Steve Lightspeed always wanted to produce adult content. Fortunately, he's become very good at it since he walked away from a 13-year career as a computer systems designer in 2000 to found the company that has become synonymous with the teen solo-girl niche. Lightspeed took a big chance—giving up a steady income of about $200,000 a year to do something fun for a change, he said—and the ride has been exactly that. With high-profile amateur talent like Tawnee Stone and Jordan Capri under the LightspeedCash label, life is good for the geek-turned-pornographer who built an enduring fondness for beautiful, young women into an empire.
How did you get your start?
I was running my own programming and consulting company, and I started Lightspeed in 1999 as a hobby. I wish I had started much earlier. Maybe if my high school guidance counselor had been smarter: "Well, let's see. You like computers and you like porn…I know the perfect job for you!" Running Lightspeed has never been about the money for me; I wanted to do something fun with my life. I think starting Lightspeed was my response to an early midlife crisis. Also, I was an avid porn viewer and Web surfer. In '99, there were only a few good websites—and mostly disappointing ones. I wanted to see if I could do it better. I was inspired by ATK, Karups, TNV, and others. LS-University.com was my first site; it was a labor of love. I did every job: recruiting models, shooting, webmastering, customer service, and accounting. I started Lightspeed with about $2,000: I bought two used cheerleader uniforms and a digital camera, and I got set up on a shared server. Then I hired a lawyer and an accountant. It just kept growing until it was making enough money to supplant my programming company. In spring of 2000, I began to do this full time, and I don't miss my old life one bit.
Why did you select the "teen solo-girl" niche?
I have always been focused on the 18-22 niche. Everyone finds women beautiful at that stage of their lives. Plus, all the models that responded to my ads in the early days were in that age range. For us, the girl-next-door look has done well. I think a lot of men are intimidated by porn stars; they prefer models that look like regular, approachable women. Our most popular models also have a certain innocence that's appealing.
How do you find all those amazing girls, anyway?
Honestly, I'd say we've been lucky. We constantly look for new models via advertisements in local papers and on LightspeedPhotography.com. We operate our own talent agency in Phoenix and reserve the best for our Lightspeed sites. I also offer a standing $1,000 bounty to anyone who introduces us to the next Lightspeed Girl. We also get numerous referrals. My goal is to make "Lightspeed Girl" as prestigious a designation as those associated with Playboy, Vivid, or Hustler.
If you were starting over today, what would you do differently?
I started without a plan, contacts, traffic, experience, or money; I jumped straight into content shooting and building pay sites. This time around, I'd start as an affiliate, learning to push traffic to sites before I took the plunge with my own pay sites. I don't think anyone starting with a pay site can succeed in today's market without first understanding the traffic game.
How have you changed since your younger days?
"Youth may fade, but immaturity can last forever!" The biggest thing I've done is go from a "gonna" into a "used-to." The ideas that started with "I'm gonna do this" became stories of "I used to do that." People have said that I'm a lot mellower now. I think I've just learned to keep my craziness more private, because now I have more to lose.
You've been involved in some pretty notorious feuds over the years (Brad Shaw, Gary Kremen, Adult Sites Advocating Child Protection). What's up with that?
The beauty of all that is it is all in the past now. When I turned 40, I went on a mission to end all my petty feuds. I think our industry has enough [outside] people to fight with that it doesn't make sense for us to fight with each other. I was holding onto grudges for pride's sake only, and it felt good to let them go. I'll still take up a fight, but I'm a lot choosier about which ones.
You've also been a victim of porn-backlash. That couldn't have been pleasant.
A few years ago, a neighbor learned of our company and decided to organize a community meeting to discuss "the pornographer problem." Instead of talking to us about their concerns, they collectively decided to shun us in our neighborhood, including not allowing our children to play with theirs. It broke my heart to see my son crying because he was the only boy in our neighborhood excluded from a sleepover invitation. We immediately put our house up for sale and moved. We keep our business very private now. I never want to see my kids treated that way again.
What are the biggest challenges you currently face?
Staying motivated is more difficult for me now. I feel like I've accomplished most of what I set out to do with this business. I've personally shot tens of thousands of photos and hundreds of hours of video, and I've had the time of my life doing it all. With most of my goals checked off my list, my biggest challenge now is deciding what I want to do next.
What about challenges for the industry as a whole?
We've got to grow up as an industry. The adult Internet is under constant attack now, and some of the irresponsible behavior and attitudes have outlived their time. I think the industry needs to self-regulate before it's done for us.
You and your wife work together as a team. How does that work for the two of you?
My wife, Shannon, is really the backbone of Lightspeed. I used to kid her that if we ever got divorced, I was going to move to L.A. to produce porn. She said, "We don't need to be divorced for you to do that." She is an amazing person; I don't think many women could put up with my lifestyle. She keeps me grounded, and I keep her reaching for the stars.
What don't most people know about you that they'd find amusing or interesting?
I have a long-standing phobia of backed-up toilets. When our sewer line was clogged during a 2005 Phoenix Forum party at my house, I freaked out and stood in my yard for the rest of the night.
What are the differences between Steve Jones [Lightspeed's real name] and Steve Lightspeed?
Steve Jones is a husband, father of two, and businessman who works from home, checks stats, and makes websites. Steve Lightspeed is a photographer, entrepreneur, and risk-taker who enjoys traveling, beautiful women, and adventure sports. I don't think they've ever met!
If you were ever on the cover of Forbes, what would the headline read?
"Man Turns Porn Addiction Into Gold" or maybe just "Local Boy Does Well"
