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"You gotta spend money to make money"
This is a piece of advice I received from a girl the other night regarding outfits. The outfit lady was there, and had some BAD ASS stuff that I loved and fit me well....but I was afraid to spend the $40 (a piece) on them. I was all bummed out, and a girl I work with who I really like, and can always count on an honest, up front opinion from.....says to me "No offense babe (she always starts off like that ::)) but, I noticed that you always wear the same thing. When's the last time you bought yourself something nice?" I told her that money has been super tight, we are saving up to move, etc.....She basically told me that money might not be "so tight" if I would invest a little more into the job and do something nice for myself by purchasing some new outfits. "In this business, you gotta spend money to make money!"
I KNOW she's right. I do wear the same run-down faded shit I have had for over a year or maybe even two. I won't lie, I am kinda self-conscious about it. Alot of the girls I see making lots of $$$ always have a new outfit every few weeks or so.
I had to buy a new pair of shoes a while back cause having one pair made me nervous, they were $65 and I literally had a panic attack at the store.
So, my dilemma is, I am contemplating taking some $$$ out of our savings for moving and buying myself some new damned outfits. It's such a gamble to me, though. If I don't make that money back, it's gonna be a big deal. I'm gonna freak out and regret it. On the other hand, some new threads will certainly boost my confidence and I have chances of making the money back and then some. Ahh! What to do.....
If anyone has any insight for me, I'd love to hear it.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
How much are you making on a nightly basis? What's your client base like? Do you have many regulars? Do other people in your club have regulars?
Honestly, how you look and how you present yourself is important, and you know this. You feel self conscious in your current clothes. Someone who presumably makes more money than you (based on your statement that the high earners invest more in their appearance) let you in on a way to make more money.
Get 1 new outfit, see how it goes, then I'd suggest investing in another 2 outfits or so and alternating.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Order stuff online~ That is always cheaper, especially shoes.
Outfits are usually cheaper online as well and I even find cute outfits at regular stores, such as TJMax or stores in the mall. Depends on your style but some regular dresses or shirts can be used as stripper dresses and bra/panties sets can be really cute at these stores.. Use your creativity but you can usually get cute stuff on a budget. It's kind of fun finding a cheap outfit and then making great money in it. I love it. :)
If you feel good, you look better. Bottom line :)
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Do you have regular customers who might buy an outfit or two for you? At my club, when the dress ladies come, girls with regulars will put on an outfit that they like then run out and model it for a customer and get them to buy it for them. I've never done this but a lot of the girls have a good success rate and it doesn't seem to hurt their dance sales any.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
^ I also haven't done this myself but lots of girls do and it works. I wouldn't get too carried away but it helps to have something new to boost the confidence. One new outfit isn't going to hurt. I have tons and tons of outfits but tend to wear only 2-3 of them because I like them the best.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
You should have a few outfits that you can alternate through. Hell, I sometimes change outfits 2 or 3 times a night. You may be surprised how good you feel when you wear a new outfit for the first time. It can give you a whole new boost in energy and confidence.
One great example where having a locker full of options can pay off: There was a guy at the bar with a TON of cash and he was spending it on everyone. He said he was there to get at least 1 dance from every girl in the place. The great thing was he was getting so drunk that he forgot who he did and didn't dance with. I just kept changing clothes and he thought I was someone else every time.
Anyway, back to the topic, you don't have to spend a lot. Shopping online is a great option. Look to lingerie as a cheaper alternative. They won't stand the test of time, but they're sexy and can be pretty cheap. I'm a booty short girl. Check out some of these from one of my favorite online stores: http://sexycreations.com/short-outfi...2_119_167.html ... they've got other lingerie, dance stuff and dresses too. I noticed they're giving free shipping on $25 orders (I didn't look to see how long it lasts though). Use LISAVIP when you check out and they'll give you 10% off your order too. Another great thing about shopping online is you can generally avoid paying sales tax ... as long as the company isn't located in your home state.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
what Lisa said..changing your outfit often, some guys will honestly think you are a new girl. I'm all for investing in good makeup, good hair extensions, costumes, whatever it takes to give me that bling feeling. If you feel good it will project..
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
keep in mind, too, that you can use existing pieces and maybe add a prop or two to change the whole look:
I have striped socks that I use for many style outfits but pair it with a striped bikini, eye patch, and poet shirt and it's instant pirate outfit
a simple button up shirt and tie from your guy's closet does WONDERS
a button down white blouse with a fake stethoscope = nurse
everyone has denim cut off shorts and a pair of boots to make a cowgirl style deal
look through what you currently own and consider embellishing with a few accessories or a prop
I'm also a firm believer in new music :)
one set I'll go all black and vinyl, heavy metal, fast, aggressive
next set will be slow , lingerie, enigma music
have fun with it
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Learning to sew and embellish can really help as well. It keeps costs down but gives you the opportunity to have custom apparel that attracts clients.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Lexi_Girl
How much are you making on a nightly basis? What's your client base like? Do you have many regulars? Do other people in your club have regulars?
Honestly, how you look and how you present yourself is important, and you know this. You feel self conscious in your current clothes. Someone who presumably makes more money than you (based on your statement that the high earners invest more in their appearance) let you in on a way to make more money.
Get 1 new outfit, see how it goes, then I'd suggest investing in another 2 outfits or so and alternating.
It depends, some nights I can walk with $300 (which is good for me) and some nights I walk with $50. I usually work 2 nights a week (wish I could work more, but I get a ride with someone else) so on the average.....I only make about 200, 300 if it's a good week....I know, sad :'(
The client base there is mostly military, we are by a base. I do well with them. I have tattoos and dark hair so I mostly attract guys who are into that type. Sad to say but the older men that come in who have money to burn usually like the girl-next-door types :( The gangster wannabes are definitely not my crowd either. I see girls in there banking from them sometimes though.
NO regulars, I've never had them. I'd like to! Most girls there do though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rareaspasia
Do you have regular customers who might buy an outfit or two for you? At my club, when the dress ladies come, girls with regulars will put on an outfit that they like then run out and model it for a customer and get them to buy it for them. I've never done this but a lot of the girls have a good success rate and it doesn't seem to hurt their dance sales any.
Nope! That would be nice. My good friend who I work with there had a guy do that one night, she just walked up to him and asked him to buy her an outfit.....he didn't hesitate at all. I was like, "girl, how do you DO THAT??!" She told me she just doesn't think about it at all and doesn't feel guilty either.
I am working on trying to take my emotions out of the equation when it comes to doing my job. That is my big problem. I care too much about what people think. BIG problem for me. I am sure I'd have regulars if I could get over the whole guilt thing.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CherryBomb954
I do wear the same run-down faded shit I have had for over a year or maybe even two. I won't lie, I am kinda self-conscious about it.
This is key...you are self-conscious. If you weren't it wouldn't matter. I used to think the whole "spend money to make money" was true, and it is, to a degree. I mean, you can't wear rags and dress in dirty shoes with your hair all ratty, etc...however, so much of it is your mindset. I was making good money when I wore the same outfit everyday that I worked...as a matter of fact, I still wear some of the same stuff that I bought 18 years ago (I make sure, though, that strings are cut and there are no holes).
Bottom line, if you have a strong hustle and confidence, you can still good well in your old clothes...even if they have holes (even though that looks bad on both you and the club). It's your self-consciousness that's getting in the way...not the fact that you aren't buying a new outfit every week.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
I'm having the same issue. I started working in a gown club a few weeks ago, and I only have this one gown. It's okay, but it's very simple and a little snug in the hips, so if I'm a little bloated I feel really awkward and not sexy. I bought it from the costume lady at my club. She was very nice to me and quite helpful, but it was $80 on SALE. I realize now I could have gotten something similar online for half the price. The other dancers have beautiful gowns, and I end up feeling very plain next to them. I really want to invest in a new gown, but I'm also worried about not being able to make the money back, etc. Does anyone here have anything from the Kamala Collection? They have some gorgeous dresses, but I don't want to spend $100+ only to have poorly fitting gown!
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
It's true that a few investing while dancing are well worth it decent outfits, medi/pedi, hair, tanning, gym memberships, and boobs do help. I even advised a few dancers to get nose jobs or lipo as investments that would pay for themselves in the long term.
I don't think getting a new outfit should be a big deal or heavy investment ebay has great sells on dancer wear and there are ways to shop cheap end that don't look it. Sassy Assy, playboy, and other online stores have sales/clearance. Heck I even found a few at spencers after halloween/xmas that worked great that were a super deal - then again I'm big into sexy costumes everyday of the year. Then there is always some girl at the club that either sews or has the hookup. We used to custom order five outfis at a time at an awesome discount no more then 20 a piece & we picked the material, design, and had it sized couldn't bet that. I bet if you ask other dancers at yr club you will find the sources closest to you, but hope you do invest in yourself as a dancer if for no other reason then becuz selling sexy works better when you feel like a million dollars so being cheap with yourself will not give you the mindframe to make others want to spend more on you. Show them you do deserve it & carry that attitude and it wont matter any how much you did or didn't pay.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Get yourself something new girl! Outfits/costumes are a serious investment in this business, but that aside, you need to do something nice for yourself. You said you make between 200-300/week right? Well, what's spending $50-100 online for you for once? It's barely half of what you make in a week. One week.
Sounds like your mojo is low, and new clothes is a good way to fire it up. Provided you aren't starving to death or being evicted; get yourself something to boost your confidence. You will probably make the money back due to your newfound confidence and excitement.
Shop around and get the best prices and make sure it fits well! Good luck!
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
buy one, it will do wonders for you. promise. whenever i get a new outfit, i do really well, cause i feel super sexy and happy and excited. go for it. don't buy a ton of stripper clothes, just buy one outfit you really love and work it. :D
(ps. i have a tendency to wear outfits over and over again. i rocked a jacket/skirt/socks combo from thanksgiving all the way up to 2 weeks ago because i LOVED it and it made me happy. so don't get self concious. if you love the outfit, and it fits, wear it as long as it lasts. :D )
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CherryBomb954
I KNOW she's right. I do wear the same run-down faded shit I have had for over a year or maybe even two. I won't lie, I am kinda self-conscious about it. Alot of the girls I see making lots of $$$ always have a new outfit every few weeks or so.
I had to buy a new pair of shoes a while back cause having one pair made me nervous, they were $65 and I literally had a panic attack at the store.
So, my dilemma is, I am contemplating taking some $$$ out of our savings for moving and buying myself some new damned outfits. It's such a gamble to me, though. If I don't make that money back, it's gonna be a big deal. I'm gonna freak out and regret it. On the other hand, some new threads will certainly boost my confidence and I have chances of making the money back and then some. Ahh! What to do.....
If anyone has any insight for me, I'd love to hear it.
It seems to me, in this case you might. But what it really boils down to, is you have to believe it. You have to really believe that buying something nice to wear for yourself will be worth it. If not, then you just wasted money, and it most likely won't help.
What it is, is that you have to feel good in what you wear. If you feel good, sexy, positive, then you'll make more money. If you don't feel that way in your old clothes, then by all means buy something that will make you feel that way.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Thank you all for the awesome responses. There's some really good info up there^^^ and I appreciate all the insight!
Well, an update.....my problem is solved! I was on my way to the gym yesterday when I ran into a really great friend of mine who I have not seen in forever. We ended up talked for about 30 minutes, and I somehow ended up venting to him about eveything that was going on in my life (struggles at work, being broke, trying to move, no car, etc) I've always been able to pour my heart out to him when I am having issues and since I haven't seen him in a while.....I guess all the pent up frustration and whatnot just came out.
To make a long story short, I ended up walking away from the conversation with a nice, crisp $100 dollar bill! :D He handed it to me and said "Don't even think about telling me no. Just take it. You don't have to pay me back, just go do something nice for yourself!"
I am never one to take money from friends but I took this one because I know he's the kind of person that would be insulted if I turned it down.
I do have bills to pay but I am gonna invest this $100 into work. So outfit shopping tommorrow, yay! I'm not worried about making the money to pay those bills cause I know this is gonna help me make more $$$.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
That is so awesome! :D I'm so glad to see that you have really true friends like that. And go get 'em! I know you'll knock 'em dead! ;)
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
That's great news! He knew you were just venting and not expecting anything and he wanted to take the pressure off of you to feel free to do something nice for yourself. Great friend! Don't go overboard with new stuff, but buy what makes you look and feel awesome and I guarantee you'll make it back VERY quickly. Great advice from many posters here, too!
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
I agree new outfits/nice makeup/acrylic nails make a difference, you just need to find the balance! I personally work dancer $ into my monthly budget, which is pretty tight. I put aside
$40 for manicures/cosmetics, and $40 for outfits/shoes. I also ask guys to take me shopping and have gotten a few good trips out of that. Bargain shopping online or at seamstress' clearance rack is my standard and i keep my outfits pretty fresh, it def makes me $! Another good tip is to go to goodwill for clothes- find polyester/spandex skirts at any length and you can easily cut them short...same goes for dresses! bikinis from ross/tj maxx are always an easy fix too :)
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Oh, I love how this turned out for you! Oddly enough my really good friend that I work with surprised me the other night by buying me a new outfit because she knew that I was in the same situation as you, trying really hard to save and feeling guilty about buying anything new for myself, and that I'd never do it for myself. It was only $35 (because our dress lady is the shit and has crazy low prices for amazing outfits) but it made me feel so good to know that someone cares about me enough to remind me that I deserve something nice, just like your friend did for you. :)
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
A few outfit changes in your locker can really save you too. I had one night where somehow I had 2 drinks knocked all over me, so had to change to fresh clothes twice.
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Thanks everyone! Didn't have time to shop last week, still have that $100 stashed away. My friend and I are going tommorrow before work, I can get about 3 outfits for that much....the place we go to is awesome, her most expensive stuff is about $65 and those are gowns. I am a two piece girl myself, and those run about $25-$40. Excited!!
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Let us know how it goes. And pictures would be nice. ;)
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Re: "You gotta spend money to make money"
Well, got some new stuff today finally!!! A two piece outfit and some other essentials I needed (black t-bars and scrunch bottom booty shorts which I love) Just those couple things were alomost $90 :faint: but hey......
Tonight? WORST night I've had in a few weeks. Nobody really did too well tonight though, even the superstrippers who never walk out with less than $400 were pretty upset and one girl couldn't even pay her tipout. I guess every night can't be stellar....things have been pretty good around there for a while so I guess we were due up. I was so excited to wear my new stuff, I was ready to kill it but instead it killed me (and everyone else)
Oh well, better luck next time, time to start fresh next week!