Life after dancing.
poledancer83
Narnia
Let me start out by saying I have no plans of leaving the stage any time soon. I have however been thinking about the day I do and how I would transition. I have danced basically my entire adult life. My only other job outside of dancing was waiting table for a year. My resume looks as if I haven't had a job since I was 19. If I choose to leave out dancing on my resume that is. I will admit that I am somewhat lazy and should have taken oppertunites to go to school. I instead did what a lot of dancer do and enjoyed money nice things hair make up and nail are always done. I really enjoy the party lifestyle. Out all night, drinking music and I get paid to be a part of it. Its kind of scary to think of life with a mon-fri job. I realize now that I have relied on something that is sure to not stay the same...my looks. I have seen other girls do the same thing and not once did I think about the fact that I am doing it too. As much as I love dancing it seems as if there is a time where dancing turns its back on you when your not the "hottest" thing anymore. ive worked with a few girls in there 40's that are still dancing and appeal to a different crowd and are still successful. I hope that is me but I think its time to start to figure out a plan b. Even though I could go to school and all its still a big change for me personally to consider a job outside of dancing. No cussing no drinking no party lifestyle. Its a job gotta show up on time and work on things without the instant feedback that I get inside the club. Maybe I am worried about it for nothing however it is scary and im certain that other dancers feel the same way. So any advice on life outside of dancing?
40 comments
You really need an education to get anywhere in life. I'd figure out what you are good at and what you enjoy and then get an education in that field. Get a college degree now while you still have stripping as financial support. And start working a civilian job part time. It's better to slowly transition to a civilian job rather than to just jump ship all at once. It also wouldn't hurt to keep a couple of sugar daddies on the side for post stripping financial support.
Of course with stripping you have the option of making tons of money and investing it if you're a smart business woman; by age 35 or so, a woman could retire from dancing and live off investments or open a business in the beauty, emtetainment, or fitness field.
A dancer can also marry a rich man for financial security.
I will have a couple of good degrees. Also on my resume I currently have experience in "customer relations" and being a "spokesmodel" for the company I used to be with, with my former agent. So that is fantastic. I also have an impressive internship as a legal assistant.
So like JS said, find something that interests you right away, and work at it gradually. Go to school. Our country sends a huge amount of GDP on healthcare -- so anything in that area is a guaranteed income source. Things like physical therapist, physicians assistant, radiology tech, CNA, etc.. Save your money and learn how to invest. Oh, and nuclear physicist is also a good option.
I really feel for young people who are trying to make their way in this fucked-up economy. I think my generation had way more opportunities to get ahead.
You should look into sales. Sales people are personable and often good-looking, and your skills as a dancer dealing with people would be helpful. A good sales person doesn't need the same technical knowledge as a good engineer or computer programmer. A couple dancers I know have gotten real estate licenses and sell real estate on the side.
Marriage is not a bad option either. You would need to find a man with a real job. I know 2 dancers who left the business and got married to men with their own small businesses.
agreed and what’s more it is most assuredly not a guarantee of an education especially in this day and age. fucking off in college for a 17 – 22 year old can be fine but if you are “in” college in your mid twenties/thirties well there had better be a reason beyond “i am going to get my college degree”. at that age you are behind the power curve for that track and you are unlikely to ever catch up. think long and hard about that one before you waste time and money trying to get some worthless piece of paper. it may be admirable to get a degree if you’ve got nothing else but you need to make up for lost time. (***if you want a real education you are much better getting it through self study and avoiding college anyway).
i would also caution you to think long and hard about all those healthcare jobs. it is an option but there is a whole lot of down side that most people never consider. there is also an entire industry to provide “training” at usually a very, very steep cost that they will encourage you to borrow to pay for because after all, you will be making so much money it will be worth it – not. and despite the promises there are no guarantees you’ll pass the licensing or even if you do, finding an entry job is usually not that easy (certainly not your dream job anywhere near where you want to be). (***be careful of any of these we will train you for an exciting career scams in any field).
i would suggest that you look into a trade/skill type job. barber/beautician, cpa, book keeper etc. these often times don’t require quite the same level of upfront investment of time or money. they also don’t tend to require a high overhead to operate your own business, you can work for yourself or as an employee or independent contractor often working your own hours and these professions are generally very portable so you can change locations as you desire. and for the most part no one is going to be asking what you were doing in your twenties. be aware that what they do usually require is some sort of licensing. if you get past that hurdle you have something you can sell with an existing ready market that is largely recession roof. these fall into the general heading of being your own boss (or running your own business) which frankly is the best way to go. fail or succeed, it is on you but self worth, self satisfaction and being able to tell whoever to fuck off – priceless.
i also understand that there is a new world order organization looking for ex-strippers to provide the male members with sex on demand. it might just be one of those urban myths but i hear they are headquartered in a basement (with plans to expand to a tree house and then open franchises in Denny’s parking lots) somewhere out in San Jose.
seriously, do some research and ask questions. the longest journey begins with one step but you do have to take that first step. good luck and whatever you do don’t go around saying you’re going to be a lawyer
I'm planning to go to school for massage therapy (something I have been debating about between that or going to be a personal trainer, still might do that later.) I plan to work in a chiropractors office and if for what ever reason that doesn't work out then I will pursue just doing private sessions from home.
You might be able to write up a BS job on your resume, which shows your actual sales and customer service skills, without saying you were a stripper. Maybe you have a regular who owns his own business and wouldn't mind vouching for you, by giving you a reference.
Just don't have Kramer be your reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPxXPIdX…
I too helped my SB exit stripping and finish her college degree. The steady SD financial support was key. Just boils down to what you truly value and want out of life.
She'd learned enough about the subject so she is considering going into real estate sales. We make the obvious jokes of free lap dances or blow jobs with the purchase of a house.
Second, networking. If you are aiming for anything better than burger flipper or Walmart greater, who you know has A LOT to do with getting a job IMO. People are more will to roll the dice on someone they are familiar with than an unknown quantity. Gaps in the resume are a huge strike against you. This makes finding someone willing to look past a resume gap (or what fills that gap) is even more important.
Your best bet is to go to work as a sales rep for a small manufacturing or supply company. Avoid going to work for Club customers, as they have been buying dances from you for the past year with company funds that should have been used to "grow" the company, not their dick.
You'll be able to charm your way in to an interview. Try to find a field that's interesting and maybe unique. I knew a dancer who became a service tech for a machine shop supply company. Primary job was to investigate equipment problems at existing customers and recommend solutions as well as introduce (sell) customer to new tools ($$$), services ($$$$) and products. Of course adding to custy base was big part of it as well.
As a last resort you can always offer specialized services through internet sites like BP. That should get you to age 50. Then you can think about retiring from that and starting a career - after you've saved up some money.
2. A number of dancers have found a real job. Nurse assistant, Dental hygienist, Cosmetologist. Para Legal. Each required going to school, following a rigid schedule, passing exams - and eventually a regular schedule. From the sound of it - this eventuality would be too boring for you. Likewise, Yoga instructor, Massage, Real Estate Broker, Legal - all are over crowded - much work little pay.
3. Sales/Marketing/Modeling: DaOnion is right. These jobs are better suited for good looking, personable people. Some less known jobs
++ Booth Hostess at Exhibitions. Direct traffic to your booth. There are over 3000 conventions annually in US alone. Hot women at Computer, Machinary, Medical conferences draw more crowds to your employers booth. This type of gig gives you travel, partying and meeting new people (note - I did not say meeting interesting people).
++ Auto/Motorcycle/Tractor spokeswoman. One can take a 3 day motorcycle class and demonstrate cool features on a new bike (or even a tractor). Guy customers like a hot woman telling them about their stuff. Women customers feel a little more at ease with a female sales person. In general - become a sales person, spokes person in male dominated businesses. (google Kim Komando)
++ Investigative Reporter: Start with a local newspaper. Even free part-time. Do a good job. Then join FBI or CIA. Remember don't settle for shitty assignments working some crappy place in middle east. Insist Europe, Japan - and management in government agencies don't like to argue with an attractive woman.
Good luck - and don't forget us TUSCL gentle folks when you become rich & notorious !
As you move along your degree program - you can also take advantage of the placement services - and you may be able to find a job that will allow you to party a bit - and still enjoy a consistent income. Some jobs can be done fully online - and they will pay nicely if you have certain skills that jump up in demand.
I wish you the best in your decisions.
This is one of those areas that seems like it could tricky ... not insurmountable, but not every employer will find it acceptable that you've been a stripper, or alternatively, that you couldn't explain what you did for 5 years (or whatever). I know at least two strippers who have covered this with the help of a dedicated regular who has is own business, and is willing to vouch for her. For example, one of the guys owns a construction business, and told her to put herself down as front-office and customer service for his business, and he'd vouch for her if her next prospective employer called him. I also know a stripper whose family owns a restaurant, and she arranged to claim that she was a waitress there for the past years. It's an option if you have a close enough regular who owns his own business.
Oh, last thing... I know a stripper whose stepping stone outside was as a waitress. As a stripper, she was hot enough to get a choice job, first as a cocktail waitress at a club, then moving up to bottle service, where she says she made as much as when she was stripping (though many strippers are not hot enough, and/or don't have the waitressing skills, to get the choice bottle service jobs). That leveraged her looks and customer service skills into a job that paid as much as stripping, that she could put on her resume, while she figured out her next transition.
pet grooming is another independent business that falls into the same category. Americans will always spend money on their pets regardless of the state of the economy.
in the short term consider becoming an independent mobile notary public. there is a demand for notaries to physically go to places like nursing homes where people need the service but can’t go somewhere to get it done. easy and inexpensive to get started and you can set up your appointments to suit your schedule. you won't get rich and it won’t begin to pay the bills like a full time job but it is something you can do quickly, earn a few bucks, fill in some blank time on your resume and give you some very valuable experience running a business as a sole proprietor.
do some research and ask some questions about whatever pops into your head. try something. if it doesn’t work or it is not for you try something else. the options are pretty limitless for anyone to do well and quite possibly become rich in America but you do have to put in the effort. and if you aren’t a conservative now you will be when you experience the leeches taking your hard earned money and we need more conservatives and less leeches that’s for sure. good luck