On September 6–7, sexual health professionals from around the world gathered for SHA’s Annual Online Sexceptional Business Summit. The summit was a space to connect, exchange ideas, and explore the business side of sexual health. I had the privilege of attending and learning directly from leading voices in the field.
Coming from a research background, much of the content was new to me, and I left with far more than I expected. I discovered not just strategies for turning ideas into opportunities, but also a community of passionate professionals who inspired me to think about how my research can live beyond academia.
The Power of Community in the sexual health business
This was my first live SHA event, and it exceeded every expectation. While colleagues had told me these gatherings were dynamic, I wasn’t prepared for just how energizing it would be.
The summit brought together people with diverse roles and experiences, but everyone shared a common mission: advancing sexual health and empowering communities. That sense of belonging and shared purpose was evident whether listening to global experts discuss business best practices or chatting with peers about the challenges we face.
The chat box was buzzing 🔥– full of encouragement, resource-sharing, and real-time networking. One part of the conference I enjoyed was the breakout groups. These gave participants the chance to connect on a deeper level. In mine, participants spanned different professions and backgrounds, which was great to learn from. At the same time, we all bonded over a shared passion for sexual health and creating meaningful change.
This reminded me how vital community is in our field. Demand for sexual health professionals is growing, conversations are becoming more normalized, and research opportunities are expanding. Still, stigma persists, and in the current political climate, community support is more essential than ever. It keeps us motivated, grounded, and aligned with our goals. As CEO of SAALT, Cherki Hoeger phrased it, “your secret sauce is your team-your people.” Her work is a clear example that you can scale a business while staying rooted in community and giving back.
Know your sexual health business niche
Another major theme that emerged over the weekend was the importance of knowing your niche. To succeed in this space, you need to know exactly what you’re offering, who you’re trying to reach and what change you are trying to create.
Know who you are. Take your time to reflect on who you are as a practitioner, counselor or educator and be willing to share that with your audience.
Know your audience. Carly Antor outlined important aspects of how to establish yourself as a professional, emphasizing the importance of serving community members that are giving you energy.
Define your mission. Spend time to develop your mission and be clear on the impact you want to have.
Lead with passion. Passion was evident throughout the summit and showed that it goes hand in hand with success.
Having a clear niche doesn’t just help you stand out, it ensures your work remains purposeful and sustainable.
Know your research
As a sexual health research nerd, I was in good company at this summit. Evidence-based work was discussed throughout the weekend. Research is not just academic, it’s foundational to building sustainable, ethical businesses.
Dr. Laura Widman illustrated this perfectly. Through her research on adolescent sexual health, Laura identified gaps in adolescent sexual health and built a business to meet community needs. Her success demonstrates how grounding business in research can both drive innovation and expand impact. If you are interested in more of her research, stay tuned – I’ll be sharing more of her research in a future blog.
For me, this was a powerful reminder: research doesn’t have to live only in journals; It can (and should) guide solutions, strategy, and growth.
Take risks in the sexual health business
Another clear takeaway: this field requires courage. SHA professionals are brave because they have to be. In the sexual health field, we engage in tough conversations, break down stigma, and push against barriers that feel like they are increasing by the day.
Dr. David Ley put it bluntly, “there’s no such thing as bad coverage when your name is getting out there.” His words captured the theme of risk-taking that was shared across sessions.
Several experts shared personal stories of risk-taking in launching businesses, trying new models, or speaking up in spaces where sexual health was overlooked. The common thread was that growth only happens when you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone. Perfection doesn’t exist. Instead, risk opens the door to opportunity.
This message resonated with me personally. One place I hesitate to take risks is in my online presence—even writing this blog made me pause and reflect on how I present myself. Sessions on digital engagement were eye-opening, especially Tara Jones’s talk on balancing consistency and quality in online work. As a writer, educator and founder of the Youth Sexpert Program, her own Instagram presence inspired me to think about new ways to engage with community.
Emmy Nicholson, Head of North American PR at Lovehoney Group, added another layer, discussing how marketing and PR strategies can help sexual health professionals expand their reach and grow sustainable businesses.
Key Takeaways
Community fuels growth. In a field that faces distinct obstacles, connection is our strongest resource.
Clarity creates focus. Knowing your mission and audience helps you navigate challenges with purpose.
Research matters. Evidence-based practices are essential for sustainable and lasting businesses.
Risk drives opportunity. Progress comes from putting yourself out there and embracing the unknown.
Next steps
If you joined this weekend’s SHA event, you probably walked away as inspired as I was. One participant shared, “Through [my SHA] program, I am finding my niche,” which perfectly illustrates how these opportunities help shape professional paths.
Join the SHA Business School 2025-2026 Cohort that was designed to empower entrepreneurs like you who are shaping the future of the sexuality field that provides personalized mentorship.
Take advantage of other expert-led SHA events including attending the 10th Annual Sexological Conference in October and connect with hundreds of sexuality experts.
Check out books across different sexual health topics at the Sexual Health Alliance Bookshop.
For me, this Summit wasn’t just professional development – it was a reminder that together, we are building the future of sexual health.
Written by Emma Sell-Goodhand, MPH
Emma is a doctoral student and Global One Health Fellow at North Carolina State University studying adolescent sexual health. She brings prior experience as a Technical Advisor at the World Health Organization.
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