Nicole Leinbach Hoffman is the Founder of STIMULATE, North America’s only sexual wellness trade show and conference, that held it’s ‘virgin’ show in 2023, as well as Retail Minded – a well-respected industry resource for merchants and vendors founded in 2007.

In 2022, Hoffman was recognized as one of Women Wear Daily’s “25 Most Inspiring Women in Retail” and has been on the list of the world’s most influential retail leaders from Rethink Retail since 2015. In 2023, Hoffman was recognized by American Eagle on a billboard in Times Square in NYC for being a Global Change Maker for her work with STIMULATE, and Hoffman frequently contributes to a variety of media outlets that have included The Today Show, Forbes, Fox News, Entreprenuer.com and countless B2B publications. Additionally, Hoffman has supported American Express’s Small Business Saturday as a Spokesperson and is the Author of the book “Retail 101: The Guide to Managing and Marketing Your Retail Business” from McGraw-Hill.

In 2023 and 2024, Hoffman’s trade show and conference, STIMULATE, was recognized as a Finalist by Trade Show Network News for “Best Community Focused Trade Show” and “B2B Outstanding Show Pro”, respectively. In 2025, STIMULATE will make its debut in Australia, as well.

Hoffman resides in Denver, Colorado, where she is a mom of 4, widow to a golf loving husband and has 3 dogs. Additionally, Hoffman has been an Adjunct Professor at Columbia College in Chicago where she teaches Retail Marketing since 2009 and since 2024, sits on their Advisory Board. Hoffman proudly describes herself as a “retail geek”.