STIMULATE is thrilled to honor Rebecca Alvarez Story among our 21 Trailblazing Female Founders as part of our 2025 celebration of International Women’s Day – which was March 8th. We continue to honor our trailblazers as we lead up to celebrating them in Nashville at the annual, flagship experience of STIMULATE where we look forward to celebrating each of these women who are confidently disrupting and supporting sexual wellness in a variety of ways with their own, unique contributions to the professional community of sexual wellbeing.
Rebecca Alvarez Story is a UC Berkeley first-gen grad with a Master’s in Sexology who has become a nationally respected Sexologist and intimate product developer through her launch of Bloomi. Through inclusive sexual education and intimate health essentials for all bodies, Bloomi has become a familiar brand at retailers that include Target and Walmart, as well as many specialty stores. Among the stand-out differences of Bloomi include that they are a bilingual brand (Spanish & English) that uses plant-based ingredients and aphrodisiacs, as well as their packaging is recyclable or compostable.
Get to know Rebecca and join STIMULATE in applauding her for her bold and outstanding support in sexual health and wellbeing.
Q: Every story has its own beginning. How did your journey bring you to this vast and wonderful world of sexual health and wellness?
Alvarez Story: Growing up Latina, sex wasn’t something we talked about, so it felt like it was embarrassing or taboo, which actually made me more curious. I wanted to understand why something so natural had a feeling of shame around it. At UC Berkeley, it was like an awakening. Resources, information, not silence. I created my own major at the university centered around Sexual Wellness and went on to earn a master’s in Sexuality Studies. Over the years, I worked as a sexologist and product developer, but I kept noticing the same problem: there wasn’t a trusted, inclusive space for clean intimacy products. That’s when Bloomi was born –to be the resource I wished I had and wanted others to also have access to.
Q: Being an entrepreneur certainly has highs and lows, but the drive to keep pushing through is what keeps so many entrepreneurs motivated. What drive keeps you inspired on your professional journey?
Alvarez Story: Knowing that Bloomi is helping people feel supported in their bodies is a huge driver for me. We’re redefining how people approach sexual wellness with products and education designed to make intimacy accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable. That impact is invaluable to me.
We also have a community of over 1,000 investors (and incredible supporters) for our capital raises, including our crowdfunding campaigns. I’d love to see Bloomi scale successfully and one day be the source of generational wealth being created for our community.
Q: Super fascinating to hear that, and wishing you all the best. When it comes to the business of sexual wellness specifically, what do you hope to achieve in the year ahead in your own business?
Alvarez Story: The upcoming year will be an exciting one for our brand! We are expanding our product offerings and bringing more intimacy education to everything we are doing. Our vision is to create a space where people can learn, explore and shop based on their real needs and desires.
Q: There is so much variety and range within the wide range of sexual wellness. Here at STIMULATE, we define this as “head to toe, young to mature, purpose to pleasure”. How do you define sexual wellness?
To me, sexual wellness is about feeling connected to your body, your desires, and your boundaries, at every stage of life. It’s not just about sex –it’s about pleasure, education, consent, and care. As a sexologist, I see sexual wellness as the everyday practices that help us feel good in our skin, communicate with confidence, and embrace intimacy in all its forms –solo or partnered. It’s holistic, inclusive, and always evolving.
Q: If you could hope for one thing to change when it comes to sexual health and wellness for the next generation of professionals, what would that be and why?
Alvarez Story: I’d love to see the next generation of professionals lead with more cultural humility and inclusivity. Sexual wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all –it’s deeply personal and shaped by our identities, lived experiences, and access to care. We need more providers and educators who reflect the communities they serve, who are trauma-informed, and who normalize conversations around pleasure.
Q: What’s one moment that made you realize Bloomi was bigger than you?
Alvarez Story: Seeing Bloomi on shelves at national retailers was surreal. But the moment that really hit me was watching a video of my family shopping in the intimacy aisle together go viral –proud, laughing, pointing out our products. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and made me realize how much we’re helping normalize this space. We’re not just on shelves, we’re shifting the culture.
Q: Love that for you, them and consumers everywhere. Finally, what’s your best piece of advice for aspiring leaders within this community?
Alvarez Story: Don’t lose your “why”. The work can be extremely challenging some days, especially when you are carving a new path and trying to shift something seen as taboo. There are so many ups and downs along the way, it’s comforting to know your North Star is always there, guiding you to and bringing you back to your purpose.
Want to explore the Femme Flexor and other sexual health and wellness products?
Secure your spot at STIMULATE taking place August 4+5, 2025, in Nashville here
