Let’s be real: we’ve all been there. You see a sleek, new sex toy hyped up by influencers, splash the cash, and wait with breathless anticipation, only for it to be… fine. Just fine. In a world saturated with slick marketing, one startup is betting that what people really crave is radical honesty, and Kennedy Lum is the person leading the charge.
As the Editor and spokesperson for ToyChats.com, a new community-powered review platform, Lum is on a mission to cut through the noise. Her goal? To replace polished ad campaigns with the real, unfiltered experiences of everyday users.
The Anti-Influencer Approach
Launched in 2024, ToyChats is positioning itself as the antithesis of the typical influencer-driven marketplace. Instead of paying celebrities for endorsements, the platform incentivizes regular users to leave detailed, verified reviews in exchange for cash points. The entire system is built on the idea that the best person to recommend a toy isn’t a paid spokesperson, but someone who has actually used it.
Kennedy Lum is the face and voice of this movement, and she doesn’t mince words about the company’s philosophy.
“We’re not about hype. We’re about honesty,” Lum states. “ToyChats isn’t built on celebrity endorsements or influencer deals. It’s built on real people sharing real experiences – and my job is to make sure those voices are heard.”
This commitment to authenticity is resonating. While still new, the platform has already partnered with over 100 brands and gathered nearly 500 reviews, signaling a clear hunger for a more transparent way to shop for pleasure products.
More Than Just Reviews
ToyChats isn’t just a forum for praise or complaints; it’s building an ecosystem designed for smart shopping. A built-in price comparison tool helps users find the best deal, while the structured review system ensures that feedback is detailed and genuinely helpful. The platform also prioritizes user safety and comfort, allowing anonymous posts and NSFW content filters.
This model is part of a larger trend in the digital world. Consumers, especially in the sexual wellness sphere, are increasingly skeptical of picture-perfect marketing. According to industry analysis from outlets like XBIZ, there’s a major shift towards peer-to-peer trust. People are turning to community hubs like Reddit and now, dedicated platforms like ToyChats, for brutally honest feedback before they buy. By not selling products directly and earning revenue through ads and affiliate links instead, ToyChats aims to keep its reviews unbiased.
A Community Built on Trust
Fan reaction online has been cautiously optimistic. Users on social media and forums have praised the concept, noting that a centralized, trustworthy database for toy reviews is long overdue. The challenge, many point out, will be scaling the community while maintaining the quality and honesty that makes it special.
For Lum and the ToyChats team, based in West Covina, California, the future is about more than just data—it’s about dialogue. They are actively building a sex-positive space where people of all backgrounds and experience levels can share stories, ask questions, and make informed decisions about their own pleasure.
As the site grows, its impact could reshape how brands market their products, pushing the entire industry towards greater transparency. For now, Kennedy Lum is focused on a simple, powerful idea: giving the mic to the people who matter most.
“My job is to make sure those voices are heard,” she repeats. And in an industry often filled with whispers and hype, that clear, honest voice might be exactly what everyone’s been waiting for.
Learn more about the project and its community at ToyChats.com and its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
* Thumbnail from asnhub.com
