LOS ANGELES—In the sexual health and wellness products world, company representatives fly around the world and drive countless miles to stress the importance of brick-and-mortar stores to get their products in the hands of hungry retail consumers. Store staff gets to learn about products and get hands on knowledge from these tireless representatives.
At the January “O” Awards held during the Adult Novelty Expo (ANE) in Las Vegas, five industry stalwarts in different categories were voted by their peers to earn much deserved recognition and a beautiful, glass “O” Award.
What does it take to be honored as Road Warrior of the year? Brent Aldon, representing the respected brand of prostate health products, Aneros, shares his insider observations and industry experience, reflecting on what it takes to deliver the brand’s messaging far and wide.
Brent has been in the pleasure products industry for over 17 years, “and I’ve proudly been with Aneros for 13-and-a-half of those years. It’s been an incredible journey of growth—both professionally and personally—and I’ve had the privilege of evolving alongside the brand.” He continued, “Aneros has been in business for nearly 26 years and our parent company, High Island Health, has been operating for 29 years. Longevity in this industry speaks volumes about integrity, innovation, and commitment to quality—and that’s something we’re very proud of.”
As they say, “love what you do,” and Brent has experienced that for his entire career. “There are so many reasons why I love what I do. At the core, it’s the impact because we’re not just in the business of pleasure—we’re part of people’s health journeys. From sexual wellness to internal medical benefits, we’ve helped change lives and have received heartfelt emails and handwritten thank you notes from customers who have experienced real transformation, which is incredibly powerful. It’s a reminder that what we do truly matters.”
But it goes beyond customer service as this kind of work also demands the development of connections within the industry. “Equally important are the relationships I’ve built within the industry. Over the years, the partnerships, the friendships, the shared battles, and victories. Many of the people I work with aren’t just colleagues—they’re chosen family. The connection, trust, and shared mission within this community are something I deeply value.”
Having the depth of knowledge of not only how the products are made and what they’re made of but educating retail staff the features and benefits of them, is a key part of being a successful road warrior. Brent shared, “Education is essential in our industry. You don’t necessarily need a formal title as an educator, but you must understand your brand, your product, and human anatomy at a foundational level. When you truly understand how the body works and how your products support wellness, you can confidently guide customers toward solutions that genuinely benefit them.” He elaborated how the availability of information online has changed customer knowledge of sexual health and wellness products. “Consumers today are informed—and they expect transparency, knowledge, and especially authenticity. Education builds trust. Trust builds loyalty, which translates to more satisfied customers which is imperative in today’s market for brick and mortar stores to stay open.”
Many people think being a brand’s road warrior brings non-stop parties and socializing with customers all over the country and the world, but it also presents frequent challenges. Brent sighed when he shared, “Being on the road is not all rainbows and butterflies. People often see the social media posts—the cities, the events, the fancy dinners—but that’s maybe 10% of the reality. The other 90% is 5 a.m. flights, delays, missed connections, problem-solving in real time, and showing up energized even when you’re running on fumes.” He continued, “A true road warrior needs resilience, discipline, and high performance under constant change. You have to be adaptable, self-sufficient, and solutions oriented. Plans shift. Flights cancel. Shipments get delayed. You must remain calm and focused.” He then touched upon more personal experiences while on the road. “It also requires sacrifice. You miss birthdays. You miss gatherings. It means sacrificing personal time. It means sometimes being forgotten from social plans because ‘you’re always traveling.’ You learn to operate independently while maintaining integrity and consistency for your brand.” To sum it up, “It’s not glamorous—it’s commitment.”
Many times, when a road warrior visits a retail store, the staff often inquires about how they can grow their career in the industry. “I want to be like you and how can I become a rep?” they often ask Brent.
This “O” Award winner shared his words of wisdom. “First—love your brand. Truly love it! If you don’t genuinely believe in the product and the mission, people can feel it immediately and passion cannot be faked. When you immerse yourself in your brand’s message, your confidence and knowledge become natural extensions of who you are.” He continued, “Second—hold yourself to a high standard. I’ve always considered myself an overachiever and that mindset has brought both wins and hard lessons, but I wouldn’t change any of it. Every experience that I have faced—positive or challenging—has shaped my growth, my resilience, and my confidence.” Most importantly, he clarified his most important advice: “This industry rewards authenticity, consistency, and long-term commitment. If you treat it as ‘just a job,’ it will feel like one and if you treat it as a mission, it becomes a career.”
Brent’s time as a road warrior does offer benefits that are frequently overlooked: airline and other travel loyalty rewards that quickly accumulate during their career. Last year, he experienced 96 flights, 144 nights in a hotel, 80 days of car rentals, and countless Uber rides! He’s established top-tier status with his favored airline (United), hotel (Marriott) and several car rental agencies. One of the perks is being able to use the mileage for free vacations and hotels during his much-needed vacations!
Reflecting on his longevity in the industry, Brent acknowledged that “On the business side, helping position Aneros as the leading prostate wellness brand in our industry is something I’m incredibly proud of. Watching the growth from when I first started to where we are now has been incredibly rewarding—and knowing lives have improved along the way—is deeply meaningful. In fact, the messages from customers will always be the most powerful validation.” He added, “This industry is constantly evolving—and so are we, and what excites me most is the continued normalization of sexual wellness as part of overall health. The more we educate, innovate, and lead with integrity, the more impact we can create.”
Brent shared his wisdom in his closing remarks: “At the end of the day, this isn’t just about products. My goal has never been just growth in revenue. It’s growth in impact. Growth in confidence. Growth in trust. It's about health. It's about connection.”
We couldn’t agree more and congratulate him on the industry voted “O” Award voted by his peers in the industry. It’s certainly well deserved!
