5 minutes with: Stephanie Berman, creator of the Semenette

MPN sits down with innovator Stephanie Berman, who successfully brought an insemination device which doubles as a sex toy (The Semenette) to market

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Stephanie Berman, owner and founder of Berman Innovations; my product, The Semenette is now known as ‘POP by The Semenette’.

The Semenette was invented by combining my knowledge and expertise in women’s reproductive health, along with my hope of conceiving a child with my wife, which we were able to do with our prototype. Three years later we have successfully launched the second iteration of the toy, which we were able to use to conceive our second child! In those three years, we have found there are many other markets for which POP is ideal; the new version of the toy reflects those applications.

Additionally, for the last 14 years, I work and own my family business, Sepal Reproductive International, which specialises in women’s reproductive health.   

How would you sum up your company?

My company is small, but we do it all! We manufacture, distribute, market, sell, and innovate. I also spend a portion of my day personally answering emails from customers. It gives me a chance to directly communicate with those who are using the product; there is no better R&D than the dialogue I have with consumers.      

Name a business achievement you are most proud of

Having retailers bring POP into their stores has been a huge accomplishment; because the market is saturated, retailers set themselves apart by only bringing in products they wholeheartedly believe in. It’s a testament to the quality and technology of my product, and for that, I am very proud.

My partnership with Fun Factory has also been a huge achievement. Having a manufacturer, with an established track record of product excellence, embrace my toy and its technology is a dream come true. Fun Factory is one of the best pleasure products manufacturers in the business, and to have my product stand alongside theirs is simply fantastic.

What excites you about this industry?

Companies adopting available technologies and incorporating them into pleasure products, is extremely exciting. Of course, I’m so pleased that pleasure products companies are thinking beyond the orgasm, to actual health and medical applications.

I also love how companies are expanding toy design and technology to meet the needs of everybody. We weren’t all born with one shape, size, or ability, and each person has different needs; it’s nice to see all communities being considered.

Where do you predict industry growth will come from over the next 12 months?

I think we are going to continue to see the industry growth come in the form of expanding and utilising technology as much as possible.

Which medical plastic device do you wish you had invented and why?

I would have to choose The Hummingbird Tympanostomy tube system.  As a mother of two and having many friends whose children have had to endure getting ear tubes, this device stands out. Anything to help lessen the pain and invasiveness of a procedure for children is a winner in my book!