What is a Passion Party? Before we answer this question, do a Google search. The first result says “sex toys parties for women.”
Whoa—that’s provocative.
“What we do is educate; it can be women and couples to having in-home parties to bring passion to life,” said Alejandra Ochoa, a consultant for Passion Parties Inc. “We basically educate women on how to use sexual products and enhance the sex with their partners.”
Ochoa is approaching her one-year anniversary as a consultant for the Las Vegas-based Passion Parties. She pretty much works as an independent contractor selling products directly to customers. Think Tupperware party, only switch out the plastic containers for sex toys.
It’s similar to the way Mary Kay and Pampered Chef works: become a salesperson, host parties, and recruit a few more associates along the way.
The term passion party can be used generally to refer to the brand name or as a generic term for a sex-toy party, according to Ochoa.
Contacts for party hosting are made via word of mouth or through other Passion Parties, Ochoa said, adding that sometimes parties are thrown specifically as bachelorette or divorce parties.
Ochoa arrives to a house armed with her products. It takes about 10 minutes to set up. All she needs is a table with a tablecloth, and she takes care of the rest.
Occasionally, Ochoa goes to parties where people don’t know each other. She starts the party with an icebreaker game to help everyone get comfortable before launching into the full-on sex talk.
And fellas, there’s no need to feel left out of the passion-based fun because Ochoa is happy to oblige couples’ parties too. She admitted that things can feel a little awkward when guys are around, but the mood usually eases after Ochoa gives her demonstration.
“I want to teach women that it’s OK for them to do this while they’re in a relationship,” Ochoa said. “We are not replacing men, we are enhancing them.”
She doesn’t personally demonstrate the products, nor are the parties meant for anything other than educational purposes, Ochoa said, pointing out that it’s a completely legitimate business model—designed to enhance monogamous relationships by bringing a little more excitement into the bedroom.
Because Ochoa works full time as a dispatcher for a nearby city, she only holds parties on Fridays and Saturdays. For a 33-year-old single mom raising two kids aged 10 and 13, who doesn’t receive child support, the extra income she gets from the parties puts her on a comfortable level.
She gets to keep 40 percent of what she sells. Ochoa said she can make anywhere between $200 and $1,000 for a three-hour party. Most of the work outside of the parties consists of filling out and maintaining paperwork.
So far, her busiest month was this last February. And she is completely independent.
“For the first time, I am no longer struggling,” Ochoa said.
For more information on products, how to become a consultant, or to have Ochoa throw a Passion Party at your house, contact her at 346-6250, or visit her website at partiesbyalejandra.yourpassionconsultant.com.
Biz Highlights
• The Peoples’ Self-Help Housing announced on April 13 that Lucy Verlengia was hired as the assistant controller for the San Luis Obispo-based nonprofit. The PSHH develops affordable housing for low-income households and ownership opportunities for working families. Verlengia was the accounting manager at Coachella Valley Housing for 17 years, and was an office administrator at the American Heart Association for 10 years.
• The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is calling on all merchants to be an active part of revitalizing downtown Santa Maria. The chamber is hosting the Santa Maria Merchants Committee Meeting on May 21 between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. at MIYB Spaces located at 429 E. Main Street. The committee meets every third Thursday of the month. For more information, contact Dave Cross at 925-2403, Ext. 817.
Staff Writer David Minsky wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, email, or mail.
This article appears in Apr 23-30, 2015.