Preface & Introduction:Why I Failed In Porn
Check out the sample text from my new book
Preface
I had many motivations behind writing this book, and it certainly wasn’t for my pride; it’s not exactly an ego boost to admit that you failed at something. Rather, there are two reasons why I wrote this.
Firstly, I wanted to continue the mission I set out to achieve through my company: to improve sex education and porn literacy. This industry affects all of us, whether directly or indirectly, yet it's rarely spoken about, mostly because it makes people uncomfortable. I find it paradoxical that a topic this important is so often ignored. Why I Failed In Porn aims to confront these taboos head-on and explore the complex relationship between education and adult content.
Secondly, like most of society, when it came to porn, I believed most of what I read online, taking it at face value. However, there are numerous misconceptions and stereotypes about the industry. As I met more performers and companies, I quickly realised how wrong I had been. I found myself swept into an entirely new world, one that was far removed from what I had initially imagined. It was a fascinating and challenging industry to be part of, full of quirks and flaws. Indeed, there was something deeply all-consuming about it. It constantly pushed me to question my assumptions and kept me on my toes. The problems I initially assumed the adult industry faced were minimal at best. I swiftly discovered that much larger, more daunting challenges were at play.
Unfortunately, due to censorship, there’s no platform to openly discuss these issues. That’s why I wrote this book: to share my insights and speak candidly about the adult industry in an uncensored manner. I believe it’s essential to explore and understand the intricacies surrounding porn, as these are the very barriers preventing it from becoming safer for both consumers and performers. At the very least, I hope this book sparks a much-needed conversation.
Introduction
In my early 20s, I started a porn company. Now, that’s quite a sentence. Even now, saying it still doesn’t quite roll off the tongue.
My startup was called Freyja, named after the Norse goddess of love and fertility, and it ran for just over two years. Far longer than most people would have expected this “idea” of mine to last.
When I founded Freyja, this was originally a social/political campaign. Yet, it quickly snowballed into something much larger than I could have ever anticipated. Before I knew it, I had an investment, a co-founder, and I was moving to Finland to set up shop. As one may assume, this was an unbelievable, whirlwind adventure. Nothing was as it seemed, and I soon discovered a whole new world.
During my time with Freyja, I met and worked with some of the most famous porn stars and companies. I attended porn conferences and even ended up being nominated for a porn industry award. This time was met with amazing highs and massive lows. I was kicked out of banks, threatened with lawsuits, and brought to the brink of bankruptcy. The book follows my experience from start to finish. Along the way, it reveals what the industry was really like, with several bombshell moments.
It ends with the demise of Freyja and an evaluation as to why I fundamentally failed in porn. The reasons for the failure highlight the difficult realities of the industry and reveal what’s preventing porn from becoming safer.
Beyond this, the book explores broader themes of entrepreneurship and the unique struggles of being a founder in a deeply stigmatised space.
Are you interested in reading more?
Buy the book now!