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mini-breakdown
Heya all, I'm new to the boards but I've been reading for a couple of days now.
I've been working as a stripper on weekends for the last month and a half, and a couple of weeks ago I quit my day job in order to have more time for my life and for the business I'm working on starting up (promotions/marketing, which is what I'm studying in school).
But ever since I quit my day job I've started to get really stressed out by having my income depending on something that's fluctuates so much - there are nights when I walk out with over $250 cash (which is good where I'm at), and there are nights when I walk out with only $50 or $75. After $25 for cab fare, that sure as hell isn't much for 8 hours of work.
Tonight I had a bit of a mini-breakdown at work and left "sick". I'd been there for over 2 hours and hadn't done a single VIP.
Am I freaking out over nothing? Do I just need to keep working at it, improve my techniques, costumes, and approach and just work on getting regulars? Or am I just not cut out for this job? There's a lot of stuff I don't like about the job, but the money is really really good, especially when you compare it to the minimum jobs I'd be working if I found something else.
Grrr, I just don't know what to do, I feel like I've cut off my options... :-\
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Re: mini-breakdown
Weeknights are always slower than than weekends. Once you establish some regulars, it will get better.
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Re: mini-breakdown
My suggestion is to remember how stressed you get and remind yourself to put most of your money away! Don't blow it on stuff and make sure that you pay off your bills before you do anything with it. You should start making a "rainy day fund" for times that you may be hard up for cash or something happens! It's always good to have at least a couple months worth saved up! If you have a checking account you can put most of your money in the ATM and deposit it every night after work so you don't have the opportunity to spend it.
Also....remember that you've compared the money you are making now to the money you would be making if you took a different type of job and it isn't nearly as good! So...you know that this is a job that you can make better money at.... It is a job that you are cut out to do... It is something that you have been successfull in before!! Keep your head up and remember you're priorities! You shouldn't have any problems if you do that. When you start freaking out take a deep breathe and remind yourself of all of this! Take care girl!
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Re: mini-breakdown
I"m learning that one of the hardest parts of this job is the psychological trip it puts you in. Will I make enough money? Shit, i have two more hours to go and I'll only have fifty bucks after tip-out! My feet hurt so bad I dont care anymore. I"m the only one on stage that hasn't gotten tipped so far... they must all notice i'm new. What do i do when it comes time for tipout and i dont have enough? Why did so-and-so just go into the VIP with the guy I thought for sure I could sell?? What does she have that I don't?
You are not alone!! It's a psychological game that you're getting used to, as am I. Maybe when you're getting doubtful, as in it's been two hours and I haven't sold a VIP yet.... go to the dressing room, sit down, clear your head, and then fill it with something positive... as in... I have six more hours to sell VIP... better yet... let's see if I can sell one this next hour... or lets see if I can sell four dances this hour... ready, set, go... and do it. Or... let's go find that lawyer. or... let's go talk to that guy i just walked past on the way into the dressing room. i haven't talked to him yet.
Try to think positive.
I don't think that you werent cut out for this, just that your mind is getting the best of you. try to recognize negative thinking, call it what it is, and then actively switch over to positive thinking.
I wouldn't give up yet. I wish you the best.
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Re: mini-breakdown
You certainly shouldn't give up! Your initial post also said that you were going to start a marketing/promotions business. You haven't seen ANYTHING yet about fluctuating income! When you have a business, you've got to hustle for the next job, or contract the same way you hustle dances. There is no such thing as a guaranteed income when it's your own biz. The employees have it easy...just show up and get paid. There is a lot of truth to: 'big risk=big reward/low risk=low reward'.
So, I think what you are currently experiencing will be good for you and your psyche once you get that biz up and running.
Good luck! ;)
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Re: mini-breakdown
I think one months it's just a start and I don't think you are doing bad. You have to give it a little bit more time. Trust me it gets better!
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Re: mini-breakdown
I think this feeling of money comes when youre new...you might have doubts in yourself if you can make all that money. Perfectly normal. Its only been about a month for you so you still have time to make better money.
If you havent done this yet...try working everyday of the week at least once. That way youll find out which days are best for you. Then get a regular schedule in hopes youll get some regulars.
What helps me through hard times is saving every last penny of when I have a good day. Helps me feel undesparate on those really bad days.
Make a plan of what you need to make for that day, month, year, savings. This is a motivator for me to see how far Ive come and how far I need to go. Take your fees with you: car fare and house fee.
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Re: mini-breakdown
I think that it takes a little time for dancers to figure out their best approach or hustle. And even after you do that you will have an off-night once in a while. Stay focused and keep a positive frame of mind. And keep smiling!! You'll be fine. And YES, regulars are awesome - guaranteed $$$.
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Re: mini-breakdown
Thanks for all the support everyone, I'm gonna stick with it a while longer and see what happens when I get to the three-month point. Most jobs have an adjustment time of three months so I figure that's a fair amount of time.
:)
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Re: mini-breakdown
b4 you get all superpsyched about having cut out all your options, just remember that you are new to the hustle and you will improve!
Part of it may be your club...consider going to the nearest larger city to dance in a bigger club (lots of dancers carpool back and forth to near major cities).
Also, An average of $125 a night is not too bad (between $250 and $50...). I bet your friends had to bust ass at burger king for 15 hours straight to make up what you got for a little ass shakin'! As you get used to danciing your body will grow really strong and eventually 10hr shifts where you have to pay off the DJ to keep you off the stage because you have nonstop lapdances all night won't phase you. You'll be ready for a sundae at Denny's and go out to a bar too!!
Basically, it only seems bad because you are just not used to the ups and downs, and haven't yet garnered the finnesse to make the downtime come up. You will, though....!!