager Ellen, have also been with the company for decades. Tony Sicilia, a longtime salesperson, passed away last year. The current sales team is composed entirely of women, a development that was not planned.

Rothstein and Schwartz note the increased scale of the industry, with more products, vendors, and competition. Nasstoys was one of the five original companies that founded the American Novelty Manufacturers Expo (ANME) in 1996. The other founding companies were CalExotics, Doc Johnson, Pipedream Products, and Topco Sales.

Teddy Rothstein, an octogenarian, continues to go to the office daily. The company is considering bringing in younger individuals to manage Nasstoys in the future.

Key Facts

  • Nasstoys is commemorating 45 years in the adult pleasure products industry.
  • Teddy Rothstein has helmed Nasstoys for its entire 45-year history.
  • Elliot Schwartz joined the company in 1978 and later became a partner.
  • Nasstoys was one of the five founding companies of the American Novelty Manufacturers Expo (ANME) in 1996.
  • The company's product line includes "Spanish Fly," "China Shrink Cream," and "Anal Eze," which remain bestsellers.
  • Nasstoys has an all-female sales team, including Taylor Means and Suzy Contreras.