How did Tickle get started? Why did we decide to change the way sophisticated women shop for the world’s most intimate accessories? Because of three women and some bagels.

There we were, Megan, Kevin, Sarah and I, in our favorite bagel shop on a typical Monday. We were downing too much coffee and savoring the flavor of fresh-baked bagels, when we overheard a conversation at the next table.

Three women wanted to purchase a bachelorette party gift for a close friend. The “Bagel Ladies,” as we’ve come to call them, had a few ideas for intimate and thoughtful gifts – cool items the bride-to-be could actually use on her honeymoon. But where could a tasteful lady go to buy such personal gifts?

The women bandied about the names of local adult shops. One woman, a sleek red head, crinkled her nose in distaste.

“I wouldn’t go there,” the perky brunette said, and bit too loudly. It wasn’t that we were eavesdropping, though we really couldn’t help but to hear her (or so we tell it now!).

The blonde shuddered. “I’ve always imagine that creepy old men in trench coats hang out there.” Her friends nodded in agreement. Then the third woman, a curly blonde, suggested a local lingerie boutique, but quickly dismissed the idea before the others could voice an objection. Lingerie stores didn’t typically sell the types of items the friends really wanted. “Should we check online again?” she suggested, the defeat evident in her voice.

“Please,” the brunette said, waving a hand. “Everything we’ve found looks like something out of a Jell-o mold.”

This elicited laughs around the table, but the chuckles were tempered by a sense of deep frustration.

The red head sighed. “I don’t think there’s a single place we can buy what we want. Any other ideas for a present?”

With that, the women collected and threw away their trash. Disappointment was evident on their faces as they exited the bagel shop. We couldn’t imagine what they might decide to purchase as a gift in lieu of some fun, intimate playthings. And we didn’t feel it was fair they had to settle.

As we were finishing our last sips of now lukewarm coffee, I had a flash of inspiration that I was more than ready to share, I said, almost falling out of my chair, “Maybe we could help them!”

All turning to each other, we agreed. “It’s possible.”

After a few days of intense research, we discovered the Bagel Ladies were right. There really were few classy, sophisticated shops – real or virtual – where women could feel comfortable buying intimate products. Stores existed, but they were neither welcoming nor romantic. They didn’t make women feel pampered.

“How could this be?” we wondered. “Why are the most intimate of intimate products sold in the most unfriendly ways?”

We continued exploring, and discovered true artisans all over the world who were creating beautiful, luxurious, incredible works of art, only to have them distributed in seedy adult stores.

Right then, we decided we would spend our days and nights helping women like the Bagel Ladies and the artisans who were making products just perfect for our three friends. We could connect them in a way nobody else was doing. We created Tickle, a place where women feel cared for and understood.

Today, our dedicated team of fourteen is still scouring the globe for the world’s most luxurious accessories for intimacy. We’re still proud to be changing the way sophisticated women make the most personal purchases of their lives.

We listened on that day, and we always will. We like to think the Bagel Ladies would approve. Maybe we’ll even see them again someday. After all, we’re still going to the same bagel shop—just getting a bigger table.