We had the good fortune of connecting with Ayesha “Smutty” Hussain and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ayesha “Smutty”, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I was working in the fashion industry, I was keenly aware of how important s*x was to the industry and the customers for which the industry served. I wanted to bring in products that would help people know more and have better s*x lives but was told no at every juncture in my career. Eventually, I got fed up realizing that everyone wanted to use s*x to sell things but no one actually wanted to talk about it. I quit my job to gather hundreds of strangers in a room to watch s*x art (aka p*rn) and then talk about it. I knew we needed a shift around the culture we live in and that starts with conversation. So, technically, my first business was born out of necessity and a drive that wouldn’t go away. Thankfully, I had the business acumen from Fashion Business school and roles in my career which transfer well to entrepreneurship.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My mission to inspire world s*xual liberation is big bite to chew, but I’m settling for nothing less. I’ve done different things to bring about this change: run a p*rn cinema, s*xological coaching, and now – writing and meditations. I haven’t had the traditional path – whatsoever. And I hope that my courage to follow my own way inspires future entrepreneurs to do the same, to really trust themselves and make it their own, not letting no get in the way. My commitment to this work has been so enlivening, but hardly without challenge. People always look at me a little crazy when I say what I do. I’m met with either enthusiasm or complete disdain. Hardly anything in between. There are really tough days when the news reports rise in s*xual assault numbers and people like Andrew Tate roam the world. What makes it very difficult to have a business in this arena is that common marketing channels are off the table because of content guidelines, etc. It’s hard to get the message out. Thankfully, writing and podcasts are still an avenue of expression here and why so many of us take to it. Most of all, the message I want to get out is that everyone deserves to feel free, powerful and connected to themselves s*xually, and if they are struggling in this area – they aren’t alone. There’s support and help for them out there.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my bestie was coming to LA – we’d definitely hit Urth Cafe on Melrose (I just did this with a childhood friend who visited so it’s quite fresh). Depending on the friend, I might take them to a s*x party. Most definitely a pordetroit, Midnight Lovers, Cyclone or Antes dance party if there was one that weekend. Superba Food + Wine. Guisados. Pace in Laurel Canyon. Descanso Gardens is always a must and at least one day walking around Venice. Perhaps my favorite place to go to the beach is parking on Lighthouse Street in Marina Del Rey, walking the canal for a little then making my way out to the beach. And most definitely a trip to Wispa for a Friday night late soak and then Ecstatic Dance on Sunday in Venice.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh gosh, so many people! One of the first people I ever told about wanting to leave my kushy job in fashion to start a p*rn cinema ending rape culture was my dear friend Nacho Isa. He introduced me to a couple people he knew doing work in the field and that gave me somewhere to turn. I will never, ever forget his encouragement. It was everything to me when mostly I was getting “WTF are you thinking” from most of my friends. Lola Jean needs a big shout out! She was my first business partner and we created some amazing events together. Michael Lindsey who guided me through one of the biggest awakening periods of my life. My mother for always having no idea why I’m doing what I’m doing but supporting me none the less. And my partner, Miles Cowan, who has such unwavering faith in what I do that it gives me strength on the hard days. I’d also like to thank those who gave me a hard time along the way too – they were also needed in this winding story for all things to happen as they did.
Website: lovelulu.smuttyhussain.com
Instagram: @smuttyhussain
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayeshashussain/
Image Credits
Sacha Coen