March 8, 2025 (Denver, CO) – The nation’s only sexual wellness trade show and conference, STIMULATE, is proud to recognize 21 Trailblazing Female Founders in honor of International Women’s Day. Collectively, these women are each disrupting and supporting sexual health in a variety of ways with their own, unique contributions to the sexual wellness space at large.
From medical professionals to brand founders to innovative product inventors to retail leaders and more, STIMULATE applauds these trailblazing women for boldly supporting individuals in their sexual health.
“I know firsthand the challenges and often even the stigma that collides with sexual wellness focused companies, and I truly admire each of these founders for their strides in supporting sexual health. Equally important, I also respect their efforts in bringing connectivity to individuals seeking support, education and products and or services that support sexual well being across all generations and moments in life. From head to toe, young to mature, purpose to pleasure, these bold entrepreneurs truly encompass the beautiful diversity of sexual wellness and we are honored to honor them,” shares Nicole Leinbach Hoffman, Founder of STIMULATE.
STIMULATE will continue the honor of each of these entrepreneurs at the August 4+5, 2025, STIMULATE trade show and conference held in Nashville, TN, with a celebratory, invite-only experience. Additionally, each of these founders will be recognized with one-on-one interviews leading up to STIMULATE and will be recognized throughout the entire show with various nods of appreciation and applause. Among those to be celebrated includes Komel Caruso, Co-Founder of HerMD, which is a women’s health and wellness company providing comprehensive medical and aesthetic healthcare at four locations across the United States with plans to expand.
“As a female founder who is dedicated to advancing women’s sexual health, it is an honor to be recognized by STIMULATE. 43% of women experience issues with their sexual health, yet access to education, solutions and treatment options still remain barriers for women. Sexual health is a basic human right and HerMD remains committed to ensuring that every woman has access to the education and care that she truly deserves,” shares HerMD Co-Founder, Komel Caruso.
Below, please join us in recognizing the following outstanding leaders in sexual wellness.
Michelle Bergkamp | Co-Founder of Upstate Mary
Dr. Alisa Brady | Psychologist + Founder of Sweetums
Sarah Belzer | Co-Founder of Coconu
Komel Caruso | Co-Founder of HerMD
Wanda Cotie | Founder of Femme Flexor
Carolyn Eagle | Founder of Betty’s Toy Box
Melissa Eppard | Co-Founder of Upstate Mary
Dr. Somi Javaid | Co-Founder of HerMD
Natalie Johnson | Founder of Like a Kitten
Thao Luu-Brinberg | Founder of Nu Sensuelle
Cat Meyer | Founder of Head South
Yu Na | Founder of Dr. Eros Group
Sandra Pelletier | CEO of Evofem Biosciences
Jenna Perkins, WHNP-BC | Founder of DiscovHER
Kim Rosas | Founder of Period Nirvana
Tami Rose | Founder of Romantic Adventures
Rebecca Alvarez Story | Founder of Bloomi
Tiara Trudeau-Gullotta | Sexologist + Founder of Sultry Company
Dr. Amy Pearlman | Urologist + Co-Founder of Prime Institute
Dr. Michelle Pearlman | Gastroenterologist + Co-Founder Prime Institute and BYTEMD
Carolyn Wheeler | Co-Founder of Vella Bioscience
Whether considered big or small in size, companies supporting sexual wellness make an impact on individuals and our economy alike, and there is valued space for each of them in the at-large ecosystem of sexual well being. STIMULATE looks forward to bringing this community of leaders together annually at their trade show and conference each summer, where attendees can explore products and brands from categories that include period care, menopause, hormone health, pleasure and more.
Among the exhibitors of STIMULATE will include Vella Bioscience, which was founded in 2020.
“I’m deeply honored to be recognized as an outstanding female founder at the 2025 STIMULATE Show. At Vella Bioscience, we’re committed to closing the research and pleasure gaps in women’s sexual wellness through evidence-based innovations, such as our Women’s Pleasure Serum. This recognition fuels our mission to empower women and transform the conversation around female sexual health,” shares Carolyn Wheeler, CEO & Co-Founder of Vella Bioscience.
From medical offices to consumer-front retail destinations to brands that bring meaningful change to all bodies, we look forward to continuing to support female founded companies within sexual wellness through STIMULATE and encourage you to support them, as well. Explore more at StimulateTheShow.com.
About STIMULATE
STIMULATE was founded in 2023 and will host it’s third annual trade show + conference in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 4+5. Founded in an effort to bring connectivity of products to retailers, medical leaders and more together in combination with education supporting these same professionals, STIMULATE has been recognized by Trade Show Network News as one of the best community focused trade shows (2023) and continues to gain further reach of medical leaders, brands and retailers alike as each year passes. Hoffman, founder of STIMULATE, is also a longtime retail professional who also the Founder of Retail Minded, an adjunct professor of Retail Marketing and frequent contributor and speaker to a variety of publications and events. STIMULATE also holds various events throughout the year separate from it’s flagship experience. Explore more at StimulateTheShow.com.
Media Inquires
To request an interview with STIMULATE or any of it’s 2025 Trailblazing Female Founders, please email stimulate@retailminded.com.
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