Stripping After 30 – Starting an Exotic Dancer Career
Hi bohemians!
Welcome back to the blog where I have a big announcement today. As of a few months ago due to forces both in my control and out of my control I have made my return to the club. I know right I can’t believe it either. After a 7-year hiatus from my early retirement, I decided it was time for an encore. No, I wasn’t “broke” and I didn’t need the income like I used to. I think my main two reasons were that I was bored from quarantining for a year and I just got my boobs done. Still going back to the club at 34 was also something I thought maybe I wouldn’t be able to do so I wanted to at least try and see what happened. Would I even get hired again? If I got hired would I make any money? Could I even handle it psychologically?
Well I am happy to report that yes, I was hired at two of the best clubs in my city for night shift. That I actually knew some of the managers that were still working there from when I retired so that was helpful. I only knew one of the girls that I knew from before though. So other than getting my foot in the door I was starting from scratch. And it’s been a great experience. It took a little while to relearn how to hustle and really dance very well but it was like riding a bike and all came back really quickly. This post is all about things I have learned over the last couple of months about dancing in your 30’s
1. If you’re starting a dancing career in your 30’s keep in mind that you are not the only one doing this. In my state they recently raised the age to work in the clubs to 21. That means I’m no longer competing with 18-year-olds which is awesome. Also, there are more women dancing in their 30’s than people realize. And that is just fine. Actually, some of my clients like the fact that I’m older. Some clients I still lie to and say I’m 27.
2. The biggest challenge I have had to overcome is the wear and tear on my body. In my twenties I could work until 4 AM and then go back and do it again both Friday and Saturday night. Now I can only work one shift a week. It takes a SOLID day to recover afterwards. The one time I did work two nights in a row I didn’t make as much money the second night. I have had success working the Friday before a holiday weekend like Memorial Day and then working the Sunday night before the holiday. But still then I spent the holiday recovering instead of having fun.
3. Self-Care! I don’t really like this term but if you are dancing in your 30’s it is especially important to practice this before and after your shift. For me that means doing a face or eye mask before going in. Getting pedicures or a blow-out. Eating healthy and going to my sauna. Maybe the next day ordering in food and binge-watching cartoons with my four-year-old. I try not to have any plans made on Saturday except relaxing. It’s not until Sunday morning that I usually feel back to normal.
4. Since I only work one day a week I make sure that I am there early and leave late. I try to make the most of my time there and use every second to make money. Some days are very easy and some days are more of a challenge. This part of the job hasn’t changed.
5. Try to make a few friends and stay out of the drama. It’s really hard to stay out of drama when the club practically breeds it. My biggest tip is always be ready to just change when you get there (don’t do your hair or makeup in the dressing room). Also, don’t spend a lot of time in the dressing room really. There aren’t any customers in there and girls will talk either ruining your hustle or drag you into the drama.
6. Make sure to not get too wasted otherwise the next day spent recovering will be even worse.
7. Don’t compare yourself to other dancers working. Sure, some may look younger or appear to be hotter but I have found out that it really doesn’t matter. You are working a numbers game. There are so many customers in the night and it’s a game of chance if you get one that is willing to spend a lot of money. This opportunity changes for each girl every night, it doesn’t really matter what you look like. Some nights you’ll be the one who finds the right client and they won’t – other nights it’s the opposite.
8. I have found that keeping track of my money via a calendar ledger is super helpful. When I was younger I used to just mentally know how much I was making because my bills were paid and I could afford my tuition at school. Now, I keep track of the total I came home with, my house fee and my tip out. This way I can work with averages instead of just thinking I had a “good” or “bad” night. It is great to see that sometimes I have amazing nights and others are just average but it didn’t have anything to do with me. It’s just the odds of who I sat with and who came in to the club that night.
9. Know when you want to go home. I’m a big proponent of this. I haven’t left early from a shift (like before 2 AM) but sometimes I am just done talking to people and want to go home. If it’s 3 AM or 3:30 I might leave just to protect my sanity. There is only so much pounding rap music and talking to other people I can take.
10. Be very friendly to mangers and waitstaff. It’s helpful to tip them out if needed. Don’t forget that they are working too and you want good vibes when you come to the club so if they like you that’s helpful.
11. My plastic surgery definitely helped. This one is a little controversial and probably deserves its own blog post. I did have a breast augmentation and it has made a tremendous difference between before when I was working and now. I also get Botox and fillers. I didn’t get plastic surgery for the club though (I got it last year during quarantine). Botox seems to be a must though for my skin care routine. I also believe that these procedures boost my confidence and help me make more money overall.
12. If I have a bad night I look at my ledger and brush it off. It used to affect me so much more in my twenties because I was young and entitled. Now I am much more humble and don’t let it bother me. (I also consider a bad or average night anything under $1000 if that gives you any reference).
13. Have a goal and stick with it. Whether you are dancing for the first time or returning veteran make sure you have a reason you are dancing. Maybe something you are saving for or some other type of goal to work towards this will help you think about the big picture.
14. Utilize resources (like this blog) meant to help other dancers make money. Sure there are some TikTokers that just want to brag about how much money they make (stay away from these profiles). But there are also so many resources for dancers now that are on YouTube or free that can help you with your hustle and mind-set.
15. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Not in the club, not on the internet. I always think the kind of dancer who brags about her money or talks about it is definitely lying 1000%. I think they are trying to make you feel like you failed or they are winning somehow. Yes, it’s a competitive industry but the second a dancer says “I made $2000 today” I instantly think she is making it up. The girls who make $2k in a night never brag about it especially not on the internet. They are too busy utilizing their money to their advantage to have time to tell everyone about it. The girls who do feel the need to brag are probably insecure about themselves as a commodity.
16. Take a pole class or a flow class at your local pole dancing studio. It’s a great way to learn some new moves and meet other women who aren’t in the club but love being sexy too. I find it so empowering the weeks I get to take a pole class. I love a floor work class because I’m too old to be doing crazy pole tricks during an 8-hour shift. That was only for my younger days.
Don’t let the age thing get into your head. Age is just a number. If you look good and feel good that is all that matters. Have an engaging personality and keep an open mind. If you’re nervous about starting out just remember why you want to dance to begin with. Keep your goal in mind! It’s never too late to start.
Love & glitter,
BW a
