Two OEJ Leaders Just Landed Major Industry Nods

Amanda Moore · 2026-11-08

Let's talk about something that doesn't always make headlines but absolutely matters: the people behind the products you actually use. Our Erotic Journey (OEJ Novelty) just found itself in a pretty great spot, and honestly, it's worth a closer look. The California-based brand is celebrating two nominations for the 2027 XBIZ Exec Awards. Founder and director James Guo got the nod for Executive Leadership Award – Pleasure Products, while Scott Lipkin is up for Community Figure of the Year. Not bad for a company that started back in 2019. ### Why These Nominations Actually Mean Something Awards are nice, sure. But these two nominations tell a story about how OEJ has grown. Guo's recognition reflects his work expanding the company's product lineup, distribution partnerships, and U.S. sales team. That's the behind-the-scenes grind that turns a small brand into one people trust. Lipkin's nomination is a different kind of win. He's being recognized for building real relationships across the industry. And here's the kicker: he already won the 2026 XBIZ Exec Award for Pleasure Product Account Exec of the Year. So this is basically a victory lap on top of an already solid year. "To receive this nomination alongside Scott is a wonderful honor," Guo said. "I'm very proud of what our team has accomplished and especially proud of the relationships Scott has built throughout the industry." That quote says a lot, right? It's not just about products. It's about people showing up and doing the work. ### The Timeline You Should Know Peer voting is open on XBIZ.net through Friday, November 6. The 2027 XBIZ Exec Awards will be handed out during XBIZ Honors on January 8 as part of the XBIZ 2027 event series. So if you're in the industry, you've got a window to weigh in. ### What Makes OEJ Worth Paying Attention To If you're not familiar with the brand, here's the quick version. OEJ was founded in 2019 by Guo and now offers more than 100 products across nine collections. The lineup includes: - Power of Cock - Cristal - Zodiac - Sublime - Thrillz - Curious - Pot - Space - Lit The company has also launched an app-controlled collection aimed at couples and long-distance play, plus a Nightmist Collection for the luxury gifting crowd. Everything comes backed by a five-year product warranty, which is more than most brands offer. And the hardware has earned its share of hardware, so to speak. OEJ is a three-time AVN Award winner for Best Pleasure Product Manufacturer – Small (2023, 2024, and 2025), and it took home a 2024 O Award for Outstanding New Product for its Sexy Pot palm-sized massager. ### The Bigger Picture Here's what I keep coming back to. The adult wellness space has changed a lot in the past few years. It's less about novelty and more about quality, accessibility, and actually caring about the customer experience. Brands like OEJ are part of that shift, and seeing their leadership get recognized is a good sign the industry is rewarding the right things. Whether you're a longtime customer or just curious about what's out there, it's worth keeping an eye on how this plays out in January. Sometimes the people behind the scenes are the ones shaping what ends up in your hands.