Meet Skyler Whitehead | Multi Media Expert / yoga instructor / experience curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Skyler Whitehead and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Skyler, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After a 15 year career working in multimedia and tv production I started my business because I wanted to move out of being skilled labor and into being a content producer telling stories I thought were important. For years I made art nude content helping celebrate the beauty of the natural body which for many was an opportunity to see themselves in a light they never had before. But unfortunately there were very few spaces that actually appreciated the work. After being invited to speak at a conference about desire mapping and sexual embodiment I found an audience that really appreciated my unique voice on the subject. I spent the rest of the weekend listening to other professionals and enthusiasts realizing there was much need for content that helped further the conversation. Realizing I was uniquely positioned to fill that need I began developing my business.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Hedonism & Debauchery is a product and experiences based business focusing on holistic sexual wellness. We have a variety of lifestyle products, educational content, workshops and events that we bring to the global community.  I launched our flagship product the H&D game after a 16 year career working in multimedia and tv production. I’ve been fortunate enough to work on projects from womb to tomb and every aspect of life in between with lots of our favorite high profile people. Starting my career photographing art nudes in college for class I found a love for the human body that showed it as art not just a sexual object to be possessed. However social stigma has made it shameful, immoral and unacceptable for the average person to appreciate their own bodies as art while making it profitable to advertise “elites bodies” with sex in every aspect of our lives.

One of the things that became apparent was that nobody is comfortable with the topics of their bodies, sexual desire, or consent. For over a decade it became this recurring conversation in the back of my head. With a near 50% divorce rate in the US, 42% of college students being assaulted on college campus every year, movements like ME TOO / Black Lives Matter, a huge portion of the population getting elective cosmetic surgery and only 11 states requiring any sex education which is typically abstinence or reproductive based giving no voice to consent, autonomy, alternative lifestyles, or how to have healthy relationships. Instead of complaining about it or going down the beaten path of marching or traditional activism, I decided to put my gifts and media experience to use by making products to help move the conversation in the right direction in a fun way without diminishing what anyone’s life experiences are prior.

It’s been a great journey overall but not without its challenges. Whenever you’re attempting to do something new or different people always nay say or try to poke holes in your concept because they don’t have the vision. Working out the obvious things every business goes through is tough like structuring your back office, finding your audience and dealing with manufacturing / distribution is always a steep learning curve. It’s especially hard to get public support when what you’re doing is considered “taboo”. There have been a lot of people who love the products but are afraid to show active or public support to help us grow.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I’m a huge fan of low key spots with great food.

Nuevo Laredo Cantina is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants with authentic food and some of the best enchiladas in the city. MJQ on a Wednesday or Friday night is a great spot for dancers who love chill spots where you can rock the floor with some of the best dancers or kick back with cheap drinks and enjoy the dj’s pumping dance music from artists all time.  Representing old ATL I would definitely have to spend some time at Golden Glides or Cascade Skating Rink to show how the roll bounce culture started on Friday nights. Bonfire ATL has become a staple on Sunday nights if you know you know. Blue Flame or Magic City if they are interested in seeing some local strip club culture. I have to give a special shout out to the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship. They have been a great resource to helping small black businesses grow, including mine.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out Sebastian Whitehead & John “Skip” Smith of Feel Free Inc. They were my first real inspirations and examples of artists following their dreams. Without seeing them pursuing their passions and actually succeeding I’m not sure the young me would have had the confidence to fight against the programming of “getting a regular job” to share my unique voice with the world. So thank you for what you have silently contributed to the culture and to Atlanta history. These are the minds behind the Soso Def and BME logos representing some of Atl’s finest musical talent. Being able to see them draw. design, paint, host events, and rub shoulders with people who seemed larger than life as a kid let me know that it really was possible to make your own path and make it in entertainment.

Website: respectfulplay.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hedonism_and_debauchery/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/79168054/admin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HDebaucherygame

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HDebaucherygame

Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/UYyTCsLAgnn6HMzgGmU-Bw

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCckHxXIQfayKqrf2VpM3lgQ

Other: https://linktr.ee/hedonismanddebauchery

Image Credits
I own and have the right to use all images