Spotlight: CASA Softball/NUUD on 17th ave

We sat down with Marva Moriyama to discuss her Involvement with Calgary Apollo Softball Association (CASA) as well as her position at NUUD on 17th ave sw. CASA has evolved over 3 years to have 12 LGBTQ+ teams, with each team having its own sponsor, and has become a great success in bringing the community together. NUUD and Hush has been a previous sponsor and with the current economic climate and pandemic, we wanted to find out more about her store and her position at CASA.

Pride In Business Community Spotlight, in partnership with TD.
By Jarom Moriyama-Bondar

How long have you owned/worked at NUUD 17th and Casa, and in what position?

In May of 2018 we opened NUUD on 17th Ave, so almost 3 years now. I am the acting General Manager of the 17th Ave location. I joined the CASA board last year as the sponsorship coordinator and was recently re-elected for another 2-year term.

Can you tell me a little about the history of NUUD 17th and being on the board of Casa and playing in an LGBTQ+ league?

At NUUD 17th Ave initially, our goal was to become the best sex toy store in the Calgary area, with our location we quickly realized how important it was to get involved in our community as a large part of the LGBTQ+ community resides in the downtown area. We were presented the opportunity to become sponsors of the CASA league last year and we jumped on it. It was the perfect way to get involved. The focus of our specific location is to be inclusive and to create a safe space for everyone. The brand we represent was previously not involved in the Calgary LGBTQ+ community and we found it was the perfect time to create the relationship and show our support. The decision to join the board was an easy one, I personally had such an amazing experience with our sponsorship year that I just wanted to give back any way possible, and also bring diversity to the board and to future sponsorships.

What inspired you to get into business with this type of work, where are you from, and what is your background?

I feel like it is in my blood, having previously owned a clothing boutique and having siblings and parents who are amazing, hard-working humans who have always lead by example. Jumping into this venture with my partners was an easy decision. Being in Calgary and working in oil and gas, it was a natural transition in my career, however, the bug to do my own thing has always been there. Owning and running your own business however, brings on a love hate relationship. Reward only comes with hard work and time.

What’s your impression of the LGBTQ+ business community in the city?

I'm continually impressed by how everyone supports each other, this is a rarity in business and an amazing example to other business groups/partnerships.

How do you feel NUUD 17th and Casa contributes/supports to the LGBTQ+ community and promotes Inclusion and Diversity?

Our location is an absolute judgement free zone. We pride ourselves on being open and welcome to all, showing each customer the same level of respect and courtesy. NUUD 17th Ave, although not a sponsor this 2020 season, offers all CASA members an exclusive discount year round. Being a board member of CASA, I really feel an obligation to check in on new players and sponsors to ensure everyone is having a positive experience. I believe keeping that communication open is key and helps to form valuable relationships.

What advice would you have for anyone looking to get into retail and/or playing in Casa?

Retail is definitely a grind but you can be successful if you have a clear objection for your business and you proceed with positivity and openness. Finding great staff that share your vision and mindset is definitely key. Treating your staff and customers with respect and gratitude will always support your success as well because at the end of the day, it's the relationships in life that truly matter. I believe that you get what you put in. Networking and creating strong allies in business can help you stay sane and it's good to have a sounding board for support.

As for playing in CASA, join with an open mind and readiness to have fun and meet some incredible people. It was the one day of the week I looked forward to. I've played softball in various leagues for over 20 years and I can truly say I've never felt this excited about league play.

What makes a good ally of the LGBTQ+ community?

I think just getting involved in any way possible is a good start. Being open and accepting, playing in the CASA league was a huge eye opener to how loving and inviting everyone was. It really was such a positive experience that I wanted to support the LGBTQ+ community in any way possible.

Are you open to being approached from members of our community would who like to connect on topics we discussed in this article? How do you prefer to be contacted?

Yes, absolutely! We are always looking for feedback as well to improve our business and the relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. We can be contacted by email at nuudcanada@gmail.com or DM through our Instagram @shopnuud.

What impact has COVID had on your work/business etc and how has NUUD and Casa adjusted?

COVID has impacted everyone. We have been very fortunate to reopen and stay in business during this trying time. Having to implement health and safety procedures for staff and customers has been interesting but deemed necessary to continue the livelihood of our business. I would be lying if I said any of it was easy or comfortable. I think people need to realize, mask wearing although giving some, a sense of security against this virus, gives retail business owners the exact opposite. Theft has always been an issue, however, with mask wearing that brings on a whole other level of security. Kindness and patience are definitely key in any customer service industry right now and that's on both ends of it, as customer service personnel and as patrons.

With CASA it was definitely a curve ball, however, we are just so grateful that we could even pull it together for a shorter season. The board worked so hard as a team to really get it together so everyone could have a safe fun season. Of course we had to adhere to the safety measures put in place by the city and CSSC, so there were definitely some hoops we had to jump through but I believe it was a successful season.

What is NUUD 17th doing for the holidays and how can people support local?

Holiday season is super fun for us, it's usually the busiest time in retail, however we are not quite sure what this year will bring. So to counteract all of the confusion in the world we are just going to do what we can. We will offer some holiday specials, curated gift packs (stay at home essentials pack), and proceed with our Holiday Adult market in early December (be sure to check our Instagram for details). We haven't released the date yet, however we will have specials that night along with COVID friendly holiday treats for customers. It's so important to support local this year more than ever. So many businesses have closed due to COVID and others are struggling, it's sad to see our local businesses disappear. If you're able to financially support by purchasing products of course that is amazing, though we know many are in the same boat so following them on social media, liking posts, saving their posts and sharing their information to others is also a great way to support local businesses. Sometimes just getting a private message that is positive can really help someone.